Civil Society

Shikma Bressler, an Israeli physicist and one of the leaders of the protest against the government's judicial overhaul.

Interview

Can protests in Israel halt Netanyahu's second attempt at judicial overhaul?

After two years of focusing on the battle to release the hostages, Israelis are now once again demonstrating against the government’s judicial overhaul plan.

Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Fed up with Netanyahu, more Israelis seek European passports

The number of Israelis seeking European passports has increased considerably in a trend that has continued even after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) in the State Dining Room at the White House, on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

After Trump’s pardon letter to Herzog, 4 scenarios emerge for Netanyahu’s trial

President Donald Trump again asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been on trial for over five years.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images

EU Commission chief seeks sanctions, partial trade freeze on Israel: What to know

The proposal comes in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, but divisions among the EU’s 27 member states make it uncertain whether the measures will be adopted.

Latest News

Israeli universities, tech firms, cities to join strike over Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover plan

Demonstrators gather during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip.

Jordan summons suspects accused of holding Muslim Brotherhood assets: What to know

Flags of Jordan and the Muslim Brotherhood are waved with other protest signs denouncing the US-led Middle East economic conference in Bahrain, in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on June 21, 2019.

What to make of Egypt's removal of Alaa Abdel-Fattah from terror list

Egyptian blogger and activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah exits the police headquarters in Cairo following his release on December 25, 2011.

Turkey's opposition elects acting mayor as Imamoglu remains detained, protests persist

Newly elected interim mayor of Istanbul, Nuri Aslan of CHP, waits to speak to the media on March 26, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh speaks at the Al-Haq Foundation after Israel raided and closed an entrance to their offices, Ramallah, West Bank, Aug. 18, 2022.

Palestinian NGOs launch international campaign to revoke Israeli decision to shut them down

Israel shut down the offices of seven Palestinian NGOs in the West Bank per a military decision, which these NGOs seek to confront with a wide international campaign.

A policeman sprays tear gas at protesters during a demonstration along Habib Bourguiba Avenue, against their president and the upcoming July 25 constitutional referendum, Tunis, Tunisia, July 22, 2022.

Tunisian police unions clash with president's plan to unify security forces

Human rights organizations in Tunisia are increasingly concerned about the police unions’ encroachment on politics.

A photographer takes pictures of a newly wedded couple in a classic car, in front of the Saint Estephan Maronite Church at the fishermen's port in Batroun, Lebanon, Aug. 6, 2022.

Culture

Cash-strapped Lebanese turn to online civil marriages

Najwa Sbeity and Omar Abdel Baki's civil wedding ceremony that they held online went viral, enticing more people to opt for this option despite the religious backlash and bureaucratic difficulties.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi.

Iranian government intensifies crackdown

Iran has arrested three of its most prominent filmmakers.

Tel Aviv bakery

Israeli government retreats on bread-price controls

The global rise in prices of flour and other products havs affected the cost of bread in Israel, some of which has long been regulated.

Kholoud Sukkarieh (R) and Nidal Darwish, who got married in defiance of the ban on civil unions, walk past Pigeon Rock, Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 25, 2013.

Culture

Newly elected MPs bring back debate about civil marriage in Lebanon

The positions of some new legislators in favor of civil unions to be performed in the Mediterranean country have outraged religious authorities.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to his supporters on June 7, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ghosts of Gezi protests still haunt Erdogan

The timing of President Erdogan’s recent outbursts targeting the 2013 Gezi protests hints that the protests will play a central role in his campaigning ahead of the June 2023 elections.

Light Your Street

Culture

Rebirth Beirut brings nightlife back to Lebanon’s iconic Gemmayzeh

NGO Rebirth Beirut has brought 24-hour power back to Lebanon’s beloved nightlife district, hoping to encourage visitors and businesses to return.

Sudanese demonstrators barricade Al-Sahafa street during ongoing protests against a military coup, Khartoum, Sudan, Jan. 18, 2022.

Can Egyptian civil society contribute to solving Sudanese crisis?

An Egyptian civil society delegation visited Khartoum where it met with various political parties, as part of efforts to boost relations and dialogue at the popular level.

People hold a giant rainbow flag during a parade on Istiklal Street.

Culture

Turkey’s Alevis to open their houses of worship to LGBTQ funerals

Turkey’s major Alevi organizations announce they will open their houses of worship to LGBTQ individuals in support of equal funeral rights.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech.

Has Ukraine war given Erdogan free hand at home?

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might be aiming to tighten his grip on the domestic front, taking advantage of Ankara’s rising profile amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A man places a copy of the Tunisian Constitution atop a Tunisian national flag.

Tunisian president grants himself power to appoint election authority

The presidential decree to revise the law of the Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia and change its composition is facing widespread criticism from opposition parties and organizations that accuse Tunisian President Kais Saied of granting himself wide powers that may affect the course of democracy.