Russia emerges as a center of gravity for Israel

Given that Russia’s influence in the Middle East excluding Syria remains limited, Moscow is looking for other entry points — but can Israel offer such an opportunity?

Palestine

New Arabic music degree program attracts Palestinian students

Birzeit University in the West Bank has launched a new bachelor's degree program that allows students to learn more than just music theory.

Palestine

How Abbas could end up with three successors

As Fatah’s seventh congress draws near, there is talk of distributing the top three positions within the movement, all currently held by President Mahmoud Abbas, to different individuals.

Palestine

How Bibi is trying to punish Arab MKs for skipping Peres’ funeral

The Arab Joint List rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to boycott the list’s members who were absent from former President Shimon Peres’ funeral, but how long can Israel’s Arab population withstand these Israeli pressures?

Palestine

Gaza ministry incurs anger by ending import monopoly on commodities

Gaza's Ministry of National Economy announced the cancellation of import monopolies on some commodities, but it is unclear whether the decision will decrease the price of goods.

Palestine

Why Gazan women are turning to cactus picking

Women in the Gaza Strip are harvesting cactus fruit as seasonal jobs to either save for college or help their families in light of the difficult economic conditions.

Palestine

Why did Saudi Arabia halt its aid to Palestinian Authority?

The Palestinian government announced recently that Saudi Arabia has not been paying its monthly aid to the Palestinian Authority since April, which will negatively affect the economy.

Legacy: Gulf

Will Obama push for UN settlement-freeze resolution?

US President Barack Obama wants to leave a practical legacy to his successor in the form of a Security Council resolution rejecting West Bank settlements, yet this might have to wait if Hilary Clinton wins the presidential elections.

Palestine

Gaza students buy their way into graduation

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in the Gaza Strip warned companies, offices, libraries and others against selling ready-made academic research papers and projects for undergraduate and graduate students in a recent statement.

Palestine

Gaza’s exchange shops come under scrutiny

The Palestinian Ministry of Economy recently announced the formation of a new oversight committee to monitor the work of exchange shops in the Gaza Strip, in light of the manipulation of currency prices that has been ongoing for many years.

Palestine

Will Islamic Jihad reconciliation initiative unite Palestinians?

Most Palestinian factions have accepted the initiative launched by Ramadan Shalah, the secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but will this initiative remain mere ink on paper?

Palestine

Arabs seek new partnership with next US president

A new poll shows widespread distrust but reliance on the United States.

Saudi Arabia