EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Feature Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Analysis On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government. Ehud Olmert Former Israeli prime minister
Why human rights NGOs are losing support of Israeli public Human rights nongovernmental organizations are confronted by an increasingly difficult battle over Israeli public opinion, which often considers them illegitimate or hostile as they criticize the elected government. Palestine
UNESCO head's attempt to ease Israeli outrage backfires An attempt by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova to ease Israeli anger over a recent resolution has infuriated Palestinians. Palestine
Why Israelis flock to small tomb in Nablus at night Despite the fact that Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus has been the site of recurring clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews keep coming to the site for nocturnal prayers. Palestine
Will Nasser al-Qudwa be Palestine's next president? The latest rumor has it that Palestinian diplomat Nasser al-Qudwa is in the running to succeed President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
More Palestinian lands threatened with confiscation Sixty percent of Palestinian lands in the West Bank risk confiscation by Israeli authorities under the absentee property and abandoned lands laws, which some Palestinian activists say were issued with the aim to expand Israeli settlements. Palestine
Inside Palestine’s first green school Palestine's first green school was recently inaugurated in the West Bank, and its creators hope to raise awareness among the younger generations about eco-friendly practices. Palestine
Netanyahu faces off against UNESCO over Jerusalem resolution Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers to ignore the fact that from a diplomatic-international standpoint, the Jewish holy sites in the Old City are under occupation. Palestine
New initiative aims to protect Palestinian working women In a bid to help women overcome the bitter situation plaguing the work environment, the Palestinian Ministry of Labor, in cooperation with the International Labor Organization, recently issued a guideline for the rights of working women in Palestine. Palestine
Will Palestine amend its local council electoral law, again? Following the postponement of local elections, the Palestinian government has started making contacts with the Palestinian factions to agree on a new formula for the elections, and one of the proposed ideas is amending electoral law No. 10 of 2005 to establish a court competent to settle local elections issues. Palestine
Why Israeli NGO’s UN testimony against occupation backfired The decision by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem to testify to the UN Security Council against the occupation has weakened its own camp and played into the hands of the Israeli right. Palestine
Is Jordan Israel’s new best friend? Jordan is boosting its strategic ties with Israel based on their mutual economic interests, while Palestinians sound the alarm against normalization of relations with their enemy. Palestine
Arrest of security officer shines light on freedom of expression in Palestine The arrest of a Palestinian government employee critical of President Mahmoud Abbas is indicative of the constraints on freedom of expression that Palestinian journalists face. Palestine