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
Has Israel’s defense minister given up on toppling Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman seems to have realized that attacking Hamas targets in retaliation for rocket fire from rogue groups could damage the organization’s efforts to contain those elements. Palestine
Hamas leader speaks out after controversy In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas official Ahmad Yousef discusses why the movement issued a statement preventing the press from dealing with him as its spokesperson. Palestine
Assessing the aftermath of postponed Palestinian elections Resolving the problems that caused the suspension of the Palestinian local elections is crucial to solving internal Palestinian problems through ballot boxes. Palestine
How this new Palestinian coalition intends to fight climate change The Palestinian Coalition for Climate Justice was recently formed to address the climate change issue and raise awareness about its repercussions in Palestinian society. Palestine
Will PA wait for US elections to submit new UN resolution? Palestinians are not convinced by the Palestinian Authority's justifications for delaying a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity. Palestine
How Palestinians hope to increase exports Earlier in September, the Palestine Trade Center announced the Palestine Exporter Award for 2016, a national recognition to promote an export culture among Palestinian firms, encourage diversification in exports and support access to new markets in a bid to achieve national economic development. Palestine
Birzeit protest ends as students strike tuition deal A heavy budget deficit — though lighter than those of other Palestinian universities — led Birzeit University to call for a tuition hike, sparking a protest movement by the student council that closed the school's gates for a month. Palestine
Abbas unfazed by criticism of participation in Peres' funeral Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ participation in former Israeli President Shimon Peres' funeral brought out raw anger against Abbas, but he remains adamant in his pursuit of peace through negotiations. Palestine
Will Fatah’s seventh conference unite its ranks? Fatah’s Central Committee announced the holding of the movement’s seventh conference after a seven-year absence, which would help unite Fatah’s ranks and prepare it for any future elections. Palestine
Speeches and eulogies won’t advance Israeli-Palestinian peace American presidents have made historic speeches about the Middle East, and have delivered inspiring eulogies at the funerals of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and President Shimon Peres — but all that has not brought peace any closer. Palestine
Who could replace Peres? The late President Shimon Peres is irreplaceable, but one of three people — his son Chemi Peres, former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi or former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz — could go on from where Peres left off. Palestine
Will new social security law protect Palestinian workers? President Mahmoud Abbas ratified the social security law, after a campaign led to amendments that guarantees the rights of employees, women and people with disabilities. Palestine