Newsletter: Palestine Palestine elections chief: Vote ‘transparent’ despite war, restrictions In an exclusive interview, Rami Hamdallah defended the transparency of recent Palestinian local elections while outlining the political and logistical barriers to voting in Gaza and East Jerusalem. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
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' Ehud Olmert Former Israeli prime minister
How Jerusalem Jubilee plan sidelines Arab residents In his speech on Jerusalem Day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he aspires for peace, yet his Jerusalem Jubilee plan ignores Jerusalem's Arab residents. Palestine
Netanyahu's diplomatic nightmare Is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's sudden positive statements on the Arab Peace Initiative a reflection of his fears of a Palestinian statehood resolution at the United Nations? Palestine
Who will light the road to Rafah? Despite Salah al-Din Road in the Gaza Strip having already claimed the lives of many, no agency has stepped forward to foot the high electricity bill to make the road safer. Palestine
Why can't Gazans drink their tea in peace? Security services in Gaza are implementing heavy and exaggerated measures in cafes and public spaces, dealing with clients as suspicious persons, so have they crossed the line? Palestine
Will Palestinian place where Jesus was baptized become World Heritage Site? Palestinians are seeking to register the western side of the Baptism Site on the Jordan River as a World Heritage Site. Palestine
Why Israel rejected Paris peace conference Israel had hoped that the Paris conference initiative will fade away, the way the French initiative for a UN resolution on Palestinian statehood was sidelined. Palestine
Young Gazans juggle their jobs with circus performances The only circus school in Gaza is popular with patrons, and performers say they've gained confidence and friends from the experience. Palestine
Will Hamas abandon political Islam? The decision by Tunisia's Ennahda to separate religion from politics has raised controversy within Hamas circles. Palestine
How Israel justifies increased arrest rate of Palestinians The number of Palestinians in Israeli jails has increased as detainees are accused of incitement against Israel on social media. Palestine
Will Israel's new defense minister agree to meet with Abbas? Israeli mayors who met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say that he is willing to meet with new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. Palestine
What to expect from this week's Paris talks on Israeli-Palestinian peace A conference on advancing a two-state solution will convene in Paris June 3, but the United States has expressed ambivalence about the French initiative. Palestine
How to ensure success at the Paris peace conference Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman made some positive remarks this week about the need for a regional arrangement, but the route from words to deeds is a long and uncertain one. Palestine
