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
Switzerland gets active on Palestinian reconciliation After the Swiss Paper in 2014, Switzerland gets active on the Palestinian reconciliation in an attempt to solve some of the outstanding issues between Fatah and Hamas, most notably the issue of Gaza’s employees. Palestine
Hamas leader: We made Gaza security oasis In an interview with Al-Monitor, Ziad al-Zaza, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, addressed several internal and foreign issues, including Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Israel and Palestinian legislative elections. Palestine
'Utter failure' prompts political retirement of Palestinian official In an interview with Al-Monitor, member of the PFLP Central Committee Zulfikar Suergo says that the Palestinian leadership has failed to put an end to the people's dire situation. Palestine
Will Israel move from occupation to annexation? Palestinian officials fear that the appointment of hawkish Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman as defense minister signals an Israeli policy leap from occupation of Palestinian territories toward annexation policies. Palestine
Why Hamas and Israel both oppose French peace initiative Few seem hopeful that France's upcoming peace talks will actually result in peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Palestine
New defense minister's death penalty demand would put Israelis at risk The demand by incoming Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman to impose the death penalty for terrorism convictions could destroy Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation and ignite a new intifada. Palestine
Have Israelis grown accustomed to corrupt politicians? Honesty and integrity are passé in Israel, where citizens have gotten used to politicians being corrupt. Palestine
Why is Egypt calling on Israel to release Marwan al-Barghouti? Sentenced to five life terms plus 40 additional years in an Israeli prison, jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti is now gaining supporters calling for his release, including Cairo. Palestine
Gaza calls for death penalty Citizens in the Gaza Strip are pressuring Hamas to implement the death penalties in cases of murders, robberies and physical attacks, without awaiting the endorsement of President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Islamic Jihad takes drug enforcement into own hands in Gaza The Islamic Jihad's military wing seized large quantities of Tramadol pills in Rafah, in a move Gaza officials considered as overstepping the security services' job. Palestine
Peace with Palestinians not in Netanyahu's plan Whatever the composition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, it will never aspire to a negotiated peace with the Palestinians. Palestine
Are Palestinians concerned over Minister Liberman? Palestinian leaders in the West Bank and Gaza say they do not fear incoming new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. Palestine
