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
Will European pressure push Netanyahu on right track? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces European pressure to advance talks with the Palestinians while the Likud simultaneously pushes for continued settlement expansion. Palestine
Have Israel, PA figured out how to stop attacks? The Palestinian Authority is using a two-phase approach against potential attackers, first approaching school students and then talking to their parents. Palestine
Why Merkel's criticism only strengthens Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have suffered not at all from Der Spiegel's bombshell report about German frustration over Israel's continuing occupation policy. Palestine
Has Europe had enough of Netanyahu? European leaders seem to have come to the realization that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can't be taken at his word. Palestine
Why is Jordan restricting Palestinians' travel? Palestinians have been fighting repressive Israeli travel restrictions for years, now they face Jordanian ones too. Palestine
Easter in Egypt resurrects debate over travel to Israel In the lead-up to Orthodox Easter May 1, disputes have resurfaced over visits by Egyptian Copts to Jerusalem. Palestine
Is Abbas using Big Brother policy to threaten opponents? President Mahmoud Abbas seems to be working to punish and pressure his opponents, by halting their monthly stipend and establishing a High Constitutional Court. Palestine
Russia, Israel navigate narrow straits in potentially turbulent waters Recent glad-handing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked interest, and intrigue, in the Middle East and beyond. Palestine
Is the PA coordinating arrests with Israel? In light of the climaxing uprising, some claim the Palestinian Authority's security services are coordinating arrests, so that after a Palestinian suspect is released by the PA he is shortly thereafter detained by Israel. Palestine
Why one Gazan turned destroyed home into a zoo A Palestinian who has been waiting for the reconstruction of his house destroyed in the war on Gaza almost two years ago is now using it as a zoo. Palestine
Aid poured into fixing mosques while Gazans live in tents Enormous funds are being funneled into the reconstruction of destroyed mosques in private projects that are directed by the donors themselves, with money Hamas cannot redirect toward housing displaced Gazans. Palestine
Why some Palestinians aren't optimistic about Israel's decision to ease residency restrictions Israel issued a decision allowing some Palestinians living in Jerusalem and the West Bank to reunite with their families in Israeli cities, but security concerns may undermine it. Palestine
