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
Do Netanyahu's policies allow Hamas to get stronger? The Israeli political class, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Isaac Herzog, offer little solution to the threat posed by Hamas. Palestine
Gaza's schoolyard exorcisms A video of a teenagers tearfully repenting their sins together at school under the direction of Hamas-affiliated preachers has many Gazans outraged over religious affairs officials' involvement in education. Palestine
Who is really inciting violence in Israel-Palestine conflict? Deputy Palestinian Information Minister Mohammed Khalifa tells Al-Monitor that, while Israel blames them for incitement, right-wing Israelis are responsible for the violence. Palestine
Why a seaport won't solve Gaza's problems Israel cannot simply offer some gestures to improve the situation in Gaza without negotiating a comprehensive solution to end the occupation. Palestine
Congress puts stranglehold on Palestinian aid Key lawmakers are incensed with terrorism support and statehood bid. Palestine
Underground war between Israel, Hamas heats up The IDF exposed an attack tunnel dug by Hamas, which reached Israeli territory. Palestine
Is Hamas on the offensive or defensive? Hamas believes that Israel will attack the Gaza Strip again at some point, which is why it keeps arming itself and developing its rocket project. Palestine
Why Israel wants these bedouins to pay for their village's demolition After demolishing the unrecognized Bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev region for the 96th time since 2010, Israel is now seeking for villagers to pay damages in compensation for the recurrent demolition work in a bid to force them out and implement the Prawer Plan. Palestine
Israeli envoy reflects on time at UN In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israel's envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, shares insights into the issue he deals with daily, including cyber warfare, terrorism and raising alarms about Hezbollah. Palestine
How Hamas plans to boost its declining popularity The Hamas movement hopes a new exchange deal with Israel for the release of Palestinian prisoners will reverse its declining popularity among Palestinians. Palestine
Palestinians pop up in Panama Papers The Panama Papers included many names from the Palestinian Authority, an institution already facing widespread allegations of corruption. Palestine
Does Israel have justification to enter West Bank's Area A? Palestinians and Israelis disagree over the legality of the Israeli army pursuing Palestinian fugitives into Area A of the West Bank. Palestine
