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 one Palestinian with a camera rattled Israelis Ever since he taped the incident in which an IDF soldier shot an already injured Palestinian attacker in Hebron, Imad Abu Shamsiya has been receiving death threats from extreme-right activists. Palestine
Has the individual intifada peaked? Collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian security forces has reduced the scale of the individual intifada. Palestine
Syrian Kurds proceed with federal structures despite Turkish threats Washington gets the Erdogan treatment; Syrian Kurds establish federal institutions; Hamas closes Iranian charity. Palestine
How Netanyahu sows fear among Israelis Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas talks with Israeli journalists and writers, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses rhetoric of fear, and keeps pointing an accusing finger at the Palestinians. Palestine
Will PA continue enforcement of Israeli products ban? The Palestinian government officially and for the first time ever decided to ban the entry of five Israeli companies' products into the West Bank, which will bolster the Palestinian economy. Palestine
Why Iran wants Hamas to apologize Hamas representatives remain busy trying to repair relations with Egypt and Iran while not offending anyone in the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
What sours Israel-EU relations Israeli officials mistakenly believe that the world is coming closer to Israel in policy and values in the aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks. Palestine
Is this the man who will replace Abbas? It seems dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan is expanding his regional and international influence to become the potential successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Saudi Arabia
Why Jordan is installing cameras at Al-Aqsa Mosque Jordan’s plan to install surveillance cameras at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is raising controversy among Palestinians, as some believe Israel will take advantage of the cameras to further attack and pursue those defending the mosque's grounds. Palestine
Why this Hamas leader will not tell you what you want to hear Hamas leader Ahmed Youssef sees the critical light he shines on his own party as essential to its legitimacy in Gaza, though many others among the leadership wish he would toe the line. Palestine
Is Russia leaning away from Palestine? Russia recently described Palestinian attacks against Israelis as terrorist attacks, which might indicate a change in what Palestinians regarded as Moscow's balanced position. Palestine
How these Israeli mayors are finding their own path to peace A group of Palestinian officials have been meeting with Israeli mayors on both the right and the left in an effort to convince them that there is a partner for peace on the Palestinian side. Palestine
