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Palestine

July 22, 2026

Ramallah 11:53 pm

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Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

Government Media Office Director Ismail Thawabteh (R) and Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem (L) speak at a press conference.

Explainer

What does Hamas' move to dissolve its Gaza government mean?

Hamas has agreed to hand civilian administration over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, but the committee is not yet in Gaza and may not deploy until Hamas’ disarmament is resolved.

Joint List Party leader Ayman Odeh attends a meeting on April 5, 2021 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

In an interview with Al-Monitor, head of the Arab-Israeli Hadash-Ta'al Knesset faction, Ayman Odeh, said his party is prepared to make difficult decisions to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat?

Kiros has taken a hard stance against Israel and opposes all aid to the country as pro-Palestinian candidates make further inroads in the party.

Latest News

Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank

Israeli security forces attempt to disperse Palestinians who had gathered to protest the reported burning of land by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian village of Idna, west of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on June 5, 2026.

Ireland bans hard-line Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich: What to know

Israeli policemen surround Israeli Minister of National Security and far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir as he arrives outside the Damascus Gate of the walled Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2025, during a flag march for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the Israeli army's 1967 capture of the city's eastern sector during the Arab-Israeli war.

Record Israeli arms exports highlight global rush for air defense

People stand in front of the Arrow 3 shield system during an event of the German Air Force to declare the Initial Operating Capability for the Arrow Weapon System for Germany at the Annaburger Heide Air Base in Schoenewalde / Holzdorf, eastern Germany, on Dec. 3, 2025.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

Sara Netanyahu (C) stands next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (3rd-L) as they attend the Jewish Federations of North America 2015 General Assembly in Washington November 10, 2015. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday that he remained committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as they sought to mend ties strained by acrimony over Middle East diplomacy and Iran. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RTS6CWK

Bibi fools everyone … except his wife

Feeling that Israel is facing an ongoing existential threat, the public turns to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, mistakenly perceived as a security authority and a savior.

A sign is seen at the Erez border crossing between Israel and northern Gaza Strip December 28, 2014. Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip prevented on Sunday a group of Palestinian children who lost parents in the July-August war with Israel from making a rare goodwill visit to the Jewish state, organisers of the trip said. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4JF9V

Why hasn't Israel lifted the Gaza blockade?

With Education Minister Naftali Bennett joining those objecting the continued Gaza blockade, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon must rethink their position.

Is the US giving up on Israel?

The unusually sharp tone of US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro's criticisms of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians has many wondering what it means for the future.

Ramallah goes organic

A popular Tuesday health food market in Ramallah is helping marginalized women and young farmers sell organic produce.

How new Israeli settlements will lead to more violence

The United States, European Union and Palestinians have condemned an Israeli plan to build a settlement that could be the tipping point toward more violence and terror.

Palestinian journalist Ayman al-Alul answers AFP journalists' questions during an interview on January 13, 2016 at his family home in Gaza City.
Alul, a 44-year-old journalist with the Arab Now news agency, was detained by Hamas security services in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on January 3 and released on January 11.

/ AFP / MAHMUD HAMS (Photo credit should read MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images)

Hamas stifles Gazans' giggles

The recent arrest of two satirists in Gaza points to increasing restrictions on freedom of expression due to Hamas' insecurity.

An Israeli right-wing activist holds a black flag with the Hebrew words for "High Court" during a rally to protest a recent court decision ordering Israel to release thousands of African migrants from detention, in Tel Aviv October 5, 2014. Israel's high court last month outlawed a detention centre where African migrants are held without trial and ordered some 2,000 inmates there released over the next three months. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION CIVIL UNREST) - RTR490U7

The black flag over Israel's democracy

Israelis are relinquishing their democracy through their silence and actions.

Who are Israel's true friends?

The Israeli government tends to label every policy critical of Israel as an anti-Israeli policy.

Arrest of Palestinian journalist reflection of 'political chaos'

The arrest of Palestinian journalist Salim Sweidan and his detention for four days has exposed a broken legal system where understandings are replacing the rule of law.

Can Abbas bring hope to desperate young Palestinians?

Demonstrating against the Israeli occupation, young Palestinians have also been pointing a finger at President Mahmoud Abbas, who has finally addressed them and their problems in his latest speeches.

FOR RELEASE WITH FEATURE MIDEAST-SETTLERS - Jewish settler and manager of the Mofaz Etzion bullet-proof vest factory Shamai Ben-Baruch (L) helps his daughter Itamar model a child-sized bullet proof jacket in the West Bank settlement of Gush Etzion, near Hebron. Almost a day does not pass without Jewish settlers being shot at and sometimes killed as they drive on West Bank "bypass" roads. Many settlers are now buying bullet-proof vests to wear when they travel to and from their settlements.

NB - RTRJYGM

Israeli fashion gets tactical

Business is booming for Israeli clothes manufacturers that have developed bullet- and knife-resistant fabrics and apparel, though they may not all deliver what they promise.

A Palestinian worker straightens scrap metal collected from the rubble of a hotel in Gaza City that was destroyed during Israel's three-week offensive nearly two years ago November 7, 2010. Thousands of Gazans, mainly young men and boys, go close to a no-go border zone in the Gaza Strip daily to pick over the wreckage of factories and houses flattened by Israel in the past few years in its conflict with Islamist Hamas militants who control the enclave. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY) -

Gaza scrap collectors finally back in business

Following years of interruption due to Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip, the scrap trade there has resumed, sparking economic hope.