What to expect from this week's Paris talks on Israeli-Palestinian peace

A conference on advancing a two-state solution will convene in Paris June 3, but the United States has expressed ambivalence about the French initiative.

Palestine

How to ensure success at the Paris peace conference

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman made some positive remarks this week about the need for a regional arrangement, but the route from words to deeds is a long and uncertain one.

Palestine

Are Hamas, Egypt nearing reconciliation?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri spoke about the improvements in Hamas-Egyptian ties and other Palestinian issues.

Palestine

When books become issue of Israeli populism

Instead of protecting writers, Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev chooses to advocate cheap book prices.

Israel

Can Liberman guarantee stability for Netanyahu's coalition?

The expansion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition should have made things a little easier for him, but Netanyahu’s paranoia is now making him wary of Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon.

Israel

IDF warns of escalating pressure in Gaza

IDF officers are concerned that poverty, unemployment and an internal power struggle within Hamas might push the movement into a new military conflict with Israel.

Palestine

Is new Gaza war more probable with Liberman?

With Avigdor Liberman joining the Netanyahu government, Palestinians feel desperate about a breakthrough in the political stalemate between the PA and Israel and anticipate a military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Palestine

Claiming lack of building permits, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes

While refusing to grant Palestinians building permits, the Israeli authorities have recently intensified their demolition operations targeting Palestinian homes, justifying their actions by claiming that these homes were built without permits.

Palestine

Palestinians get ready for hard-line Liberman as defense minister

The appointment of ultranationalist Avigdor Liberman as Israel's defense minister sparked outrage among Palestinians, who already regard President Benjamin Netanyahu's government as one of the most extreme in Israel’s history.

Palestine

Hamas to execute 13 Gazan criminals as warning to others

A crime wave in Gaza is putting pressure on Hamas, which has promised to execute 13 Palestinians sentenced to death as a deterrent.

Palestine

When going gets tough, Israel's professional ministers get out

Much like other ministers with no background in politics, Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabbay preferred to cut his losses and resign rather than fight when faced with a political battle.

Israel

Has Netanyahu's political credit expired?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost political and personal credibility by appointing Avigdor Liberman as defense minister and with the state comptroller exposing his past financial dealings.

Israel