Analysis Europe’s West Bank trade ban fires warning shot at Israel’s economy Weeks before key Israeli elections, a dozen nations announced new trade restrictions targeting settlements in the West Bank, delivering a sharp rebuke to Israel's government that could presage additional international pressure. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords. Israel
Majority of Palestinians lose trust in Hamas and Fatah, new poll finds A recent poll by a Palestinian survey center found that trust in Palestinian factions has declined, amid stalled efforts to implement the Gaza peace plan and escalating settler violence in the West Bank. Palestine
12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements The decision comes against the backdrop of an escalation in settler violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Israel
Analysis LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Why Palestinians see success of Trump talks as contingent on Israeli elections By Mohammed Najib
Hamas, Palestinian factions back Iran against US sanctions Hamas and other Palestinian groups have reaffirmed their solidarity with Iran since the United States reimposed more sanctions on Tehran. Palestine
Israel’s 'Loyalty in Culture' law spreads to other ministries The spirit of the "Loyalty in Culture" law starts seeping into other government ministries, defunding cultural programs that criticize the government’s occupation policy. Palestine
Israeli celebration of ties with Gulf states premature The visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Oman is Sultan Qaboos’ way of signaling to Israelis what peace could look like, should they end the occupation of the Palestinians. United Arab Emirates
Midterms revamp Middle East policymaking in Congress Tuesday’s elections will re-order the committees in charge of foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Israel's defense minister pushes death penalty for terrorists Despite objections by Israel's security and defense establishments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman a green light to push ahead with a bill allowing military courts to more easily sentence terrorists to death. Palestine
Muslim family will not give up keys to iconic Jerusalem church despite pressure The controversy over the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City says more about the lack of political leadership in Jerusalem than about the current custodian's suitability for the role. Palestine
The second assassination of Yitzhak Rabin Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates encouraged and benefited from the incitement that led to the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, but are now portraying themselves as the real victims. Palestine
East Jerusalem students clean up city An EU-sponsored project called "My Green Jerusalem" has students from nine East Jerusalem schools cleaning up the city and recycling waste into artwork. Palestine
Will Oman broker Israeli-Palestinian peace talks? The Sultanate of Oman has been making the headlines by receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising speculation about an Omani mediation to advance the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. Oman
IDF commander seeks help for traumatized soldiers A veteran Israeli commander is helping raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and raise money to allow some of his former soldiers to obtain treatment for the PTSD they suffer as a result of the 2014 war in Gaza. Palestine
Is Bibi’s restraint on Gaza a sea change, or last act before war? Israeli prime minister, for now, claims “no interest” in toppling Hamas. Palestine
Is the PLO serious about suspending its recognition of Israel? Questions arise as to whether the recent PLO’s Central Committee's decision to stop security coordination and suspend recognition of Israel will be implemented this time. Palestine
