Saudi visit to Israel angers Hamas

The Hamas movement is worried that a Saudi general's visit to Israel signifies a rapprochement between the two countries at the expense of Gaza relief efforts.

Saudi Arabia

US elections won’t stop Obama from criticizing Bibi

The Obama administration keeps condemning settlement construction even during the election campaign period, thus demonstrating that criticizing the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shouldn't block the road to the White House.

Palestine

Were Saudis behind Abbas-MEK meeting?

A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mujahedeen-e-Khalq leader Maryam Rajavi in Paris has sparked both Iranian and Palestinian suspicion about Saudi Arabia's ties to the Palestinian Authority.

Saudi Arabia

Is Abbas overstepping his authority with decision to form new court?

The Palestinian government is working on establishing a High Criminal Court and amending the penal code enforced in the West Bank, in a move that many view as an encroachment of the legislative authority by the executive branch.

Palestine

Diaspora Palestinians called to invest in homeland

With the Palestinian economy in crisis, Palestinian leaders and businessmen are coordinating to maximize external support from the Palestinian diaspora.

Palestine

Bookmobile speed-reads through Gaza neighborhoods

In response to the acute shortage of public libraries in the Gaza Strip, the French-German Cultural Center in Ramallah has sent its mobile library on its second mission to encourage Gaza’s children to read.

Palestine

Al-Qaeda affiliate’s desperate 'switch' validates US Syria policy

Fear of US and Russian airstrikes on eve of Syrian offensive a sign that Jabhat al-Nusra may be feeling the heat; Turkey’s de-Gulenification campaign in context; retired Saudi general probes Israeli commitment to peace settlement.

Saudi Arabia

Will upcoming Palestinian local elections pave way for general elections?

The Oct. 8 municipal elections, which will take place throughout Gaza and the West Bank, will be an indicator of which direction the Palestinians want to take; but all eyes will be on Gaza whose residents have not had a voice about their future leadership since 2006.

Palestine

Gazans rejoice as Qatar vows to pay one month of full salaries

Qatar has announced that it will provide about $31 million to the Gaza Strip, enough to cover one month's salary for Gaza's civil servants, who hope the aid will bypass the banks to avoid deductions for outstanding debts.

Qatar

Can PLO help protect Palestinian refugees in Syria?

The slaughter of a Palestinian child by the Nureddin Zengi Brigade in Syria put the spotlight on the PLO’s role and its failure to protect Palestinian refugees in Syria.

Palestine

Is Israel already a binational state?

Palestinians believe that calling for a binational state will force the international community to engage in a realistic two-state solution in 2017 and force the Israeli public to see the necessity of Palestinian statehood.

Palestine

Will Hamas accept new Egypt-brokered deal with Israel?

Egypt is making efforts in sealing an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, yet observers question whether Hamas will accept it given the strained ties between the movement and Cairo.

Palestine