Lapid: Abbas can't compromise without Arab support

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Finance Minister Yair Lapid argues that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas needs Arab support to compromise on the Palestinian right of return and on Jerusalem.

Palestine

Arab world insists on support of West for Palestinian statehood

Egyptian and Palestinian officials stress that it will be easier for Arab countries to cooperate with the United States and Europe on fighting the Islamic State if their people see that the West promotes Palestinian statehood.

Palestine

Egypt’s buffer zone expansion hurts Hamas’ arms supplies

Egypt’s decision to expand its buffer zone along its border with the Gaza Strip is a sign that relations with Hamas are no closer to improving.

Palestine

Hamas leaders prefer Turkish exile to Gaza hardships

Following Qatar's ousting of Hamas' political bureau from the emirate, the group is in search of a new home.

Qatar

Israelis wonder how Europe will change after Paris attack

Many Israelis think that the terror attack in Paris could be a watershed moment, when the Europeans have to change their human rights approach in the face of fighting radical Islamic terrorism.

Palestine

Palestinian officials give contradictory media statements

Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub contradicted his colleague Saeb Erekat’s statements earlier in the week that the Palestinian Authority could be dissolved, raising questions over the PA’s communication strategy.

Palestine

Why US, EU should intervene in Israeli elections

The United States and European Union should explain to Israeli voters what is at stake at the international level in the March elections.

Palestine

Why Israel's PA tax freeze will backfire

Israeli politicians cling to the assumption that punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority will create deterrence and prevent its leadership from diplomatic moves, not realizing that such an approach causes Israel strategic damage.

Palestine

Islamic State rejected Gaza jihadists' offer of allegiance

A prominent pro-Islamic State Salafist leader in Gaza says the militant group refused pledges of allegiance from jihadists in Gaza because of disagreements and divisiveness among them.

Palestine

Senior Fatah official: 'PA will never be disbanded'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub dismissed calls by colleagues that the Palestinian Authority might be disbanded in response to Israel withholding Palestinian tax revenue.

Palestine

PLO factions irked by Abbas’ unilateral decisions

Although the decision to join the International Criminal Court has been welcomed by all in the PLO, several factions are irritated that President Mahmoud Abbas was not consulting the PLO on such major decisions.

Palestine

Gaza Salafist leader: 'We are following Islamic State ideology'

Only a small number of Salafists from Gaza have traveled to Syria and died fighting for the Islamic State.

Palestine