On secret UAE visit, Netanyahu asked MBZ to deny pre-Oct. 7 warnings During his trip to Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Mohamed bin Zayed to deny reports that he had been warned ahead of the Oct. 7 attack that Hamas was preparing a major assault. Israel
Analysis After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
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
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
Surfing in Gaza Although there is a burgeoning surfing scene in the Gaza Strip, Gazan surfers struggle to find the necessary equipment and facilities, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Palestinian Authority’s 2013 Budget Passed Despite Political Rift As political rifts persist among the leaders of the Palestinian Authority, the 2013 budget has been passed with promises of donations from the EU, the US and Arab donors, writes Omar Shaban. Palestine
Gaza Family Homeless Following Slum Demolition Following a decision by the Hamas-led government in Gaza to destroy a slum that they claim was illegally constructed, the Abu Amrah family finds itself homeless and with few options, writes Asmaa al-Ghoul. Palestine
Memo to Kerry: Interim Agreement Best Bet in Mideast With US Secretary of State John Kerry about to shuttle across the region, Ben Caspit recommends he stop thinking in terms of “making history” and focus on achieving a gradual interim agreement. Palestine
Is There a New 'Jordan Option'? A meeting in Jordan between King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, soon after the visit of US President Barack Obama to Jordan, may signal a new role for Jordan, writes Akiva Eldar. Palestine
Hamas’ Changing Role in Egypt Hamas has seen improved ties with Cairo following the January 25 revolution and the election of Muslim Brotherhood-backed President Mohammed Morsi, writes Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
New Gaza Education Law Imposes Gender Segregation A law has been passed by the government of Hamas in Gaza requiring all students to be segregated by gender from the age of nine, Hazem Balousha reports. Palestine
Iran Seeks to Retain Influence In Palestinian Affairs Iran is not giving up on its ties with Hamas, but is looking for alternatives to maintain its leverage in Palestinian affairs, writes Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Ghazi Hamad: Hamas Agrees To Accept State Within '67 Borders In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, the deputy foreign minister of the Hamas government, Ghazi Hamad, explains the far-reaching change in attitudes under way in his movement and the unchanged approach of not recognizing Israel. Palestine
Exclusive: Al-Zahar, Meshaal's Rival, Out of Hamas Leadership Shlomi Eldar has learned that Mahmoud al-Zahar, a rival of Khaled Meshaal, has been removed from the Hamas political bureau. Palestine
Gaza’s Poets Despite lack of support from official sources, poets manage to get by in Gaza, writes Asmaa al-Ghoul. Palestine
Egypt and Hamas Try to Resolve Differences Relations between Hamas and Egypt are far from perfect, writes Omar Shaban. Palestine