Abbas mulls option of postponing Palestinian elections

Al-Monitor has learned that President Mahmoud Abbas is getting ready to postpone the Palestinian general elections under the pretext of Israel’s yet to be announced reponse to a request to allow Palestinians in Jerusalem to vote.

Palestine

Russian Jews not Jewish enough for Israel's chief rabbi

In maligning immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef ignores that contrary to his ultra-Orthodox congregants, they contribute to Israel's economy and risk their lives serving in the military.

Israel

Israel’s Meretz party giving up on Arabs

Despite the support it gained in the September elections within the Israeli-Arab communities, the Meretz party list will not include an Arab candidate in a realistic slot.

Israel

Small West Bank school holds firm despite settler attacks

To get an education, the students in Yanoun, a Palestinian village near Nablus, must deal with attacks by Israeli settlers on the way to school and even in their homes.

Palestine

Israel’s economy victim of political gridlock

Without a new state budget, without new senior officials and without new reforms, Israel’s economy is one of the biggest victims of the current political chaos.

Israel

Hamas intensifies Western dialogues to break political isolation

Hamas has stepped up its meetings with US and EU officials in an attempt to break its isolation and emerge on the international diplomatic scene.

Palestine

Will Israel get Republican/Democrat-style big parties?

The fate of Israel’s next elections will be determined within the next few days by the alliances forged or not forged between the parties on Israel’s political right and left.

Israel

Hamas must choose: Egypt or Iran?

Angered that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh broke an agreement not to visit Iran, Egypt will make Hamas understand that it must choose sides and break with Iran if the movement hopes to survive.

Palestine

Jordan feels Soleimani side effects

The assassination of Iran’s top commander, Qasem Soleimani, has raised concerns in Jordan, with analysts fearing retaliation against US military assets in the kingdom.

Iraq

Why Israel must end chief rabbi’s monopoly on Judaism

The State of Israel must put a stop to the monopoly held by the Chief Rabbi on deciding who is Jewish, who can marry who and who can immigrate to the country.

Israel

Israel’s defense minister not focused on defense

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has made several controversial decisions that evidently serve his political agenda but not Israel’s security.

Israel

Netanyahu suddenly facing effective opposition

The possibility of lifting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immunity after the Knesset was dissolved is exactly the sort of move that an effective opposition is expected to promote.

Israel