US, Netanyahu hand-pick Israeli journalists for Bahrain conference

The State Department authorized only six Israeli outlets to cover the Bahrain conference, picking mostly journalists likely to write positively or journalists who aren't too critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bahrain

Israel threatens to expulse hundreds of Filipino children

Israeli authorities have notified dozens of Filipina migrant workers that they will be expulsed from the country once the school year is over, together with their children.

Israel

Hamas silent on Saudi Arabia arrests of Saudi nationals supporting the movement

Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar reported that the Saudi authorities have been arresting Saudi nationals and Palestinian expats who support Hamas, over the movement’s declared position in support of Iran.

Legacy: Gulf

How Netanyahu exploits US-Iran tensions

For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the low-level US-Iran tensions are a great opportunity to bolster his security image and to divert public attention from his legal imbroglio.

Palestine

Greek Orthodox Church loses appeal on leases to settler group

Israel's Supreme Court validated a controversial deal by the Greek Orthodox Church to lease real estate in Jerusalem's Old City to the pro-settlement group Ateret Cohanim.

Palestine

Was Morsi’s brief presidency an opportunity lost for Israel?

The late Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi hated Israel, but his relationship with Hamas held the promise of negotiating a long-term truce between the organization and Israel and potentially altering the landscape in Gaza.

Palestine

Will a secular woman lead Israel’s religious right?

If polls show that secular Ayelet Shaked is likely to get the most votes, she might succeed in getting the leadership of the religious right political camp.

Israel

Trump may chicken out on Iran, frets Israel

Israeli security officials are getting worried that escalating tensions between the United States and Iran could spill over into Israel through an attack by Hezbollah on the northern border.

Israel

Is Qatari money to Gaza falling into Hamas operatives' hands?

Despite Israeli claims that it strictly controls the distribution of Qatari financial assistance transferred to Gaza, some of the funds appear to be ending up in the hands of Hamas operatives through "commissions," deceit and "protection money."

Qatar

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox tied to Netanyahu

Without an alliance between them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be able to form the next government and the ultra-Orthodox might find themselves in the opposition.

Israel

First Mohamed to play for Jerusalem soccer team results in racist reaction

The decision by Beitar Jerusalem owner Moshe Hogeg to hire Ali Mohamed to play for the team unleashed all the team’s racist demons, particularly among La Familia, the team’s infamously far-right fan club.

Israel

Netanyahu adds radical-right politician to Security Cabinet

On the backdrop of tensions in Gaza, the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to include Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich in the Security Cabinet could turn into a disaster.

Palestine