Summer could be 'hot' in Palestine, PM warns

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has warned that this summer could be a “hot” one, but it is unclear whether Israel or the United States will take steps to keep temperatures down.

Palestine

Despite US pressure, expect regional players to phone in Manama meeting

Several regional states will show up for the US-led conference in Bahrain, but none of them really believes it will promote Middle East peace.

Saudi Arabia

Construction sector in Gaza under pressure

The Israeli siege and the deteriorating economic situation in the Gaza Strip have forced dozens of construction companies to shut down and relocate to the West Bank or neighboring countries.

Palestine

Israel’s religious right plays the merger game

Ahead of September elections, Israel’s religious right is busy examining their current positions and alliances and whether to continue with the United Right.

Israel

Will Arabs in Israel revive Joint List for new elections?

Palestinian citizens in Israel lost three seats in the April 10 elections due in large part to the low turnout, which came as a result of apathy and unhappiness about the fact that the united list was divided into two.

Israel

Netanyahu's choice for Egypt envoy known for diplomatic gaffes

Despite of his history of diplomatic and security missteps, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering appointing Communications Minister Ayoub Kara to the extremely sensitive position of ambassador to Egypt.

Egypt

Islamic Jihad mulls military action to foil US peace plan

As the United States gets closer to officially revealing details of its Middle East peace plan, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says it and its allies are ready to do whatever is necessary to stop the lopsided deal.

Palestine

Who stands in the way of Israel’s Shaked premiership?

Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked did not make it to the Knesset in the April elections, yet her high popularity generates several proposals for running in the September vote.

Israel

Election of Israel’s state comptroller turning political

For Giora Romm, the Blue and White party made no real effort to promote his candidacy for the position of state comptroller and did not try to mobilize other opposition parties for the vote.

Israel

Which road will Israel’s new justice minister take?

Justice Minister Amir Ohana has the opportunity to engage Israeli Supreme Court justices in a dialogue that could ultimately benefit the entire judicial system, but he might just as well continue to attack the court in ways pleasing to the person who appointed him, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel

Settlers target McDonald’s over what they call boycott of West Bank

Israel no longer fears retaliating against international companies such as McDonald’s that settlers say are boycotting West Bank settlements by not opening up shop there.

Palestine

Will Hamas rockets upstage the Bahrain conference?

On the backdrop of the upcoming economic conference in Bahrain and as arrangement with Israel is delayed, Hamas opts for more escalation.

Palestine