Behind the scenes: The birth of the Meretz–Barak alliance

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Meretz Knesset member Issawi Freij, architect of the surprising agreement to merge the electoral lists of Meretz and Ehud Barak's Democratic Israel for the upcoming elections, explains what happened behind the scenes and plans for the future.

Israel

Egypt muzzles media on US peace plan

Egypt's security services issued strict instructions to Egyptian newspapers not to publish any views contrary to the government's official line on the US-proposed Palestian-Israeli peace deal.

Palestine

Apology of Barak to Israeli Arabs: Political but important

Israeli Arabs are well aware that the apology of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak was politically motivated, but they welcome his action nonetheless.

Israel

Abbas preserves security coordination despite its, and his, unpopularity

Ongoing security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is one of the wonders of the complex relationship between the two parties.

Palestine

Hamas, let down by the Gulf states, revisits ties with Syria

Hamas’ leaders have been exploring the restoration of ties with Syria in light of Gulf countries' engagement with the United States on a peace deal and therefore their increasing normalization of relations with Israel.

Legacy: Gulf

Israel accelerates demolition of Palestinian homes

The Netanyahu government accelerates the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, while increasing construction in settlements.

Palestine

Hamas, Israel agree on Gaza hospital, vexing Shtayyeh

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his Cabinet are opposed to a Gaza Strip hospital proposed by Israel and the United States, but may not have much of a say in the matter.

Palestine

Israeli right, left play merger game

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak apologized for the killing of 12 Arab citizens in the 2000 protests — a step apparently designed to score some political points ahead of the September elections.

Israel

Are Israelis and US Jews no longer ‘brothers’?

Significant differences among Jews from Israel, the United States and France were uncovered on issues like anti-Semitism, the peace process and Russia in a recent survey.

Israel

Newly elected New Right party leader aspires for more

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would like the situation to remain as is — with two separate political groupings to the right of the Likud targeting the religious-right constituency — rather than see them come together in a unified, strong religious-right platform.

Israel

Hamas' rapprochement with Iran endangers deal with Israel

The high-level Hamas visit to Tehran does not bode well for the movement's arrangement with Israel.

Palestine

Work in Israeli settlements means high risks, no safety net for Palestinian laborers

Most of the 36,000 Palestinians who work in Israeli settlements across the West Bank lack basic benefits including personal protection equipment and have little to no recourse when the worst happens.

Palestine