Israeli court closes holy site flashpoint, goads Jordan to respond

An Israeli court has temporarily closed an embattled Al-Aqsa site in an effort to relieve the simmering tension there and pressure Jordan into engaging with it.

Palestine

Why were rockets fired toward Tel Aviv?

The Gaza Strip rushed to contain the repercussions of the rockets fired at Tel Aviv; such an attack that actually hit the Israeli city could drag Palestinians into a war.

Palestine

Some Palestinians worry Saudis reconciling with Israel

A Saudi prince recently visited Ramallah, raising concerns about Saudi normalization with Israel, as such visits require Israel's approval.

Saudi Arabia

For Netanyahu, all is political, even cybersecurity

The hacking by a foreign power of the cellphone of the head of the Blue and White Party, Benny Gantz, is primarily a security lapse that occurred on the watch of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in charge of the National Cyber Directorate.

Israel

Israeli right launches full-scale assault on High Court

The decision by the Supreme Court to bar far-right activist Michael Ben Ari from running for the Knesset generated great rage within the Israeli right-wing camp.

Israel

Last week’s rocket fire on Tel Aviv reflects schism within Hamas

To avoid escalation ahead of the April elections and the Eurovision contest, Israel accepted Hamas’ explanation over the rocket fire on Tel Aviv last week.

Palestine

Why is Ukraine detaining tourists from Israel?

In an attempt to fight migrant labor and sex trafficking, Israel is preventing the entry of thousands of Ukrainian citizens every year.

Israel

Netanyahu’s scare tactics sideline economic failures

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demagogic discourse on security is a distraction from the weakening Israeli economy, congestion on dangerous roads and a declining health care system.

Israel

Rouhani’s Iraq visit raises important questions for Israel

Does Israel see Rouhani's visit to Iraq as strengthening his hand in Iran? One answer could be that while Rouhani was in Baghdad, hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi was elected deputy chief of the Assembly of Experts.

Iraq

How Iran interferes in Israel’s election campaign

The Israeli press published a report last week claiming that the cell phone of Blue and White leader Benny Gantz was hacked by Iran. Now it seems that former Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s cell phone was also targeted by Iranian intelligence.

Israel

Pompeo to push anti-Iran message in trip to Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon

In his trip to Israel and Lebanon this week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will emphasize the threat from Iran and Iranian-backed proxies.

Kuwait

Brexit teaches Israel, Palestinians lesson on interim agreements

With Brexit complicating the 1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday agreement, Israel and the Palestinians must beware of holding onto an interim agreement and not reaching a final one.

Palestine