Exclusive Rights, faith groups urge Congress to block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel If the Trump administration moves forward with the transfer, dozens of groups are urging lawmakers to seek a joint resolution of disapproval. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
West Bank settlers attack Israeli activists as Netanyahu claims 'hoax' On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attention surrounding settler violence was a “tremendous hoax.” Israel
Israel-UAE flights disrupted as airlines plan rescue flights: What to know Israeli carriers are preparing repatriation flights from Dubai starting on Friday, subject to security approval. United Arab Emirates
Explainer FlyDubai incident recalls decades of Middle East airline hijackings: What to know In 1968, the PFLP hijacked an El Al flight from Rome to Tel Aviv, marking the first political hijacking of an aircraft tied to the Middle East. United Arab Emirates
Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s relentless push for meeting with UAE’s MBZ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why did Israeli Foreign Ministry director quit? The resignation of Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold reflects yet another instance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's penchant for one-man rule. Israel
Tension rises on Temple Mount during Jewish holy days Israeli security forces fear that the recent shooting attack in Jerusalem signals the beginning of a new wave of violence, especially during this month of Jewish holy days. Palestine
Obama’s three diplomatic options for Mideast peace Both Israelis and Palestinians object to a diplomatic move by US President Barack Obama: the Palestinians object to a presidential speech, while the Israelis object to a UN General Assembly resolution. Palestine
Why Israeli occupation of the West Bank is reversible New data shows that the settlements in the West Bank are not an irreversible situation, and that most of the population growth in settlements is due to births — not immigration of Israelis into the settlements. Palestine
What's driving Palestinian attacks? When the wave of Palestinian violence broke out, most of the assailants were youngsters who believed that their acts would bring closer Palestinian statehood; but recent attacks seem motivated largely by religious beliefs. Palestine
How will Palestine benefit from joining international environment group? Palestine is seeking more global recognition as it recently became a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Palestine
Backlash at Abbas escalates among Palestinians Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' attendance at the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres has angered the Palestinian public and political factions, increasing the chance of violence in the streets. Palestine
Is a new West Bank settlement Obama's red line? If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on defying the US president and building a new West Bank settlement, Barack Obama could respond by abstaining in a UN Security Council vote on Palestinian Statehood. Palestine
How Netanyahu sidelined Peres’ vision for peace By naming Israel’s nuclear facility after Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignores his peacemaking efforts to position himself as heir to Peres' security legacy. Israel
Will Salafi groups trigger Israel-Hamas clash? Salafi groups have adopted the tactic of firing rockets at Israel in an attempt to weaken Hamas by pushing it into a military confrontation with Israel. Palestine
Has Israel’s defense minister given up on toppling Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman seems to have realized that attacking Hamas targets in retaliation for rocket fire from rogue groups could damage the organization’s efforts to contain those elements. Palestine
How Peres' funeral highlighted rift among Israeli Arabs Despite a boycott of late President Shimon Peres' funeral by Arab Knesset members, several Arab-Israeli regional council heads and mayors paid a condolence visit to his family, to wide public approval. Israel