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
Are Hamas, Egypt nearing reconciliation? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri spoke about the improvements in Hamas-Egyptian ties and other Palestinian issues. Palestine
When books become issue of Israeli populism Instead of protecting writers, Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev chooses to advocate cheap book prices. Israel
Can Liberman guarantee stability for Netanyahu's coalition? The expansion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition should have made things a little easier for him, but Netanyahu’s paranoia is now making him wary of Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. Israel
IDF warns of escalating pressure in Gaza IDF officers are concerned that poverty, unemployment and an internal power struggle within Hamas might push the movement into a new military conflict with Israel. Palestine
Is new Gaza war more probable with Liberman? With Avigdor Liberman joining the Netanyahu government, Palestinians feel desperate about a breakthrough in the political stalemate between the PA and Israel and anticipate a military escalation in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Claiming lack of building permits, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes While refusing to grant Palestinians building permits, the Israeli authorities have recently intensified their demolition operations targeting Palestinian homes, justifying their actions by claiming that these homes were built without permits. Palestine
Palestinians get ready for hard-line Liberman as defense minister The appointment of ultranationalist Avigdor Liberman as Israel's defense minister sparked outrage among Palestinians, who already regard President Benjamin Netanyahu's government as one of the most extreme in Israel’s history. Palestine
Hamas to execute 13 Gazan criminals as warning to others A crime wave in Gaza is putting pressure on Hamas, which has promised to execute 13 Palestinians sentenced to death as a deterrent. Palestine
When going gets tough, Israel's professional ministers get out Much like other ministers with no background in politics, Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabbay preferred to cut his losses and resign rather than fight when faced with a political battle. Israel
Has Netanyahu's political credit expired? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost political and personal credibility by appointing Avigdor Liberman as defense minister and with the state comptroller exposing his past financial dealings. Israel
Why this Israeli rights organization will stop submitting complaints to army Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem has decided it will no longer submit complaints to the Israeli army regarding human rights violations by its soldiers. Palestine
Will Palestinian-Jordanian confederation see the light? In light of the stalled peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel, Palestinians are seriously considering the Palestinian-Jordanian confederation option as the only way out of their impasse. Palestine