New Islamic bank to set up shop in West Bank, Gaza

The founders of Palestine's brand-new Al-Safa Islamic Bank are working to open two branches in the West Bank and Gaza, where commercial banks vastly outnumber Islamic ones despite the wide demand for them.

Palestine

How education reform could curb Palestinian unemployment

To reduce unemployment among young people, the Palestinian government is developing vocational and technical education programs to meet Palestinian and Arab labor market needs.

Palestine

Erdogan’s latest wake-up call on Islamic State

The Obama administration weighs deeper coordination with Moscow against Jabhat al-Nusra; Erdogan’s slow turnaround on Syria policy; Hamas seeks to resume ties with Iran.

Palestine

Could Turkish-Israeli reconciliation eventually end Gaza siege?

The reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey has been modestly welcomed in the Gaza Strip, as Palestinians hope it will lead the way to the end of the blockade.

Palestine

Did Turkey abandon Hamas in Israel deal?

As Hamas absorbs the aftermath of the Turkish-Israeli agreement, some wonder whether Turkey should be blamed for failing to lift the siege on Gaza.

Palestine

What Israel's payoff for Turkish civilians means for Palestinians

Now that Israel has agreed to compensate the families of the Mavi Marmara casualties it calls terrorists, Palestinians are hoping to advance their own claims for compensation.

Palestine

How rotten fish became a favorite delicacy in Gaza

On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Gazans buy and eat a salted and fermented fish called fesikh, which has a long tradition in the Gaza Strip.

Palestine

How Erdogan’s Israeli gambit may cost him Islamist support

For the first time, the Islamist opposition is raising its voice loudly against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, decrying the normalization agreement with Israel.

Palestine

Has EU given up hope in Israel’s new defense minister?

European Union officials believe that actions taken by Israel's new Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman in favor of the settlement enterprise reflect his true political colors.

Palestine

Why Netanyahu quietly applauds Brexit

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be pleased with Brexit, which will weaken the European Union and draw its attention away from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestine

Palestinians divided over PA's attendance at Israeli conference

The Palestinian Authority sent an official representative to participate at Israel's Herzliya Conference on June 14-16, which raised the ire of various Palestinian factions.

Palestine

Why Hamas resumed ties with Iran

In light of its worsening financial crisis and need for military support, Hamas has resumed relations with Tehran, which have been strained since the start of the Syrian revolution.

Saudi Arabia