Why Israel's PA tax freeze will backfire

Israeli politicians cling to the assumption that punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority will create deterrence and prevent its leadership from diplomatic moves, not realizing that such an approach causes Israel strategic damage.

Palestine

Islamic State rejected Gaza jihadists' offer of allegiance

A prominent pro-Islamic State Salafist leader in Gaza says the militant group refused pledges of allegiance from jihadists in Gaza because of disagreements and divisiveness among them.

Palestine

Senior Fatah official: 'PA will never be disbanded'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub dismissed calls by colleagues that the Palestinian Authority might be disbanded in response to Israel withholding Palestinian tax revenue.

Palestine

PLO factions irked by Abbas’ unilateral decisions

Although the decision to join the International Criminal Court has been welcomed by all in the PLO, several factions are irritated that President Mahmoud Abbas was not consulting the PLO on such major decisions.

Palestine

Gaza Salafist leader: 'We are following Islamic State ideology'

Only a small number of Salafists from Gaza have traveled to Syria and died fighting for the Islamic State.

Palestine

As Iraqis cope with past injustices, so should Israelis

Iraqis are looking courageously into their past, examining the attacks against the Jewish community in the 1950s that forced it to flee the country, and Israelis should do the same by acknowledging the Palestinians' suffering.

Palestine

Netanyahu’s threats won’t sway Abbas

The Israeli prime minister’s angry response to the Palestinian decision to sign the Rome Statute, including withholding Palestinian tax revenue, is unlikely to deter President Mahmoud Abbas from persisting with his plan for greater recognition of Palestine.

Palestine

After UN failure, Palestinians reach out to ICC

Israel estimates that the failure of the Palestinians to secure a majority at the UN Security Council stems from a series of tactical mistakes, reflecting the enormous internal pressure to which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is subjected.

Palestine

Hamas divided over rapprochement with Dahlan

As Hamas studies its limited options to overcome the crisis in Gaza, some senior officials are advocating a detente with Mohammed Dahlan to weaken President Mahmoud Abbas.

Palestine

Fatah official: Israel settlement policy 'ultimate test' for peace

A senior Palestinian source emphasizes that the settlement policy will be the ultimate test of Israeli peace policies.

Palestine

Egypt-Qatar rapprochement rattles Hamas

Hamas is concerned that the rapprochement between Egypt and Qatar will result in Doha downgrading its ties with the Palestinian Islamist movement.

Qatar

'Anyone but Bibi' is not a diplomatic initiative

Tzipi Livni's past support for right-wing positions on reaching an agreement with the Palestinians requires that she and Isaac Herzog of Labor reveal a genuine plan for renewing talks.

Palestine