Former Rabin associate says incitement in Israel now worse than lead-up to assassination Shimon Sheves, a close associate of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, tells Al-Monitor that incitement, hatred and lack of rule of law in Israel nowadays are even worse than in the days before the assassination of Rabin. Israel
Israel's proposed 2016 budget fails to deliver on promised social reforms Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon promised reforms in banking, cost of living, housing prices and more, but the 2016 budget that he presented to the government carries no extraordinary social vision. Israel
Egyptian fishermen tangled in Egypt-Sudan fray More than a hundred Egyptian fishermen were arrested four months ago by the Sudanese navy, released and then arrested again in what some see as a Sudanese bid to pressure Egypt to release 24 Sudanese nationals. Egypt
Netanyahu's double standards on administrative detention The detention of suspects without indictment or trial, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed solution to Jewish terror, is neither new nor democratic and avoids implementing the most effective solution, two states for two peoples. Palestine
How will Iran ratify the deal? In Tehran, there is intense debate about how the nuclear deal with six world powers should be ratified, with the government and conservatives split about whether to involve parliament. Iran
Turkey riles Kurds over bodies of dead fighters Turkey’s refusal to allow entry to the bodies of Kurdish fighters killed in Syria and Iraq has added to already simmering tensions between Ankara and the Kurds. Iraq
Iranian negotiator discusses talks with Moniz The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, discusses negotiations with his counterpart, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Iran
Iran-authored Syria plan en route to UN Not much can be done for Syria until major Middle East players agree to put aside their differences and form a united front against the Islamic State — and Iran has a four-step plan for the next phase. Syria
One year later, struggle continues for Yazidis Displacement has left Iraq’s Yazidis with very little, driving some to seek to leave the country and others to despair. Iraq
For one Palestinian, no money can compensate for lost land A Palestinian man is celebrating his victory in Israel's Supreme Court after a three-decade battle for land he still can't use — and won't sell. Palestine
Sisi dusts off uniform for Sinai visit President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s trip to North Sinai wearing his military uniform was viewed as support for the armed forces by some in Egypt, but others saw the outfit as a symbol of military rule. Egypt
Cairo, Riyadh pledge cooperation as each weighs nuclear deal Predictably, though neither Egypt nor Saudi Arabia has been enthusiastic in its response to the Iranian nuclear deal, Egypt has so far been vaguely more welcoming. Saudi Arabia
American Palestinians speak out about denied entry to Israel American Palestinians traveling to Israel's Ben Gurion Airport are increasingly detained and sent back, and told they should contact the Palestinian Authority to have their Palestinian IDs revoked, which would allow them entry to Israel. Palestine
Ultra-Orthodox grapple over response to parade attack The majority of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community appears to hold Yishai Schlissel alone responsible for the death of Shira Banki, who was stabbed at a gay pride parade, claiming it is not the fault of his religion. Israel
Has Israel returned to days of Jewish Underground? Ex-Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter tells Al-Monitor that despite the tragic consequences of the attack in Douma, this current manifestation of Jewish terrorism is not as well armed or well organized as that of the 1980s at the time of the Jewish Underground. Palestine
Israel lacks 'day after Abbas' plan Israel is unprepared for the possibility of PA President Mahmoud Abbas quitting his post, especially considering that his most likely heir is Marwan Barghouti, presently serving a life sentence in an Israeli prison. Palestine