Donors consider new mechanism for assisting Gaza Donor countries to Gaza are looking for ways to transfer aid to Gaza Strip residents without the money falling into the pockets of Hamas. Palestine
Palestinians sticking with Jerusalem court case against US Palestine has filed a lawsuit against the United States at the International Court of Justice over its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US Embassy there, steps it views as violating international law. Palestine
Why Netanyahu wants to lower Knesset entry threshold After increasing the Knesset entry threshold before the 2015 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now wants to help potential coalition partners by lowering it. Israel
Northern Syria takes step toward new judicial system The Turkish-built Palace of Justice and an even larger prison were inaugurated in al-Rai last month with the expectation of a new judicial system to begin functioning in mid-October in place of unsanctioned courts controlled by the Free Syrian Army. Syria
Fierce battle amid leaders of the Israeli right Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are battling each other, as neither of them dares to confront the unbeatable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Palestine cracks down on torture, seeks sentencing options After joining international conventions and treaties, Palestinian authorities are developing new means of preventing torture, while Gaza Strip lawmakers are about to pass a law providing for alternatives to prison for lesser offenses. Palestine
Turks wake up to animal cruelty Animal rights activists in Turkey seek harsher penalties, including additional fines and imprisonment, against those who commit violence against animals. Turkey
US scraps treaty with Iran while calling for another treaty The US withdrew from a treaty with Iran after the treaty was used in a UN court to complain about its sanctions. U.S.
Iraq launches social fund to fight poverty In cooperation with the World Bank, Iraq has launched a social welfare project to assist unemployed and impoverished Iraqis. Iraq
Will EU’s ‘SPV’ be able to sustain Iran trade, investment? While a welcomed step, the SPV mechanism that Iran and the EU are working on is only the starting point of a process that needs to be further consolidated in order to enable trade and investment between the two sides. U.S.
Hamas, Fatah exchange arrests before Abbas' UN speech Hamas and Fatah engaged in reciprocal arrest campaigns of each other's supporters in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, though the Palestinian Authority denies its arrests were political in nature. Palestine
Sufism enters Egypt's political arena A Sufi sheikh has been elected to lead the majority Support Egypt Coalition in the Egyptian parliament, leading some to wonder if it signals the rise of another religious current in the wake of the Muslim Brotherhood's fall. Egypt
Violence abates during tentative truce in Tripoli After violent clashes rocked Tripoli, Libyan officials are calling on the United Nations to assume a military role to mediate between rival militias. North Africa
Why do Palestinians opt for Israeli SIM cards? Due to the poor quality of Palestinian cellular companies that are crippled by Israeli restrictions, Palestinians in the West Bank are opting for Israeli SIM cards provided by illegal Israeli mobile network operators. Palestine
“Made in Jordan”: Are consumers buying it? The “Made in Jordan” campaign has been trying to instill a sense of pride in locally produced goods with the long-term goals of boosting industry and decreasing unemployment. Jordan