Liberals, ultra-Orthodox battle over Israel’s public spaces The debate over gender separation at a concert in Afula is an example of the ongoing struggle between liberal groups and the ultra-Orthodox, which are both trying to shape the Israeli’s public spaces according to their own norms. By Mordechai Goldman
Israel’s Liberman enjoys rattling Netanyahu By blurring the lines between right and left and by declaring that he will only join a national unity government, Chairman of Yisrael Beitenu Avigdor Liberman has become the most interesting politician of the current election campaign. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements. By Akiva Eldar
Israel encourages Gazans to leave Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has confirmed reports about Israeli plans to urge residents of Gaza to leave the Strip and never return. By Shlomi Eldar
Tourism rebounds in Turkey as visitor profile shifts east Turkey’s tourism sector is recovering from the 2016 downturn as more visitors arrive from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. By Diego Cupolo
Russia ready to fund Palestinian industrial zone Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed with the Russian ambassador the possibility of establishing an industrial zone in Nablus in light of Palestine’s ongoing efforts to promote its local economy and disengage from Israel. By Ahmad Abu Amer
Palestinian events banned in East Jerusalem Israel has stepped up efforts to block Palestinian activities in East Jerusalem and is closing major institutions in the city. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Turkey’s military base in Qatar to expand with air, naval elements Turkey and Qatar have agreed to expand the Qatar-Turkey Combined Joint Force Command in Doha with aerial and naval components as stakes grow higher in the Gulf region. By Metin Gurcan
Do Saudi Arabia, UAE seek perpetual chaos in Yemen? Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seeking to divide power and influence in Yemen, which is clear following the recent UAE-backed advances of the southern separatists' militia amid Saudi silence. By Ammar al-Ashwal
Why Lebanon's largest artificial lake is turning green Lake Qaraoun suffers from industrial pollution from the factories on its banks and agricultural pesticides and no project, local or international, seems to stop it. By Sarah Abdallah
Three princes compete for Yazidi leadership to succeed late prince Following the appointment of a new Yazidi emir, two other Yazidi leaders announced themselves as new emirs. By Saad Salloum
Saudi Arabia selling the Aramco IPO, yet again Saudi Arabia is again preparing an initial public offering, but would a deal with China be better? By Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
Labor proposes taking Israel back to social-democrat economy According to the economic pre-election agenda presented by Labor head Amir Peretz, the party wants to increase Israel's external debt in order to pay for social projects. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Hamas takes advantage of pre-election restraint to needle Israel Convinced that Israel will not engage in a large-scale military operation before the September elections, Hamas seems to be allowing sporadic attacks from Gaza to escalate. By Shlomi Eldar
Israeli society, ultra-Orthodox torn over gender separation The issue of gender separation is not only an area of disagreement between the ultra-Orthodox and secular society in Israel, it is also a raging debate within ultra-Orthodox society itself. By Ksenia Svetlova
Denied visit to Israel, US congresswomen tour Palestinian reality The plight of two US lawmakers offers a glimpse into Israel’s 52-year control over the fate of millions of people living outside its sovereign territory and its undermining of Palestinian civilians' right to move freely throughout the territories. By Akiva Eldar