Topic: West Bank

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Briefing Palestinian Prisoners' Day: Breaking down the controversy

This year's commemoration is particularly noteworthy because of two recent high-profile deaths in prison that drew tremendous outcry from Palestinians. The Monitor explains.
Terrorism & Security Rockets fired from Egypt slam into Israeli resort town

An Islamist militant group claimed responsibility, citing retaliation for the Israeli attack on Palestinians protesting the death of an inmate in an Israeli prison.
US loses a West Bank darling with resignation of Palestinian prime minister

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who resigned this weekend, was liked by the US, but he had less approval at home, where many saw him as a lackey of the West.
Business before politics: Merchants set up court to handle Israeli-Palestinian trade disputes

Tired of waiting for a political solution, Israeli and Palestinian businessmen are taking matters into their own hands, launching a court to handle business disputes properly.
Olive Press Fashionable and ready to fight

'I always teach my children that Palestine is for us,' says Shireen Qawasmi, a Palestinian mother of three.
Why Kerry could succeed at securing Israeli-Palestinian peace

Despite deep-seated cynicism about prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, Secretary of State John Kerry has kicked off his term with the biggest American push for an agreement since 2000.
Were chemical weapons used in Syria? UN team poised for probe.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called for a chemical-weapons investigation of an alleged March 19 attack, but he’s apparently gotten cold feet. Here's why.
Opinion Why it's no longer the chummy 1990s for Turkey, Israel

President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are working hard to repair relations between Turkey and Israel. They deserve credit for their efforts. But much has changed for both countries since they cooperated in the 1990s, and progress toward rapprochement will likely be slow.
Secretary Kerry returning to Mideast: How much nudging will he do?

Seeking to build on Obama's recent visit, John Kerry will be in Turkey and Israel – already his third trip there as secretary – to signal the Mideast parties 'he's serious' about making peace.
Palestinian prisoner deaths cause a spark, but unlikely to start a blaze

Israel and Gaza both have an interest in keeping the calm that has prevailed since a November cease-fire.
Palestinian anger builds as another prisoner dies on Israel's watch

The death today of a Palestinian in Israeli custody sparked protests, rockets, and prisoner riots only weeks after a similar situation prompted murmurs about a third intifada.
At a West Bank seder, Jews commemorate a modern quest for freedom

For Jews living in the West Bank, a Passover seder is an opportunity to discuss how one of history's most famous liberation stories can apply to freedom struggles today.
In the Holy Land's columns, frescoes, and desert palaces, Herod the Great lives on

King Herod is best known to Christians for trying to kill the infant Jesus. But he also left his mark with stunning architectural achievements, as seen in a new exhibit at the Israel Museum.
The latest hot language among Palestinians in Gaza? Hebrew

Students are flocking to a fledgling Hebrew program sponsored by Gaza's Hamas-run government, encouraged by their parents who learned Hebrew through years of working in Israel.
Will unlikely coalition partners force new path for Israel?

In forming new government, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has had to concede to two parties with little in common other than their desire to end exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox.
Cover Story How one church is helping heal Newtown

Members of the Newtown United Methodist Church have turned to faith – and each other – to surmount a mass shooting.
International Women's day: 3 challenges women face around the world

Issues such as violence, inequality at work, and traditional expectations confront women on every continent around the world. Here is a sampling of challenges women faced this year:
Israel takes heat for de facto segregation on new West Bank buses

Israel's government inaugurated two new buses in the West Bank that are effectively Palestinian-only. Critics say it's an attempt to separate Israeli settlers from Palestinian neighbors who commute side-by-side.
Anti-Israel remarks test John Kerry's diplomacy in Turkey

Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Turkey to stress points of agreement with the ally. Now, he's putting out fires after the prime minister made comments maligning Israel.
Winners in Israel's game-changing election unlikely to lead charge for peace

Israel's recent parliamentary election has reconfigured the political landscape, but domestic issues are nudging the peace process to the bottom of the agenda.
Marco Rubio sounds a lot like Obama in big foreign-policy speech

Sen. Marco Rubio, seen as being on the Republican presidential short list in 2016, delivered a foreign policy speech Wednesday that included a lot of common ground with President Obama.
Israel wields Bible's soft power as far afield as Brazil

Israel is ramping up its outreach to the growing numbers of evangelical Christians, particularly in the Global South, in order to build popular support for state policies.
Backchannels Is a third Palestinian intifada coming?

Someday, something is going to have to give in the cold peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. But that's been true for years.
Terrorism & Security Amid Palestinian protests, Gaza militants fire rocket into Israel

The rocket launch ended a cease-fire with Israel. Palestinian Authority President Abbas faces powerful voices who say another uprising may be the only way forward after days of large protests.
Amid mounting pressures, some see potential for new Palestinian uprising

Thousands turned out for the funeral today of a Palestinian who died in an Israeli jail. Some see a new intifada as the only way to fight back as tensions rise, but many say that could hurt the Palestinian cause.