About: Israel
Israel seeks Cypriot help on EU opposition to annexation
The foreign ministers of Israel and nearby Cyprus met Tuesday (23 June) as the Jewish state seeks to defuse European opposition to its plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
Why the EU should care about one gas dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean
The EU has the duty to play the responsible adult and intervene in facilitating an agreement between Israel and Cyprus to enable the development of the major Aphrodite natural gas field, write Rony Halman and Gilad Segal.
Palestinians rally against Trump Mideast plan
Thousands of Palestinians on Monday (22 June) demonstrated against US President Donald Trump's plan for the Middle East that includes Israel's annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
German FM voices ‘serious concerns’ over Israeli annexation plan
Germany and its European partners have "serious concerns" over Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in Jerusalem Wednesday (10 June).
Palestinian PM submits ‘counter-proposal’ to Trump plan
Palestinians have sent the diplomatic Quartet a response to the US Mideast plan which sees parts of the West Bank being annexed by Israel, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said Tuesday (9 June).
Defiant Netanyahu goes on trial in Israel charged with corruption
Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (24 May) became the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, proclaiming his innocence in the corridor before walking into court to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Annexations in the West Bank: Europeans need to punch their weight
Last week, EU foreign ministers emphasised that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the Union’s strategic interests and that they discourage possible steps towards annexations. In this vein, the EU and its member states should send a clear signal, Muriel Asseburg and Peter Lintl argue.
Israel swears in unity government, PM insists on West Bank annexation
Israel's parliament swore in a new unity government on Sunday (17 May) led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the nation's history.
France pushing for tough EU response to any West Bank annexation
France is urging its European Union partners to consider threatening Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, three EU diplomats said.
US says would recognise Israel annexation
The United States said Monday (27 April) it was ready to recognize Israel's annexation of much of the West Bank but asked the new unity government also to negotiate with the Palestinians.
Palestinian leader warns UN on Trump’s ‘Swiss cheese’ peace
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday (11 February) urged the UN Security Council to reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, saying it would splinter Palestinian lands and never bring lasting peace.
Israel summons Belgian envoy over UN invite to children rights activist
Israel has summoned a top Belgian diplomat for a "very harsh" rebuke after it invited activist Brad Parker to address the UN Security Council on Tuesday (11 February).
Abbas says Palestinians cutting all ties with Israel, US
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas announced Saturday (1 February) a cut of all ties with Israel and the United States, including security cooperation, after Washington unveiled a controversial Middle East plan seen as favouring Israel.
EU responds to Trump’s Middle East peace plan
The European Union's top diplomat said Tuesday (28 January) that the bloc remains "firm and united" behind the quest for a negotiated two-state peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Poland, Israel condemn resurgent anti-Semitism at Auschwitz commemoration
The presidents of Israel and Poland called on Monday (27 January) for greater efforts to combat anti-Semitism as the world marked 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp amid concerns over a global resurgence of anti-Jewish prejudice.
Greece says EastMed pipeline deal to be signed on 2 January
The Greek government said Sunday (22 December) it will sign an agreement for a huge pipeline project with Cyprus and Israel next month that is designed to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe.
Luxembourg urges EU debate on Palestine recognition
Luxembourg on Monday (9 December) asked for an EU-level debate on recognising Palestinian statehood, securing a promise that EU foreign ministers would "deeply discuss" the Middle East in January.
Israel slams new European recruits to Iran barter system
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (1 December) denounced six new European members of a barter mechanism with Iran, saying it encouraged Tehran's repression of protests.
In new pro-Israel shift, US no longer calls settlements illegal
The United States no longer believes that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday (18 November) in the latest pro-Israel shift by Washington.
Israel approves new settlement 2 days before polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government approved a new settlement in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (15 September), two days ahead of a closely fought election as he seeks to boost turnout among his right-wing base.
Anger at Netanyahu’s West Bank annexation pledge
Arab and Muslim countries Wednesday (11 September) led a wave of outcry after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to annex a key part of the occupied West Bank if re-elected. The EU also reacted.
US-Russia rivalry in the Middle East is now spilling over into the Mediterranean Sea
Most oil and gas experts agree that the East Med Pipeline Project is a pipe dream that cannot compete with cheap Russian gas. But America’s enthusiastic support for it is more about a re-alignment of alliances, and securing energy supply, writes Nour Samaha.
Israel prepares to demolish homes on Jerusalem outskirts, stoking Palestinian fears
Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday (22 July), in the face of Palestinian protests and international criticism. Bulldozers accompanied by hundreds of Israeli...