About: Middle East conflict

EU urges independent probe into Al Jazeera reporter’s West Bank killing
The European Union on Wednesday (11 May) condemned the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances of her death.
Palestinians warn against plans to weaken their UN agency
A proposal by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees to delegate some services to other United Nations agencies has sparked outrage among Palestinians, who have warned of a plot to "dismantle" the body.
More than 150 hurt as Palestinians clash with Israeli police at Jerusalem holy site
More than 150 people were wounded Friday (15 April) in clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli police in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the first face-off at the flashpoint holy site since the start of Ramadan.
Clashes as controversial Israeli lawmaker visits Jerusalem flashpoint
Israeli police clashed with Palestinians in the flashpoint east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah on Sunday (13 February) during a visit by a controversial far-right Jewish lawmaker that inflamed tensions.
Israel rejects Amnesty report accusing it of enforcing ‘apartheid’ on Palestinians
Amnesty International accused Israel on Tuesday (1 February) of subjecting Palestinians to a system of apartheid founded on policies of "segregation, dispossession and exclusion" that it said amounted to crimes against humanity.
Palestinian president, Israeli defence minister hold rare talks
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank on Sunday (29 August) for the first official Israeli-Palestinian talks since Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office in June.
The cautionary tale and the million-dollar question in Gaza
How do we go about efficiently allocating the EU aid in the extremely complex environment following the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas? Getting the answer right is worth every dollar of our aid channelled to Gaza, writes Jakub Kulhanek.
Diplomat: EU could seek to bypass Hungary after series of vetoes
The EU could begin issuing statements on behalf of 26 members rather than all 27 following a series of vetoes by Hungary on a range of issues, an EU diplomat told journalists on Friday (21 May).
Israel retaliates after Syrian missile lands near nuclear reactor
A Syrian surface-to-air missile exploded in southern Israel on Thursday (22 April), the Israeli military said, in an incident that triggered warning sirens in an area near the secretive Dimona nuclear reactor.
Hungary says it will be only EU country to send minister to Israel-UAE accord signing
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó will be the only EU diplomatic leader to attend the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Washington for the Israel-United Arab Emirates peace deal, his spokesman said on Sunday (13 September).
Israel, UAE to normalize relations in shift in Mideast politics
Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday (13 August) that they will normalise diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship, a move that reshapes the order of Middle East politics.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Trump’s son-in law and Middle East adviser Kushner meets EU leaders
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East peace adviser Jared Kushner met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels on Tuesday (4 June).
Palestinians turn to EU to counter Kushner plan
The Palestinians are asking the European Union to pick up the mantle in defence of the two-state solution if the upcoming US peace plan ditches Palestinian statehood, their UN envoy said Tuesday (7 May).
Deadly escalation as Israel retaliates over Gaza rockets
Israel carried out waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday (5 May) after Palestinian rockets hit Israeli cities, in a deadly escalation that showed no signs of slowing and raised fears of war.
Mogherini’s tarnished legacy
Paradoxically it was the EU’s closest partner, the United States, that has done most to damage Federica Mogherini's legacy as High Representative with a full-scale assault on the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, writes Fraser Cameron.
In Sofia, EU leaders will seek united front on Trump
European Union leaders will try to forge a united response at a summit today (16 May) to US President Donald Trump's shock decisions on the Iran nuclear deal and trade tariffs.
Mogherini urges ‘utmost restraint’ after Gaza deaths
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday (14 May) urged "utmost restraint" after at least 37 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during protests against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
EU asks whether Israel used ‘proportionate’ force in Gaza
The EU raised questions Saturday (7 April) about whether Israeli troops engaged in "proportionate use of force" in the latest border clashes that left nine Palestinians dead in the Gaza Strip.