The past four years of the Trump administration has not been good for Palestinians. As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office, Palestinian senior official Hanan Ashrawi says his administration has a chance to turn things around.
The Palestinian Territories have been divided for years, with more extreme Hamas governing the Gaza Strip and more moderate Fatah ruling in the West Bank. But Wednesday, the two sides agreed to a power-sharing agreement. But it may be another setback for peace with Israel.The Palestinian Territories have been divided for years, with more extreme Hamas governing the Gaza Strip and more moderate Fatah ruling in the West Bank. But Wednesday, the two sides agreed to a power-sharing agreement. But it may be another setback for peace with Israel.
On Sunday, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hosted an unprecedented meeting with several hundred Israeli students and activists at his Ramallah headquarters. The Israeli Army ordinarily forbids visits of its Jewish citizens to the Palestinian city. And Abbas had conciliatory words for his visitors.
In the contentious relationship between Israel and the Palestinians, prisoners in Israeli prisons play a major role. And they could prove to be both a stumbling block and an opportunity as the two sides consider restarting their peace process.
A 30-year-old Palestinian man, jailed after being accused of hurling a rock at an Israeli citizen, died in Israeli custody. Palestinians say he was tortured; Israelis say an investigation is ongoing. Now, some are wondering if this will lead to another intifada.
Palestinians scored a diplomatic victory on Thursday when the United Nations General Assembly granted their request for nonmember observer status, rejecting a call from Israel and the United States to put that off until Israel and the Palestinians reach a permanent peace agreement.