Israeli Annexation Plans The West Bank Faces a New Reckoning Beginning July 1, the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, could begin the process of annexing parts of the West Bank, despite this being a violation of international law. For many inhabitants of the region, their future is at stake. By Alexandra Rojkov und Raniah Salloum
Donald Trump and Jerusalem 'I Don't See Potential Upsides' Richard Haass, 66, is a former U.S. diplomat and current director of the Council on Foreign Relations. He says that the timing of President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the true capital of Israel is troubling and potentially dangerous. Von Samiha Shafy
Foreign Policy Shift Skepticism of German-Israeli Friendship Growing in Berlin Top Berlin officials are becoming less inclined to unconditionally support Israel. With the two-state solution increasingly unlikely, there is concern that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is "instrumentalizing" Germany's friendship. Von Ralf Neukirch und Christoph Schult
Palestinian President Abbas 'The World Must Not Forget Us' On Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with Angela Merkel in Berlin, where he will ask for support in pushing the peace process forward. In an interview, he says the issue has been on the back burner for far too long. Von Nicola Abé
Israeli Defense Minister 'We Can in No Way Tolerate an Iran with Nuclear Weapons' In an interview, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon explains why he considers the nuclear deal with Iran to be an historical error. He also addresses recent crimes committed by extremist Israelis. Von Ronen Bergman und Holger Stark
Germany's Dilemma Critics Want Tougher Berlin Stance Against Israel Relations between Germany and Israel are at a crossroads. Is it possible for the German government to continue to steadfastly support the country even as Jerusalem continues to refuse to allow the Palestinians to establish their own state?
Interview with Isaac Herzog 'Israelis Are Fed Up with Politics of Fear' In an interview, Israeli prime minister candidate Isaac Herzog says the country's people are "fed up" with Benjamin Netanyahu's "politics of fear." If elected, he says he wants to "reignite" the peace process and is prepared to negotiate with the Palestinians. Von Nicola Abé und Juliane von Mittelstaedt
The Unprotected A Gaza Family Destroyed by Israeli Bombs For an entire week, eight people -- women, children and an elderly man -- were trapped in their house in Gaza. They couldn't leave and nobody could help. An hour before the cease-fire, the family was wiped out by Israeli bombs. Von Julia Amalia Heyer und Juliane von Mittelstaedt
The Spoils of War Violence in Gaza Leads to Youth Radicalization The most recent cease-fire appears to be holding in the Gaza Strip, but vast damage has already been done. In addition to the appalling loss of life and destruction of property, the war has pushed even more Palestinians to the radical fringes. Von Julia Amalia Heyer
Gaza Crisis 'The Real Danger to Israel Comes from Within' Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, but left behind death and destruction. Israeli sociologist Eva Illouz tells SPIEGEL that her country is gripped by fear and is becoming increasingly suspicious of democracy. Von Julia Amalia Heyer
Global Missionary John Kerry's Faltering Effort to Redefine US Foreign Policy John Kerry has spent months rushing from one conflict to the next, but has little show for it. His failures are symptomatic of an America that lacks a foreign policy identity -- and of a country that seems uncomfortable with its role as a superpower. Von Holger Stark
Wiretapped Israel Eavesdropped on John Kerry in Mideast Talks New information indicates that Israeli intelligence eavesdropped on telephone conversations by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Sources told SPIEGEL the government then used the information obtained from the calls during negotiations in the Mideast conflict.
Ex-Israeli Security Chief Diskin 'All the Conditions Are There for an Explosion' In an interview with SPIEGEL, Yuval Diskin, former director of Israel's internal security service Shin Bet, speaks of the current clash between Israel and the Palestinians, what must be done to achieve peace and the lack of leadership in the Middle East. Von Julia Amalia Heyer
German Foreign Minister 'Further Escalation Not Out of the Question' in Ukraine German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls the downing of the Malaysian Airlines passenger jet over Ukraine "appalling" in an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE. He also discusses the flare-up in the Middle East and US espionage in Germany. Von Roland Nelles und Severin Weiland
Gaza in Crisis The Strong Female Voice of Hamas Isra al-Mudallal is the outspoken, strong-willed new spokesperson for the Hamas government in Gaza. Her goal is to become a role model for young girls -- but first she has to overcome the region's conservative traditions. Von Julia Amalia Heyer
Israel's Wildcard The Man Who Could Stop The Peace Process Naftali Bennett, the head of the the settlements party Jewish Home rejects negotiations with the Palestinians and says he will allow the Israeli government to collapse if necessary. A decision on whether talks will proceed is expected this week. Von Julia Amalia Heyer
'Significant Escalation' Tensions Flare in German-Israeli Relations German-Israeli relations are at a nadir as German Chancellor Merkel begins her third term. When leaders of the countries meet next week, deals on smaller issues may be possible, but divisions over Israeli settlements will persist. Von Ralf Neukirch
Reaching Out Obama's Ambitious Mideast Diplomatic Offensive Barack Obama is moving his foreign policy course toward diplomacy and away from military intervention. Suddenly the Iranian nuclear issue and Israeli-Palestinian conflict are back on the table -- but is the Middle East ready for a breakthrough? Von Dieter Bednarz, Matthias Gebauer und Holger Stark
Anger in Israel EU Issues Disputed Settlement Guidelines Israel has been protesting all week, but to no avail. On Friday, the EU issued new guidelines prohibiting bloc money from going to Israeli institutions operating in the settlements. President Peres warned the measure could "cause a crisis."
The Syrian Mire Middle East Divisions Deepen amid Civil War The civil war in Syria is increasingly dividing the Arab world along sectarian lines. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has now charged into the fray, joining predominantly Shiite government forces in an effort to dislodge Sunni rebels from the key city of Qusair. Von Julia Amalia Heyer und Christoph Reuter