Israel
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Arab party Ra'am ahead of Israel's election"We want to be a party for all citizens"
Mansour Abbas wants his Arab-Islamic party Ra'am to help topple Netanyahu. In this interview, he discusses cooperation with Jewish Israelis, rising crime in Arab communities and why his party wants to govern rather than stay in opposition.
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Israeli election 2026Damage control
Israel votes on 27 October, with Netanyahu's far-right coalition facing an opposition bloc. Jonathan Shamir argues the opposition offers continuity, not change: it seeks to repair Israel's image, not end the violence or confront Palestinian suffering.
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Palestinian activist Issa Amro on the West Bank"Annexation is already a reality"
The West Bank is being carved into isolated enclaves by Israeli settlement expansion, land seizures and escalating attacks on Palestinians. From Hebron, activist Issa Amro discusses the consequences for Palestinian life and the prospects for a Palestinian state.
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Israel's high-tech warfareA new era of automated violence
In Gaza, mobile phones are both a lifeline and a threat, feeding algorithmic targeting systems while remaining essential for survival. Researcher Gihan AbouZeid examines how AI-driven surveillance technologies are reshaping the experience of war.
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Israeli filmmaker Netalie Braun"There's room for everyone between the river and the sea"
What does it take to make anti-militarist cinema in a country where, as Netalie Braun puts it, the army "resides in the DNA of society"? In this interview, she discusses navigating censorship, boycotts and the challenges of imagining peace amid violence.
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Israel and PalestineHow to talk about Zionism
Criticism of the ideology underpinning Israel's foundation remains contentious in Germany. In the US, however, a significant shift is taking place. The Zionist consensus within the Jewish community is fracturing and debate is opening up.
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War in LebanonBint Jbeil – portrait of a decimated city
The Israeli army is demolishing entire towns in Lebanon, and with them, the rich history of the Shiite region in the country's south. The beleaguered town of Bint Jbeil offers a primer to the border region’s turbulent past.
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Gaza’s lost booksHow to preserve what remains
In Gaza, people are working to salvage books from the ruins of libraries, while others are digitising historical texts. The first public libraries are set to reopen soon, even though many important books have been lost for good.
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Jewish community in Syria"One day we’ll drive from Damascus to Jerusalem"
The fall of Assad has prompted the return of millions of Syrians, including a small Jewish minority. Under Henry Hamra, son of the country’s last chief rabbi, they are asking whether a lasting return is possible.
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LebanonWhen war reached my Beirut home
In Lebanon, war is a test of social cohesion. Beirut-based author Manal Khader recounts how fear and uncertainty spread through her neighbourhood. Her building's WhatsApp group came to life—first with updates and practical questions, then the tone shifted.
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Lebanese writer Hazem Saghieh"Hezbollah has never protected Lebanon from Israel"
Hazem Saghieh says that the renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah has revealed deep divisions within Lebanese society rather than fostering unity. He warns that Israel's intervention to disarm Hezbollah risks paving the way for a new occupation.
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Israeli activist Yuli Novak"The system is based on violence"
In this interview, the head of Israeli NGO B’Tselem discusses the increasingly boundless violence in the region and argues that defending Palestinian rights is defending human rights worldwide. She urges Germany to lead in upholding international law.
