Palestinians
Prospects for the Levant in 2021
The countries in the wider Levant region, east of the Mediterranean Sea, face some similar trials despite diversity
LebanonPalestinian elections may hinge on US poll outcome
Long-time rivals eye rapprochement amid US pressure on Arab states to circumvent the Palestinians in recognising Israel
PalestiniansIsraeli-Emirati deal only formalises existing reality
The US-backed agreement to establish diplomatic ties is winning wider kudos, but Palestinians see it as a sell-out
United Arab EmiratesAid to the Middle East will fall far short of needs
Major donor countries are channeling most spending to meet domestic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic
Middle EastIsraeli settlers may rebel against any annexation move
Settler leaders have been a perhaps surprising source of dissent over Netanyahu’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank
IsraelIsraeli annexation plan may be watered down or delayed
Netanyahu has promised to begin the process of annexing parts of the West Bank from July 1
IsraelPalestinian political worries will overshadow COVID-19
With COVID-19 case numbers kept in check, restrictions have been rolled back, as tensions with Israel are rising
PalestiniansIsraeli coalition will prove unstable in the long term
Ending over a year of political deadlock, the prime minister and his main rival have signed a unity agreement
Israel
