Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces press criticism over prisoner release plan

Netanyahu's 'tough decision for the good of the country' faces opposition even within his party

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday fell short in his latest bid to bring Israelis and Palestinians back to the peace table. But he insisted that an agreement by the sides to renew negotiations is ''within reach''.

Israel however is sceptical Rouhani will usher in change

Whether Iran’s new leader will herald a new era remains unclear

A rising star on the right of Israeli politics has cast doubt on whether the country’s government is willing to accept a future Palestinian state.

Israel visit is the fourth in as many months

Militia offensive kills dozens as regime attempts to secure control of coast road

Israel’s right wing Economy Minister Naftali Bennett says he plans to submit a plan to his colleagues on reviewing security for Jews in the West Bank after claiming that the situation has deteriorated in recent months.

Hope earlier in the week that a decision to freeze the construction of new Israeli settler homes in the occupied West Bank could renew the moribund peace process were dealt a blow earlier today when it transpired that permission had been granted to build nearly 300 new houses close to the Palestinian administrative capital, Ramallah.

Move was key demand of Palestinians as precursor to any renewed peace talks

China is hosting both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders this week in a sign of its desire for a larger role in the Middle East.

The Jewish state has sought to persuade the Syrian government that the attacks - which reportedly killed 42 - were not designed to weaken Bashar al-Assad’s position

It's difficult to pinpoint the President's achievements in the region