Qantara.de - Dialog mit der islamischen Welt

Rarely has there been a more exciting run-up to an election in Israel – yet rarely one so polarising either. After ten years in office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election now hangs in the balance. His challenger, former Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz, is matching him in the polls. Inge Gunther reports from JerusalemMore

Palestinians losing their lives in protests at the Gaza border fence has refocussed attention on the misery of life in the Strip. A renewed risk of military escalation, however, means proposals to raise the Gaza blockade are again on ice. Inge Guenther talks to Mahmoud Abu Rahma, International Relations Director with Al MezanMore

Leading historian Zeev Sternhell talks to Inge Gunther about the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel, the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israelʹs religious-nationalist settler movementMore

In the Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Palestinian journalists are being used as bargaining chips in the power struggle between Hamas and Fatah. The scope for free and independent reporting is becoming noticeably smaller. By Inge GuntherMore

A group made up of Israelis and Palestinians has some unusual ideas on how to resolve the Middle East conflict. It′s a peace initiative based on the notion that no side should lose. By Inge GuntherMore

Jerusalem is once again a front-line city, haunted by the spectre of intifada. An update from Inge Günther in JerusalemMore

Many Arab Israelis have lost faith in the political system and won't be casting their votes in Tuesday's poll. But their election boycott will only serve to boost prospects for the rightwing nationalists. Inge Günther reports from JaffaMore