Middle East

Inside Middle East

Israeli parliament backs 'McCarthyite' investigation into human rights groups

Thursday, 6 January 2011

A right-wing proposal to investigate some of Israel's best-known human rights organisations for "delegitimising" its military was approved by the country's parliament yesterday amid left-wing charges of McCarthyism.

Death of a Prince: Latest tragedy to hit Iran's dynasty

Thursday, 6 January 2011

David Usborne: The suicide of Alireza Pahlavi, the youngest son of the former Shah of Iran, is a reminder of the futility of the dream that one day the royal family may be restored.

Saudi Arabia: Vulture held for spying for Mossad

Thursday, 6 January 2011

A vulture was held in custody by Saudi Arabian security services on suspicion of spying for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.

Iran: come and see nuclear sites

Wednesday, 5 January 2011

The Tehran government confirmed yesterday that it has invited world powers and its allies in the Arab and developing world – but not its chief critics – to tour Iranian nuclear sites before a high-profile meeting late in January on its disputed nuclear programme.

Shah's son found dead in Boston

Wednesday, 5 January 2011

The youngest son of the late shah of Iran has apparently committed suicide at his home in the United States.

Iran confirms invite to view nuclear facilities

Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Those invited are from major powers involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve nuclear dispute.

British consulate staff 'linked to weapons plot'

Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Two local Palestinian employees of the British consulate general in Jerusalem have been charged on suspicion of arms trafficking as part of an investigation into an alleged plot by two Hamas militants to attack the city's most important football ground.

Palestinian woman dies after tear-gas attack at protest

Monday, 3 January 2011

The Israeli military said yesterday it was investigating the death of a Palestinian woman after she inhaled tear gas fired by soldiers during a protest against the military's separation barrier in the West Bank.

Woman sentenced to death by stoning may be spared

Monday, 3 January 2011

A woman sentenced to death by stoning after being convicted of adultery may be spared, as Iran struggles to mute international outcry over the case.

Palestinian killed at West Bank checkpoint

Sunday, 2 January 2011

Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian who approached them at a West Bank checkpoint holding a bottle, the Israeli military and Palestinian officials said.

Abbas backs UN attack on Israeli settlements

Saturday, 1 January 2011

The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has voiced his personal backing for the first time for a draft UN resolution condemning Israeli West Bank settlements.

North Korean state TV bends it for Beckham

Saturday, 1 January 2011

North Koreans got a rare treat this week: a state TV broadcast of the British football film Bend it Like Beckham.

Former Israeli president is guilty of rape

Friday, 31 December 2010

Donald Macintyre: Moshe Katsav convicted on two counts of raping an employee while he was a cabinet minister.

Iranian President auctions car for charity

Friday, 31 December 2010

Iran's populist President is putting his 33-year-old Peugeot up for auction for a charity that funds housing projects for young people.

Former Israeli president convicted of rape

Thursday, 30 December 2010

Moshe Katsav faces from four to 16 years in prison for his crimes, which included two counts of raping an employee in 1998.

Iraq: Officer dies in sixth assassination bid

Thursday, 30 December 2010

Three suicide bombers attacked the police headquarters in the northern city of Mosul yesterday, killing a police commander who had escaped at least five previous assassination attempts, officials said.

Briton goes on trial for Baghdad killings

Thursday, 30 December 2010

The trial of a British security contractor charged with killing two colleagues during an argument opened in Baghdad yesterday.

Iran hangs man accused of passing military secrets

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Donald Macintyre: Alleged Mossad agent was said to have leaked information to Israel.

UAE 'held back full story of hotel assassination'

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates hesitated for nine days before deciding to reveal details of the assassination of Hamas militant Mahmoud al-Mabouh in a Dubai hotel in January, cables published by WikiLeaks reveal.

Britain risks Israeli anger by extending diplomatic recognition to Palestinians

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Hague's planned move increases pressure on Netanyahu government after latest round of US-sponsored talks collapse

Cabinet steps back from Lieberman's outburst on Turkey

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak yesterday moved to countermand outspoken remarks by his Foreign Ministry colleague Avigdor Lieberman denouncing the Turkish government for "lies" and dismissing prospects of a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Iran hangs 'Israeli spy'

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

An Iranian man convicted of spying for the country's arch-enemy Israel has been hanged, Iran's official news agency reported.

Visit for detained German journalists

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Two German journalists detained in Iran since October were told they can have a family visit yesterday, a day after Germany's Foreign Ministry complained that Iran was breaking promises to allow the meetings.

Jewish activist faces jail for West Bank resistance

Monday, 27 December 2010

Donald Macintyre: It is not every day that a leading Palestinian activist issues an emphatic statement of support for a Jewish Israeli – "this friend, whose friendship I am proud to share" – facing prison.