- FRANCE 24

22/05/2012 - WEST BANK

'The Battle of the Empty Stomachs'

Palestinians nicknamed it "the battle of the empty stomachs". For weeks, 1,600 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails refused food and drink in what became the longest ever mass hunger strike. Israel finally capitulated and a deal was reached, allowing those in isolation back onto the general wards, and visas for those family members wishing to visit from Gaza. In exchange, prisoners agreed not to carry out "security activities" such as recruiting for terrorist missions.

03/05/2012 - PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

West Bank Palestinians complain of rising censorship

The Palestinian Authority appears to be clamping down on dissent in the West Bank, blocking access to internet news sites and arresting journalists who are suspected of libel against leading Palestinian politicians. The growing censorship has surprised outside observers, many of whom considered Palestinian internet use relatively free compared with neighbouring countries.

02/04/2012 - ISRAEL

Israelis prepare for possibility of Iran conflict

In recent months Israeli officials have increasingly warned that Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb, and that a pre-emptive strike may be necessary to avert the threat. At home, Israelis are divided on the question of war with Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli emergency services say everything is in place in case the worst comes to the worst.

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30/03/2012 - REPORTERS

A taste of freedom in Gaza

More than a thousand Palestinian prisoners found freedom when Hamas released a single Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, at the end of 2011. Hundreds of them headed to Gaza, even though many had never lived there before. A few weeks after their return, our reporter found out what became of three of these former prisoners.

11/01/2012 - ISRAEL

Israel battles illegal immigration

Despite the introduction of new legislation, known as the "anti-infiltration bill", which can send those who enter Israel illegally to prison for up to three years, authorities are struggling to keep the flow of immigrants in check. Most of Israel's African immigrants remain in limbo and are unable to work because of the documents they are given. Our Middle East correspondent Gallagher Fenwick reports.

29/12/2011 - ISRAEL

Gender segregation in the Holy City

Images of women are the latest source of tension in Jerusalem between certain members of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community and more liberal residents. The extremists want to see the city's walls stripped of any posters or advertisements depicting women. Some advertising agencies have agreed, in order to avoid incurring costs from the degradation of their billboards. Others are choosing to fight back and encourage women to take back the streets of the Holy City.

20/12/2011 - GAZA STRIP

The victims of the Fatah Hamas divide

Almost six months after the latest unity agreement between rival Palestinian parties, Hamas and Fatah, it has yet to be implemented. No unity transitional government has been formed, no elections organized, security services have not been reorganized or merged in Gaza or the West Bank. And political prisoners have yet to be released on both sides. In the meantime it is ordinary Palestinians who pay a heavy price. Our correspondent, Gallagher Fenwick, reports from the Gaza Strip.

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14/11/2011 - MIDDLE EAST

Hardline Israeli settlers attack own government

"Price tag policy" is a phrase being painted on walls across the West Bank and heard on the Israeli news. The expression is used by some hardline Israeli settlers to protest against any government decisions not to allow certain illegal settlements including some outposts in the West Bank. Israeli security services are warning these groups have formed an underground network, with little respect for government decisions, and are actively seeking to ramp up the tension in the region.

06/10/2011 - ISRAEL-EGYPT

Tensions on the rise on the Sinai/Negev border zone

On the 30th anniversary of the killing of Egypt's leader Anwar al-Sadat by fundamentalist officers, we take a look at heightening tensions between Israel and Egypt. Sinai has been under tight military control for years, but not so since the revolution in Egypt. But now many residents and army officers in southern Israel fear that anti-Israel commandos could easily invade their territory.

20/09/2011 - MIDDLE EAST

Israeli settlements and the peace process

It is a tit-for-tat policy, which is causing further confrontation, hurt and anger across the West Bank. As the UN Security Council meets to examine the Palestinians' statehood bid, we look at the situation on the ground. Our report is from Migron, an Israeli outpost, where several homes have recently been removed by the government, after leftist Israeli NGO Peace Now won the case for their removal.

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