Far right spells danger for Netanyahu

Ruth Pollard JERUSALEM: Israel's election campaign has entered its final frantic two weeks, with political advertisements flooding television and radio focused on domestic socio-economic issues and parties all...

Deserting voters unsettle Netanyahu team

Ruth Pollard, Jerusalem Israel's election campaign has entered its final frantic two weeks, with a flood of political advertisements focusing on domestic socio-economic issues and the parties all but ignoring Israel's most...

Ruth Pollard

Searching for refuge in a land where there are no safe places

Ruth Pollard AS THE night-time temperature in Syria drops closer to freezing and the rains begin, it is difficult to imagine how those who have barely survived without electricity, water or enough food this year...

Arab women flock to support site

Ruth Pollard Sally Zohney, of 'The Uprising of Women in the Arab World' Facebook page, explains how supporters can upload photos and exchange stories.

Political crisis pains Egyptian tourism

Ruth Pollard Luxor, Egypt THE lush green sugar cane fields that line the Nile River governorate of Luxor cannot disguise the level of poverty in which many locals are forced to live.

Another poll amid plight of poverty

Ruth Pollard LUXOR, EGYPT: The lush green sugarcane fields that line the Nile River governorate of Luxor cannot disguise the poverty in which many are forced to live.

Heavenly virgins hold no sway over freedom-fighting females

Ruth Pollard ''I AM with the uprising of women in the Arab world because I would prefer to be free on this earth [than be] a heavenly virgin.''

Egyptians vote 'yes' in referendum

Ruth Pollard Under a heavy military presence, Egyptians turned out in huge numbers to vote in the country's constitutional referendum, as preliminary results indicated a narrow ''yes'' vote in the poll's first...

Egyptians edge to 'yes' amid claims of vote rigging

Ruth Pollard CAIRO: Under a heavy military presence, Egyptians turned out in huge numbers to vote in the country's disputed constitutional referendum, with preliminary results indicating a narrow ''yes'' vote in...

Egypt in turmoil as rival supporters clash over vote on constitution

Ruth Pollard As voting began in Egypt's controversial constitutional referendum, citizens were recovering from another bloody night of protests over the poll after violent clashes broke out in the seaside city of...

Deputy PM quits before Israel poll

Ruth Pollard Israel's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, maintaining his innocence and vowing to clear his name, has resigned both posts just 38 days before national elections after it...

Controversial Israeli minister resigns after charges laid

Ruth Pollard Maintaining his innocence and vowing to clear his name, Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has resigned just 38 days before the country’s national elections after it was revealed he would be...

Distrust and disdain leave Egyptians divided

Ruth Pollard CAIRO: Sameha and her son Mohammed lean against the railing outside a Cairo health clinic, her arms clasped around him as his bandaged head rests heavily on her shoulder.

Egyptian protesters tear down wall

Ruth Pollard Security barrier set up around Cairo's presidential palace attacked as thousands protest against President Mursi's constitutional referendum.

'We want to move ahead': thousands march on Mursi's palace

Ruth Pollard, Cairo Tens of thousands of Egyptians have marched on the presidential palace in Cairo calling for President Mohammed Mursi to stand down as the political crisis over the country's controversial...

Egyptian protesters refuse to back down

Ruth Pollard CAIRO: A towering wall of concrete blocks separates Egypt's protesters from the Presidential Palace, but the opposition movement remains defiant, calling for another mass rally on Tuesday over the...

Israel's settlement plan sparks protest

Ruth Pollard Israel is facing international condemnation over its plans to significantly expand settlement construction in occupied territory in the West Bank, Fairfax's Ruth Pollard reports.

Israel faces rebuke over settlement plans

Ruth Pollard JERUSALEM: Israel is facing condemnation over its plans to expand settlements in occupied territory in the West Bank, with Britain and France reported to be considering recalling their ambassadors...

Ramallah rejoices in historic vote, although few expect change

Ruth Pollard RAMALLAH, West Bank: The street party was in full swing in Ramallah well before the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, stood to speak at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.