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The article focuses on the national-religious parties in Israel such as the Religious Zionists. Topics discussed include the election in the country, the national identity of the country, and the social aspects of religious community. Also mentioned are the politics and government in the country, the relations of Israel and Palestine, and the national-religious settlers in Israel.

The article discusses why the Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing its most serious internal challenge since it was established in 1994. A violent showdown in the Gaza Strip between competing nationalist factions has threatened to destroy the PA and domestic security after four years of uprising against Israel. The turmoil represents a critical danger, not just for Palestinian society and its dreams of a unified state, but also for Israel's plan to disengage unilaterally from Gaza. If Israel implements Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Palestinian society will fragment even more, lose the benefit of unified representation, and possibly lapse into bloody infighting. But it is not too late to change course: holding Palestinian national elections before Israel's withdrawal could prevent chaos and help establish the foundations for a democratic Palestinian state committed to peaceful relations with Israel. For all the hope that elections offer, conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are not now conducive to holding them: the ongoing violence would make it difficult for voters to reach the ballot box. Palestinian factions must reach an understanding on a complete cease-fire during the election period. The U.S. and other international actors must ensure that the Palestinians and Israel implement their election-related commitments.

An editorial is presented which addresses Israeli prime minister Binyamin "Bibi" Netanyahu who has been elected to a record fifth term in office as of 2019, and it mentions Netantahu's skills as a political performer in the wake of various corruption charges. According to the article, Netayahu's victory came about through a combination of nationalism, anti-elitism, and Jewish chauvinism. The historical aspects of U.S.-Israeli relations are addressed, along with Jews and Arabs in Israel.