First published by the Middle East Monitor on 6/3/2017 In my last article for MEMO, I wondered whether the Conference for Palestinians Abroad (CPA) could lead to Palestinian unity of vision. It was a privilege to be with an estimated 6,000 Palestinians from 50 countries in Istanbul for the conference, which took place on 25 …
Continue reading The Palestinian leadership must embrace the Conference for Palestinians Abroad
First published by the Arab Weekly on 19/2/2017 Israel continues to violate UN resolutions with impunity and Palestinians can expect more bad anniversaries to mark. A 2016 picture shows a Palestinian youth waving the national flag on the 68th anniversary of the Nakba (AFP) 2017 is the year of anniversaries for Palestinians. Sadly, none can …
Continue reading 2017 is the year of sad anniversaries for Palestinians
First published by the Arab Weekly on 25/12/2016 London - Palestinian Christians and Palestinian Muslims are looking back with deep concern at a year in which they saw their struggle for freedom and independence battered. The Palestinians end the year with no sign of reconciliation between the main political factions Hamas, which rules the Gaza …
Continue reading Expecting more of the same for Palestinians
First published by the Arab Weekly on 30/10/2016 June 23rd marked a turning point in Britain’s relationship with the European Union when the British people voted to leave the union, triggering a process known as Brexit. This quickly brought about the resignation of the prime minister, David Cameron, who was replaced by Theresa May. In …
First published in the Middle East Eye on 19/10/2016 The UK home affairs select committee has fallen for the Israeli lobby's attempt to conflate criticising Israel with anti-Semitism I would not be writing this column in this way if the UK Parliament’s home affairs select committee had not dragged my homeland, Palestine, into the controversy surrounding …
Continue reading Redefining anti-Semitism will not silence Palestinians’ struggle for justice
First published by the Middle East Eye on 13/10/2016 The foreign secretary's candid speech reveals an opportunity to influence UK policy in the Middle East - Arab ambassadors should seize it Away from the endless discussions on Brexit at this year’s Conservative party conference in Birmingham, there were the usual fringe meetings and receptions that complement …
Continue reading Rolls Royce, pants and sand: What Boris Johnson said to the Arab ambassadors
First published by the Middle East Eye on 26/9/2016 The 2016 annual pilgrimage of world leaders to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York was dominated by the Syria crisis. While many speakers ramble on to a half empty hall, others try to get important messages across to the assembly of world nations. …
Continue reading While Netanyahu lectures, Abbas pleads – but who is listening?
Lichfield is holding a conference entitled Holding Palestine in the Light 7-9 October. This promises to be an excellent event and I am privileged to be contributing to it. Details here
Published by the Middle East Monitor 6/8/2016 Image from Middle East Monitor The Balfour Declaration is a letter from the then British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Walter Rothschild, for transmission to the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland. The critical part of this short letter said: “His Majesty’s government view with favour the …
Continue reading Britain should apologise for the Balfour Declaration, not ‘celebrate’ it
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