With Bannon’s appointment, Israel is comfortable with anti-Semitism

First published by the Middle East Eye on Monday 28/11/2016 From MEE. A file photo of Stephen Bannon, who was recently named to be Donald Trump's chief strategist in the White House (Reuters) _________________________________________________________________ The cat is out of the bag: Israel is comfortable associating with suspected holding anti-Semitic and extremist right-wing views as long …

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Israel welcomes Trump’s win with new anti-Palestinian laws

First published by the Arab Weekly on 20 November 2016 The election of Donald Trump as president of the United States seems to have emboldened Israeli politicians, who clearly feel their strongest ally will provide them with the chance to end any hope of freedom or independence for the Palestinians. Soon after Trump’s win, the …

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Empty condemnation of Israeli settlements doesn’t work: We need action

Firs published by the Middle East Eye on 10/11/2016 Instead of finding creative language of condemnation, the international community should declare that settlements are illegal and prohibit trade _____________________________________________________________ Israel is the only state in the world that believes that it can continue to build settlements only for Jews in East Jerusalem, the West Bank …

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Israel’s ban on the Muslim call to prayer in Jerusalem is the tip of the iceberg

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 7/11/2016 Al-Aqsa mosque Something is in the air in Jerusalem and if Israel has its way it soon won’t be; the Muslim call to prayer — the adhaan — is under threat. The state which is built upon the ethnic cleansing of the majority of the indigenous …

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Waleed Shaath is the two millionth reason for ending the siege on Gaza

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 31/10/2016 Waleed Shaath, held by his mother, is the two millionth person born in Gaza on 12th October 2016 [Abed Rahim Khatib/Apaimages] The news that the population of Gaza has reached the 2 million mark was reported widely in the media but has stirred hardly any real …

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What Brexit should mean for the Arab world

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 …

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TV Interview: Israel Suspends UNESCO Ties

I contributed to the Press TV programme 'On the news line' about the UNESCO resolution confirming that East Jerusalem including the religious sites is illegally occupied. This was broadcast on 20/10/2016. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4y6rhb_on-the-news-line-us-elections-intervention-saudi-s-loosing-support-israel-suspends-unesco-ties_news  

Redefining anti-Semitism will not silence Palestinians’ struggle for justice

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 …

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TV Interview: Jordanians protest natural gas deal with Israel

I was interviewed by Press TV on 14/10/2016 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4xjjv0_jordanian-protest-natural-gas-deal-with-israel_news

Rolls Royce, pants and sand: What Boris Johnson said to the Arab ambassadors

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 …

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