First published by the Arab Weekly on 15/1/2017 The vote on UN Security Council Resolution 2334 on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories brought relations among the international body, Israel and the future US administration to a head. The United States unusually abstained on the resolution that criticised Israel while all other …
Continue reading Could the Palestine-Israel conflict destroy the UN?
First published by the Middle East Monitor on 9/7/2017 Image of the UN Security Council resolution that called Israel to stop settlement activities on Palestinian territories on December 23 2016 [Volkan Furuncu / Anadolu Agency] The Palestinians were set to conclude that their cause had been severely damaged in 2016 when the UN Security Council …
Continue reading UN resolution 2334 must be seen as a tool, not just a victory
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 Middle East Monitor on 12/12/2016 From the Middle East Monitor 2016 will be remembered for a new phrase that came to characterise popular uprisings against “the establishment” in the West. From the UK to the USA, “taking back control” struck a chord with the voters when it was adopted by Donald …
Continue reading The Palestinians too should take back control of their destiny
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 …
Continue reading With Bannon’s appointment, Israel is comfortable with anti-Semitism
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 …
Continue reading Israel welcomes Trump’s win with new anti-Palestinian laws
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 …
Continue reading Empty condemnation of Israeli settlements doesn’t work: We need action
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 …
Continue reading 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 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 …
Continue reading Waleed Shaath is the two millionth reason for ending the siege on Gaza
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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