Can the Istanbul conference for diaspora Palestinians lead to unity of vision?

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 16/2/2017 The situation continues to get worse for Palestinians as they remain under occupation in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, and the latter has also been under siege for a decade. Those who make-up one-fifth of the Israeli population continue to suffer from official …

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Trump’s status quo for Palestine-Israel isn’t so bad, unless you’re a Palestinian

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 7/2/2017 Israeli police detain a Palestinian protester during a demonstration against US President Trump [Shadi Hatem/Apaimages] The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States appears to have emboldened Israeli politicians. Many clearly feel that their strongest ally will henceforth provide them with the chance to …

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TV interview about Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with Theresa May

Interview on RT UK on 6/2/2017 It is inadequate to continue to condemn Israeli policies, time for action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8d2BJ4J-MU

Debate: Why the status of Jerusalem is not the crux of the matter

First published by the Arab Weekly on 5/2/2017 Since his inauguration, Trump seems to have rolled back on his embassy com­mitment, much to the surprise of many. Road signs are seen in front of the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the occupied West Bank, on January 17th. (Reuters) The question of whether the Trump …

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Interview: New settlement plan jeopardizes peace

Interview on Press TV on 25 January 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qBIY3RF52k&t=116s

Only through unity can the Palestinians counter Paris and Trump

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 17/1/2016 Image of the Middle East peace talk about Israel-Palestinian territories’ in Paris, France on January 15, 2017 [Cem Özdel/ Anadolu Agency] Many more air miles have been collected and many more fine dinners have been consumed in five-star Parisian restaurants off the backs of the Palestinian …

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Could the Palestine-Israel conflict destroy the UN?

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 …

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UN resolution 2334 must be seen as a tool, not just a victory

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 …

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Expecting more of the same 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 …

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The UK’s new anti-Semitism definition is more about protecting Israel than British Jews

First published by the Middle East Eye on 13/12/2016 The definition makes anti-Semitism less about problems an individual or group has with Jews and more a refusal to accept Israeli policies _________________________________________________________________ Britain’s pro-Israel lobby has won a battle, but its win won’t help bring about the peace that Palestinians and Israelis crave. This week, …

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