A tale of two embassies and the ‘ultimate deal’

First published in the Arab Weekly on 3/12/2017 The continuing discussions on moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem raise serious doubts with the Palestinians.  Risks ahead. The exterior of the US Embassy building in Tel Aviv. (AFP) US Vice-President Mike Pence recently confirmed that “President Donald Trump is actively considering when and how to move …

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Interview: Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Israel

I was interviewed by RT on 25/11/2017 https://youtu.be/d5VzeauL6Ks

How long before the Israeli flag flies over Riyadh?

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 22/11/2017 A general view from the Arabic Islamic American Summit at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 21 May, 2017 [Bandar Algaloud/Anadolu Agency] At a recent MEMO conference entitled “Crisis in Saudi Arabia: War Succession and Future”, I asked Professor Madawi Al-Rasheed of the London …

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Interview: Saudis told Abbas to back Trump’s plan or resign

I contributed to Press TV's The Newsline programme on 16/11/2017 This can be watched here

Palestinians should put more focus on their case internationally

First published by the Arab Weekly in 12/11/2017 The PLO should join more international bodies and conventions and use these to pressure Israel back to the negotiating table. If it is to make progress to­wards realising its people’s legitimate right to self-deter­mination in their homeland, the Palestinian leadership needs to take stock and weigh its …

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وراء الحدث: بريطانيا رفضت الإعتذار عن وعد بلفور

قناة الغد بتاريخ ٢/١١/٢٠١٧ https://youtu.be/4OsVJKw7HfI

What if Wales had been offered to the Jews as a homeland?

First published by the Middle East Eye on 1/11/2017 #Balfour One hundred years ago, the Balfour Declaration backed Palestine as a Jewish homeland. Imagining if history had taken another turn offers a fresh perspective.   On 2 November 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour sent a letter to Lord Walter Rothschild, a prominent zionist, which …

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Who sets US policy on Israel and Palestine?

First published by the Arab Weekly on 15/10/2017 With Trump, Tillerson, Trump’s advisers and his ambassador seemingly working in an uncoordinated manner, it may be a case of too many cooks spoiling the peace broth. The president of the United States normally sets the broad objectives of the country’s foreign policy, which largely fol­low his …

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Labour, Conservatives and the quest for a Palestinian state

First published by the Middle East Eye on 5/10/2017 As the 2017 conference season in the UK comes to a close, Palestinians can only hope that a future Labour government will recognise their pursuit of justice and freedom The annual conference season for the political parties in the UK has been in full swing. The …

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The US kicks the Israeli-Palestinian peace deal into the long grass

First published by the Middle East Eye on 30/8/2017 #Occupation Just days after a US delegation visit to Israel and Palestine, Netanyahu declares that Israel will no longer uproot settlements. Any dreams of peace anytime soon are a long way off   Say what you want about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but he doesn’t …

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