First published by the Arab Weekly on 7/5/2017 In recent years Israel has been developing approaches to combat the criticism it receives, both for the lack of progress towards peace with the Palestinians and increasingly for policies it develops and implements. This can be traced to a significant 2010 report, produced by the Reut Institute, …
Continue reading Silencing critics will only reinforce image of Israel as a bully
First published by the Middle East Eye on 13/4/2017 On 7 April, I travelled with my wife, Lina, and my five-year-old son, Adam, to Palestine to spend Easter with family and friends, mainly in Attur, East Jerusalem. In the late afternoon, we arrived at Tel Aviv airport and made our way to passport control. I …
First published by the Middle East Monitor on 5/4/2017 Palestinians were delighted to see 2016 end with the UN Security Council passing resolution 2334 which reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s settlement enterprise. The passing of the resolution was facilitated by the US abstention in the dying days of Obama’s administration. The UK played a key …
Continue reading The UK is quietly changing its policy on Israel and Palestine
First published by the Middle East Eye on 28/3/2017 After supporting the UN resolution against Israeli settlements, the UK's attack against the council is illogical - unless this is all about trade deals In a surprise move, the UK representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council made a scathing attack against the council at …
Continue reading The UK should put Israel on notice, not the UN Human Rights Council
First published by the Arab Weekly on 26/3/2017 Photo: Remembering. Palestinian woman gestures in the village of Khirbet Zakaria with a view of the Israeli Gush Etzion settlement block seen in the background, on March 5th. (AFP) London - Israel has recently passed or initiated laws that can be considered an entrenching of its occupation …
Continue reading Deep concern as Israeli laws entrench the occupation
First published by the Middle East Eye on 14/3/2017 The next time you hear Israel laud its democratic credentials, remember the ban on BDS supporters and take it with a pinch of salt Israel’s parliament began the year with a volley of bills designed to entrench its occupation of the Palestinian territories, insult the indigenous …
Continue reading Banning BDS supporters is incompatible with a Western-style democracy
First published by Muslim Press on 7/3/2017 ‘Moving US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be explosive’ In an interview with Muslim Press, British Palestinian academic and writer on Middle East Affairs Kamel Hawwash said, “Moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be explosive as assessed by the Muslim world, the …
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 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 …
Continue reading Can the Istanbul conference for diaspora Palestinians lead to unity of vision?
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
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