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 …

Continue reading Who sets US policy on Israel and Palestine?

Mahmoud Abbas has led the Palestinians to a dead end. He must go 

First published by the Middle East Eye on 29/6/2017 The president has hit a new low, cutting the salaries and electricity of Palestinians in Gaza. The next intifada will be against the Palestinian National Authority and this should worry Israel and Abbas Photo: A photo of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from 2016 (AFP) The embattled …

Continue reading Mahmoud Abbas has led the Palestinians to a dead end. He must go 

Every picture tells a story; can the Palestinians expect any justice from this bunch?

First published by the Middle East Monitor on 23/6/2017 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with Jared Kushner (3rd L) in Jerusalem on 21 June 2017 [Handout / Amos Ben Gershom / GPO] Throughout his first trip abroad as US president, during which he visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, Donald Trump expressed …

Continue reading Every picture tells a story; can the Palestinians expect any justice from this bunch?

Trump should appoint pro-Palestinian advisers

First published by the Arab Weekly on 11/6/2017 Trump’s senior advisers and ambassadors hold pro-Israel views with no counter view seemingly present. Phot: Diversity needed. Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (R) and US President Donald Trump (L) chat as White House senior adviser Jared Kushner is seen in between them, during their meeting at the …

Continue reading Trump should appoint pro-Palestinian advisers

Abbas-Trump meeting brings little hope for Palestinians

First published in the Arab Weekly on Sunday 14/5/2017 London - Palestinian Authority Presi­dent Mahmoud Abbas fi­nally had his day at the Trump White House. The US president, stand­ing in front of the Palestinian flag at their news conference on May 3, lauded Abbas for his role as signa­tory to the 1993 Oslo peace accords …

Continue reading Abbas-Trump meeting brings little hope for Palestinians

Tv interview: Israeli PM hails US policy shift on Tel Aviv

I was interviewed by Press TV on 21/4/2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKp5OcSL_oI

The UK is quietly changing its policy on Israel and Palestine

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

The Palestinian leadership must embrace the Conference for Palestinians Abroad

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

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 …

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

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