Dive into the archives.
- Abu Aardvark’s Verdict
I’ve had plenty of criticisms of the Obama team’s tactical choices along the way — letting the settlements battle draw out, not acting to alleviate the Gaza disaster, unreasonably expecting Arab concessions in response to tepid Israeli statements, and do on. But they’ve made it clear that the time for games is coming to an [...]
- Already Underway
“The Israelis and the United States are close to a deal and are agreed in principle on the broad strokes, but Israel’s piece is contingent on similar gestures from the Palestinians and the Arabs. And the Palestinians are refusing to deal,” is how one source characterized the current state of play. The drive to blame [...]
- The Clown King’s Thoughtful Conclusion
The United States is promoting a peace plan for the Middle East involving a “57-state solution” in which the entire Muslim world would recognize Israel, Monday’s Times of London quoted Jordan’s King Abdullah as saying. “We are offering a third of the world to meet them with open arms,” the king said. “The future is [...]
- Chomsky on Obama
In short, Obama’s forceful reiteration of Israel’s right to defend itself is another exercise of cynical deceit … The deceit is particularly striking in this case because the occasion was the appointment of Mitchell as special envoy. Mitchell’s primary achievement was his leading role in the peaceful settlement in northern Ireland. It called for an [...]
- U.S.-Israeli Rejectionism
I am beginning to think that it may be a breath of fresh air to have some straight-talking Israeli politicians for a change (repugnant as they may be). Rather than simply feigning diplomacy, on his very first day as Israeli Foreign Secretary Avigdor Lieberman just came right out and dismissed the 2007 Annapolis conference as [...]
- Is This Clown For Real?
“There is no alternative to a two-state solution, except the one-state solution. And if there is a one-state solution, there’s going to be a big fight,” Blair said after a meeting with European Union officials in Brussels. (more…)
- Saeb Erakat on Netanyahu
Rather than ending the occupation, Netanyahu has proposed an “economic peace” that would seek to normalize and better manage it. Instead of a viable Palestinian state, his vision extends no further than a series of disconnected cantons with limited self-rule. (more…)
- Uri Avnery: Likud Rising
Two documents appeared side by side in Haaretz last week, on November 21: a giant advertisement from the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the results of a public opinion poll.The proximity was accidental, but to the point. The PLO ad sets out the details of the 2002 Saudi peace offer, decorated with the colorful flags [...]
- A Potential Ceasefire (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)
Apparently, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered a halt to Israeli attacks in Gaza and has instead entered into talks with Hamas via Egyptian mediators. It should not be necessary to point out that Hamas has previously offered to talk with Israel on more than one occasion and that it was Israel, not Hamas, [...]
- Eyeless in Gaza
Reflecting on the massive Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip this past week, which left over 120 dead and scores wounded, I can only sit back in frustration at Israel’s sheer blindness and cruelty. Even as the U.S. House of Representatives arrogantly passes a resolution “strongly defending how Israel has repelled rocket attacks” and [...]
- The Answer To Peace Talks? Bomb Gaza!
I am always interested to read the Gaza security briefings I receive daily. Today I read that the Erez checkpoint has been closed until at least January 21 for all but the most exceptional cases (and we all know that even then, it’s incredibly hard to get in or out of Gaza). Apparently the order [...]
- Peace is on the Agenda!
Today marks the beginning of formal peace talks between Israel and Palestine since the Annapolis summit last month. In observance of Israeli tradition, settlement construction has intensified and the IDF launched a massive invasion of the Gaza Strip yesterday killing several and arresting dozens in house-to-house raids. These are sure signs that peace is on [...]
- Annapolis, Ramallah and the Siege on Gaza
I wanted to wait for a few days before jumping to conclusions about the Annapolis Summit (they seem to have finally stuck to a name). Now that I have had some time to sniff around (i.e. sit in front of the TV flipping between the news networks), I have reached two conclusions and some predictions [...]
- Be Good Victims.
First it was called a “conference”, then a “summit” and the latest preferred terminology is “meeting”. But whatever you call it, the Annapolis Conference/Summit/Meeting planned for November 27 is not being taken seriously. Just over a week away and there have been no invitations sent out, no joint declaration – not even a consensus on [...]
- Reuven Kaminer: Slouching Towards Annapolis
Two major developments dominate the news in our region. George Bush has ratcheted up the hysterical anti-Iranian campaign – even going so far as to threaten the world with a third world war. At the same time, the United States is convening an important “peace meeting” designed, ostensibly, to jump start the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. [...]
- Comment: Retaliation or Collective Punishment?
Another rejected op-ed. I sent it last week—before Israel cut power. * * * In the tragically habitual nature of relations between Israel and the Gaza Strip, tensions have heightened once more, overshadowing U.S. plans for the Annapolis peace summit slated for next month. Several weeks ago, Israel labeled Gaza an “enemy entity”, causing businesses [...]
- Jennifer Loewenstein
Jennifer Loewenstein is a busy woman. On top of her work as associate director of the Middle Eastern studies program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Loewenstein is also a prolific freelance journalist and human rights activist. Over the years, she has spent a great deal of time in the Gaza Strip—including a period with [...]
- Comment: No Conversation Without Representation
The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is not a zero-sum game, but it often seems that politicians treat it that way. Increasingly, the discourse in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has revolved around the demands Palestinians should accept to achieve peace and very rarely does Israel discuss concessions at all. Yet this has become entirely acceptable as framed by [...]
