Palestinian Olive Season Puts Focus on Israeli Settlements
By Daoud Kuttab The four-minute video and 13 photos posted on the website of the Palestine News Network tells the story vividly. Members of various diplomatic missions to Palestine joined Palestinians in picking olives. The exercise was no simple picnic or an innocent act of voluntary work. It was another visible manifestation of the major problem […]
Palestinians to Continue Boycott Of Jerusalem Elections
By Daoud Kuttab Municipal elections in most countries are not a big deal. But the Jerusalem municipal elections are a big deal for Palestinians, who have boycotted every election held in the city since 1967. Ever since the Israelis occupied east Jerusalem and unilaterally declared that the city’s two sides are now a “united city,†[…]
Palestinian Charm Offensive Latest Twist in Peace Talks
By Daoud Kuttab For nearly two years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders have hammered home a single point: “Why are Palestinians refusing to negotiate with us?” Netanyahu repeatedly said that he would go anywhere — including Ramallah — to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and initiate peace talks. At one time, he […]