Siege Getting tighter and tighter
The invitation by the German representative office for a celebration at a Ramallah restaurant on the occasion of “German Unity” was normal. An addendum to the invitation was not normal. It expressed understanding by the Germans if the invited Palestinian guests couldn’t make it because of the difficulties in movement in the Palestinian areas.
Al Aqsa Intifada’ Seems’ to be over
Almost one year after Ariel Sharon’s controversial visit to Al Aqsa Mosque, the Al Aqsa Intifada and the Israeli military campaign against the Palestinian people seems to be over. Neither side can claim victory, as the tragedy in America and the consequent US pressures seems to have relieved either side from saying uncle first. As […]
An overview of the bombings and Palestine
Jerusalem-AMIN– There was little time wasted between the announcement of the bombings in America and the focus of world attention on Palestinians and Israelis. The speedy and unambiguous denouncement by top Palestinian leaders including President Arafat to the terrorism in America did little to shift attention and blame away from the Middle East. The Israelis […]
Apartheid roads and other discriminator policies
My personal assistant Jumana was in tears. Her husband Nadim has been pressing her to quit her job and try with us in Ramallah and apply for another job in Jerusalem. The reason is simple. Her daily trip from Jerusalem’s Beit Hanina neighborhood to Ramallah and back has become a nightmare. She was upset because […]
Only way out of Mideast conflict is to recognize
I still remember that afternoon in the fall of 1993 when Palestinian pacifist Mubarak Awad hurled a huge Palestinian flag from the office of the Palestinian center for the study of nonviolence, which lies, next to the Orient House. Israeli soldiers, who had in the past shot at anyone seen with what had been an […]
US Position regarding Mideast is dangerous
The Bush administration’s latest position regarding the Middle East is adding fuel to a raging fire. US vice president Dick Cheney told the Fox television network that the US understands Israel’s need to attack Palestinians which he called acts of self defense. Israel has been carrying out a declared policy of assassinations against Palestinian activists. […]
The limits of power
Is there a limit to military power? Is there a limit to what a successful media campaign can accomplish? Can any party win a struggle without these two important components? Israelis have been flexing their military might and media power, but so far they have fallen far short of crushing the Palestinian will. Is there […]
Quiet Beit Jala
Twelve-year old Firas El Yateem is negotiating the string of his kite around an electric line. A few days ago Firas feeling that things have gotten quite yet unable to go places with his family because of the Israeli siege, decided to begin making and flying kites. Within days the skies of Beit Jala, where […]
Don’t Favor Form over Content
The Bush administration is in the process of falling in the same Israeli trap as that of the former Clinton administration as far as the Middle East is concerned. Favoring form over content will not bring about lasting peace. Favoring the Israeli direction, the latest US policy push has been to shore up a short […]
Ramallah Resilient Under Siege
It was late Tuesday night and Saleem Sweidan, who runs Nablus TV, was trying to figure out where to sleep that night. The day before he had tried to get back to Nablus and the normally 45 minutes trip took him five hours. The taxi driver deposited him and the other passengers near Salfit, they […]