To reach Mideast Peace, Avoid Public Moves
The scores of innocent Israelis killed Saturday and Sunday in a series of Palestinian suicide attacks and the scores of innocent Palestinians killed before and since in various Israeli operations, point to the need for a new approach to resolve the Palestinian-Israel conflict. . This new approach must be based on secrecy and the need […]
The weakness of Israeli territorial justifications after Iraq
Much has been said about the effects to the Middle East of the end of the Saddam Hussein regime. But surprisingly nothing has been said about the strategic meaning of the presence of US forces to the territorial security arguments that have blocked Palestinian-Israeli agreements.
Abu Mazen Usher new Palestinian Phase
Without wanting to, I found myself in the middle of an inter Palestinian power struggle in 1997. Although Palestinians had witnessed historic legislative elections the new Palestinian legislative council was fighting for recognition and respectability from and unexpected rival. The Palestinian executive branch headed by President Yasser Arafat. My ‘sin’ was that I was helping […]
Nazeeh Darwazeh- A genuine Palestinian View from Inside
Nazeeh Darwazeh was operating a photo and video studio in 1988 when I was looking for a cameraman who can film the Palestinian intifada from inside. I helped introduce him to the world of broadcast television. Today I wish I didn’t. Nazeh died on duty filming outside his Nablus home Saturday.
The Lessons that should not be learnt
Israeli and US officials have been talking about the need for various other Arab regimes to learn the lesson from the scenes of anti Saddam Iraqis celebrating in the center of in Baghdad. Certainly the lesson of April 9th in Baghdad is that oppressive dictators will one day have to face their people. While it […]
Why is Ramallah so Quiet
The road from Jerusalem to Ramallah, especially near Qalandia refugee camp is still full of potholes. But the Qalandia checkpoint, which used to take some times hours to cross, was a breeze, this week. I drove right up to the checkpoint without any delay and the Israeli soldier quickly pass me through. I had a […]
Diary of an Arab journalist on war coverage
Day 1 Thursday March 20, 2003 Although the ultimatum had ended after midnight last night, I was sure that the really war would not start for a few days. I was surprised upon waking up to hear that war had actually commenced with the missiles attacking against Baghdad. Before I left home for work, the […]
Opponents of the Veto can’t have it both ways
In the pre-war rumblings going on in the United States a strange argument is being made. War supporters are chiding permanent members of the UN Security Council for reflecting international (as well as some American) public opinion by contemplating the possibility of a veto to any resolution that will approve war. Countries like France, Russia […]
Protect Independent Minded Jordanian Journalists
Naser Qamash, Roman Haddad and Muhanad Mbideen have been held in the Jewedeh prison south west of Amman since January 17th. They are held in jail pending a state security trial looking into the government’s case against their newspaper Al Hellal. The weekly paper published an article dealing with the personal life of the Prophet […]
How would a war on Iraq affect the Palestinian cause?
The conflict between the United States and Iraq has left a dark cloud over the Middle East in general and on Palestine in particular. The fear among Palestinians regarding the war in Iraq stem from a number of issues: