Arab MK says battle for equality, ending the occupation ‘inseparable’
By Daoud Kuttab A leading Knesset member of the predominantly Arab Joint List has described press reports of a $3.8 billion budget to improve Arab communities in Israel as exaggerated. In an interview with Al-Monitor, MK Aida Touma-Sliman commented, “Our estimate is that it amounts to nearly 10 billion shekels [$2.5 billion].† Touma-Sliman further said of the funds […]
On its 51st anniversary, is Fatah facing identity crisis?
By Daoud Kuttab As the leading Palestinian national movement celebrates its 51st anniversary, two major challenges loom large in determining whether it survives or disintegrates. Fatah, formerly the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, was established in 1959 but declared itself publicly on Jan. 1, 1965. The first press release under the Fatah name announced a guerrilla […]
Palestinians learn the power of a picture
By Daoud Kuttab Photos, posters, videos and a variety of imagery have been part of the Palestinian struggle since 1948. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East possesses possibly the largest and most impressive photo and video archivesof Palestinian refugees. These photos have been taken by professional photographers from […]
What suspending security coordination with Israel would mean for the PLO
By Daoud Kuttab A member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee has predicted that a possible decision to suspend security and economic ties with Israel will make it impossible for the Palestinian National Council (PNC) to hold a meeting planned for next February.  Hanna Amireh told Al-Monitor that plans are set to hold the Palestinian parliament in exile late February or […]
The long road to labeling settlement products
By Daoud Kuttab The European Commission’s Nov. 11 “interpretive noticeâ€Â clarifying “the application of existing [European] Union legislation on indication of origin of products to products originating in Israeli-occupied territories†was not arrived at quickly or easily. In fact, it dates back to the mid-1980s. In 1986, the issue had involved the legalities of how a Palestinian manufacturer in Ramallah could export […]
Jerusalem Copts hope new bishop brings renewed support
By Daoud Kuttab Members of Jerusalem’s small Coptic Christian community were thoroughly surprised when the leader of the worldwide Coptic Orthodox Church broke a papal-imposed boycott and visited them. The arrival of Pope Tawadros II followed the death of Bishop Anba Abraham, the longtime spiritual leader of the Coptic church in Jerusalem and Palestine. The pope officiated at the funeral service held Nov. 28 in Jerusalem, […]
Are Palestinians losing interest in the two-state solution?
By Daoud Kuttab The 8th Forum for Arab Investigative Journalists organised by Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), concluded this week in Amman with a gala dinner where the winners of the 2015 ARIJ Prize for best investigation in print and video categories were announced. The second prize in the short-form Film Category went to […]
Will Fatah, Hamas take Egypt’s road to unity?
By Daoud Kuttab Hamadeh Faraneh, member of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), caused a firestorm Nov. 30 by revealing that Egypt has been working with the Palestinian president on advancing a four-point road map that includes internal unity within Fatah, reconciliation with Hamas, reconstruction of the Palestine Liberation Organization and general elections. Faraneh, a former […]
The future of the Palestinian National Theatre
By Daoud Kuttab IÂ still remember the early days in 1984 in East Jerusalem. I was a member of a Palestinian theatre company when we were fortunate enough to be able to give a physical home to Al Hakawati troupe. We thought the building could be both a home for our company and a theatre for […]
Hebron radio stations closed for ‘exercising incitement’
By Daoud Kuttab During November, the Israeli army confiscated broadcasting equipment and closed three Palestinian radio stations in the Hebron area. While the unprecedented move coincided with the increase in anti-Israeli attacks in the Hebron area, this action against private media reveals a change in Israeli policy. Until November 2015, Israel has blamed Palestinian President Mahmoud […]