Israel underestimates Palestinian leadership
By Daoud Kuttab A review of statements by Israeli officials and pundits in response to the Palestinian unity agreement suggests a sense of surprise at the Palestinians’ audacity. Israel’s underestimation of the Palestinian leadership is reflected in an arrogant attitude reminiscent of a colonizer-colonized relationship. Nearly five decades of occupation and colonization have left Israelis shocked when Palestinians take action […]
Palestinian diaspora needs unity deal
By Daoud Kuttab The PLO-Hamas reconciliation agreement signed in the Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on April 23 is forcing Palestinians everywhere to revisit their own divisions and start working together for the common Palestinian good. For years, Palestinians living outside the occupied territories have been divided over many fronts. Not only was the […]
Clerics, scholars debate action on Jerusalem
By Daoud Kuttab The dangers facing Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque finally appear to have elicited serious Arab reactions. The guests and comments of the organizers of a recent conference held in the Jordanian capital of Amman reflect a newfound seriousness. “The Road to Jerusalem” — held April 28-30 and organized by the World Islamic Sciences and Education University and Jordan’s Palestine […]
Palestinian reconciliation deal a Hamas surrender
By Daoud Kuttab Ever since the 2007 split that divided Palestinian rule between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Ramallah-based leadership has had three options to consider: using force, compromising or waiting for Hamas to capitulate. Israel, which was established and continues to exist through use of brutal force, has always recommended that Ramallah crush the Gaza-based Islamic insurgency. Israelis used […]
Palestinians may look to Lebanon model for government
By Daoud Kuttab Since the Palestinians have agreed to reconcile and create a national unity government until elections can take place, the debate now focuses on one simple question: Do the conditions imposed on Hamas by the Middle East Quartet apply to any future Palestinian government as a whole or do they apply to every individual member of the government? After […]
Does Hamas-Fatah reconciliation spell end for peace talks?
By Daoud Kuttab As the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) convenes in Ramallah on April 26, its mission — to determine the future of peace talks and elect a president and parliament — is easier now that the PLO and Hamas have agreed to implement their reconciliation agreements. Presidential and parliamentary elections (both inside and outside Palestine) are now scheduled six months […]
PCC to determine fate of talks
Following appeared in the Jordan Times By Daoud Kuttab Whenever the PLO’s parliament in exile is called to meet, one expects important decisions. This time, the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) will meet in Ramallah on Saturday to decide two critical issues: The future of talks with Israel and elections for president and parliament of Palestine. The […]
Abbas unlikely to dissolve Palestinian Authority
By Daoud Kuttab Palestinians skeptical of the Oslo process have for years been complaining that it has served only to relieve Israel of its obligations as an occupying force, instead of producing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. This has led to repeated calls for thedissolution of the Oslo-created Palestinian Authority (PA). Empowering a population and allowing it to practice a […]
Palestinian Central Council to decide on peace talks
By Daoud Kuttab Some of the most important decisions that the Palestinians need to take are expected to come out of the Palestinian Central Council (PCC), due to meet on April 26. The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) second-highest legislative body will meet in Ramallah to decide on the peace process and on presidential and parliamentary […]
Easter Festivities and Restrictions in Jerusalem
By Daoud Kuttab The dwindling Palestinian Christian population celebrated Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and even in Gaza. Eastern and Western Christian calendars were united this year, bringing larger numbers to the celebrations than usual. Israel again this year issued permits for Palestinian Christians from nearby Bethlehem and Ramallah to enter Jerusalem to celebrate the […]