Abbas considers sacking Palestinian prime minister
By Daoud Kuttab Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s days in office are numbered, according to reliable sources in the Muqata (headquarters). The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, told Al-Monitor that for a convergence of reasons they expect Hamdallah to be replaced by President Mahmoud Abbas within a month. The addition […]
Kerry Peace Plan Shakes up Jordanian-Palestinian Relations
By Daoud Kuttab The seriousness of the U.S.-initiated framework for a possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem appears to have shaken dormant relations in the region, including in Jordan. The Palestinian-Jordanian relationship, which is experiencing its highest degree of cooperation and mutual trust, is being put to the test. The challenges facing this important relationship […]
Jordanians demanding transparent discussions on nuclear plans
By Daoud Kuttab Heated discussions today in Jordan are not about political reform or media policy, but about an issue that is even more relevant to every citizen: the nuclear energy programme. A debate held last Saturday at the Parliament by Radio Al Balad revealed some of the deep-seated emotions on both sides of the argument. A […]
Jordan and Palestinian Refugees
By Daoud Kuttab An interesting development is taking places in Jordan: Forty years after the Rabat Summit, which declared the PLO as the “sole legitimate representative” of the Palestinian people, one aspect of representation is being challenged. Jordanian officials, including the prime minister, the speaker of the Parliament and the foreign minister, were recently quoted […]
PA’s Abbas moves toward creating vice presidency
By Daoud Kuttab The most essential role of the position of a vice president is to allow for a smooth transition in case the president becomes incapacitated. In many autocratic systems, presidents are afraid to appoint a vice president precisely for that reason. Palestine had not been an exception to this, until now. Abbas was elected Palestinian president in […]
Palestinian foreign minister open to Iran visit
By Daoud Kuttab Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki is willing to visit Iran if he receives an official invitation. In an exclusive interview, he told Al-Monitor: “If an official invitation is directed to me, I will accept it. If they choose to invite the president, I would go and prepare for such an official visit.†Concerning […]
Egyptian Revolution Will Fail if the Press Is Not Free
By Daoud Kuttab I was part of a delegation of the International Press Institute that visited the Egyptian capital last week to try and plead the case of some 12 Egyptian and foreign journalists who are being held behind bars. The new powers in Egypt seem to have very little tolerance for anyone with an opinion that is not […]
Jordan skeptical of US-led peace plan
By Daoud Kuttab Jordan, which shares the longest border with the Palestinian occupied territories and hosts the largest number of Palestinian refugees, is feeling the pressure of a possible US-led breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The Jordanian government has been sending mixed signals lately in regard to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s peace mission. On the […]
Abbas keeps options open with gesture to Iran
By Daoud Kuttab When Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a German TV network that Iran would support Palestinians in whatever position they take, he was not making a new policy. Successive Iranian officials have made similar pronouncements. However, Zarif’s statement had a ring of credibility to it. After all, Zarif and his boss President Hassan Rouhani have been moderating […]
Jews could be welcomed in future Palestinian state
By Daoud Kuttab When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially suggested the possibility of Jewish settlers to remain citizens of the Palestinian state, it was not clear whether this was a bluff or a serious proposal. While Palestinian negotiators were quick to reject the idea, it was members of the Israeli cabinet themselves who revealed the true intention […]