-
Reform, loyalty and sports
By Daoud Kuttab After weeks of debate and accusations that reflect differences based on national origins, Jordanian nationalism received a major boost recently from an unexpected source. Jordan’s national football and basketball teams played well, winning games against Iraq and China, in football, and reaching the finals of the Asian Cup in basketball.
-
Abbas’s Legacy to His Nation
When Palestinians decided to go to the United Nations to seek Palestinian recognition, they knew that would anger Tel Aviv and possibly Washington. But they didn’t expect the reaction that ensued.
-
Palestine’s State of Mind
RAMALLAH – The idea of Palestine becoming a permanent member of the United Nations originated, say Palestinians, with none other than US President Barack Obama. Speaking at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010, Obama said that he hoped that “when we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that…
-
When an American Palestinian think tank loses its raison d’être
By Daoud Kuttab The longevity of the Palestinian conflict and the large diaspora population that has emerged over the years has been both a blessing and a curse for the Palestinian cause. Palestinians living throughout the world, speaking local languages and beginning to understand local culture, are the perfect ambassadors for the Palestinian cause in…
-
Why I resigned from the Board of American Task Force for Palestine?
I have always believed that work on the American scene is of utmost importance for the advancement of the Palestinian cause. While there are many American-Palestinian organizations working in the US few had the methodology and ideology that can speak to the American mind and influence an American political establishment that has been taken hostage…
-
Rare sign of Palestinian backbone: Standing up to US and Israeli pressures
The Palestinian leadership is experiencing a unique situation. Its insistence on going to the UN to seek recognition for statehood despite pressure from Israel and the US is beginning to bear fruit at the local level. Popular support for President Mahmoud Abbas is on an upwards trajectory as the majority of Palestinians are pleasantly surprised…
-
When the King hesitated about serious reforms in Jordan
The extraordinary session of the Jordanian parliament was asked to stay in session in order to debate and vote on the constitutional changes that the royal commission had recommended and the king accepted. Once approved and signed by the king, the changes will be the most comprehensive changes in 90 years.
-
My $10,000 Mideast travel extravaganza
I splurged on myself this month. I spent $10,000 to make my life easier. This money was not spent on buying a new car or a more comfortable bed. In fact this money was spent without receiving any tangible commodity or service. I dolled out this money to make my travel from Amman to Jerusalem…
-
Palestinians can still negotiate directly after UN vote
By Daoud Kuttab In their frantic efforts to stop the Palestinian leadership from going to the UN, Israeli officials and propagandists pose what appears to be a mistaken choice. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Palestinians to have direct talks, and even offered to meet Palestinian officials anywhere if they choose what he…
-
Solution for Jerusalem That Includes Role for Jordan
Daoud Kuttab Chambers of commerce in some Palestinian cities held elections, over the past few weeks, and municipal elections are planned for October. One Palestinian city that will not see any local elections just happens to be Palestine’s capital-in-waiting. For the past 44 years, East Jerusalem has been prevented from carrying out any activity…