Archive for the 'Articles' Category

Jun 26 2003

The real meaning of Hudna

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

The Palestinian leadership showed political creativity when they introduced the Arabic term hudna when speaking about the ceasefire agreement that was being worked out with the Islamic and radical Palestinian guerilla movements. By using a term used more than once by the Prophet Muhammad, the Palestinian Authority succeeded in providing the Islamic movements with an ideological ladder to climb down from. Continue Reading »

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Jun 14 2003

Strong International Military Involvement is needed

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

The struggle in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resembles two sluggers in a never-ending duel. Both parties exhausted and unable to finish off the other, yet both refusing to give up the fight nor accept a draw.

The witnesses to this terrible fight have so far refused to get too involved. Other than words of advice between rounds and general blueprints of how to end this fight, no one has agreed to get deeply involved. Continue Reading »

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Jun 11 2003

A dangerous Israeli pattern

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

The escalation of violence in the Middle East has been so predictable it is sad. No Palestinian or Israeli needed to lose their lives. More lives on both sides could be saved if Israel simply agrees on a bilateral ceasefire instead of its persistent attempts to force the Palestinians to cease-fire while it retains the right to attack and assassinate Palestinians at will. Over the years an Israeli pattern of assassinating Palestinian leaders as they are preparing to agree on a unilateral ceasefire has consistently derailed such an attempt for quiet. Continue Reading »

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Jun 09 2003

Richard Gere Visits Palestine

Published by under Articles

Ramallah — The scene at the Qalandia check point between Jerusalem and Ramallah was surreal. Hollywood superstar Richard Gere riding in a white Ford van attempting to cross an Israeli check. On the other side of the checkpoint a huge host of television and still cameras. Continue Reading »

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Jun 03 2003

Package deal (agreed in secret) can lead to Peace

Published by under Articles,US-Middle East

Ramallah- The high level involvement of the United States government in the Middle East conflict presents a unique and rare opportunity for dramatically positive movement in the peace process. But for the Bush administration to succeed where others have faltered, a new direction is needed. The new direction must be based on a comprehensive approach, possibly reached in secret talks, and not the step-by-step time based process. Continue Reading »

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May 28 2003

To Local and International Leaders: Please Don’t blow this Mideast Peace Attempt

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

Ramallah- The mood here among Palestinians has been quite optimistic even before the Bush administration succeeded in ‘convincing’ the Israelis to accept the quartet’s road map for peace in the Middle East. This high expectation is worrisome and potentially dangerous.

The downfall of the Saddam Hussein regime, the appointment of an empowered Palestinian prime minister and the repeated promises of statehood by President Bush, Prime Minister Blair have partially contributed to this optimism. Continue Reading »

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May 21 2003

To reach Mideast Peace, Avoid Public Moves

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

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 to work out a package agreement away from the pressures and pitfalls of a publicly declared process. Continue Reading »

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May 04 2003

The weakness of Israeli territorial justifications after Iraq

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

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. Continue Reading »

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Apr 30 2003

Abu Mazen Usher new Palestinian Phase

Published by under Articles,Palestinian politics

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 empower the Legislative Council by broadcasting live its deliberations on a local educational television station. I was the weak link in the struggle between the executive branch and the legislative branch. I paid a price by being detained for one week after broadcasting a session dealing with corruption in the Palestinian Authority. Continue Reading »

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Apr 19 2003

Nazeeh Darwazeh- A genuine Palestinian View from Inside

Published by under Articles

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. Continue Reading »

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