The mission of retired general Anthony Zinni, the new U.S. peace envoy to the Middle East, became more difficult after the weekend’s bloody suicide bombings and retaliatory shootings between Israelis and Palestinians. But if someone is looking for reasons for this upsurge of violence — and for the way out of it — one needs to take one step forward, not two steps back.

Let’s start with a look at the mistaken Israeli attempt to end the violence in the occupied territories without simultaneously working on a political solution. All foreign envoys to the region, as well as Israel’s own Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, have been encouraging Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, to begin negotiations with Palestinians aimed at finding a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Continue Reading »

United States President George W. Bush is making a political mistake by refusing to meet with the Palestinian president Yasser Arafat. Such a meeting is not only important for the political health of the coalition against Ben Laden, it is also the right thing to do.

During the past decades the US has accepted upon itself the role of the sponsor of the peace process in the Middle East. America has refused to allow the United Nations or the European Union from taking a lead role in trying to bring peace to this sensitive region in the world. The minimum requirement of any party that has taken upon itself this role is to meet with the leaders of both sides. By insisting on this role the US must act as an honest broker trying to bridge the gaps not widen them. Continue Reading »

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil have given President Bush a freer hand to dictate foreign policy. Congress, which in the past has thrown monkey wrenches into foreign policy initiatives, is unlikely to tamper with any new policy directives coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

The parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also are unlikely to attempt to block any new push by the Bush administration toward the long-awaited peace. Continue Reading »

WELL-PROTECTED Israeli soldiers were surprised this week when they entered six Palestinian cities that there was no organized Palestinian resistance, as had been the case with earlier incursions. The Israeli military entered six Palestinian cities two days after gunmen assassinated a right-wing Israeli cabinet minister in an Israeli hotel built on expropriated Palestinian lands in East Jerusalem. Palestinians were also surprised to hear after a meeting of the supreme Palestinian military council of the decision that considers all military wings of Palestinian factions to be illegal. This Palestinian decision was followed by a series of arrests of Palestinian activists that has netted 30, mostly from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, as well as from Islamic groups. Sixty others are reported hiding from attempts to arrest them by the Palestinian security. Those arrested included a spokesman for the PFLP and a member of this organization’s politburo. Continue Reading »

Ramallah — When Israeli tanks rolled into Ramallah, on Thursday morning (October 18), they expected stiff resistance. They drove in from the northern side of the city near the Best Western Hotel and from the West near the Jawwal building. To reduce casualties the Israelis chose the early morning hour of 6:30, using only tanks and armored personnel carriers, and entered only two kilometers into Palestinian “A” areas. Palestinian national security forces were poised for battle and ready to attack the invading Israelis. But the Israelis were surprised as to what awaited them. No resistance. Continue Reading »

The quest for a free and independent Palestinian state is a just and noble cause. This cause must not be defiled by the evil actions of international terrorists. Palestinians eject the attempts by Osama Ben Laden to link his case with Palestine nor do they support his oath that America will not witness peace until their is peace in Palestine.

It is true that for years America has bowed to domestic pressure and has obstructed the implementation of this internationally legitimate cause of a people wishing to be relived of an unjust Israeli occupation of their land. But the path of killing innocent people in New York and Washington is not the path of justice for Palestine. Continue Reading »

The invitation by the German representative office for a celebration at a Ramallah restaurant on the occasion of “German Unity” was normal. An addendum to the invitation was not normal. It expressed understanding by the Germans if the invited Palestinian guests couldn’t make it because of the difficulties in movement in the Palestinian areas. Continue Reading »

Almost one year after Ariel Sharon’s controversial visit to Al Aqsa Mosque, the Al Aqsa Intifada and the Israeli military campaign against the Palestinian people seems to be over. Neither side can claim victory, as the tragedy in America and the consequent US pressures seems to have relieved either side from saying uncle first. As the Gulf War put an end to the first initfada, the terrorist attack in New York and Washington, and the expected US retaliation within an international coalition, seems to be the key trigger for the end of the Second Intifada. Continue Reading »

Jerusalem-AMIN– There was little time wasted between the announcement of the bombings in America and the focus of world attention on Palestinians and Israelis. The speedy and unambiguous denouncement by top Palestinian leaders including President Arafat to the terrorism in America did little to shift attention and blame away from the Middle East. The Israelis lined up their officials and experts ready to provide a hungry American TV audience with clear conclusions, immediately linking the bombings to this region and giving advice to Americans how they should deal with this problem. The Israelis tried to solicit as much sympathy for their plight, prejudging the motives and linking themselves with the Americans as partners in the fight against “Islamic terror.” Continue Reading »

My personal assistant Jumana was in tears. Her husband Nadim has been pressing her to quit her job and try with us in Ramallah and apply for another job in Jerusalem. The reason is simple. Her daily trip from Jerusalem’s Beit Hanina neighborhood to Ramallah and back has become a nightmare. She was upset because she didn’t want to leave a job she liked with colleagues and friends just because of the Israeli check post. But she knew deep inside that her husband was right. The difficulty of movement for Palestinians has become unbearable and there are no signs that it will get better. Continue Reading »