All’s quiet on the West Bank front
Posted on 16 February 2011 | 2 responses
Mahmoud Abbas, and Saeb Erekat, must have been delighted to see the revolution in Egypt. It’s not that they care much for people’s freedom but as it completely took over the news, pushing the Palestine Papers almost into obscurity.
Power to the people
Posted on 12 February 2011 | No responses
Masr! Now I can believe anything is possible. What a beautiful day and an inspiration to us all.
And until the revolution comes to a street near you, enjoy the best song from the revolution. With thanks to Ramy Essam, Mohamed Soliman and the Egyptian people!
An armchair revolution
Posted on 3 February 2011 | No responses
It’s very easy to be an armchair revolutionary. It’s very easy to judge the actions of others without understanding their experience. It’s very easy to expect a situation elsewhere to fit one’s own expectations. Read more
This is what democracy looks like?
Posted on 30 January 2011 | No responses
Ameer Makhoul has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment. Israel accused him of spying for Hizbollah. When Israel accuses a Palestinian of anything, they are invariably treated as guilty until proven guilty. (Unless, of course, they are being held under administrative detention — a throwback to British mandate days — where there is absolutely no due legal process followed whatsoever.)
A change is gonna come
Posted on 29 January 2011 | No responses
I started yesterday with cautious hope. If any day would bring Egyptians out en masse, this would be it. Since the morning, I watched images beamed from Al Jazeera. Central Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other towns and cities, all teeming with many thousands of people all with one message: Mubarak out.
After Tunisia, for the wider Arab world to rise up against the brutal dictators who’ve ruled with such an iron fist, it had to be Egypt first. If Mubarak goes, the rest will follow. But Mubarak will not relinquish power easily or peacefully.
The unusual suspects
Posted on 28 January 2011 | No responses
According to Ha’aretz, the people behind The Palestine Paper leaks are Clayton Swisher, Alastair Crooke (whom I personally remember well from the Nativity Church siege) and a nameless French national.
Saeb Erekat says he’s asked the relevant countries to conduct an investigation, but also says that he’s “not accusing them of wrongdoing”. Erekat and others in the Palestinian leadership have been fingered by the papers as capitulating to and collaborating with Israel, and over the last few days have angrily referred to the leaks as “lies, fabrications and half truths”. Hmmm. Something about it doesn’t seem quite right. Read more
The Palestine Papers: so what
Posted on 25 January 2011 | No responses
The fact that the Palestinian Authority is venal and corrupt should hardly be a surprise. It’s interesting though to see some of the details of what has long been suspected: the PA selling out the people it is supposed to represent, and Israel’s refusal to accept anything other than as much territory with as few Arabs as possible. But while everyone is focusing on the information exposed, I am far more interested in the reaction in Palestine to the papers; and, more interestingly, who is behind the leaks and why now? Read more
One family in Gaza
Posted on 24 January 2011 | No responses
In December 2008, Israel launched a brutal military assault against a largely unarmed and unprotected people in Gaza: the results were inevitable.
Here is the story of just one family. The simplicity of the film is its power. The pain of their loss is unimaginable. The strength of their spirit is so inspiring. Thank you to Jen Marlowe, who spent time with Kamal, Wafaa and their children, and gave them a voice through this film.
Budrus: a village to inspire hope?
Posted on 5 October 2010 | No responses
I watched Budrus at the weekend. It’s a film about the villagers of Budrus and how they responded to the continued theft of their land by Israel. Led by the mayor, Ayed Morrar, the villagers unite to challenge the Israeli military and border police at regular demonstrations where they try to protect their land and prevent the construction of the illegal barrier which separates Palestinians from their land and each other. It has won a number of prestigious awards and positive reviews around the world. Read more
Why nothing changes
Posted on 4 September 2010 | No responses
There’s lots of talk about talks. And there’s all sorts of odd talk. Like Saeb Erekat and his extraordinary apology to Israelis. He starts with “Shalom to you in Israel, I know that we have disappointed you.” He then proceeds with “I know that we have been unable to deliver peace to you for the last 19 years.” (Watch Erekat, Rajoub and Abed Rabo’s appeals to Israelis here.) Read more
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