Palestine: a journal of everyday occupation

The Australian student group’s next meeting after Sam Bahour was with Abdullah Abdullah; PLO ambassador to Lebanon, Palestinian parliament representative for Jerusalem, and Fateh party member.

The internet is awash with opinions about the looming Palestinian Authority bid for statehood at the United Nations in a few weeks. There are some interesting and well-argued articles supporting both the pro- and anti-statehood position.

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.

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]