Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Ramona Wadi
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On the Nakba anniversary, the two-state politics hold more value for the PA
The Palestinian people can expect nothing but feeble attempts at rhetoric that contradict political action from Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. In his speech commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the 1948 Nakba, Abbas once again proved he has no plan to counter the ongoing Israeli colonial expansion. “Nothing is more precious to...
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While the US interprets international law for Israel, the world opts for ambiguity
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Israel tomorrow for discussions with its leadership about annexation, among other issues. After politically facilitating the annexation process for Israel, Pompeo is attempting, and failing, to divert attention away from the role the US played in the recent colonial decision. During the meeting with...
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The EU helps Israel export its colonial violence
In 2018, the Israeli defence company Elbit won a €59 million ($63.7 million) contract to provide drone surveillance systems in the Mediterranean for the EU. “Having been selected by the European Union authorities is yet another vote of confidence in the Hermes 900 by following additional contract awards for this UAS in Europe,...
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The world must halt Israel’s annexation and reverse its colonisation of Palestine
UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk’s criticism of the forthcoming US-Israeli annexation of more Palestinian land offers a good start to collective political action against Israel, if only the international community would show that it is willing. “The plan would crystallise a 21st century apartheid, leaving in its wake the...
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‘President Biden’ would not erase Trump’s concessions to Israel
US Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden will not reverse the Trump administration’s unilateral decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem if elected president. “The move shouldn’t have happened in the context as it did, it should happen in the context of a larger deal to help us achieve...
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International insistence on ‘two states’ endorses US-Israeli annexation plans
Having failed to protect the political rights of the Palestinian people, the UN is diverting attention away from the evasion of its duties by focusing on coronavirus cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. “This recognition of interdependence could – if there is political will – translate into tangible...
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UN reports about Israeli violations lack meaningful political action
While Israel and the Palestinian Authority were cooperating to curb the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19, occupation state and settler violence continued unhindered. The latest bi-weekly report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories (OCHA) reveals a decline, but not a...
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The PA has no political strategy to counter US-Israeli annexation plans
Since the Trump administration revealed its so-called deal of the century details, annexation of the occupied West Bank has become a rallying point for Israeli politicians, particularly prior to the latest General Elections. The unity government agreement signed yesterday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of Blue...
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On Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, the struggle should frame the call for freedom, not Covid-19
The annual commemoration of Palestinian Prisoners’ Day can turn easily into a travesty of remembrance. This year, 17 April will be marked with statements calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails on humanitarian grounds due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, there will be scant realisation that...
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Who benefits from the PA’s financial crisis?
The Palestinian Authority’s current financial crisis may be blamed on the coronavirus pandemic, yet the international community itself designed and maintained its dependence upon external financial aid as the means to prevent state building and Palestinian autonomy. A recent statement by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East...
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There is no humanitarian value in Israel temporarily halting Palestinian home demolitions
As the international community steps up its humanitarian rhetoric with regard to Palestinians during the coronavirus pandemic, Israel is also aiming to get on board the trend. The Civil Administration announced it will suspend home demolitions in Area C – not out of any concern for Palestinian rights, but in...
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Palestine On the Air
From 2013 to 2016, academic and activist Karma Chávez hosted a radio programme which gave voice to people supporting the Palestinian struggle for their rights and justice. Palestine on the Air (University of Illinois Press, 2019) brings together a collection of eleven transcribed radio interviews that highlight America’s role...
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When humanitarian aid demeans political rights for Palestinians
As Gaza tries to impede the spread of coronavirus, humanitarian aid, albeit necessary, is yet another reminder of how the international community continues to deny Palestinians their political rights and, as a result, the opportunity for autonomous decision-making. In March, Qatar announced it will provide $150 million to help Palestinians thrive during the pandemic. To...
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Palestinian prisoners simply don’t matter to Israel’s security narrative, even in a pandemic
Unsurprisingly, Israel has not heeded requests to safeguard the health of Palestinian prisoners in its jails. Besides recommending “precautionary measures”, which are likely to provide no protection in confined spaces, it seems that Israel will persist with its medical neglect strategies, which have resulted in Palestinian prisoners dying. Yet...
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Security and politics determine the degree of coronavirus cooperation
Cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority regarding the spread of coronavirus Covid-19 is similar to security coordination. The only real difference is that Israel can play the humanitarian card, even as it persists with its daily routine of violations against the Palestinian people. Earlier in March, Israeli President Reuven...
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The EU supports UNRWA to safeguard its own diplomatic stance
The European Union is coming closer to admitting that there are political aims behind its funding of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In announcing its €82 million contribution to the Agency at a time when preparations for a possible spread of coronavirus in the...
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The UN during the coronavirus pandemic is as pro-Israel as ever
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, is not averse to seizing opportunities for outrageous rhetoric, even at a time when countries around the world are struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. The UN is not immune to the consequences of the virus; several activities have been postponed as...
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UNRWA funding will never be enough without an end to international complicity with Israel
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has launched an appeal for funds in preparation for a possible outbreak of the coronavirus in Palestinian refugee camps. It has called for $14 million to cover a three month period, in addition to the regular budget allocated for...
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Forced displacement and the US-Israel special relationship
Democrats in the US House of Representatives have sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, asking the government to ensure that Israel is not using military equipment supplied or financed by America to perpetuate the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians. “As supporters of the US-Israel special relationship and...
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There are precedents for America’s eradication of Palestinian identity
The international community has stated repeatedly that it will not accept any changes to issues related to Palestine upon which global consensus has been reached. The unilateral decision taken by the US to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is one such example; so is the current stance regarding Donald...
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International complicity aids US-Israel efforts against the ICC
Aside from lobbying governments to oppose the International Criminal Court’s investigation and possible war crimes charges, Israel is planning a joint response with the US to counter the process. The plan, according to Israeli media reports, is to exert US influence globally and entice more governments to support Israel’s...
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Brazil is adopting Israel’s terror narrative, which is anything but democratic
Brazilian federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of right-wing dictatorship fanatic President Jair Bolsonaro, announced recently that the country will be moving to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation. “Inside the government, we are debating the ways to stop terrorist groups from coming to Brazil,” Bolsonaro stated. “We are...
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There will be no sustainability for the Palestinians without their legitimate right of return
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) remains in perpetual financial crisis. Spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna has warned that apart from a possible cessation of services by May, there are no funds for emergency programmes in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Only $125 million...
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Palestine as Metaphor
“It is particularly in Darwish’s poetical progression that Palestine endured and became metaphor.” This observation in the introduction to Palestine as Metaphor (Olive Branch Press, 2019) resonates throughout the five interviews with Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, which together make up this book. Darwish narrates Palestine, conflict and confrontation, love,...