Articles of interest

The Root of All Fears

Why is Israel so afraid of Iranian nukes? Contrary to popular belief, Israel is not afraid of a nuclear attack by Iran or Hezbollah; rather, it fears losing its nuclear monopoly in the region and the image of invincibility that comes with it.

Top Ten Brands to Boycott this Christmas

Many of these produce goods in such a way that directly harms Palestinians — exploiting labor, developing technology for military operations, or supplying equipment for illegal settlements. Many are also the targets of boycotts for other reasons, like harming the environment and labor violations.

A New Path of Palestinian Resistance

Article by James Zogby focusing on the importance of unity between the Palestinian factions and "the recently completed Fatah Conference, the two-year plan, "Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State," announced by interim Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, and the weekly demonstrations at the wall near the village of Bilin."

Eyeless in Gaza: Obama's Palestine Flop

Article by Michael Brenner..."The White House's approach to the combustible Palestinian issue was predicated on four assumptions. Each is fallacious. The key assumption was belief in the president's ability to wrest from the Israeli leadership concessions of sufficient importance and scope as to lay the foundations for a durable settlement -- that is one. Obama at first seemed prepared to invest considerable political capital and personal prestige in the effort. In fact, as we now know, he backed away from doing that -- preferring the course of least resistance. Success, as he saw it, would require making his demands on the Israelis credible -- that was two. Credibility, in turn, meant neutralizing the powerful Israeli lobby and its supporters in Congress -- that was three. Ross' involvement, along with that of Rahm Emanuel, became a crucial political shock absorber for the White House. Another critical assumption concerned the Palestinians. It was the conviction that the commitments extracted from Netanyahu et al would prove adequate to win their acceptance by Abbas and Fatah -- that is four."

Netanyahu’s Peace is a Cynical Evasion

Financial Times editorial about the Israeli prime minister's intention to mislead the West into thinking they would "allow" a two-state solution. When any serious discussions begin they "change the subject."

Yes, You Can

Online article by Uri Avnery advising Obama not to be swayed by Netanyahu or the US Congress into not insisting upon Israeli compliance with certain positions essential to a Palestinian peace accord.

The Blue Velvet Hills of My Youth Have Been Destroyed

Memoir by Raja Shehadeh from the Guardian, of what has been lost. "Palestinians will never be able to undo the damage caused by these massive, illegal and politically motivated settlements."

Gaza Bonanza

Article about the capriciousness of policies and resulting corruption in the flow of goods allowed into Gaza. "There was a vague, unclear policy, influenced by the interests of certain groups, by this or that lobby, without any policy that derived from the needs of the population. For example, the fruit growers have a powerful lobby, and this lobby saw to it that on certain days, from 20-25 trucks full of fruit were brought into Gaza. It's not that it arrived there and was thrown out, but if you were to ask a Gazan who lives there, it's not exactly what he needs. What happened was that the Israeli interest took precedence over the needs of the populace."

Hamas' choice: Recognition or Resistance in the Age of Obama

Online article by Ali Abunimah of The Electronic Intifada about the choice faced by Hamas' leadership between being recognized by the world community and "the abandonment of the very principles on which the movement built its mass support."

Lawsuit Brings Murky West Bank Land Deals to Light

AP story by Amy Teibel gives a glimpse into the bureaucratic smoke screen that helps ensure a strong Jewish presence on lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Inn a case before Israel's Supreme Court, a document shows that the World Zionist Organization, acting as an agent of the Israeli government, took private Palestinian land in the West Bank and gave it to Jewish settlers, even though the state itself had declared the property off-limits to settlement.

MachsomWatch Tour of Checkpoints in the West Bank

Opportunity for visitors to experience the Israeli checkpoints, set up to restrict the movement and humiliate the Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank).

The Future of Israel and the Decline of the American Empire

Article by Arno J. Mayer, emeritus professor of history at Princeton University, with the subtitle "The Wages of Hubris and Vengeance." He describes Israel's vanity, paranoia, and lack of restraint with respect to its enemies, while relying on the US to support it, all while the US's power may be in decline.

The Greatest Robbery in the Twentieth Century

Four maps of Palestine from 1946-2000.