Middle East
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Jewish-Islamic Research Centre
"Jews and Muslims need to talk together more"
The Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel's military response are putting further strain on relations between Jews and Muslims in Germany. Fahimah Ulfat and Asher Mattern from the Jewish-Islamic Research Centre in Tubingen explain how education and encounters can help change one-sided perspectives
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Iranian music
Mitra Sumara's "Dream": Seventies retro
Recalling pre-Islamic revolution Iran, Mitra Sumara's second album offers a collection of jazz-infused retro Persian hits that will get everyone on the dance floor
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Egypt's Muslim Brothers
"Who determines the future of the Brotherhood remains unclear"
Since the military coup in Egypt ten years ago, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's government has cracked down on the country's Muslim Brotherhood. Abdelrahman Ayash talks about the impact of this crisis, and how the organisation has evolved since 2013
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War in the Middle East
International law – a handy excuse
In the shadow of war, the Israeli government is becoming increasingly radicalised. Is the German government aware of this trend and the risks it poses? There are no signs that it is. Germany doesn't even have a Middle East policy
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Israeli plans for Gaza
A Palestinian exodus to Egypt?
Is the entire population of Gaza to be relocated to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt? This is what a strategy paper by the influential Israeli Misgav Institute envisages. In interview with Qantara.de, German-Israeli economist Shir Hever explains what the plan is all about
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Turkey's "Noel Baba"
Questions and answers about St. Nicholas
The Feast of Saint Nicholas, observed on 6 December in Western Christian countries falls within the season of Advent. But who was this bringer of gifts?
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Hezbollah and the Gaza war
Caught out by its own propaganda
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has a penchant for using strong words. His terrorist organisation has no interest, however, in the Israeli war escalating uncontrollably
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Dialogue in Germany
An imam and a rabbi tour Berlin schools
Tensions are running high over the conflict in the Middle East. In German schools, as elsewhere, discussions are controversial and emotional. An imam and a rabbi are working together to promote dialogue and understanding in these turbulent times
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Middle East conflict and Germany's culture of remembrance
In solidarity with the marginalised
What needs to happen for Jews to feel safe in Germany? We have to see immigrants as allies in the fight against anti-Semitism. With more foresight in the Middle East conflict, a more precise raison d'etat and an inclusive culture of Holocaust remembrance
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Israelis and Palestinians: "Standing Together"
"Help us move towards peace"
Since the war in Gaza, the grassroots movement "Standing Together" has become increasingly popular among Israelis and Palestinians. Founding member Itamar Avneri says they are calling for peace and independence for Israelis and Palestinians, absolute equality for all citizens – and true social, economic and environmental justice
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Germany’s stance on the Middle East conflict
What does 'never again' actually mean?
History puts Germany on Israel's side. For the same reason, Germany must defend international and human rights. This is now a dilemma. A value-driven foreign policy would do well to remember the universalist understanding of 'never again'
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Israel's war against Hamas
"The Middle East conflict must be resolved at the roots"
Leading Palestinian intellectual Sari Nusseibeh on the Hamas massacres, Israel's war in Gaza and the distant dream of equal coexistence