Israeli settlement
All topics-
The EU and the Gaza conflict
"Effective diplomacy needs engagement with all sides"
While Europeans are focusing on Ukraine and Iraq, the oldest of the Middle East issues will haunt them for some time. The wider Israel–Palestinian conflict needs the full attention of Europe, writes Mattia Toaldo
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The Israeli–Palestinian conflict in Gaza
Propaganda war
The escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas has been accompanied on both sides by massive propaganda drives. According to Joseph Croitoru, each side is attempting to speak directly to the opposing side through its propaganda
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Escalation in the Middle East
Provocation and violence
What set off the new spiral of violence in the Middle East? Does Palestinian organisation Hamas deserve the blame? Bettina Marx doubts that's the case and takes a look back at developments in recent weeks
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Israel's crisis politics
On hope and despair in the Middle East
The Middle East powder keg is threatening to explode. Anyone who still believes in peace must have hope – yet hope is precisely what is lacking. The Israeli writer David Grossman makes this appeal to his countrymen
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The Israeli army in the West Bank
The punishment of Palestinian citizens
Israel's heavy-handed acts of retaliation against both Hamas and Palestinian civilians are threatening to provoke a new escalation of violence. The Israeli military deployment in the West Bank is the biggest since the end of the second Intifada in 2005. A commentary by René Wildangel
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Pope Francis in the Middle East
Gestures laden with symbolism
The visit of Pope Francis to the Israeli-occupied West Bank has lifted the spirits of Christians across the region. The Pope expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people through actions rather than words: not only did he fly directly to the West Bank from Jordan instead of stopping in Tel Aviv first, he also prayed at the Israeli separation wall. By Kate Shuttleworth
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Alternative Nobel Prize for the Palestinian Raji Sourani
"We Just Don't Have the Right to Give up Hope"
The Palestinian lawyer Raji Sourani has been named laureate of the 2013 'Alternative Nobel Prize' "for his unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law under exceptionally difficult circumstances". Sourani sees the award as an "incentive not to lose hope". By Ulrike Schleicher
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Israel and the Arab Revolutions
The Arab Spring's Unlikely Winner
The paradox of the Arab revolutions is that they have contributed to Israel's integration as a strategic partner for some countries in the region. Israel's government should now consider making serious sacrifices for the sake of long-term survival. An essay by Dominique Moisi
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Assaf Gavron's Novel "The Hilltop"
Message of Political Reconciliation
While the peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians have stalled once again, the Israeli bestselling author Assaf Gavron has just published a novel which takes as its theme the construction of an illegal settlement outpost in the middle of the West Bank. A review by Volker Kaminski
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Obama's Visit to the Middle East
Winning Peace through Hearts and Minds
Following his recent visit to the Middle East, US President Barack Obama was heavily criticised for his praise of Israel and his clear commitment to the country's security. Alon Ben-Meir argues that Obama has to win the trust of Israelis before progress can be made in the peace process. He also says that both sides have to live up to their responsibilities, make painful concessions and change their public narratives in order to reach a viable solution
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Interview with Amos Oz
''I Love Israel Even in Times When I Don't Like It''
The great Israeli writer Amos Oz on his early years in a kibbutz, the influence of the settlers movement on Israeli politics, and the prospects for the peace process. An interview by Inge Günther
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Knesset Elections in Israel
Giving Away Their Votes
Many Arab Israelis have lost faith in the political system and won't be casting their votes in Tuesday's poll. But their election boycott will only serve to boost prospects for the rightwing nationalists. Inge Günther reports from Jaffa