Palestinian Authority
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Recreating Palestine in Literature
A Nation Crafted From Words
"We have a country made of words", reads a famous poem by the Palestinian writer Mahmud Darwish. In his essay, the well-known Jordanian journalist and literary scholar Fakhri Saleh explores the effect that the loss of homeland has had on Palestinian literature and self-perception
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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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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 Mahdi Fleifel
''God Is Not an Estate Agent''
In "A World not Ours", Danish-Palestinian filmmaker Mahdi Fleifel portrays for years the refugee camp Ain el-Helweh in Southern Lebanon, from where his family originates and where his grandfather still lives. Interview by Igal Avidan
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Israel's Party Landscape
Annexation not Negotiation
Israel's party landscape has undergone reorganization yet again ahead of this week's elections, with a clear shift to the right still in evidence. The predicted success of a militant religious nationalist party openly advocating the annexation of most of the West Bank serves as a clear indication of this trend – which is bad news for the peace process. Analysis by Joseph Croitoru
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Essay by Tony Klug
Two States – by Design or Disaster
In his essay, Tony Klug warns that there might soon come a time when it will be too late to negotiate a peaceful two-state settlement through mutual agreement. But, he says, Israel and its people will ultimately have to pay a high price - unless Israel soon starts to support the inevitable two-state solution
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Combatants for Peace
Marching for A Ceasefire
In late November, the seemingly impossible became reality. While the world watched Palestinians and Israelis trading fire and hatred by every possible means, there was a rare moment of co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians who share a mutual desire to put an end to the violence. By Yonathan Listik
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Israel's Social Media and the Gaza Crisis
Truths Come Through
In light of the war of information raging throughout the current Gaza conflict, the Israeli writer Assaf Gavron highlights the important role that social media plays in his country, providing a voice for authentic and independent viewpoints beyond any control or influence by the state
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Israel and the Gaza Crisis
Trapped in the Language of Force
Lev Grinberg, Professor of Political Sociology at the Ben Gurion University in Tel Aviv, says Israeli intervention in the Gaza conflict is short-sighted. Exclusive recourse to military force blocks opportunities for peaceful negotiations in the long-term, and plays politically into the hands of Hamas, he says
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Egypt and the Gaza Crisis
Mounting Pressure on President Morsi
After the Israeli attacks on Gaza, Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi is under increasing pressure to balance domestic and international expectations. The anger among Egyptians over Israel and the US could even force Morsi to insist on renegotiating the peace treaty with Tel Aviv. By Matthias Sailer
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Protests in the Palestinian Territories
A Belated Arab Spring for Palestine?
Demonstrations by thousands of Palestinians against rising food and fuel prices have alarmed the rulers in Ramallah: the government of Salam Fayyad is coming under increasing pressure as people demand explanations for the country's ongoing economic plight. Is Palestine on the brink of an upheaval like the Arab Spring that swept through other countries in the region? By Fabian Schmidmeier