Palestinian Authority
All topics-
Israeli-Palestinian relations
Entering a new era?
If Israel doesn′t accept the deep concessions it will have to make for peace, the recent reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah will not mark the beginning of the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It will merely be the start of a new chapter. By Daoud Kuttab
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Fatah-Hamas rapprochement
Can they keep their cool?
Following the recent reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, journalist and Al-Shabaka policy advisor Khalil Shaheen examines what now needs to happen to cement this historic step along the road towards genuine Palestinian self-determination
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Interview with Bettina Marx, head of the Heinrich Boll Foundation in Ramallah
Hamas' olive branch: ″Palestinians want reconciliation″
Hamas has made an offer to its Palestinian rival, Fatah, agreeing to hold elections in the Gaza Strip. The head of the Heinrich Boll Foundation in Ramallah, Bettina Marx, sees this as a striking and positive development
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Palestinian territories
From self-determination to dictatorship: With a rod of iron
In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority has long ceased to pursue the national aspirations of its population and established a security apparatus designed to secure the status quo. Meanwhile in Gaza, the de facto Hamas regime is planning to hand over control to its military wing. Commentary by Abdalhadi Alijla
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Gaza and the West Bank
Press freedom in Palestine: Condemned to self-censor
In the Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Palestinian journalists are being used as bargaining chips in the power struggle between Hamas and Fatah. The scope for free and independent reporting is becoming noticeably smaller. By Inge Gunther
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Ilan Pappe′s latest publications
Israel′s mega-prison
The dissident Israeli historian and activist Ilan Pappe is known for his challenging and meticulously researched books on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. His two latest books are in keeping with this reputation. By Susannah Tarbush
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Palestinian sociologist Salim Tamari on the Six-Day War
"People became hostages of the annexation"
The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, which began with the Six-Day War in June 1967, changed the lives of millions of Palestinians. Sociologist Salim Tamari talked to Diana Hodali about what they experienced
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Trump, Abbas and the Middle East conflict
Rose-tinted posturing
Since Trump′s inauguration there has been plenty of contact between the White House and stakeholders in the Middle East. Achieving the ′big ultimate deal′, however, will take more than cosy platitudes. Commentary by Alaa Tartir
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Democracy in Palestine
High hopes, low expectations
Palestinians who hoped municipal elections would eventually pave the way to overdue national ones voice criticism about decisions that led to their postponement. By Ylenia Gostoli
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Palestine's Mohammed Dahlan
A finger in every pie
Formerly the Palestinian Authority′s head of security, Mohammed Dahlan is regarded not only as President Abbas′ arch-rival, but also as a political multi-talent with the best international connections. Many believe the ousted Fatah functionary is planning a return to the political stage. By Neville Teller
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Rawabi - the West Bank's first planned city
Rawabi (″the hills″ in Arabic) – vision of Nablus-born entrepreneur and billionaire Bashar al-Masri – is the first planned Palestinian city and the largest private sector project in Palestinian history. Mockingly referred to by some as ″the first Palestinian settlement", Rawabi is not without its critics, who argue it merely serves to sugarcoat the Israeli occupation.
The development has also faced difficulties connecting to the water supply: infrastructure had to be built across Area C, the 60 percent of the West Bank under Israeli civil and security control – the necessary permits were eventually granted, but the main access road remains unauthorised. By Ylenia Gostoli
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Palestine and its Arabic neighbours
Gaza – a city no one wants
The Gazans have been abandoned and left in the hands of Hamas to do with them as they please. This policy is transforming Gaza slowly but steadily into a hotbed of radicals. By Abdalhadi Alijla