( Middle East Monitor) – The international uproar in response to Israel’s approval of a massive expansion of its illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian West Bank may give the impression that such a reaction could, in theory, force Israel to abandon its plans. It won’t because the “concerns”, “regrets” and “disappointment” — and […]
Why Irish Novelist Sally Rooney refused to License her Work in Israel: Apartheid treatment of Palestinians
( Middle East Monitor) -The pro-Israel crowd on social media was quick to pounce on award-winning Irish novelist, Sally Rooney, as soon as she declared that she had “chosen not to sell … translation rights of her best-selling novel, ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’ to an Israeli-based publishing house”. Expectedly, the accusations centered on the […]
Despite Israel Lobbies’ Power in Congress, for a New Generation Sympathy with Oppressed Palestinians is becoming New Normal
( Middle East Monitor ) – There is an unmistakable shift in American politics regarding Palestine and Israel, one that is inspired by the way in which many Americans, especially young people, view the Palestinian struggle and the Israeli occupation. While this shift is yet to translate into reducing Israel’s stranglehold over the US Congress […]
Israel is determined to Criminalize Boycott Movement, but Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream struck a blow for First Amendment
( Middle East Monitor) – Ben & Jerry’s decision to suspend its operations in the occupied Palestinian West Bank is an event that is proving critical to Palestinian efforts, which ultimately aim at holding Israel accountable for its military occupation, apartheid and war crimes. By responding to the Palestinian call for boycotting apartheid Israel, the […]
European Islamophobia on both Left and Right is a Major Human Rights Concern
( Middle East Monitor) – Europe’s identity crisis is not confined to the ceaseless squabbles by Europeans over the EU, Brexit, or football. It goes much deeper, reaching sensitive and dangerous territory, including that of culture and religion. Moreover, once again, Muslims stand at the heart of the continent’s identity debate. Anti-Muslim sentiments are rarely […]
Family Separation Law: Israel’s demographic war on the Palestinians intensifies
( Middle East Monitor ) – When the Israeli Knesset (parliament) failed to renew what is commonly referred to as the Family Reunification Law, news reports and analyses misrepresented the story altogether. The even split of 59 MKs voting in favour of the law and 59 against it gave the erroneous impression that Israeli lawmakers […]
Bennett’s political theatre: The decisive Israeli-Palestinian fight ahead
( Middle East Monitor ) – Many Palestinians believe that the 10-21 May military confrontation between Israel and the Gaza Resistance, along with the simultaneous popular revolt across Palestine, was a game-changer. Israel is doing everything in its power to prove them wrong. Palestinians are justified to hold this viewpoint; after all, their minuscule military […]
‘Putting lipstick on a pig’: New Israeli PM Bennett is More Extreme than Netanyahu, so why is Washington Fawning over New Gov’t?
( Middle East Monitor ) – When former US President Barack Obama used an old cliché to denigrate his political opponent, the late US Senator John McCain, he triggered a political controversy lasting several days. “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig,” said Obama at a campaign event in 2008. […]
On ‘conflict’, ‘peace’ and ‘genocide’: Time for new language on Palestine and Israel
( Middle East Monitor ) – On 25 May, famous US actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted an apology for suggesting that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza. “I have reflected and wanted to apologise for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing ‘genocide’,” Ruffalo wrote, adding: “It’s not accurate, it’s inflammatory, disrespectful […]