Displaced and Refugees

By Alaa Tartir | (Ma’an News Agency) – With Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory, the Israeli electorate made it very clear that they don’t seek a just peace or equality. They voted in 78 Knesset members opposed to the two-state solution, a clear majority, endorsing further colonial expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories and a culture of […]

Iraq: Tikrit Civilians caught between Shiite Militias, ISIL Terrorism

contributors

VICE News | — “Days before the US launched airstrikes on Tikrit in late March, VICE News traveled to the front lines of the northern Iraqi city, where Iraqi government forces and volunteer militiamen are continuing to battle the so-called Islamic State militant group. The presence of the volunteer militiamen Hashd al Shaabi, also known […]

Bashar al-Assad

Situation in Besieged Yarmouk Camp ‘One of the Most Severe Ever’

contributors

By Josh Butler | UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has described the situation inside the Syrian refugee camp of Yarmouk, under attack by Islamic State (IS) militants, as “one of the most severe ever” for the already spartan camp. Fighters allegedly from the IS, and al-Qaeda […]

Apartheid

Palestinian Lives in Gaza at Risk if Israeli Blockade Continues: Ministry of Health

contributors

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — As millions around the world mark April 7th as World Health Day, the health situation in Gaza continues to worsen as the joint Israeli-Egyptian siege of Gaza continues in its eight year. Gaza Strip Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma’an that there are hundreds of patients in the besieged […]

Apartheid

Palestine Authority seeks to speed up ICC probe into Israeli war crimes

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RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Authority is providing new documents to the International Criminal Court to speed up a preliminary probe into possible Israeli war crimes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Malki said Monday. The probe, which was opened on Jan. 16 by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, is not a full investigation but an […]

Apartheid

Joint Israeli-Palestinian March for justice for Negev Bedouin Villages

contributors

By Silvia Boarini | — JERUSALEM (IPS) – There was a symbolic dimension to a recent four-day march from the periphery of Israel to the corridors of power in Jerusalem to seek recognition for Bedouin villages. The march, which began in the unrecognised Bedouin village of Wadi Al Nam in the Negev desert in southern […]

Displaced and Refugees

Hamas forces join fight against ISIL in Damascus refugee camp

contributors

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — An official in the support network for the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria said Sunday that a Hamas-affiliated group is fighting the Islamic State in Damascus’ Yarmouk refugee camp. Ayman Abu Hashem told Ma’an that the Aknaf Bayt al-Maqdes group was fighting IS despite a decision by PLO factions to remain neutral […]

Apartheid

Missing Israeli Soldier Staged His own “Kidnapping,” Palestinians Rousted

contributors

By IMEMC | — Israeli sources have reported that the 22-year-old soldier, who was believed to be missing, or “kidnapped,” staged his own disappearance, after the soldiers initiated a search campaign and found him, on Friday at dawn, sleeping in Kiryat Arba Jewish settlement in Hebron. Israeli Ynet News has reported that the army searched […]

Apartheid

Why Palestine joining the International Criminal Court could be a total game changer

contributors

By Kurt Mills, University of Glasgow | (The Conversation) – After more than five years and much diplomatic wrangling, Palestine has joined the International Criminal Court (ICC). Now, the prospect of Israel being held accountable for war crimes has greatly increased, and that will have significant repercussions for the peace process and for Palestinian statehood. […]