political writings
- Palestinian rights
Open Letter from Besieged Gaza, Occupied Palestine
Three Years after the Massacre, Justice or Nothing!
28 December 2011 | We, Palestinians of Gaza, 3 years on from the 22-day long massacre in Israel’s operation ’Cast Lead’, are calling on international civil society to make 2012 the year when solidarity with us in Palestine captures the spark of the revolutions around the Arab world and never looks back.
Three Years after the Massacre, Justice or Nothing!
28 December 2011 | We, Palestinians of Gaza, 3 years on from the 22-day long massacre in Israel’s operation ’Cast Lead’, are calling on international civil society to make 2012 the year when solidarity with us in Palestine captures the spark of the revolutions around the Arab world and never looks back.An article by The Palestinian Information Center
Universal declaration against besieging nations issued in Gaza
23 November 2011 | A galaxy of lawmakers from Islamic, Arab and European countries issued on Tuesday evening "The universal declaration against besieging nations" during a ceremony held in the Gaza Strip.
Universal declaration against besieging nations issued in Gaza
23 November 2011 | A galaxy of lawmakers from Islamic, Arab and European countries issued on Tuesday evening "The universal declaration against besieging nations" during a ceremony held in the Gaza Strip.Palestine
Solidarity Convoy Arrives In Gaza
22 November 2011 | A solidarity convoy made it into the Gaza Strip on Monday 21 November evening, through the Rafah Border Terminal, between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Members of the "Freedom Spring" convoy will be holding meetings with political and social figures in Gaza.
Solidarity Convoy Arrives In Gaza
22 November 2011 | A solidarity convoy made it into the Gaza Strip on Monday 21 November evening, through the Rafah Border Terminal, between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Members of the "Freedom Spring" convoy will be holding meetings with political and social figures in Gaza.
Interview by Dr. Hanan Chehata
Prof. Richard Falk: "No matter what the facts are or the law is, the US will side with Israel"
31 October 2011 | In an exclusive and extensive interview with the Middle East Monitor Prof. Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, talks about the on-going intransigence of Israel and its continued failure to abide by international law.
Prof. Richard Falk: "No matter what the facts are or the law is, the US will side with Israel"
31 October 2011 | In an exclusive and extensive interview with the Middle East Monitor Prof. Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, talks about the on-going intransigence of Israel and its continued failure to abide by international law.
A statement by Richard Falk
Oral Statement introducing Report on Israeli Violations of Human Rights in Occupied Palestine
23 October 2011 | Oral presentation on 20 October 2011 of Report to the General Assembly by Special Rapporteur on “Situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967,” submitted in 13 September 2011.
Oral Statement introducing Report on Israeli Violations of Human Rights in Occupied Palestine
23 October 2011 | Oral presentation on 20 October 2011 of Report to the General Assembly by Special Rapporteur on “Situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967,” submitted in 13 September 2011.An article by Richard Falk
Disappointment at the United Nations: The Palmer Report on the Flotilla Incident of 31 May 2010 .
9 September 2011 | When the UN Secretary General announced on 2 August 2010 that a Panel of Inquiry had been established to investigate the Israeli attacks of 31 May on the Mavi Marmara and five other ships carrying humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza there was widespread hope that international law would be vindicated and the Israelis would finally be held accountable. With the release of the report this past week these hopes have been largely dashed as the report failed to address the central international law issues in a credible and satisfactory manner.
Disappointment at the United Nations: The Palmer Report on the Flotilla Incident of 31 May 2010 .
9 September 2011 | When the UN Secretary General announced on 2 August 2010 that a Panel of Inquiry had been established to investigate the Israeli attacks of 31 May on the Mavi Marmara and five other ships carrying humanitarian aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza there was widespread hope that international law would be vindicated and the Israelis would finally be held accountable. With the release of the report this past week these hopes have been largely dashed as the report failed to address the central international law issues in a credible and satisfactory manner.Protesters have disrupted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s in London
Boycott Israel - Creative cultural boycott action from the UK!
2 September 2011 | British BDS activists disrupt Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s London performance with opera!
Boycott Israel - Creative cultural boycott action from the UK!
2 September 2011 | British BDS activists disrupt Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s London performance with opera!
A Protest by the Palestinian Civil Society
Hands of Peace NGO: Normalization of Israeli Oppression
9 August 2011 | It has come to our knowledge that Hands of Peace, a non-profit “dialogue-based,” American organization identifying itself as “an interfaith organization developing peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian and American teens through the power of dialogue and personal relationships” has started recruiting teenagers from The Gaza Strip.
Hands of Peace NGO: Normalization of Israeli Oppression
9 August 2011 | It has come to our knowledge that Hands of Peace, a non-profit “dialogue-based,” American organization identifying itself as “an interfaith organization developing peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian and American teens through the power of dialogue and personal relationships” has started recruiting teenagers from The Gaza Strip.
An article by Gilad Atzmon
The Herem Law in the context of Jewish Past and Present
16 July 2011 | The European Union appear concerned about the new Israeli herem law. The law suggests that a person or an organisation calling for the boycott of Israel , including the settlements, can be sued by the boycotts’ targets, without having to prove that they sustained any damage.
The Herem Law in the context of Jewish Past and Present
16 July 2011 | The European Union appear concerned about the new Israeli herem law. The law suggests that a person or an organisation calling for the boycott of Israel , including the settlements, can be sued by the boycotts’ targets, without having to prove that they sustained any damage.An article by David Cronin
How Greece abandoned Palestine
13 July 2011 | When Andreas Papandreou died in 1996, The New York Times noted that he often left Western governments “befuddled or exasperated” as he took positions “diametrically opposed to theirs.”
How Greece abandoned Palestine
13 July 2011 | When Andreas Papandreou died in 1996, The New York Times noted that he often left Western governments “befuddled or exasperated” as he took positions “diametrically opposed to theirs.”An article by Gilad Atzmon
Flotilla, Flytilla and the prospect of ‘Civil Society Action’
10 July 2011 | It might be argued that the passing week was not very easy on the Palestinian solidarity movement: firstly, an international peaceful flotilla aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza did not manage to leave Greek ports. The Greek government had surrendered submissively to Israeli pressure and American Jewish organisations, and blocked the naval enterprise.
Flotilla, Flytilla and the prospect of ‘Civil Society Action’
10 July 2011 | It might be argued that the passing week was not very easy on the Palestinian solidarity movement: firstly, an international peaceful flotilla aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza did not manage to leave Greek ports. The Greek government had surrendered submissively to Israeli pressure and American Jewish organisations, and blocked the naval enterprise.An article by Mazin Qumsiyeh
Challenging Israeli apartheid — by plane
5 July 2011 | This week, hundreds of activists plan on challenging Israel’s apartheid apartheid by flying in to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv as part of the “Welcome to Palestine” initiative.
Challenging Israeli apartheid — by plane
5 July 2011 | This week, hundreds of activists plan on challenging Israel’s apartheid apartheid by flying in to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv as part of the “Welcome to Palestine” initiative.An article by Richard Falk
Sabotaging Freedom Flotilla II
2 July 2011 | The reports that two of the foreign flagged ships planning to be part of the ten vessel Freedom Flotilla II experienced similar forms of disabling sabotage creates strong circumstantial evidence of Israeli responsibility.
Sabotaging Freedom Flotilla II
2 July 2011 | The reports that two of the foreign flagged ships planning to be part of the ten vessel Freedom Flotilla II experienced similar forms of disabling sabotage creates strong circumstantial evidence of Israeli responsibility.An article by Saed Bannoura
Freedom Flotilla 2: “Gaza blockade has been extended to Greece”
1 July 2011 | With the US boat escorted by military commandos back to a Greek port, the Canadian boat boarded by Greek police, and two other Flotilla boats sabotaged by unknown professional divers, peace activists with the humanitarian aid ’Freedom Flotilla’ aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza claim that the siege has now been extended to Greek shores.
Freedom Flotilla 2: “Gaza blockade has been extended to Greece”
1 July 2011 | With the US boat escorted by military commandos back to a Greek port, the Canadian boat boarded by Greek police, and two other Flotilla boats sabotaged by unknown professional divers, peace activists with the humanitarian aid ’Freedom Flotilla’ aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza claim that the siege has now been extended to Greek shores.Freedom Flotilla 2
Gilad Atzmon: Gaza Flotilla vs. Diaspora Jewry
1 July 2011 | The Israelis are preparing themselves for another massacre on the high seas. This should not take us by surprise: after all, people who are detached from a true notion of history, and driven by a continuous fantasy of destruction, would be the last to draw a lesson from their past.
Gilad Atzmon: Gaza Flotilla vs. Diaspora Jewry
1 July 2011 | The Israelis are preparing themselves for another massacre on the high seas. This should not take us by surprise: after all, people who are detached from a true notion of history, and driven by a continuous fantasy of destruction, would be the last to draw a lesson from their past.Human Rights in occupied Palestine
Richard Falk calls for immediate lifting of Israeli blockade of Gaza
23 June 2011 | Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories today called on Israel to lift its Gaza blockade “entirely and immediately.”
Richard Falk calls for immediate lifting of Israeli blockade of Gaza
23 June 2011 | Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories today called on Israel to lift its Gaza blockade “entirely and immediately.”An Article by Mazin Qumsiyeh
Obama and the changing landscape
19 May 2011 | In follow-up to the very successful 15 May events (the beginning of the global uprising), activists around the world called for a day of protests Friday (tomorrow). In Bethlehem, we gather after Friday prayers in front of Omar’s mosque (the Nativity square) and march towards the apartheid wall.
President Obama tried in his (Cairo II) speech to again convince a skeptical world that the US promotes democracy and human rights. We have heard all of this orientalist talk before and yet have seen no action/change.
Obama and the changing landscape
19 May 2011 | In follow-up to the very successful 15 May events (the beginning of the global uprising), activists around the world called for a day of protests Friday (tomorrow). In Bethlehem, we gather after Friday prayers in front of Omar’s mosque (the Nativity square) and march towards the apartheid wall.
President Obama tried in his (Cairo II) speech to again convince a skeptical world that the US promotes democracy and human rights. We have heard all of this orientalist talk before and yet have seen no action/change.An article by Ziyad Clot
Why I blew the whistle about Palestine
13 May 2011 | In Palestine, the time has come for national reconciliation. On the eve of the 63rd commemoration of the Nakba – the uprooting of Palestinians that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948 – this is a long-awaited and hopeful moment. Earlier this year the release by al-Jazeera and the Guardian of 1,600 documents related to the so-called peace process caused deep consternation among Palestinians and in the Arab world.
Why I blew the whistle about Palestine
13 May 2011 | In Palestine, the time has come for national reconciliation. On the eve of the 63rd commemoration of the Nakba – the uprooting of Palestinians that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948 – this is a long-awaited and hopeful moment. Earlier this year the release by al-Jazeera and the Guardian of 1,600 documents related to the so-called peace process caused deep consternation among Palestinians and in the Arab world.A statement by Richard Falk
UN expert warns of impact of prolonged Israeli occupation on Palestinian children
3 May 2011 | An independent United Nations human rights expert today warned about the dire situation faced by Palestinian children due to the Israeli occupation, saying that they continue to be subjected to attacks, harassment, detention and abuse.
UN expert warns of impact of prolonged Israeli occupation on Palestinian children
3 May 2011 | An independent United Nations human rights expert today warned about the dire situation faced by Palestinian children due to the Israeli occupation, saying that they continue to be subjected to attacks, harassment, detention and abuse. An article by Saed Bannoura
Turkey Warns Israel Against Attacking Upcoming Solidarity Flotilla
27 April 2011 | As peace activists and human rights groups prepare for sailing to Gaza next month, Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, warned Israel against a new attack against the flotilla, similar to its attack against the Freedom Flotilla in International Waters killing nine Turkish activist and wounding dozens before towing the ship to Ashdod Port.
Turkey Warns Israel Against Attacking Upcoming Solidarity Flotilla
27 April 2011 | As peace activists and human rights groups prepare for sailing to Gaza next month, Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, warned Israel against a new attack against the flotilla, similar to its attack against the Freedom Flotilla in International Waters killing nine Turkish activist and wounding dozens before towing the ship to Ashdod Port.
A protest by Omar Barghouti
About Goldstone’s shameful U-turn
3 April 2011 | The article by Richard Goldstone published in the Washington Post on April 1, 2011 under the title "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes" prompted this protest by Omar Barghouti.
About Goldstone’s shameful U-turn
3 April 2011 | The article by Richard Goldstone published in the Washington Post on April 1, 2011 under the title "Reconsidering the Goldstone Report on Israel and war crimes" prompted this protest by Omar Barghouti.An article by Samer Abdelnour
Aid industry doing no harm in Palestine?
22 March 2011 | The "Palestine Papers" reveal fully the extent to which Palestinians have neither genuine leadership nor a partner for peace. At the foreground is an unrepresentative "authority" prepared to compromise the most fundamental of Palestinian aspirations for an unrelenting colonizer and its imperious supporter. In the background lies a key mechanism enabling Palestinian deprivation: the aid industry.
Aid industry doing no harm in Palestine?
22 March 2011 | The "Palestine Papers" reveal fully the extent to which Palestinians have neither genuine leadership nor a partner for peace. At the foreground is an unrepresentative "authority" prepared to compromise the most fundamental of Palestinian aspirations for an unrelenting colonizer and its imperious supporter. In the background lies a key mechanism enabling Palestinian deprivation: the aid industry.Artist Roger Waters supports the call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel
Roger Waters: "Where governments refuse to act, people must"
28 February 2011 | Roger Waters (*), founder member of Pink Floyd and supporter of the rights of the Palestinian people, endorses the call for the implementation of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).
Roger Waters: "Where governments refuse to act, people must"
28 February 2011 | Roger Waters (*), founder member of Pink Floyd and supporter of the rights of the Palestinian people, endorses the call for the implementation of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).A Statement by the BDS National Committee (BNC)
The "Palestine Papers": Grave Palestinian concessions met with utter Israeli rejectionism
17 February 2011 | With revolutionary change across the Arab World eroding Israel’s power in the region, BDS has become a key strategy of the Palestinian people for a global struggle to hold Israel accountable and assert our inalienable rights under international law
The "Palestine Papers": Grave Palestinian concessions met with utter Israeli rejectionism
17 February 2011 | With revolutionary change across the Arab World eroding Israel’s power in the region, BDS has become a key strategy of the Palestinian people for a global struggle to hold Israel accountable and assert our inalienable rights under international law
Economic Boycott against Israeli Apartheid
New Victory: John Lewis Stops Stocking Ahava Products in Britain
14 January 2011 | Ahava’s goods, processed on stolen Palestinian land, are becoming too hot to handle. Leading British retail business John Lewis is now refusing to stock this toxic brand.
New Victory: John Lewis Stops Stocking Ahava Products in Britain
14 January 2011 | Ahava’s goods, processed on stolen Palestinian land, are becoming too hot to handle. Leading British retail business John Lewis is now refusing to stock this toxic brand.A commentary by Ilan Pappé
The “Stuttgart Declaration” represents a paradigm shift
12 January 2011 | Following the controversy (*) caused by the Final Declaration of the Conference of Solidarity with Palestine, held in November 2010 in Stuttgart under the title "One Democratic State in Palestine with Equal Rights for all its Citizens ", Ilan Pappe emphasizes here the importance and relevance of this statement which represents a paradigm shift.
The “Stuttgart Declaration” represents a paradigm shift
12 January 2011 | Following the controversy (*) caused by the Final Declaration of the Conference of Solidarity with Palestine, held in November 2010 in Stuttgart under the title "One Democratic State in Palestine with Equal Rights for all its Citizens ", Ilan Pappe emphasizes here the importance and relevance of this statement which represents a paradigm shift.Lecture by Ilan Pappé at the Stuttgart Conference
Supporting the Refugees’ right of return is saying NO to Israeli racism
10 January 2011 | .
Supporting the Refugees’ right of return is saying NO to Israeli racism
10 January 2011 | .
An article by Richard Falk
Hopes of Gaza cast in lead
4 January 2011 | Israel is gearing up for another major offensive into Gaza, yet the world community still remains bafflingly silent. It is dismaying that during this dark anniversary period two years after the launch of the deadly attacks on the people of Gaza - code-named Operation Cast Lead by the Israelis - that there should be warnings of a new massive attack on the beleaguered people of Gaza.
Hopes of Gaza cast in lead
4 January 2011 | Israel is gearing up for another major offensive into Gaza, yet the world community still remains bafflingly silent. It is dismaying that during this dark anniversary period two years after the launch of the deadly attacks on the people of Gaza - code-named Operation Cast Lead by the Israelis - that there should be warnings of a new massive attack on the beleaguered people of Gaza.An article by Jeffrey Blankfort
Isn’t it time we stopped? (1990)
26 December 2010 | The decision of the Seattle transport authority to cancel a contract to run a series of bus ads protesting Israel’s war crimes brings to mind a similar campaign in the San Francisco Bay Area, twenty years ago this month, which had a very different outcome.
Isn’t it time we stopped? (1990)
26 December 2010 | The decision of the Seattle transport authority to cancel a contract to run a series of bus ads protesting Israel’s war crimes brings to mind a similar campaign in the San Francisco Bay Area, twenty years ago this month, which had a very different outcome.An article by Richard Falk
The delusions of the peace process
18 December 2010 | The politics of the peace process have emphatically ensured that the mere prospect for producing peace is nonexistent.
It is astonishing that despite the huge gaps between the maximum that Israel is willing to concede and the minimum that the Palestine Authority could accept as the basis of a final settlement of the conflict, governmental leaders, especially in Washington, continue to pull every available string to restart inter-governmental negotiations.
The delusions of the peace process
18 December 2010 | The politics of the peace process have emphatically ensured that the mere prospect for producing peace is nonexistent.
It is astonishing that despite the huge gaps between the maximum that Israel is willing to concede and the minimum that the Palestine Authority could accept as the basis of a final settlement of the conflict, governmental leaders, especially in Washington, continue to pull every available string to restart inter-governmental negotiations.