deal of the century

American President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and advisor Jared Kushner at the White House, May 22, 2017. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Palestinians have every right to reject another Oslo

With the Bahrain workshop, the Trump administration is relying on the same old Oslo model of economy before politics. What needs to be done is to hold Israel accountable. By Sam Bahour After 52 years of Israel’s military occupation of Palestine, there is a fact that cannot be brushed aside: Israel is addicted to the…

By +972 Magazine June 21, 2019

Palestinians in Ramallah protesting the U.S.-led economic workshop, to be held in Bahrain as part of the Trump administration's "Deal of the Century" plan for ending the conflict, June 15, 2019. (Ahmad Al-Bazz/Activestills.org)

Palestinians take to the streets to protest Bahrain workshop, Trump peace plan

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declares major protests across the occupied Palestinian territories next week to coincide with the Bahrain workshop. By Ahmad Al-Bazz Dozens of Palestinian activists and political representatives marched against the U.S. “Deal of the Century” and the upcoming Bahrain workshop in Ramallah city center on Saturday. Protesters held Palestinian flags and signs…

By Activestills June 17, 2019

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas presides over a meeting of the Palestinian government in Ramallah, West Bank, on April 29, 2019. (Flash90)

The brewing war to succeed Mahmoud Abbas

The jockeying for the post-Abbas leadership is taking shape in a moment of political, economic, and internal crisis for the beleaguered Palestinian government. By Daoud Kuttab It is rare in Palestinian politics that a president follows a prime minister. This is what happened this week, when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas echoed the words of his…

By +972 Magazine June 12, 2019

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Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the opening winter session of the Knesset, October 23, 2017. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The right wing in Israel is in a deep crisis

Snap elections just weeks after Israelis went the polls are the result of a rivalry between Liberman and Netanyahu, but that’s just part of the story. The right is immersed in a crisis of identity, leadership, and politics. By Meron Rapoport What happened to Avigdor Liberman? Why did he insist on cutting short what will…

By +972 Magazine June 2, 2019

British diplomat John Holmes seen alongside a military officer during a tribal lunch at a cavalry post in Tel al-Meleiha, 20 miles north of Be'er Sheba, January 18, 1940. (Library of Congress)

A century later, Trump’s deal for Palestine is no better than Britain’s

The British left Palestine in 1948 with their tail between their legs, having laid the groundwork for 100 years of conflict. With people like Trump and Kushner leading the way, we should expect nothing better for our own century. By Jonathan Adler The White House revealed last weekend that the “Deal of the Century,” the administration’s plan…

By +972 Magazine May 28, 2019

Jared Kushner meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem. (File photo/Handout, U.S. Embassy)

Palestinians need a state, not a ‘business plan’

Jared Kushner believes the first stage to peace is investing capital in Gaza and the West Bank. But just how far can that investment go when Israel is determined to maintain full control of and exploit every aspect of the Palestinian economy? By Sam Bahour President Donald Trump is taking part in an all-out attempt to batter the Palestinians…

By +972 Magazine May 20, 2019

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after giving final remarks at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem before Trump's departure, May 23, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

With Trump’s help, Netanyahu is making the occupation permanent

Netanyahu may have succeeded in convincing Israelis that facts on the ground can defeat Palestinian national aspirations. He forgot to tell them that holding millions under endless occupation is unsustainable. By Susie Becher Regardless of whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes good on his promise to annex areas of the West Bank during his new term in office,…

By +972 Magazine May 16, 2019

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas delivers a speech after visiting the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of Arafat's death, November 11, 2018, Ramallah. (Flash90)

Mahmoud Abbas and the veneer of democracy

Abbas’ decision to dissolve the parliament and hold elections within half a year is an attempt to present a friendlier, more democratic face to Palestinians in the West Bank, many of whom lost faith in their leader long ago. By Menachem Klein Mahmoud Abbas’ decision last week to dissolve the Palestinian parliament and hold elections within half a year are meant…

By +972 Magazine December 25, 2018

Members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, take part in a rally ahead of the 30th anniversary of the movement's founding on December 5, 2017, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

To maintain occupation, Israel will need to bolster Hamas in Gaza

While Egypt and the UN have their own plans to solve the crisis in Gaza, both have one thing common: strengthening Hamas at the expense of the Palestinian Authority. In order to maintain its hold on the West Bank, Israel will prefer the option that will give Hamas autonomy. By Menachem Klein As the latest round of…

By +972 Magazine August 10, 2018

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference on the Iran nuclear program at the Kirya defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, April 30, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

The road to nuclear disarmament runs through Israel-Palestine

By fully backing the Israeli side, the Trump administration is not only making reconciliation with the Palestinians impossible, it is delaying the nuclear disarmament of the entire Middle East. By Paul R. Pillar The significance of the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been the subject of tendentious argumentation. The right-wing government of Israel, not wanting…

By +972 Magazine June 28, 2018