Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Dr Ramzy Baroud
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The two narratives of Palestine: The people are united, the factions are not
The International Conference on Palestine held in Istanbul between April 27-29 brought together many speakers and hundreds of academics, journalists, activists and students from Turkey and all over the world. The Conference was a rare opportunity aimed at articulating a discourse of international solidarity that is both inclusive and forward...
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Why Palestinian prisoners choose hunger strike as a resistance strategy
One of the many ways in which Israel seeks to oppress and control the Palestinian population is by imprisoning those who lead the resistance to its occupation and settler colonialist project. In Palestine, a Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail is referred to as “aseer“, or captive, because he or she is...
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France and the EU, Recognising Yet Supporting Apartheid Reality in Palestine
A recent statement made by the outgoing French Ambassador to the US regarding the nature of Israeli apartheid accentuates a larger ailment that has afflicted the European Union foreign policy. The EU is simply gutless when it comes to confronting Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. Ambassador Gerard Araud was, of course,...
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Notre Dame of Gaza: Our mosques and churches are also burning
As the 300-foot spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris tragically came tumbling down on live television, my thoughts ventured to Nuseirat Refugee Camp, my childhood home in the Gaza Strip. Then, also on television, I watched as a small bulldozer hopelessly clawed through the rubble of my neighbourhood...
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War Versus Peace: Israel Has Decided and So Should We
So, what have we learned from the Israeli legislative elections on April 9? A whole lot. To start with, don’t let such references as the “tight race” between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his main rival, Benny Gantz, fool you. Yes, Israelis are divided on some issues that are particular to...
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Access to clean water is a human right, so why is Palestine an exception?
Free access to clean water is a basic human right. This is not just a common-sense assertion, but also a binding legal commitment enshrined in international law. In November 2002, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted “General Comment No. 15” regarding the right to water:...
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The unfinished Gaza war: What Netanyahu hopes to gain from attacking Palestinian prisoners
The current violence targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails dates back to January 2. It was then that Israel’s Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan declared that the “party is over.” “Every so often, infuriating pictures appear of cooking in the terrorist wings. This party is coming to an end,” Erdan...
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‘Prisoners are heroes’: Being a Palestinian prisoner in Israel
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons are gearing up for a mass hunger strike. Already horrific conditions in these jails deteriorated further in recent months, especially since the announcement by Israel’s Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan, that the “party is over”. On January 2, Erdan promised to “worsen” the conditions under...
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The ‘Great Replacement’: Why far-right nationalists love Israel
The link between Israel and budding far-right movements around the world is not a mere random phenomenon, inspired by common hate for Islam and Muslims. Moreover, the common understanding that this problematic relationship – between Israel and the global far right – only concerns the common cause between Israel and...
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Why AIPAC Is Wrong about Israel’s ‘Core Values’
Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit, described various comments made by the head of Otzma Yehudit as “incitement to racism.” But the fringe political party would not have captured much media, and political attention was it not for its ties with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The controversy started on February 20,...
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On my visit to New Zealand: Can Christchurch heal our collective wounds?
I visited the city of Christchurch on 23 May 2018, as part of a larger speaking tour in New Zealand that also took me to Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Dunedin. New Zealand is an exceptional country, different from other countries that are often lumped under the generalised designation of the...
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Uniting Fatah, Not Palestinians: The Dubious Role of Mohammed Shtayyeh
Political commentators sympathetic to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Fatah Movement, in particular, fanned out as soon as the news was announced of Mohammad Shtayyeh’s appointment as the new Palestinian Prime Minister. It is no surprise to witness this gush of support and enthusiasm, for Shtayyeh is a Fatah...
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The Year of the People: The Untold Story of Gaza’s ‘March of Return’
What is the ‘Great March of Return’ but a people attempting to reclaim their role, and be recognised and heard in the struggle for the liberation of Palestine? Much has been said about what the popular mobilisation in Gaza, which began on March 30, 2018, represents. Sympathetic views rightly understood...
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Chasing Mirages: What Are Palestinians Doing to Combat the ‘Deal of the Century’?
More US measures have been taken in recent weeks to cement the Israeli position further and isolate the Palestinian Authority (PA), before the official unveiling of President Donald Trump’s so-called ‘deal of the century’. But while attention is focused on spiteful US actions, little time has been spent discussing...
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Why the outrage? 'Jewish Power' party is the new norm in Israeli politics
Immediately after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allied with the fringe political group, Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a widespread outrage ensued. The anger did not emanate only from the Center, Left and Arab parties, but from some in the Right as well. Even the pro-Israel lobby in the US, known...
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Remapping of Palestine: Why Israel’s erasure of Palestinian culture will not succeed
“Everything Palestinian in Jerusalem is targeted by Israeli occupation,” said Palestinian Archbishop of Jerusalem’s Greek Orthodox Church, Atallah Hanna, on 29 January during a meeting with a delegation from the medical aid organisation Doctors without Borders. “The Islamic and Christian holy sites and endowments are targeted in order to change...
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War on Al-Aqsa: What price for Netanyahu’s victory
On 18 February, members of extremist Jewish groups raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They clashed with Palestinian worshippers, as the settlers attempted to shut down the gate of Al-Aqsa itself. The clashes involved the Israeli army and police as well, who opened fire and brutally assaulted Palestinians, leading to...
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The Future is Palestinian: On Sumud and Benny Morris’ Prophecies
In an interview with the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, prominent Israeli historian Benny Morris predicted a grim future for his country. “This place will deteriorate into a Middle Eastern state with an Arab majority,” he said referring to Israel and Palestine. “The violence between various populations inside the state will continue...
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Russian Mediation: The Critical Messages of the Hamas-Fatah Talks in Moscow
The Russian-sponsored Palestinian unity talks in Moscow on February 11 were neither a success nor failure. Uniting Palestinian factions was not the primary objective of the Moscow conference, in the first place. Instead, the nature of the event, the host country and the explicit messages sent to Washington and Tel...
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Enough of Western interventions: let the people of Venezuela decide
American politicians from the two main parties have finally found something to agree upon. Democrats and Republicans alike want more intervention in Venezuela. “Now, despite Maduro, there is hope ”, wrote Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, in USA Today. “These events ...
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War on nature: How Zionist colonialism has destroyed the environment in Palestine
The latest casualties in the war on the environment in Palestine were 450 olive trees destroyed last week by Israeli army bulldozers. The destruction of the Palestinian-owned trees took place in the villages of Bardala, in the Jordan Valley, and Yatta in the southern West Bank. Dozens more were...
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As Abbas ages, Fatah moves to consolidate power
Five years after spearheading what is inaptly referred to as a ‘government of national reconciliation’, Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, has finally resigned. “We put our government at the disposal of President Mahmoud Abbas, and we welcome the recommendations of the Fatah Central Committee to form a new government,” Hamdallah...
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Gaza rallies for Caracas: On the West’s dangerous game in Venezuela
Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets of the besieged Gaza to show their support for the democratically-elected government of Venezuela and it’s legitimate leader, President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela is struggling to defeat a coup attempt that is supported by the United States, Israel, and many Western governments. The relationship between...
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Now Chad, then Mali: Why African countries are normalising with Israel
Forget the hype. Israel’s “security technology” has nothing to do with why some African countries are eager to normalise relations with Israel. What is it that Israel is able to offer in the technology sector to Chad, Mali and others that the United States, the European Union, China, Russia, India,...