Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Dr Daud Abdullah
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Mandela’s legacy for Palestine
Over the next two weeks tributes to the life and struggle of Nelson Mandela will continue to cascade on every media platform. All will no doubt be united on the fact that he was unquestionably a global figure. Like the people of South Africa, Palestinians across the political divide...
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“Doha Forum” sidesteps maltreatment of Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
To many analysts President Obama’s appointment of a special US envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) was only another item of window-dressing. On the burning issues that affect Muslim peoples worldwide the administration remains evasive at best and in denial at worst. While the just concluded “Doha...
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Israel’s new war on Islamic sites
By Dr Daud Abdullah, for Al Jazeera EnglishDirector of the Middle East Monitor In a move that appears to be a celebration of the 16th anniversary of the massacre of 29 worshippers by the terrorist Baruch Goldstein, the Israeli government has proclaimed that the Ibrahimi Mosque in Khalil (Hebron)...
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First it forged its passports, now Israel dictates to Germany
The dust from the Al-Mabhouh murder and forged passports affair has barely settled, yet Israel is again infuriating its European allies. After the furore following Al-Mabhouh’s assassination in Dubai, during which Israeli agents used forged passports from several European countries, Israeli officials would have been well advised to stay...
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Three messages from Tunisia
It was not that it happened but the manner of Zain al-Abedin Ben Ali’s departure from Tunisia which took everyone by surprise. The extraordinary speed, the humiliation and the reactions all told a story. Three momentous messages were delivered from the dictator’s toppling in Tunisia; one to the autocracies...
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The Palestine Papers – “Shocking revelations” on Jerusalem
The chief Palestinian negotiator appears disconnected from his own people and his wider Arab and Muslim constituency. One of the most shocking revelations of The Palestine Papers obtained by Al Jazeera relates to the demographic and territorial concessions that the Palestinian Authority was willing to give on Jerusalem. The...
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The negotiators made no effort to defend and uphold the right of return
At a meeting with the chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, on 18 February 2008, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner commended the Palestinian approach on the refugee issue, describing it as “wise”. This plaudit was only given after the Palestinian negotiators had confirmed their distinction between recognition of the right...
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Defending the indefensible
Following Richard Goldstone’s rather odd op-ed piece in the Washington Post, there is now a frantic campaign to overturn the UN’s “Goldstone Report” into Israel’s 2008/9 war against the people of Gaza. Leading the charge is a legion of columnists, public relations handlers, apologists and spin doctors intent on...
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Leaked documents explain events at Al-Jazeera
There has been a cascade of rumours about the shock resignation of Al-Jazeera’s Wadah Khanfar. While some point to diplomatic reports of a power struggle between Islamists and secular liberals, others suggest that the former Director General had become too close to the Americans. The WikiLeaks cables, however, give...
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News black-out and political farce over Jerusalem clashes
Despite their ferocity, last Friday’s clashes in the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa failed to make international headlines. The virtual news black-out was indicative of prevailing attitudes towards Jerusalem as a whole. Palestinian officials argue, and rightly so, that even the Arab media is complicit in this neglect. With every...
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Hand-over of power in Qatar is no surprise
Reports that the Emir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, will shortly hand-over power to his son and heir, Shaikh Tamim, are no surprise. Sources close to the family confirmed that this has been known for quite some time by relatives and close friends. In a region where...
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Qatar: Continuity in change
There is no doubt that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is an extremely hard act to follow. In a region burdened with government inertia, many regard him as a visionary and trendsetter. His son and successor, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inherits this legacy in every practical...
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‘Unto the Breach’: Palestinian dance adaptation of Shakespeare’s play
The UK-based Palestinian dabke theatre group Al Zaytouna will present its new production entitled Unto the Breach, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V set in modern-day Palestine. The show, directed by Ahmed Masoud and co-directed by Hadjer Nacer, will be performed in London in November 2012. Al Zaytouna board...
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A window into my life…
The following piece of writing is based on the true story of Hadil Ghalia and many other Palestinians living under occupation. Friday, my beloved Friday. It was our day of rest, a day where we united under one roof and declared our love for God. It was always a...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza- Day Fourteen
Friday, 9 January 2009- DAY FOURTEEN IOF had continued their offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 14th consecutive day, killing more Palestinian civilians and destroying more houses and civilian facilities. The number of civilian deaths continued to rise due to the use of excessive force by IOF and...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Twelve
Wednesday, 7th January 2009 –DAY TWELVE For the 12th consecutive day, the IOF had continued their full scale offensive against the Gaza Strip. Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, where ground operations were taking place, were subjected to the most violent strikes; the majority of incursions, were focused...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Thirteen
Thursday, 8 January 2009 – DAY THIRTEEN For the 13th consecutive day, the IOF had continued their full-scale offensive on the Gaza Strip; more Palestinian civilians were killed and more civilian facilities were destroyed. Medical crews of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, in coordination with the ICRC, were able...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Eleven
Tuesday, 6 January 2009 – DAY ELEVEN For the 11th consecutive day, IOF continued to violate fundamental principles of IHL. Continuing the series of horrible crimes against innocent civilians, IOF tanks stationed to the east of Jabalya fired 4 shells at Jabalya refugee camp, one of which fell in...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Ten
Monday, 5 January 2009 – DAY TEN On the 10th consecutive day of the offensive, the IOF advanced towards residential areas. They turned houses into military sites – in some instances holding the people inside as human shields – and shot at any individuals who approached. In Gaza City,...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Nine
Sunday, 4 January 2008 – DAY NINE On the 9th consecutive day of the offensive, the IOF escalated attacks in the Gaza Strip. In conjunction with the ground operation, this day witnessed indiscriminate bombardment of residential areas from the air, land and sea. The northern areas, particularly Gaza City...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Eight
Saturday, 3 January 2009 – DAY EIGHT For the 8th consecutive day, IOF warplanes continued to target houses and residential buildings, while naval and land artillery targeted residential communities and agricultural lands. The Northern Gaza Strip and Gaza City witnessed the most violent attacks launched since the beginning of...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Six
Thursday, 1 January 2009 – DAY SIX On the 6th day of the offensive, the IOF continued to attack civilian private and public property. In the latest case of targeting civilian facilities, including mosques, schools and residential areas, the Israeli warplanes bombed a water tank in the north of...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Five
Wednesday, 31 December 2008 – DAY FIVE For the 5th consecutive day, the Israeli aerial arsenal, including warplanes, helicopters and drones, all backed by gunboats, continued to launch indiscriminate attacks targeting Palestinian facilities including security facilities, civilian property, houses, schools, mosques, hospitals, municipalities and medical and charitable foundations with...
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MEMO’s Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza – Day Three
Monday, 29 January 2008 – DAY THREE For the 3rd consecutive day, the IOF continued to attack the Gaza Strip, in complete disregard of the lives of civilians and international humanitarian appeals to stop the use of excessive force against such a densely populated area. Scores of missiles were...