Palestinian leaders’ showdown turns ugly

March 28, 2014 Mohammed Abbasi

When late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was confined by Israeli soldiers to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Mohammed Dahlan reigned supreme. As perhaps the most powerful and effective member of the “Gang of Five”, he managed the affairs of the ruling Fatah movement, coordinated with Israel regarding matters of security, and even wheeled and dealed in regional and international affairs. That was the period between March and April 2002, and it was a different time. Back then, Dahlan – a former Palestinian Authority (PA) minister, National Security advisor and head of Gaza’s Preventative Security Service (PSS)- was … Continue reading Palestinian leaders’ showdown turns ugly

Mahmoud Darwish Attacked By Saudi Salafist Police!

March 13, 2014 Mohammed Abbasi

Palestinian poet’s work removed from Saudi book fair Youths from the religious police complained that Mahmoud Darwish’s work was blasphemous Works by the celebrated Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish have been withdrawn from the Riyadh International Book Fair amid allegations that they contain blasphemous passages, a Saudi news site reported. The publications administration at the book fair, one of the biggest of its kind in the Arab world, ordered the removal of all books containing Darwish’s work after youths from the religious police complained about the content of the books. A verbal confrontation broke out between the youths and a stall … Continue reading Mahmoud Darwish Attacked By Saudi Salafist Police!