Tag: palestine

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Bringing people of different faiths together to solve the world’s problems is a noble goal – but it’s hard to know what it achieves

Mohammed Abbasi

Katherine O’Lone, University of Cambridge and Julian Hargreaves, University of Cambridge An estimated 84% of the global population identifies with a religion. This is over 6.5 billion people. Among thousands of world religions, Christianity is the largest, with 2.3 billion … Continue reading Bringing people of different faiths together to solve the world’s problems is a noble goal – but it’s hard to know what it achieves

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US hands Palestine a loaded deck

Mohammed Abbasi

            To understand how self-defeating the US latest “peace process” drive has been, one only needs to consider some of the characters involved in this political theater. Martin Indyk in particular stands out as a testament to how inherently futile the exercise is. Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, was selected by Secretary of State John Kerry for the role of special envoy for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Under normal circumstances, Kerry’s selection might have appeared rational. Former ambassadors often possess the necessary expertise to navigate challenging political landscapes in countries where … Continue reading US hands Palestine a loaded deck

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Message for Southern Baptists – Palestine and Palestinians were and are REAL!

Mohammed Abbasi

Ameri   It’s been clear for years that the one thing that might—and only might—change the Israeli government’s thinking is a credible threat by the United States of pulling away, cutting back its military aid, and joining an international effort to isolate Israel. If the United States were to remove the universal presumption that, ultimately, it will always take Israel’s side, it could actually play the role of honest broker.  But what are the chances of that happening? Especially with the warmongering rapture/violence loving Christian Zionist fanatics whose hold on consecutive US Governments increases and with in Likuds hold on … Continue reading Message for Southern Baptists – Palestine and Palestinians were and are REAL!

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The many shades of McWorld

Mohammed Abbasi

Some years ago, in response to a rather strong piece on US shenanigans in the Middle East, an American reader wrote back: “Why do you hate America?” As some of my perceptive readers might have already deduced, I get loads of fanmail in response to my weekly rants, especially from my own kind and most of it not most flattering. Yet the accusation ‘why do you hate America’ from an all-American white reader was a little disconcerting. For I do not see myself as an America phobe. The influence of American literature, Hollywood, culture and their collective glorification of ambition, excellence, grit and … Continue reading The many shades of McWorld

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Israel is facing a backlash in America

Mohammed Abbasi

By Rami G. Khouri April 02, 2014 “Information Clearing House – “DS” – Consider two incidents that occurred in the past few days in the United States and you should start to grasp the elements of a slow, subtle but steady and important shift that is taking place in the country. It is happening in that arena where pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian sentiments are being expressed in public and seek to influence American government policy, media and even the decisions of churches and non-government organizations such as student and professional groups. In Las Vegas, three likely Republican presidential candidates addressed the Republican Jewish … Continue reading Israel is facing a backlash in America

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US ‘peace process’ charade plays on

Mohammed Abbasi

As the US-imposed April 29 deadline for a “framework” agreement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority looms, time is also running out for the American administration on the issue. The Barack Obama administration needs to conjure up an escape route to avoid embarrassment if the talks are to fail.  The Americans were likely aware when this latest process launched that peace under the current circumstances is unattainable. Israel’s ruling coalition is adamantly anti-Arab, anti-peace and against any kind of agreement that falls short of endorsing the Israel’s apartheid-like occupation of Palestine.  Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies on … Continue reading US ‘peace process’ charade plays on

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The return of Al-Qaeda

Mohammed Abbasi

Back in 2011 many thought Al-Qaeda was finished. Battered by America’s ferocious response to 9/11 and relentlessly targeted by drones, the organisation was gasping for breath. The death of Bin Laden, it seemed, delivered the final blow.And yet today Al-Qaeda is resurgent.The relative weakness of the Al-Qaeda leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan is deceptive. The organisation’s strength now lies at the periphery. Today the Al-Nusra front controls huge tracts of Syrian territory. And there are signs that the jihadis there have learnt an important lesson: if they want the consent of the people, it’s best not to murder too many … Continue reading The return of Al-Qaeda

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Palestinian leaders’ showdown turns ugly

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

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US trying to attack Israel’s defence chief?

Mohammed Abbasi

The fact that Nethanyahu merely slaps Yaalon on the wrist but never fires him is also a humiliation to the US. But what can Obama do? He doesn’t have any real leverage or all his donors (or rather, most of the democratic donors his party needs in the midterms) will be breathing down the neck, not to mention the shitstorm in the pro-Israel media, such as the NYT, WaPo, WSJ etc… Anyway here is the article: Now the US is trying to ‘delegitimize’ Israel’s defense minister Philip Weiss of http://mondoweiss.net/ Moshe Ya’alon with Pam Geller, in 2006, from Wikimedia commons Have you followed … Continue reading US trying to attack Israel’s defence chief?

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Mahmoud Darwish Attacked By Saudi Salafist Police!

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!