IMEU Institute for Middle East Understanding
Israel has elected the most fanatic government in its history. But many Palestinian human rights activists and politicians expect this government, an unpalatable cocktail of right, far-right and fundamentalist Jewish parties, to be the mother of all silver-lined clouds. This drastic shift to the right cannot, in the short term, bode well for Palestinians languishing under Israel’s regime of oppression.
on May 11, 2015
Despite his resounding victory at the polls in March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took 42 days — the maximum allowed by law — to form his fourth government. Things got complicated in the last minute: Avigdor Lieberman, who resigned from his post as foreign minister earlier this week, decided not to join the government, forcing Netanyahu to settle for the narrowest possible coalition.
on May 6, 2015
n you imagine reading an editorial in a respected newspaper today discussing the rights of "Negroes" or "Chinamen"? Probably not. And yet, like other newspapers in this country, The Times continues to use the generic term "Arabs" or "Israeli Arabs" to refer to the Palestinians who live inside Israel, falsely distinguishing them from the Palestinians who live in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 or those who were driven into exile during the destruction of Palestine in 1948.
on March 27, 2015
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election success is being portrayed by some as a victory for the international aspects of the Palestinian cause. For months, Palestinians have been trying to leverage Europe’s frustration with Israeli actions and now the United States might be having second thoughts about wielding its almighty UN Security Council veto.
on March 25, 2015
The White House says it is re-evaluating its policy toward Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution. Administration officials have openly criticized Netanyahu for vowing no Palestinian state during his tenure and warning supporters about a high turnout of Arab voters.
on March 24, 2015
The crisis between U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that broke out anew after the Israeli election, worsens from day to day. At a press conference on Tuesday Obama said that there is "real policy difference" between himself and Netanyahu when it comes to the need to establish a Palestinian state. This dispute, Obama added, will have ramifications for U.S. policy.
on March 24, 2015
Joint List party head Ayman Odeh campaigned for Israeli elections like a troubadour. He went town to town speaking of civil rights for Palestinian citizens of Israel often quoting poets and peaceniks alike, even the Hebrew bible. Now Odeh is bringing the goods to Jerusalem.
on March 24, 2015
Defying all pre-election polling, which showed Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party at best in a dead heat with its main electoral rival, the Zionist Union, the Israeli prime minister romped to a comfortable victory in Israel's election Tuesday, garnering 30 seats against the Zionist Union's 24. The results chart a relatively easy path for Netanyahu to form a right-wing government composed of extreme nationalist, pro-settlement, and religious parties.
on March 23, 2015
The White House on Monday bluntly warned Israel that its occupation of Palestinian land must end, dismissing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to take back controversial campaign pledges. In unusually tough language that underscores the fracture in relations between Washington and Israel, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said "an occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end.
on March 23, 2015