IMEU Institute for Middle East Understanding
Seventy years ago, the world changed around my family. The establishment of the state of Israel represented self-determination for Jews, but a catastrophe — “nakba” in Arabic — for Palestinians. In the area around the Mediterranean city of Haifa, where my family has lived for six generations, only 2,000 Palestinians of a population of 70,000 remained.
on April 18, 2018
Near Qalandia checkpoint in the West Bank, I watch as two female Israeli soldiers fire tear gas at a crowd of protesting Palestinian youths. One canister ricochets, hitting a young boy in the arm. The soldier who was shooting begins to laugh. Her colleague proudly pats her shoulder as they both reach to refill their weapons.
on November 27, 2017
It was the moment of conception of what would become the State of Israel — or it was the original sin in which Israel was conceived. The Balfour Declaration, the pivotal, 67-word assurance by the British foreign secretary that promised support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,” turned 100 on Thursday, meeting with tributes in Jerusalem and London, and tear gas in Bethlehem.
on November 2, 2017
In recent weeks, I have been paying particular attention to the arguments in favor of Zionism from those who call themselves progressive Zionists and call for a two-state solution, support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and express criticism of some of Israel’s policies and actions.
on March 29, 2017
Q&As
Following the Iranian nuclear agreement and the Congressional debate surrounding it, the IMEU offers this expert Q&A with Rabbi Joseph Berman, Government Affairs Liaison for Jewish Voice for Peace, focusing on the US Jewish community’s response to the deal.
on September 8, 2015
It's not often that the wardrobe choices of an 18-year-old schoolboy are commended in a statement by South Africa's ruling African National Congress – but that’s exactly what happened this week, in a sign of the prominence that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has assumed here during the current Gaza violence.
on August 15, 2014
Today, 20 years after Baruch Goldstein cut down so many innocent lives in a burst of hateful rage, the poisonous anti-Arab racism that turned him into a mass murderer is alive and well in Israel.
on March 1, 2014
What at first seemed like an enviable endorsement deal had transformed into a PR nightmare for one of Hollywood's rising stars. Johansson had become the target of widespread derision on social media, with viral internet memes mocking her cynical motives and humanitarian pretensions.
on February 9, 2014
For Israel to be a Jewish state, Palestinian refugees must be denied their right to return and Palestinian citizens must be discriminated against. Israel as a Jewish state means systematic discrimination in land, housing, citizenship rights, education and freedom of speech, all of which are well documented and occur right now. Photo: Christopher Hazou/IMEU
on January 19, 2014