Tag Archives: Abbas

Once again, it is quite surreal being in Israel. And on many levels. But why should this trip be any different? In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv the biggest challenge is finding a seat in overcrowded cafés or restaurants, whilst the residents of the south are still dealing with those “peaceful …

Here we are, in the midst of Chanukah celebrations, which mark miracles for the Jewish people, most significantly regarding the miracle of Jewish survival at the time of the Hasmoneans. But this holiday inspires me to think more broadly about Jewish survival. The fact that we are here, having survived …

Trump: Giving Peace ‘A Shot’ The President of the United States could have worded his failure only just a little worse. He could have ‘taken a stab’ at peace negotiations before not moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her …

“Peace for our time” a famous four word phrase from Benjamin Disraeli, who said upon returning from the Congress of Berlin in 1878, “I have returned from Germany with peace for our time”. This was echoed in a speech given on 30 September 1938 by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain …

It’s a “normal” situation for us. We win some, we lose some. Yet, somehow, these last few days, that roller coaster ride seems to have more curves than usual. ~~~~~~~~~~ Take the UN Secretary General, António Guterres. He’d been great lately: he made a statement against the PA youth center …

On Monday afternoon, the President of the United States, Donald Trump touched down in Israel after a visit to Saudi Arabia. The flight from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Tel Aviv, Israel was an historic one given it was the first direct flight between the two countries, which have no official diplomatic relations. Prime …

This week we will be celebrating the 69th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Jewish State – Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut – preceded by Yom Hazikaron where we remember those who fell in the defence of the State of Israel. This comes on the back of efforts formalised 120 years …

When I was a kid (a million years ago), I loved to ride the waves.  I would move out to meet an incoming wave and coast up on its front surface to its foaming crest, an exhilarating experience.  I would then drop down its back surface as the wave broke …

We are back to routine after the Pesach week – and a splendid week it was in many ways. I wanted to say we are “back to normal,” but it is unclear to me precisely what constitutes “normal.” The balagan (confusion) of daily life, with its good and bad, is …

No one ever said it would be easy. When something turns out as we hoped it would, we might murmur “Fantastic!” and allow ourselves a momentary sense of ease or satisfaction. But in no time at all – bang! – we are likely to confront a stumbling block. Then we …

When last I wrote, I spoke about light behind the shadows and looking ahead to what is possible – what good may be on the way.  I meant every word, and will continue to seek the light. However, I am not a Pollyanna and I don’t for a moment intend …

Summary: In their eagerness to give Palestinian Arabs self-determination, Europeans have begun to symbolically recognize Palestine as a country.  However, the Europeans have failed to recognize that Palestinian actions are against the law and vision for peace. During the months of October and November 2014, a number of European countries …

I hope and trust that my readers will understand: my postings are less frequent and possibly shorter because I am giving priority to my work on the Legal Grounds Campaign.  Once again, I invite anyone who would like to know more to contact me. ~~~~~~~~~~ There is no way I …

Mahmoud Abbas completed his PhD dissertation for Lumumba University in Moscow in 1982. For years I have been reading that this piece of writing – which to the right is the original cover – entitled “The Other Side: The Secret Relationship Between Nazism and Zionism” was one in which he …

After my last post (which now requires follow-up), I promised I would return to my regular format, which includes good news.  Would that the good predominated. It does not, of course. But it is real – as you will see in the course of this posting.  And so offers promise …

There is a superstitious belief within our office that it should never be said that things are quiet in Israel. An example is this article which I came across last week. It mentioned that the terrorist stabbing attacks that have been an all too regular occurrence over the last six …

There is a point of view among many students of Middle Eastern politics that all of its problems would be solved if Israel ended its occupation of the territories captured during the 1967 Six-Day-War and handed them to the Palestinians. After all, no country really wants to control the lives …

A couple of “only in Israel” stories about ordinary, yet special, people: Yishay Montgomery has been hailed as Israel’s “guitar hero.” Last Tuesday evening, Yishay was playing his acoustic guitar by the beach in southern Tel Aviv – near the Jaffa boardwalk where a terrorist had just stabbed several people …

T’is the season for end-of-year summations, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la. The newspapers are full of articles covering a range of topics ranging from politics through the economy to the Footy. So why should the ZFA be an exception? Thus in this – the final update during the year of their lord 2015 …

Just Another Friday Night Sermon In “Palestine” You really do need to see this. It explains in about five minutes what is going down right now in Israel and the terrorocracy that is “Palestine“. Or if you prefer, the “Palestinian Terrorcracies”. This is important for us, why? We are witnessing the opening …