Author: Michael Sharnoff

Arab League

Arab League Foreign Minister Conference

Michael Sharnoff

Yesterday, the Arab League foreign minister conference in Cairo discussed Palestinian affairs, the Syrian Civil War and Iran.

Al-Quds reports Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas acknowledging that a “Palestinian Spring” is underway. Recently, Palestinians in the West Bank have protested against the Palestinian Authority’s inability to make food and living costs more affordable. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad also weighed in on this issue, asserting that the PA has improved the standard of living in spite of overall Israeli control of the West Bank. Continue reading “Arab League Foreign Minister Conference” →

Palestinians

Palestinian Self-Immolation

Michael Sharnoff

Al-Ahram reports that a Gazan teen unable to find employment and care for his family set himself on fire in Gaza’s main hospital last Thursday. He succumbed to his wounds Sunday evening. The teen’s father said he had appealed to the Hamas government in Gaza and the West Bank Palestinian Authority to find work, but received no response. Continue reading “Palestinian Self-Immolation” →

Uncategorized

New Issue From The Palestine-Israel Journal

Michael Sharnoff

The Palestine-Israel Journal, an independent quarterly publication run by Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem, has a new issue which examines the dramatic challenges facing Israeli and Palestinian civil society in 2012.

I am thrilled that my article which explores the role of nonviolent Palestinian third parties as an alternative to Fatah and Hamas is featured in the journal. I will post the full text when it becomes available.

Israel

Weekend Thinking: Mideast Public Service Announcement

Michael Sharnoff

For those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Corey Gil-Shuster, a Canadian-born peace activist, has done the public a great service. Through his YouTube page, he accepts provocative and inquisitive questions about the conflict, and then goes and interviews random Israelis and Palestinians on their thoughts. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Mideast Public Service Announcement” →

Gaza

Gaza Millionaires

Michael Sharnoff

Journalist and political analyst Khaled Abu Toameh has an interesting article in the Gatestone Institute which partly dispels the notion that the Gaza Strip has faced a humanitarian crisis on par with Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, North Korea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Continue reading “Gaza Millionaires” →

Peace

A Significant Defeat for Moderation and Tolerance

Michael Sharnoff

It was announced yesterday that Bitterlemons, an online newsletter which has run for eleven years and has provided unique commentary from Palestinians and Israelis, will cease to operate. Continue reading “A Significant Defeat for Moderation and Tolerance” →

Links

August 22-27, 2012 Links

Michael Sharnoff

“Attacks Raise Specter of Radical Islam In Russia” NPR
“Settler Violence Against Palestinians Raises Alarm In Israel” Washington Post
“Hamas Declines Invite To Iran Summit, Citing Palestinian Unity” Reuters
“This Week In History: The Arab League’s Three No’s” Jerusalem Post
“Palestinians From Syria Twice Displaced” Voice of America
“Syrian Spillover Violence In Lebanon Rattles Residents” PBS
“France Says It Would Recognize Provisional Syrian Government” New York Times
“Visit By Egypt’s Morsi To Iran Reflects Foreign Policy Shift” Washington Post

Lebanon

Weekend Thinking: Eye on Lebanon

Michael Sharnoff

While King Abdullah has managed to prevent the Syrian civil war from destabilizing Jordan, Lebanon, with its fragile government, delicate sectarian balance and history of invasions, wars and occupations, may not be as lucky. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Eye on Lebanon” →