The Middle-East Observer
Opinion
What Israeli hasbara won’t hide
Doron Rosenblum argues that contrarily to Netanyahu’s views, Israel is not getting stronger but in fact weaker or as he puts it “more fragile”. Rosenblum says that Israel “appears enclosed in a bizarre egocentric bubble” and is suffering from “existential anxiety”, because it sees every move or political process to critic the government as a conspiracy against the … Continue reading
Can Israel survive?
The author of the article, MJ Rosenberg, argues that so called “pro-Israel” policy makers in mainly the US are not lobbying in favor of a well-working state of Israel, but just in favor of Israeli policies that are mainly targeted at repressing Palestinians. His main argument is that Israel can only survive if the two-state … Continue reading
Netanyahu, up to his neck in settlements
Shaul Arieli argues that by strengthening the settlements, the Netanyahu government is contributing heavily on the failure of the peace process. He says that this government, like many others before, is making false promises to dismantle Israeli settlements in the West Bank if a peace deal is reached even thought they are fully aware that … Continue reading
Peace Without Partners
Ami Ayalon, Orni Petruschka and Gilead Sher have all come to believe that a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians cannot be achieved now. Citing a major lack of trust from both parties, making negotiations impossible, they argue that Israel needs a “radically new unilateral approach”. Saying it would help the peace process … Continue reading
Opinion: Assad takes a page out of Russia’s book in his war against rebels
The drastic and recent change in the brutality of the siege of Homs, the center of the Syrian uprising, suggests that the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavarov is encouraging Assad to follow a similar strategy to that used by Russia in Chechnya. The electricity and phone lines have been cut and food is … Continue reading
Opinion: We Need to Talk to Iran, But How?
It is time for the United States to try something different when it comes to Iran; thirty-two years of sanctions and nonexistent diplomatic relations between the two countries have made the current situation dangerous. The risk of miscalculation is not to be underestimated. The situation could get out of hand very quickly if both parties do not renew talks on … Continue reading
Opinion: Israel’s Love-Hate Relationship with the United Nations
Last week, Israelis rejoiced as their nation secured a seat on the executive board of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), hailing it as a recognition of the state’s feat of becoming a “Developed” nation and more profoundly, allowing Israel to attain a greater level of participation in the international community. However, in light of … Continue reading
Opinion: Egypt’s tragedy: This is not just soccer violence
After clashes at a soccer game in Port Said yesterday between the local Marsy team and Cairo’s Ahly team, a lot of questions remain unanswered. For instance, why was there practically no security present at the game? The two teams have a long history of rivalry and there is always a serious potential for violence between them. … Continue reading
Opinion: Should oil be used as a weapon?
The writer of this article, Linda S. Heart, discusses the option of using oil for political purposes. Until now, OPEC (which controls 79 percent of the world’s crude oil reserves) has refrained from using its oil as a tool to manipulate the outcome of certain conflicts. Saudi foreign ministers have been quoted repeatedly saying that … Continue reading
Opinion: How to get Russia on board in Syria? Hint: Think of the sea
Russia is a major obstacle between the Syrian demonstrators and their liberation from the Assad regime. Russia has been the main opponent of UN Security Council resolutions against the regime while even the “timid” Arab League wants Assad to go. The reason for Russia’s opposition is quite simple: it fears that if the Assad regime … Continue reading
Opinion: Mubarak shouldn’t be executed
A report says that deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has sent multiple letters to the leaders of countries that were friendly to his regime including the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. In the letters, Mubarak ask the leaders to save him from the death penalty which was proposed … Continue reading
Opinion: “The People Are Suffocating”: West Bank Economy Struggles Under Pressure From U.S. Congress
A report from the streets of Ramallah by Karl Vick. Palestinians say they are suffering from a loss in income, mainly caused by the still delayed $147 million on promised aid from the US. Some Republican members in the House of Representatives seem to punish the moderate Palestinian Authority for their application for membership of … Continue reading
Opinion: ‘It May Be Too Late to Attack Iran after the Summer’
According to the author of this article, Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu, sources quoted in American media on Tuesday have said that a military option against Iran will not be at issue anymore after the summer. Taking steps against Iran that exceed the current sanctions seem to “become urgent as Iran drifts into an immunity zone” said Israeli … Continue reading
Opinion: Women have been an essential component of the uprising in Syria
Women, to the disbelief of many critics, have been an essential component of the uprising in Syria, says Rime Allaf. Critics claim that women have been absent from the uprising, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While they were, by default, absent at the beginning (most protests began in mosques), women have taken … Continue reading
Opinion: Water for all: The case for a one-state solution
Ramzy El Houry, author of this article, argues for Palestinian negotiators to stop pushing for a two-state solution and start looking into a one-state solution with Israel. He uses water resources as the main example to prove the ‘impossibility’ of the two-state solution: ” It is on this basis - the basis that Israel cannot accept a sovereign … Continue reading
Opinion: The Palestinian Campaign to Delegitimize Israel
Although a new series of negotiations have started between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, Palestinians are still trying to out-maneuver Israel in the international arena. Though last year’s attempt to gain full UN membership for a sovereign state of Palestine failed, Abbas is now regrouping, visiting countries that may support the bid and trying new … Continue reading
Opinion: I miss Ariel Sharon
Tzipi Livni, chairwoman of the Kadima party and leader of the opposition, writes about former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who suffered a stroke on January 2006 and has been in a coma ever since. She says she, and all Israelis, are longing for a real leader to make the critical decisions Israel needs, someone … Continue reading
Opinion: Most Syrians back President Assad, but you’d never know from western media
A recent poll by The Doha Debates, is a good indicator of two things: 55% of Syrians do not want Bashar Al-Assad to resign and western medias do not believe this information to be important enough to be published or even discussed. The Doha Debates is funded by the Qatar Foundation which in turn is … Continue reading
Opinion: Where is the money?
Former journalist Yair Lapid, one of the most popular public figures in today’s Israel, explains his choice of entering politics and details his future platform. He summarized it by “where’s the money?”, referring to what he calls “extortionist groups” that “rob the middle-class of its money” and pointing a finger at the ultra-orthodox and settler … Continue reading
Opinion: Observing the Observers
With more than 5,000 dead following the Syrian uprising, there was great hope within the Syrian opposition that the Arab League’s Observers would bring protection and security. Now, that optimism has given way to anger, questions over the Observers’ legitimacy and failed efforts have boiled to the surface. Foreign Policy, United States Click here for … Continue reading
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