The Middle-East Observer
Focus
Focus: Jerusalem SOS
In Jerusalem, Jewish and Arab paramedics cross psychological and geographical divisions to save lives. Al Jazeera, Qatar About these ads
Focus: Arab doctors historic meeting held in Gaza
Dozens of doctors from all over the Arab world arrived in Gaza for the first ever meeting of the union’s general secretariat in the Palestinian territory. Press TV, Iran
Focus: Egypt’s Salafist surge
In a matter of months, Egypt’s ultra-conservative Salafists have beaten a path from marginalised religious sect to major political force. But what do we know about them, aside from their heavily religious roots? France24, France
Gaza still struggles three years after offensive
Flowers are one of the few things Gazans can export. After four and half years of the Israeli blockade and the partial destruction of Gaza’s industry in the Israeli offensive three years ago, what is life like for Gazans today? Euronews, European Union
Gaza leader visits Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo
Gaza’s top political leader Ismail Haniyeh visits the headquarters of Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo. Reuters, United States
Israeli policies under fire at Security Council
Diplomats at the UN Security Council have voiced frustration over the lack of progress towards restarting Israel-Palestine negotiations and called for an immediate halt to Israeli settlement activity in the Palestinian territories. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Syrian Split: Rebels want foreign boots on ground, observers out
Some groups in Syria’s opposition say they want an Arab military intervention to, quote, ‘protect civilians from government security forces’. Russia Today, Russia
Egypt Post Mubarak: ‘Military kills its way into power’
In the latest violence, at least 8 people were killed and hundreds injured. Egyptians want the military council to step down immediately, despite parliamentary elections being underway. Russia Today, Russia
Protesters clash with military in Cairo
Deadly clashes sparked by army move to shut down sit-in outside cabinet offices, as election process continues. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Israel criticizes Palestinian flag-raising
After winning membership to UNESCO, Palestinians welcome the flying of their flag at the UN cultural agency’s building in Paris, but Israel says the move will not help the peace process. Reuters, United States
Islamic Jihad’s growing influence
There is concern that growing divisions within Palestinian ranks could jeopardise talks with Israel. It is not just Fatah and Hamas that have trouble finding consensus. Groups such as Islamic Jihad are growing in importance both politically and militarily. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Israeli strikes kill three in Gaza
Violence on Israel-Gaza border escalates with Israeli air strikes killing at least three people, and militants firing rockets. Reuters, United States
Jerusalem’s religious divide
The holy city where three religions meet finds itself amid a growing religious division among Jews – those who want a society more respective of their modest beliefs and those who say they want to maintain their personal rights. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Israel expat campaign angers Jewish-Americans
In the US, Jewish-Americans have been expressing outrage about an Israeli campaign urging them to return to their homeland. Israel’s ministry of immigration created the advertisements to call on half a million Israeli-Americans to come back. The outcry is being taken seriously by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who has pulled the controversial campaign. Al Jazeera, … Continue reading
Lebanon’s economy hit by Syrian unrest
Lebanon has announced that it will not comply with the Arab League’s decision to impose economic sanctions on its neighbour Syria. With trade between the two countries amounting to an estimated $4.5bn a year, Lebanon’s economy has been negatively impacted by the unrest in Syria. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Gaza strawberries bring optimism
Israel has recently permitted the export of a number of Palestinian strawberries from the Gaza Strip. Gaza farmers say the strawberries are now a symbol of hope. Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia
Gazans wait on outcome of Egypt elections
Egyptians take to the polls, many Palestinians hope Egypt’s future foreign policy will be more sympathetic to their cause. Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood party which is expected to do well in the elections that started on the 28th November. There is some concern that if the Muslim Brotherhood wins in Egypt and Hamas … Continue reading
Egypt votes, Tahrir split
Egyptians head to polling stations for a landmark parliamentary election, but many in Tahrir boycott the poll. Al Ahram, Egypt
UN says ‘crimes against humanity’ committed in Syria
UN-appointed investigators have filed a report in which they say a number of human rights violations have taken place in Syria since the country’s uprising began in March. Yakin Erturk, a member of the UN committee, spoke to Al Jazeera about the report, which says the country’s military and security forces have carried out crimes such … Continue reading
Hamas looks for ways to raise revenue
Gaza’s summer tourist season is over. It is also the end of a taxing season for the owners of the beach cafes who are being charged thousands of dollars in fees – up to three times more than what they were paying when the Palestinian Authority was in government. Analysts say Hamas appears to short of … Continue reading
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