The Middle-East Observer

Analysis: Meshal loses control of Hamas military wing as authority moves to Gaza leadership

The Middle-East Observer — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:47:39 +0000

Though he is expected to keep his position following an internal Hamas vote in the next few weeks, Khaled Mashaal, leader in exile of the Islamist movement, has lost his control over both the budget and the military wing which are now controlled by the Gaza-based leadership. This reflects a larger shift of authority within Hamas.

Haaretz, Israel

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Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal

Abbas’s Police State

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:33:15 +0000

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

Jonathan Schanzer argues that the West Bank, under President Mahmoud Abbas’s authority, is becoming a police state. His allegations are based primarily on a number of crackdowns on free speech, mainly journalists, newspapers and TV stations that have been critical of president Abbas in the last few years. All evidence seems to tell us that these crackdowns carried out by the PA security forces have been ordered from high up on the hierarchy of the PA.

Foreign Policy, United States

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Understanding Iran’s diplomatic strategy

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:12:46 +0000

In this article, Gareth Porter analyses Iran’s strategy for negotiations with the United States, for the past ten years. He explains how uranium enrichment and the subsequent development of nuclear capabilities act as the main bargaining chip in Iran’s negotiation strategy with the United States. He also gives us the aims of the Iranian strategy and what their demands to the US would be if there were to be direct talks and negotiations between the two countries.

Al Jazeera, Qatar

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Debate: Is Netanyahu misleading Israelis over Iran?

The Middle-East Observer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:25:50 +0000

Is there a rift between the Prime Minster and the security establishment, and how might it affect his chances of re-election?

Guests:

Naftali Bennett, a former chief of staff to Binyamin Netanyahu;
Daniel Ben Simon, a member of the Knesset for Labor;
Rami Khouri, the director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut.

Al Jazeera, Qatar

What Israeli hasbara won’t hide

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:57:09 +0000

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 state, a justification for war or an anti-semitic campaign.

Haaretz, Israel

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In Gaza, Hamas rule has not turned out as many expected

Iris Swinkels — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:26:06 +0000

The article analyses the current situation in Gaza, after more than 5 years of Hamas administration. Palestinians who are interviewed say that, when they elected Hamas 5 years ago, they expected more of the party. They are disappointed that the economic situation only seem to have gotten worse, and that Hamas officials mainly work for their own interest. Nowadays, there are shortages of fuel and electricity and only those who are aligning with Hamas have been given proper jobs. Moreover, out of fear to loose their authority and in their wish to install strict Islamic rules, Hamas turned the Gaza Strip into a police state. Many Palestinians however oppose to the party’s wish to tell them what to do in their daily lives. There is also growing discontent with the fact that Hamas has seemingly abandoned the (armed) resistance towards Israel, which is now mainly carried out by the Islamic Jihad.

Meanwhile, on a political level, it is uncertain which direction Hamas will be heading to. Recent months have shown a shift in politics with Hamas leader Meshaal trying to line up with moderate Turkey and moving away from their long-term friend Syria.

Washington Post, United States

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Interview: Dr. Einat Wilf, Israeli MP, Chair of the ‘Independence’ faction

The Middle-East Observer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:54:11 +0000

As Israel celebrates its 64th independence day, Knesset member Dr. Einat Wilf discusses Israel’s relations with its neighbors and the regional issues.

France 24, France

Don’t Give Up on Mideast Peace

Iris Swinkels — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:15:55 +0000

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States and founder of the Carter Center, argues that a two-state solution is in Israel’s best interests. According to Carter, Israel’s policies are nevertheless directed towards one “greater Israel” from the River Jordan towards the Mediterranean Sea. He argues that this one state solution would eventually lead to either Israelis being out-numbered and out-ruled by Arabs, or to a state of Apartheid where Arabs would not have the same rights as Israelis. The latter position, he argues, could not be upheld for long.

Therefore, policies of Israeli governments as well as their US counterparts should focus on making a two-state solution – one for Israelis and one for Palestinians – possible, before it is too late.

The New York Times, United States

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Can Israel survive?

Iris Swinkels — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:39:13 +0000

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 solution is being implemented. He argues that a one-state solution (wherein Palestinians and Israelis would live together in the same country) would soon lead to the disapearance of Israeli Jews, simply because they will be out ruled in number by Arabs.

The author showcases this point by highlighting the difference between the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and the conflict-ridden, mixed city of Israelis and Arabs. Tel Aviv, he argues, where people enjoy their lives far away from conflict, is what Zionism is all about. Fanatically trying to control Jerusalem, where Arabs where living for centuries before the Jews came back, is only working contradictory. If Jews ever want to live peaceful in their own land, they should opt for a newly created all-Jewish city, not for a bi-national city like Jerusalem.

Al Jazeera, Qatar

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Tiny Gulf islands rekindle big Arab-Iran dispute

Iris Swinkels — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:08:27 +0000

Tiny Gulf islands rekindle big Arab-Iran dispute

Brian Murphy of the Associated Press explains the recent tension between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The tension arose after Iran claimed three small islands in the Persian Gulf, stating that they would be turned into a tourist center and showcase for Persian culture. The UAE however, claims that the islands are a part of the UAE’s national soil and that any “agressions” from Iran’s side would be considered as an act against the entire Golf Cooperation Council, including Iran’s main regional opponent Saudi Arabia.

The Associated Press, Dubai.

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