The Palestinian-Israeli conflict from its origins to the present
Learn about the main issues dividing Israelis and Palestinians, the West Bank and Gaza, the peace process and human rights in the Holy Land.
Israel's Law Declarin Undivided Jerusalem the Nation's Capital
On July 30, 1980, the Israeli Knesset, or Parliament, passed a law annexing East Jerusalem and declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Here's the text of the bill.
On July 30, 1980, the Israeli Knesset, or Parliament, passed a law annexing East Jerusalem and declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Here's the text of the bill.
Briefing: Israeli Settlements and Outposts in the West Bank
A briefing and primer including numbers, population statistics and international law regarding Israel's illegal settlements and outposts in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Occupied Territories
A briefing and primer including numbers, population statistics and international law regarding Israel's illegal settlements and outposts in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Occupied Territories
Censoring Israeli and Palestinian Art: Chicago's Spertus Museum Controversy
On June 20, 2008, the Spertus Museum, Chicago's prominent Jewish institution, abruptly ended its "Imaginary Coordinates" exhibit under pressure from its donors. The exhibit had challenged conventions of geography, homelands and map-making. The Spertus Museum controversy would likely not have happened if a Jewish museum in israel had shown the same work.
On June 20, 2008, the Spertus Museum, Chicago's prominent Jewish institution, abruptly ended its "Imaginary Coordinates" exhibit under pressure from its donors. The exhibit had challenged conventions of geography, homelands and map-making. The Spertus Museum controversy would likely not have happened if a Jewish museum in israel had shown the same work.
The Hamas-Israeli Conflict: Background, Primers, FAQs.
The Hamas-Israeli conflict is a sub-plot of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, itself a sub-plot of the larger Arab-Israeli conflict. The Hamas-Israeli conflict especially is complicating prospects of peace between Palestinians and Israelis, not least because Hamas, a militant, Sunni fundamentalist organization, is in conflict with Fatah, the secular Palestinian organization. Hamas doesn't recogni…
The Hamas-Israeli conflict is a sub-plot of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, itself a sub-plot of the larger Arab-Israeli conflict. The Hamas-Israeli conflict especially is complicating prospects of peace between Palestinians and Israelis, not least because Hamas, a militant, Sunni fundamentalist organization, is in conflict with Fatah, the secular Palestinian organization. Hamas doesn't recogni…
Israel and Gaza: A Withdrawal That Did Not End Israel's Occupation of Gaza
In 2005, Israel officially withdrew from the Gaza Strip. But the withdrawal did not end Israel's effective control of the Palestinian territory in all vital regards, thus inflaming Palestinian resentment rather than diffusing it.
In 2005, Israel officially withdrew from the Gaza Strip. But the withdrawal did not end Israel's effective control of the Palestinian territory in all vital regards, thus inflaming Palestinian resentment rather than diffusing it.
Hamas-Israel Truce: Background, Terms and Conditions
On June 17, 2008, Hamas, the militant Palestinian organization, and Israel, announced a six-month truce mediated by Egypt. It's not clear it will hold.
On June 17, 2008, Hamas, the militant Palestinian organization, and Israel, announced a six-month truce mediated by Egypt. It's not clear it will hold.
Who Is Gilad Shalit and Why Is Hamas Holding Him Hostage?
Background on Gilad Shalit, the Israeli corporal Hamas captured in a raid in June 2006
Background on Gilad Shalit, the Israeli corporal Hamas captured in a raid in June 2006
What is the PLO - The Palestine Liberation Organization?
Since its creation in 1964, the PLO has gone through several make-overs--from resistance organization to terrorist organization to quasi occupying and governmental force (in Jordan and Lebanon) to close to irrelevance in the late 1990s in the Occupied Territories.
Since its creation in 1964, the PLO has gone through several make-overs--from resistance organization to terrorist organization to quasi occupying and governmental force (in Jordan and Lebanon) to close to irrelevance in the late 1990s in the Occupied Territories.
What Is al-Naqba, or al-Nakba - The Catastrophe?
May 14, 1948 marks Israel's declaration of independence. For Palestinians and Arabs, May 14, 1948 marks al-Naqba, or "the Catastrophe"--the day that triggered Palestinian dispossession and forced exile.
May 14, 1948 marks Israel's declaration of independence. For Palestinians and Arabs, May 14, 1948 marks al-Naqba, or "the Catastrophe"--the day that triggered Palestinian dispossession and forced exile.
What Is the Balfour Declaration?
The Balfour declaration of 1917 was Britain's implicit, but shot-lived, recognition that Jews ought to have a homeland in Palestine.
The Balfour declaration of 1917 was Britain's implicit, but shot-lived, recognition that Jews ought to have a homeland in Palestine.
Glossary: Izz al-Din al-Qassam (1880-1935)
Brief summary of the life of Izz al-Din al-Qassam, founding member of Palestinian resistance against British and Jews during the British mandate over Palestine.
Brief summary of the life of Izz al-Din al-Qassam, founding member of Palestinian resistance against British and Jews during the British mandate over Palestine.
Glossary: Intifada
Definition of Intifada, or uprising, or, literally, "shaking off"--the Palestinian insurgency against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.
Definition of Intifada, or uprising, or, literally, "shaking off"--the Palestinian insurgency against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.
Glossary: Ta'ayush
Definition of Ta'ayush, the Palestinian-Israeli grass-roots partnership and human rights movement designed to break down the walls of racism and segregation.
Definition of Ta'ayush, the Palestinian-Israeli grass-roots partnership and human rights movement designed to break down the walls of racism and segregation.
Profile: Khaled Mashaal, Leader of Hamas
Khaled Mashaal is the political leader of Hamas, the Sunni Islamist Palestinian organization, and head of its office in Damascus, Syria, from where he operates.
Khaled Mashaal is the political leader of Hamas, the Sunni Islamist Palestinian organization, and head of its office in Damascus, Syria, from where he operates.
The 1978 PLO Raid on Tel Aviv and Its Consequences
In March 1978, Palestinian militants attacked civilians and battled Israeli forces on the outskirts of Tel Aviv in a bloody raid that set the stage for 30 years of attacks and ineffective, but bloody, reprisals.
In March 1978, Palestinian militants attacked civilians and battled Israeli forces on the outskirts of Tel Aviv in a bloody raid that set the stage for 30 years of attacks and ineffective, but bloody, reprisals.
Conflicts in Gaza: Causes and Solutions
Hamas has no viable objective to gain by bombing Israel other than to provoke a full-scale war. Israel has no viable objective to respond militarily. The solution to conflicts in Gaza is political.
Hamas has no viable objective to gain by bombing Israel other than to provoke a full-scale war. Israel has no viable objective to respond militarily. The solution to conflicts in Gaza is political.
The Annapolis Summit: Shooting for the Palestinian-Israeli Moon
The summit’s aims are as high as expectations are low. A deal between Israelis and Palestinians would be little short of miraculous. Even is a deal is struck, chances are dispiritingly low that it would be carried out without being hijacked by violent and unresolved realities on the ground, for many reasons.
The summit’s aims are as high as expectations are low. A deal between Israelis and Palestinians would be little short of miraculous. Even is a deal is struck, chances are dispiritingly low that it would be carried out without being hijacked by violent and unresolved realities on the ground, for many reasons.
Bush's Road Map for Peace: Five Years Later
An analysis of George W. Bush's 2002 proposal for peace between Israel and Palestine, five years later: How the Road Map was folded up and put away.
An analysis of George W. Bush's 2002 proposal for peace between Israel and Palestine, five years later: How the Road Map was folded up and put away.
Israel's Separation Barrier in the West Bank
A primer on the separation barrier or security fence Israel is building in the West Bank: Does it reduce attacks? Does it improve the prospects for peace? Is it a land-grab?
A primer on the separation barrier or security fence Israel is building in the West Bank: Does it reduce attacks? Does it improve the prospects for peace? Is it a land-grab?
Sixty Years of U.S.-Mideast Policy
US-Mideast policies from Harry Truman to George W. Bush: an administration-by-administration breakdown of a troubled history.
US-Mideast policies from Harry Truman to George W. Bush: an administration-by-administration breakdown of a troubled history.