“You can’t divide the concept of freedom. Fighting for women’s rights stems from the same concept as fighting Israeli colonization”, said Lema Nazeeh, one of the organizers of a protest against gender-based violence in Ramallah. The protest was one of twelve across Palestine/Israel and the diaspora.

Florida’s Broward County unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement after an Israeli official denounced it in front of the county’s commission.

This week marks the anniversary of Edward Said’s death and Haidar Eid reflects on how the Palestinian intellectual’s work has impacted his own. “It is important at this time of turmoil, not only in Palestine, but also globally, to remember Said as he would have wanted us to remember him, out of place,” Eid writes. 

The success of the Palestinian Joint List in the Israeli election has given hope to liberal Zionist groups for a post-Netanyahu era of non-discrimination and a better international image. Though there is little in Israeli Jewish politicians’ conduct to support the hope, Ayman Odeh of the Joint List will be speaking to J Street next month.

In a surprising turn of events, Benjamin Netanyahu will be given yet another chance to hold onto his title as Prime Minister — a potential lifeline for the premiere who is facing an impending indictment on charges of corruption and bribery. 

While Israel wants the world to see Iran behind every conflict and want to see it ostracized and isolated, they may not want Iran defeated because that would eliminate the special role Israel plays for the United States.

Elizabeth Warren’s plan for Palestine is boilerplate two-state rhetoric that includes restoring the U.S. role as “credible mediator.” That’s a reference to the Obama administration, which only increased aid to Israel while refusing to hold it accountable for settlements and massacres. The Democratic base has moved on.

The current political paralysis in Israel should not be mistaken for an equal split between the center-left and the right, as the media would have its audiences believe. Rather, Israeli elections are a contest over which brand of Israeli ultra-nationalism will triumph.

Palestinians in Gaza receiving rents stipends after their homes were destroyed in the 2014 war have accused the UN of exploitation after being required to work in return for the aid.

Layla Kaiksow and Reema AbuShaheen explain no amount of investment dollars can change the painful Israeli-made facts on the ground for Palestinian manufacturers and entrepreneurs. “Economic development without statehood has gotten us to this point, and that point is nowhere.”