Aqaba, West Bank: 39 out of its 45 houses slated for demolition

The army issued four more demolition orders to houses. Actually, the entire village is slated for destruction, with 39 out of 45 houses immediately threatened.A European Parliament delegation visited Aqaba which in the Jenin Area of the West Bank – and the village’s mayor met with Members of Congress in Washington.Gush Shalom: The time is … Read more

Eyes Wide Shut

THE DAY before yesterday, two documents appeared side by side in Haaretz: a giant advertisement from the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the results of a public opinion poll. The proximity was accidental, but to the point. The PLO ad sets out the details of the 2002 Saudi peace offer, decorated with the colorful flags … Read more

Lift the blockade, cease the fire, speak with the neighbors!

photo gallery Either the purpose is to undermine the two-state solution and any form of peace with the Palestinians, or the Israeli government policy towards Gaza makes no sense. Not through blockade and invasion will Gil’ad Shalit ever come free, but through agreement and mutual release of Prisoners of War. PUT ON THE LIGHT! CUT … Read more

Now he regrets

Ehud Barak is in trouble:After violating the cease-fire,And causing the launchingOf missiles againstSderot and Ashkelon,His party crashed in the polls.How to get out of the quagmire?Renew and enlarge the cease-fire,Start a dialogue with HamasBased on the Hania declaration,Enable the Gazans to move freely,And allow the people ofSderot and AshkelonTo sleep at night. Ad in Haaretz, … Read more

An Unforgettable Moment

WHEN I told this to Anwar Sadat, he laughed: “The moment the door of your airplane opened, all Israelis held their breath. I live on a main street in Tel-Aviv, and at that moment I looked out at the street below. It was totally empty. Nothing moved, except one cat which was probably hurrying home … Read more

Yesterday’s traitors, HAARETZ 14.11.08

On the anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, Haaretz asked nine Israelis to comment on the state of the Israeli left. Their contributions were published on November 14, 2008. Uri Avnery’s contribution follows: Yesterday’s traitors In the crucial battle over the national consciousness, we are experiencing great success. Let us pause to recall: In the aftermath … Read more

What else is new?

The Hamas Prime MinisterIsmail HaniyehHas announced his readinessTo accept the State of IsraelWithin the 1967 bordersThe Israeli Prime MinisterEhud OlmertHas declared that IsraelMust return to the 1967 bordersBut on the groundOur governmentIs carrying outIncursion after incursionInto the Gaza StripCausing death and escalation Ad in Haaretz, November 14, 2008

SAME NIGHT: peace speeches in Tel Aviv – a family expelled in East Jerusalem

Acts speak louder than words. Few hours after peace speeches by Peres, Barak and Livni at the Rabin Square, police expelled the Al-Kurd Family from their home, on behalf of extreme-right settlers. On Saturday night, Nov. 8, President Shimon Peres, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni mounted the podium at the mass … Read more

Yes, You Can!

IN JULY 2004, the convention of the Democratic Party was about to nominate John Kerry as its candidate for President. The organizing committee had to decide who would deliver the keynote speech. In the American tradition, that speech sets the tone for the whole convention. “Perhaps we should have a black speaker this time?” someone … Read more