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Purpose: to provide a varied selection of articles from Arabic, Hebrew and English mainstream media outlets so readers get a flavour of what is being read by the general public about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from different perspectives. The aim is to shine a spotlight for readers on the polarised narratives and constant one-sided messaging that appears in the media of each society, and often also in the international media. Solutions Not Sides makes no attempt to reconcile or support any of these narratives, but we believe it is important to understand each side’s perspective and the way that their society presents events if a negotiated solution is to be reached.
We do not currently have the capacity to provide translations of actual Hebrew and Arabic media, so bear in mind that news agencies that issue articles in those languages may not produce the same content as the English versions of their outlets provided here (e.g. Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Jazeera English do not simply produce the same content in both languages). The content and opinions of these articles do not reflect our aims or opinions. Our main educational point about media sources on this issue is that they are almost always biased and should never be trusted in isolation. Please BE RESOURCEFUL and research for yourself a diversity of sources for everything you read or hear about Israel-Palestine.
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Story of the week: A Palestinian Nationalist and a former Israeli Jewish Extremist Sit Down to Talk
This long interview with author Yossi Klein Halevi and academic Mohammed Dajani models much of what we try and do at SNS - bring together people with narratives that might be diametrically opposed in many ways, but who are willing to listen to one anothers narratives, acknowledge their shared humanity and focus on ending the occupation & conflict in Israel-Palestine. Its well worth a read!
I want to ask both of you: What vision do you have of long-term reconciliation? What does it look like? How do Israeli and Palestinian goals co-exist? How do we solve this ever?
Klein Halevi: Palestinians and Israelis still have a shared interest in ending the occupation. I consider it an Israeli interest to free Israel from the situation where I am occupying Mohammed. For me, as a long-term, permanent situation, that is untenable...
Dajani: I believe there will come a time when radical voices will diminish and reconciliation voices will be stronger, because this is the future. We inherited this conflict from our grandparents, and it is our duty, our responsibility, to leave a legacy of peace for our grandchildren... If in 1920 or 1930, you would have said that in 30 years there would be a State of Israel, nobody would have believed it. If I would say today that there will be a State of Palestine, nobody will believe me. But there will be a State of Palestine, not a state on paper like now, but a real state, a vibrant state. We need support from not only Palestinians or the international community, but from the Jewish community...
[Klein Halevi]: I can’t say that, from a practical perspective, what Mohammed and I are trying to do has much significance at this moment. But when there is no progress among the politicians and diplomats, it’s the responsibility of people to step into the void and do what we can to create possible alternatives.
Read the full interview here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/when-an-ex-fatah-palestinian-neighbor-took-up-a-zionist-authors-challenge
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Arab News Sources:
The National: For Palestinian activists fighting corruption, Trump’s attacks are making their work even harder
The space for criticism consequently tightens when Palestinians feel that opponents of Palestinian self-determination take their critiques – intended to advance the end goal of independence – as evidence against it... “Getting rid of corruption shortens the occupation and adds to the confidence of the people in the struggle for liberation and independence against the occupation,” Shawqi Al Issa, a former Palestinian minister who resigned in 2015 over corruption in the government, posted on Facebook on Friday. “And not silence around corruption.” (He declined a request for an interview.)... The western-backed and international aid-dependent PA has been bogged down by repeated accusations of corruption since it was established in the 1990s as part of the Oslo Peace Accords with Israel.. These days there is widespread hunger among Palestinians for new ideas and leadership – but not many outlets. Over eighty per cent of Palestinians want President Mahmoud Abbas, 83-years-old and last elected in 2005 for a four-year-term, to resign.
Read more: https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/for-palestinian-activists-fighting-corruption-trump-s-attacks-are-making-their-work-even-harder-1.875544
The Jordan Times: 'The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has fuelled global discord and radicalism'— King
His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday stressed that the attack against interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence is the world's single most important threat, which requires everyone to join forces in resisting hate and exclusion. In a keynote address delivered at the inaugural International Conference on Cohesive Societies in Singapore, King Abdullah stressed the need to resolve conflicts, especially the core crisis of the region, the long denial of Palestinian statehood. “The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has fuelled global discord and radicalism. We all need a lasting peace, meeting the needs of both sides: a viable, independent, sovereign Palestinian state, on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, but living side by side with Israel, in peace and security,” His Majesty said... "We must also help resolve conflicts, especially the core crisis of my region, the long denial of Palestinian statehood. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has fuelled global discord and radicalism. We all need a lasting peace, meeting the needs of both sides: a viable, independent, sovereign Palestinian state, on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, but living side by side with Israel, in peace and security. And we must safeguard Jerusalem, a holy city to billions of people around the world."
Read more: http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/palestinian-israeli-conflict-has-fuelled-global-discord-and-radicalism%E2%80%94-king
Palestine News Network: With Japanese support: UNDP Supports the Harnessing of Solar Power to Treat Wastewater in Gaza
The United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Japan, in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PENRA) and the Costal Municipalities Water Utility inaugurated the Photo Voltaic Solar System for the Rafah Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Plants project. The project, worth US$ 500,000, will provide more than 170,000 Palestinians, including farmers, in Gaza with improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. This will be done through the provision of 200 KWp of sustainable electricity supply that will allow the Rafah Wastewater Treatment and Reuse plants to treat the wastewater for irrigation and pump the treated water into farming areas... According to the United Nations “Gaza in 2020: A livable Place?” report, some 90,000 CM of raw or partially treated sewage is being discharged daily into the Mediterranean Sea (almost 33 MCM per year). This is causing pollution and creating public health hazards.
Read more: http://english.pnn.ps/2019/06/19/with-japanese-support-undp-supports-the-harnessing-of-solar-power-to-treat-wastewater-in-gaza/
Hebrew News Sources:
Arutz Sheva: 'A miracle happened to us, the enemy will not win'
The head of the hesder yeshiva in Sderot, Rabbi David Fendel, commented on Thursday evening on the rocket which was fired from Gaza and which hit the building of the Lev Ladaat Yeshiva in Sderot. There were no injuries in the rocket attack but the building sustained damage. "A miracle happened to us. We thank the Creator for saving the young men who were sitting and engaged in Torah study," Rabbi Fendel said... Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi said in response to the rocket fire that "the situation cannot continue. As I said in the past, only a military operation will bring quiet to our area.” "The residents of Sderot and the Gaza envelope are entitled to raise their children in a quiet and routine manner, like all the other residents of the country. We will continue to develop the city and be blessed with thousands of new families - terrorism will not win," Davidi stressed.
Read more: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/264572
Also: After fresh Gaza violence, army said pushing for ‘serious military campaign’
Ynet News: Qatar sends technical experts to Israel, eyeing new Gaza power line
A Qatari technical delegation held talks in Israel and the Gaza Strip this week about helping pay for a proposed new power line between them, officials on both sides said on Tuesday, marking a potential expansion of Doha's aid efforts for Palestinians.The intervention is approved by Israel but has gone largely unacknowledged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, along with U.S.-allied Arab leaders, has cold-shouldered Doha for its ties to Iran and Islamist groups like Hamas... Spearheading the Qatari drive has been envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi, who Palestinian officials said this week brought $10 million to Gaza, via Israel, to disburse to the poor. It was the third such Qatari cash infusion in three months, said the officials, who requested anonymity. But this time Al-Emadi was accompanied by Qatari electricity and water experts.
Read more: https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5527078,00.html
The Times of Israel: Israel lays fourth water pipeline to Gaza, the largest yet
Israel’s national water company Mekorot has begun work on an upgraded pipeline to Gaza that will increase the flow of drinkable water into the blockaded enclave. The new pipeline will enter Gaza at its center, crossing over from the Eshkol Regional Council in Israel to connect to the Strip’s water system, the Ynet news site reported Monday... Construction work began in recent days, and is being conducted under heavy military guard out of fear that Gazan terror groups will open fire on the crews as the pipeline-laying work nears the border... “Water is a basic thing. There’s an entire population in Gaza that doesn’t want war with Israel, and that population is the majority that is being controlled by Hamas,” one unidentified employee on the pipeline crew told Ynet. “It’s a shame that’s the situation. Most of the people in Gaza are thirsty for water, but also hunger for a normal life and a better future for their children. They’re our neighbors, despite everything, and we can’t ignore what’s happening there.”
Read more: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-lays-fourth-largest-yet-water-pipeline-to-gaza/
International News Sources:
Axios: White House will not invite Israeli officials to Bahrain conference
The White House has decided not to invite the Israeli Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon or other Israeli government officials to the Bahrain conference in Manama on June 25, where it plans to launch the economic part of the Trump administration's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, U.S. officials told me... When the conference was announced, White House officials said Israel would be invited at a high level. Even after the Palestinians decided to boycott the conference, the Trump administration still planned to use the event to promote Israeli relations with the Gulf states. The Palestinians view the fact that Israeli officials will not be in Manama as an achievement for their boycott campaign.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/white-house-peace-plan-israeli-officials-bahrain-conference-3435b4cd-b9ee-4b4a-b30c-6d97913c2e27.html
The Washington Post: A high-tech facelift takes the sting out of an Israeli checkpoint — but not out of the occupation
Rami Shamasneh, 41, agreed, saying that they all used to suffer at the Qalandia checkpoint and that treatment had vastly improved, though he added, “This crossing should not even exist.” Sameh Abu Omer, 59, who works at an archaeological site in Israel, recalled fondly the days when he could drive to his job in Israel with no checkpoints and no permit... Shaul Shay, an Israeli military historian, said that even though the security situation is different today, the threat of terrorism is still real for Israelis. Maintaining checkpoints such as Qalandia but upgrading them for a smoother crossing was the best way to maintain what he called the “coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.” “A return to suicide bombings is just a matter of strategic decision,” Shay said. “Unfortunately, as long as Palestinian terror continues, Israel cannot take any risks. This system is unavoidable.” Ilan Paz, a retired military commander of the region, said the checkpoint at Qalandia was never meant to be permanent. “It was March or April 2001 — I was alerted by the intelligence that a terrorist was planning an attack in Jerusalem,” Paz said. “All they knew was that a terrorist was planning to penetrate Jerusalem through Qalandia. They said they needed 48 hours to track him down.” Paz encircled the area with his troops, erecting a temporary checkpoint at Qalandia. When the threat passed, he tried to remove it, but Israel received intelligence of another threat, and he was told to maintain the checkpoint, he recalled.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israels-high-tech-face-lift-takes-the-sting-out-of-checkpoints--but-not-of-the-occupation/2019/06/11/3bda3690-78bf-11e9-a7bf-c8a43b84ee31_story.html
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Photo of the Week: New Story Leadership Team X!
New Story Leadership is a US programme that aims "to equip a new generation of Palestinian and Israeli change agents with the leadership tools needed to create social, economic and political change in the region."
This photo is of the 2019 cohort - or #TeamX - and they include SNS' Fellow Eran Nissan! Team X will be spending the next two months on work-placements in the offices of Representatives and Senators and in other high-level organisations. They will also be working on their proposed Project for Change, for which they will be working together in Palestinian-Israeli teams to collaborate on joint social impact projects. We can't wait to see what they accomplish!
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Opinion:
openDemocracy: Labour, the Left, Antisemitism, Israel and Palestine: a way forward | Peter Hain & Daniel Levy
Labour cannot be indifferent to or ignorant of Jewish history and the collective sensitivities of the Jewish community here in the UK. There are ways of talking about Israel that are hurtful at best, hateful at worst. Such discourse does nothing to broaden a more robust debate or set of policies for achieving Palestinian rights and freedoms, or a better future for Palestinians and Israelis alike... A critical debate on what is happening in Israel/Palestine, the history of that conflict and the way forward, is not only legitimate, it is necessary, and even crucial for a party committed to internationalism, to international law, to universal rights and progressive values, as well as to a country whose own history is controversially tied up with that part of the world... What has happened in recent years in the Labour Party and the subsequent debate in the broader public, has done absolutely nothing to advance peace, justice for Palestinians or the attainment of the legitimate rights and freedoms of the Palestinian people.
Read more: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/labour-left-antisemitism-israel-and-palestine-way-forward/
The New Yorker: Why Jared Kushner’s Bahrain Conference Won’t Do Much for the Palestinian Economy | Bernard Avishai
Erekat does not want Palestinian political claims eclipsed, but he is making an economic point. He raises the Israeli occupation not simply because it preëmpts Palestinian national sovereignty—recognized borders, and so forth—but because it preëmpts the economic institutions that would grow within those borders—commercial courts, tax-collection agencies, immigration agencies, startup incubators—that would make Palestinian entrepreneurship more feasible, especially in an age of technological advances, as Israeli entrepreneurs well know. The Palestinians’ economic problem isn’t a lack of money; it’s a lack of liberty. Liberty requires a sovereign government.
Read more: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/why-jared-kushners-bahrain-conference-wont-do-much-for-the-palestinian-economy
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Refugee Week 2019: British Pathé Israel-Palestine Collection
To commemorate Refugee Week this year we wanted to share this incredible archive of films from British Pathé that focuses on the experiences of Palestinian Arab and Jewish refugees affected by the conflict; those coming to British Mandate Palestine during or following World War Two and the Holocaust; Palestinian refugees in camps in Jordan and more. Its a fascinating collection of footage that spans 1939-1969.
Watch here:
https://www.britishpathe.com/workspaces/df699ffd537d4e0c74710ad015dfd64d/giqaMcqE
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One Final Note:
Our 2019 Student Leadership Programme is now open to applications from any students around the UK, aged 17-25 when the programme takes place (27-30th August) and the deadline is July 14th! Please apply, or share with those who you think would be a good fit for the programme. More info at the link below.
Apply here: https://www.solutionsnotsides.co.uk/student-leadership-programme
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