refugee problem

Yair Lapid with "Yesh Atid" activists (photo: Yotam Ronen / activestills.org)

Lapid’s platform: No compromise over Jerusalem, no settlement freeze

On the Palestinian issue, the new leader of the Israeli center holds positions that take several steps back from ideas held by Israeli negotiators in the previous decade. The surprising success of Yair Lapid in the Israeli elections has led many people to believe that a new window of opportunity could be open for a…

By Noam Sheizaf January 26, 2013

Arab-Jewish partnership (Lisa Goldman)

On anti-normalization, dialogue and activism

“Thanks, this was the most awful thing I have read in a long time. Going into fetus position.” This was the reply I got on Twitter from a friend after posting the Facebook anti-normalization debate yesterday. The exchange between Palestinians from Jordan and Israeli activists was unpleasant for me to read as well. I posted…

By Noam Sheizaf September 10, 2012

The first Mr. Hasbara: Mike Wallace’s 1958 talk with Abba Eban

On the country’s 10th birthday, Israel’s ambassador to Washington touched on issues that remain on the political agenda half a century later: His government’s territorial ambitions, the refugee problem and Israel’s expectations of the American Jewish community. Mike Wallace, the legendary host of 60 minutes who passed away on Saturday, interviewed in 1958 Israel’s ambassador…

By Noam Sheizaf April 9, 2012

Latest

Nakba

Gershom Gorenberg and ‘The Mystery of 1948’

An excerpt of Gershom Gorenberg’s book published on Slate promises to shed more light on the Palestinian refugee question, but ends up blurring Israel’s part in creating it Slate has published a few experts of Gershom Gorenberg’s book, “The Unmaking of Israel.” I like Gorenberg very much, and I think he is doing a very…

By Noam Sheizaf December 2, 2011

Did Spain recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland?

This is what an Israeli newspaper claimed. The truth is more nuanced, and sheds light on how difficult it is for international actors to accept Israel’s demands According to the Israeli daily Ha’aretz, the Spanish foreign minister outlined a new policy in her speech to the UN General Assembly last week. The headline chosen by…

By Roi Maor September 30, 2011

Border protests: Refugees reclaim their place in the debate

Several Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured as protesters tried to cross the fence into The Golan Heights. The event should remind Israelis of the need to reach a just political solution to the refugee problem, and to establish a mutually agreed and internationally recognized border with Syria ———————— It’s unclear how many protesters were…

By Noam Sheizaf June 6, 2011