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New York Times coverage of Arafat's death

Hugh Sansom 12 November 2004


The New York Times’s coverage of the death of Arafat, particularly with its November 12th Op-Ed essays, exemplifies what is so wrong with American perspectives of the Palestinian struggle for independence. What voices are missing? Palestinian ones. This is the recurring problem of American and European approaches to the Middle East. Arab voices are systematically undervalued, discounted, or actively suppressed — not just by their own autocrats but also by Westerners claiming to be acting “in Arabs’ best interests”, as if the Arabs were children needing a Western parent. 

Blaming Arafat for Israel's torpedoing of Oslo

Nigel Parry 11 November 2004


With Arafat gone, the television screens of America are filled with “Middle East experts” who tell us that it was Arafat who was the obstacle to peace and that a new dawn is now upon us. Last night on Hardball with Chris Matthews, the host and caption team couldn’t even pronounce or spell the name of guest Palestinian Legislative Council member Hanan Ashrawi, repeatedly referring to her as Ashwari. Commentary from the guests was similarly insightful. Today, MSNBC’s Lester Holt continued the Ashwari mangling and “Terrorism expert” Harvey Kushner ludicrously claimed an Arafat/Al-Qaida link. Switch the channel, no real difference. It was the kind of Middle East coverage that got Bush reelected. 

Arafat to be recalled for leading Palestinians to accept principle of coexistence with Israel -- Annan

11 November 2004


Reacting to the death of President Yasser Arafat, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said President Arafat will always be remembered for having led the Palestinians, back in 1988, to accept the principle of peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state. “By signing the Oslo accords in 1993 he took a giant step towards the realization of this vision,” a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement issued in New York. “It is tragic that he did not live to see it fulfilled.” 

Photostory: Ramallah reacts to news of Arafat's death

Maureen Clare Murphy Ramallah, West Bank 11 November 2004


Today Ramallah awoke to the news of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s death, and while the world had been anticipating this day during the nearly two weeks Arafat was hospitalized in France, confirmation of the Palestinian symbol’s passing was no less jarring in Palestine’s cultural capital. Palestinians poured into Ramallah’s Manara Square city center, and spontaneous demonstrations have been and will be taking place. While not many in the streets are crying (emotions will probably run higher tomorrow when Arafat’s burial takes place), people are coming together during this time of mourning and uncertainty. 

Palestine Greater Than Arafat

Sam Bahour Ramallah, Palestine 11 November 2004


The Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence is larger than the late President Yasir Arafat. The decades-long symbolism that Arafat embodied should not be underestimated. It is this symbolism that Palestinians are mourning. Despite the confusion of the hour, one fact remains clear. The Palestinian people, collectively, whether in the Occupied Territories, scattered in squalid refugee camps around the Middle East, or living in exile, will never wake up one day and accept the historic injustice that has been done to them. 

U.S. funds development of IT sector in Palestine

Najwa Saad 8 November 2004


The United States is channeling nearly $4 million through 2006 to promote the development of information and communication technology in the Palestinian Territories. Funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Palestine Information and Communications Technology Incubator (PICTI) opened in the Al-Sheikh Commercial Tower in the West Bank city of Ramallah in May and is seeking Palestinian entrepreneurs to partner with. “This state-of-the-art office space offers technology innovators an environment that encourages creativity while meeting their specialized needs for advanced technical support,” said PICTI’s first Chief Executive Officer David Bailey. 

Humanitarian agencies appeal for $302 million to maintain their assistance to Palestinians

11 November 2004


Humanitarian agencies are appealing for US$ 302,601,889 to maintain their assistance to Palestinians. The continued provision of food aid in 2004 has helped to limit the rise in malnutrition, and emergency relief has served to lower the proportion of those living in deep poverty. Humanitarian agencies will keep on supporting Palestinian livelihoods and help to prevent further depletion of their assets. Humanitarian agencies released their consolidated appeal today. They expect that humanitarian needs will continue gradually to increase during 2005. Given current levels of violence and stalled negotiations, there is limited hope that closure will be lifted. 

Interview: Challenging Camp David mythology, four years on

10 November 2004


On November 5th, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “As It Happens” program, rebroadcast in the US on National Public Radio, featured former Middle East Envoy Dennis Ross being interviewed about Yasser Arafat, who is currently seriously ill in a French hospital. Ross had much to say about Arafat and Camp David. Clayton E. Swisher, a former Marine reservist and federal criminal investigator, was a VIP security guard at the Camp David talks. Nation Books recently published Swisher’s The Truth About Camp David, which provides a devastating counternarrative to the commonly held myths about Arafat’s intransigence and Barak’s “generous offer” at the summit. EI’s Nigel Parry interviewed Swisher about Dennis Ross’ comments on the CBC program. 

Supreme Court: Azmi Bishara's Parliamentary Immunity Must be Resolved Pre-Trial

8 November 2004


Today, 8 November 2004, the Supreme Court of Israel held a first hearing on a petition filed by Adalah on behalf of Member of Knesset (MK) Dr. Azmi Bishara, head of the National Democratic Assembly party (NDA), in the political speeches case. The petition was filed on 24 December 2003 against the Knesset, the Attorney General (AG) and the Nazareth Magistrate Court following the Magistrate Court’s decision of November 2003 not to dismiss the indictment against MK Bishara. 

A letter from Palestine to my fellow Americans

Ryan Borgen Ramallah, West Bank 10 November 2004


Catching a taxi to my apartment near Arafat’s compound in Ramallah the other night, the Palestinian driver’s immediate question concerned my nationality. “Germany?” he asked. No. “France?” No. “Switzerland?” No. “Italy?” No … Before he covered the rest of Europe, I somewhat sheepishly admitted, “America.” He cut to the chase: “Do you support Bush?” With an almost desperate note of pain in his voice, different from that of the jaded drivers I usually have, he asked me about occupied Palestine, about occupied Iraq. “Why does your country do this to us?” he asked me. “Are we bad?” “Am I no good?”