Opinion and analysis

From Nazareth to Bethlehem, anno 2001

Arjan El Fassed and Annet Meeuws Jerusalem 16 December 2001

This week, people around the world will sing “O little town of Bethlehem” and say “peace on earth, goodwill to all people.” However, in the land where Jesus was born, there is no peace and people suffer daily violence. Imagine if today, Joseph and Mary needed to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Would they manage to arrive in time for their son’s birth? Would they be allowed to pass through various checkpoints and roadblocks? 

Response to 'Playing into Sharon's hands' by Robert Malley, The New York Times, 25 January 2002.

Nigel Parry St. Paul, Minnesota 24 January 2002

While reading “Playing Into Sharon’s Hands” (Jan 25th), one should bear in mind that writer Robert Malley was an advisor on this very conflict in an administration described by more than one Israeli official as the ‘most pro-Israeli in history’. For him to be berating Bush for a lack of even handedness and decisive action is high irony. 

Letter from Palestine

Issa Sarras Ramallah, Palestine 12 February 2002

Clouds and rain. Lovely low clouds which hide plenty of things, including the mountains, the settlements and the tanks. For a moment you feel as if you are drinking your morning coffee on a piece of isolated, or liberated, dreamland where peace and harmony prevail. 

Israel's choice

Ali Abunimah Chicago, Illinois 6 March 2002

The Israeli gangster regime is continuing Sharon’s declared campaign to kill Palestinians deliberately and cause them as much pain as possible in order to force them to submit quietly to Israel’s military rule.