Opinion and analysis

In whose name does Dutch FM Rosenthal speak?


Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal claims to oppose decisions taken by governments without balanced, negotiated political processes. But if this were really true, he would understand the need to bring Israeli officials and military officers responsible for such crimes to the International Criminal Court in The Hague instead of defending Israel’s actions in The Jerusalem Post

Libya's tragedy, Gaddafi's farce


If you think Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is stupid, much less crazy, think twice. He was the first to sense and assess correctly the ripple effects of what happened in Tunisia on 14 January 2011. He was fully cognizant and apprehensive of its implications for Libya and, above all, for his 42-year record of autocratic rule. Nouri Gana comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

Interview: Jordan revoking citizenship from Palestinian refugees


Palestinians in Jordan constitute both the majority of the kingdom’s population, and the largest Palestinian refugee community in the world. EI contributor Hazem Jamjoum spoke to Anis F. Kassim, an international law expert and practicing lawyer in Jordan to clarify what is known about the situation of Palestinian citizenship rights in Jordan. 

Egypt-Israel "peace treaty" brought more war than peace


In the wake of Egypt’s revolution, Israeli and Western commentators have called the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty “cornerstone” of regional peace and stability. That Israel always viewed the treaty as a blank check for war, however, is evident both in its behavior and in fears that the abrogation of the treaty might mean Israel will have to curtail its military interventions. Richard Irvine comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

The moderate obstacle


Today, the American arena of the human rights struggle exemplified by Martin Luther King, Jr. has arguably shifted from Birmingham to Arizona, but the greatest worldwide arena is undoubtedly Cairo. And as in Dr. King’s time, the greatest stumbling block is the “moderates.” Paula Rosine Long comments for The Electronic Intifada. 

Egypt's revolution and Israel: "Bad for the Jews"


The view from Israel is that if they indeed succeed, the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions are very bad. They make the Israeli occupation and apartheid policies in Palestine look like the acts of a typical “Arab” regime. Ilan Pappe examines how the Israeli establishment sees regional events and argues that the Arab uprisings offer hope for reconciliation built on the Palestinian right of return and universal principles. 

Egyptian activist Mona Seif: It's a revolution, and it's not over


11 February 2011 will forever be an historic day for Egypt. It was then that weeks of protests around the country finally forced Hosni Mubarak, the US-backed president of the country for the past 30 years, to leave office. On 12 February, EI’s Matthew Cassel spoke with blogger and activist Mona Seif about the revolution, how it began, and what it means for Egypt’s future.