Arjan El Fassed

Columbia faculty demand university divests from Israel

Arjan El Fassed 13 November 2002


Last month a group of over seventy-five Columbia and Barnard faculty members launched a petition campaign demanding that Columbia University divest from all firms that produce or sell arms or military hardware to be used by the state of Israel. Tonight in an open hearing, the case will be presented to Columbia’s Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing. 

Update: New Israeli map highlights Palestinian concerns about "security fence"

Arjan El Fassed 28 September 2002

Media reports about the construction of Israel’s so-called ‘security fence’ barely touch on the details of the venture and its implications for Palestinians. EI’s Arjan El Fassed writes about a recently released Israeli map that raises new concerns about Israel’s so-called ‘security fence’. 

Short memory, history repeats itself

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 23 September 2002

Will this be just another deal? Remember the previous Israeli siege of Arafat’s compound? Remember Bethlehem and the deportation? Remember the hostage taking of Ahmad Sa’adat by British and American agents in Jericho? What about the old city of Nablus and Jenin refugee camp? It seems that people have a short memory. Arjan El Fassed writes from Ram, occupied Palestine. 

Prominent Dutch citizens: 'End the occupation'

Arjan El Fassed 23 September 2002


‘Israel must unconditionally withdraw from the territories it occupied since 1967 and implement all relevant UN resolutions’. This petition has been signed by two hundred prominent Dutch citizens, including politicians, writers, and artists and will be published in an advertisement in the Dutch daily newspaper De Volkskrant. EI’s Arjan El Fassed reports. 

Nablus: 'I want to go to school'

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 12 September 2002

‘Does anyone listen? Is there anyone who cares?’ reads an appeal of Laith. He wants to go to school. Laith is 9 years old and lives in Nablus. Like all residents of Nablus, Laith is in prison, not behind bars, but under collective house arrest, curfew. Together with his friends, he made an appeal to the world.