Common Grounds

Israel Should Listen To This Palestinian Gandhi, Not Jail Him

May 29, 2017 11:12
Source: Forward

By Peter Beinart

Published May 28, 2017

http://forward.com/opinion/373119/israel-should-listen-to-this-palestinian-gandhi-not-jail-him/

President Trump’s recent trip to Israel did not matter. He wants to broker the “ultimate deal” — Israeli-Palestinian peace — and thinks the Saudis, who share Israel’s fear of Iran, can help. But the Saudis can’t make Palestinians endorse their own subjugation. Peace requires freedom for the millions currently living under Israeli control without citizenship, free movement, due process or the right to vote for the government that controls their lives.
Read More
Angela Merkel: EU cannot completely rely on US and Britain any more

May 29, 2017 11:45
Source: The Guardian

By Jon Henley, European affairs correspondent

Published May 28, 2017

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/28/merkel-says-eu-cannot-completely-rely-on-us-and-britain-any-more-g7-talks
Read More
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY Fragmented Lives: Humanitarian Overview 2016

May 31, 2017 18:53
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory

https://www.ochaopt.org/content/un-report-occupation-main-cause-humanitarian-needs-occupied-palestinian-territory

As the 50th anniversary of Israeli occupation approaches, OCHA’s 2016 Annual Report for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), released today, underscores that occupation policies and practices remain the key cause of humanitarian needs in the oPt. The internal Palestinian political divide is also a serious contributing factor.
Read More
US envoy Haley in Jerusalem vows to defend Israel at UN

June 07, 2017 20:59
Source: France 24

http://www.france24.com/en/20170607-us-envoy-haley-jerusalem-vows-defend-israel-un

JERUSALEM (AFP) - US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley hailed a "new day" for Israel at the global body Wednesday as she held talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem.
Read More
UN chief condemns Zionist occupation of Palestine

June 07, 2017 08:47
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency - IRNA

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82555601/

Tehran, June 6, IRNA – While the Zionist regime is marking 50 years of its settlement in the Palestinian Territories, the United Nations Secretary-General in a statement has denounced Israel’s five decades of occupation.
Read More
Is Forgiving My Enemy A Muslim Tradition?

June 04, 2017 13:21
Source: FuffPost

By Safi Kaskas

Co-author of "The Qur'an, A Contemporary Understanding, with References to the Bible"

Published June 02, 2017

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/59318216e4b00573ab57a2b5

A few years ago, I was speaking to a group of Muslims about forgiving your enemy and a young lady said to me, “But forgiving your enemy is a Christian tradition and it’s not for Muslims.” Her statement shook me to my core as it contradicted many basic concepts I had found in the Qur’an after spending more than six years translating it from the original Arabic into simple English.
Read More
1,800 US rabbis call on Israel to end occupation, lay groundwork for peace

June 12, 2017 18:07
Source: The Times of Israel

http://www.timesofisrael.com/1800-us-rabbis-call-on-israel-to-end-occupation-lay-groundwork-for-peace/

by JTA

In missive marking 50 years since 1967 war delivered to Israeli embassy in DC, liberal rabbinic organization urges Israel to help create Palestinian state
Read More
Liberal Zionists think the ’67 occupation is all about them

June 13, 2017 19:14
Source: Mondoweiss

Published June 8, 2017

By Nada Elia

I wasn’t really planning to write about “the occupation” because I maintain that the greater crimes committed by Israel happened in 1947-48, not 1967. There’s a reason we refer to ’67 as “Al Naksa,” the setback, whereas 1948 is “Al Nakba,” the catastrophe. But then a friend sent me a link to a Washington Post article on how “the occupation” had hurt Israeli democracy, and I had to respond.
Read More
Rivlin: Decision on Israel's Future Looms - and It May Tear Us Apart

June 13, 2017 19:24
Source:Haaretz
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.795238

Israeli president warns about erosion of country's democracy, argues against persecuting Israel in international arena
Read More
Haley slams UN human rights report for ‘singling out Israel’

June 14, 2017 11:49
Source: The Times of Israel

http://www.timesofisrael.com/haley-slams-un-human-rights-report-for-singling-out-israel/

By Eric Cortellessa

US envoy condemns ‘unfair bias’ against Jewish state, a week after threatening the US could withdraw from Human Rights Council
Read More