Palestine

India's pro-Israel shift

Muslims barred from supporting Palestinians

From Western capitals to Muslim states, protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war have made headlines. But one place known for its vocal pro-Palestinian stance has been conspicuously quiet: Indian-controlled Kashmir
Middle East conflict and Germany's culture of remembrance

In solidarity with the marginalised

What needs to happen for Jews to feel safe in Germany? We have to see immigrants as allies in the fight against anti-Semitism. With more foresight in the Middle East conflict, a more precise raison d'etat and an inclusive culture of Holocaust remembrance
Israeli plans for Gaza

A Palestinian exodus to Egypt?

Is the entire population of Gaza to be relocated to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt? This is what a strategy paper by the influential Israeli Misgav Institute envisages. In interview with Qantara.de, German-Israeli economist Shir Hever explains what the plan is all about
Palestine's cultural heritage

The first digital Palestinian embroidery database

Award-winning entrepreneur Zain Masri has so far digitised about 1,000 traditional Palestinian cross-stitch patterns, now available for download from her platform, Tirazain
Ethnologist Esra Ozyurek on the German debate

"We must fight anti-Semitism and Islamophobia together"

Germany has long been a role model for the way it deals with Holocaust remembrance. But now this is being used to marginalise minorities, says Turkish ethnologist Esra Ozyurek
Germany’s stance on the Middle East conflict

What does 'never again' actually mean?

History puts Germany on Israel's side. For the same reason, Germany must defend international and human rights. This is now a dilemma. A value-driven foreign policy would do well to remember the universalist understanding of 'never again'
Israeli hostages held by Hamas

What can Germany do?

Weeks of tough negotiations have led to an initial hostage deal between Hamas and Israel with Qatar playing a leading role in the mediation process. Bearing in mind Germany’s historic debt towards the Jews, what part could – or should – Germany play?
Germany and the Israel-Hamas war

The need to bridge societal rifts

Reporting deep rifts in German society, representatives of the country's Jewish and Muslim communities attended a round-table meeting called by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss the consequences of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel
Israel-Palestine conflict

Muslim sceptics, the West and democracy

Events unfolding in the Middle East will have long-term consequences for world politics. Analysing perceptions is crucial to predicting the fallout. So how does the global Muslim community perceive Western governments' support of Israel's siege and aerial bombardment of Gaza?
Turkey's stance on Hamas

President Erdogan and the shifting sands of geopolitics

Turkey initially pursued a balanced policy in an attempt to mediate between Hamas and Israel, but as Israel continues to pound Gaza, Erdogan has adopted a harsher stance. Tough choices now loom on the horizon for Ankara
A German view on Israel and Palestine

What we need is undivided sympathy

Is Palestinian suffering worth less than that of others? German indifference to the fate of the Palestinians is frightening. A commentary by Daniel Bax
Hamas-Israel conflict

What happens after Gaza?

Following Hamas's terrorist attack on 7 October, the world affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself. But political leaders on the front lines – and the international community more broadly – must start thinking about how to put the region on a path towards lasting peace and stability. By Carl Bildt