Middle East peace process
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In profile: Hagit Ofran of Peace Now
The Zionist still holding a candle for peace and equality
Hagit Ofran documents settlement construction in the Palestinian territories and raises awareness of the issue in Israel in order to maintain the possibility of a two-state solution. She is also inspired by the legacy of her grandfather. By Judith Poppe
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Interview with Mustafa Barghouti
Palestinians rediscover their sense of unity
Mustafa Barghouthi, Palestinian politician and secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative party is a key voice of the secular liberal left in Palestinian politics. Following the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire, he gives his view of events in Israel and the Occupied Territories in recent days and his hopes for German and European foreign policy going forward. Interview by Jannis Hagmann
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Isabella Hammad on "The Parisian"
A new generation of Palestinian artists
Isabella Hammad’s "The Parisian" is an engaging and accomplished debut based on the life of her great-grandfather. Set during the end of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Palestinian nationalism, it is a classic coming-of-age novel. In interview with Schayan Riaz, the young British author with Palestinian roots talks about racism, the publishing world and giving a voice to Palestinians
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Escalation in the Middle East
Flare-up between Israel and Hamas paints a bleak picture
A local row triggered by ultra-right wing Jewish settlers trying to secure the forced expulsion of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem has re-ignited hostilities in the Middle East. As the bombs and rockets fall on Gaza and Israel once again, there is seems little prospect of a swift end to the clashes. By Inge Gunther
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Joseph Croitoru's "Al-Aqsa oder Tempelberg"
Zeroing in on the Middle East conflict
In his latest book – "Al Aqsa oder Tempelberg " – historian Joseph Croitoru traces the struggle for Jerusalem's most holy sites, warning that a storm is brewing in the Temple Mount conflict. Daniel Bax read the book for Qantara.de
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One hundred years of Jordan
"A land for all Arabs" turned Middle East anchor of stability
Founded in 1921 as a temporary solution, Jordan managed to establish itself as one of the most stable countries in the Middle East. The inclusive and flexible approach taken by the state’s founder Abdullah and his successors doubtless contributed to this stability. But the centennial celebrations of the Hashemite Kingdom are overshadowed by an economic crisis and deadlock over political reform. By Edmund Ratka
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China in the Middle East
Beijing's new charm offensive
The last week in March saw China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi visit six countries in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain. Two initiatives in particular are sending the clearest signal yet that China may be gearing up to play a greater political role in the Middle East. By James M. Dorsey
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U.S.-Saudi relations
Joe Biden's recalibration
Former U.S. President Donald Trump often publicly humiliated the Saudi leadership, benefiting neither America nor the kingdom. His successor Joe Biden's softer approach, based on mutual interests, will prove more salutary and enduring. By Bernard Haykel
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Avi Mograbi's documentary "The First 54 Years"
A "manual for the occupation"
In his latest documentary, "The First 54 Years", Israeli director Avi Mograbi demonstrates how catastrophic and traumatising the occupation has been, not only for Palestinians, but also for Israeli society at large. Rene Wildangel reports on the film for Qantara.de
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Israeli literature
Yishai Sarid's "Minatzahat" – killing with no fear
"The Memory Monster" was a success for Israeli author Yishai Sarid. His latest book hasn't been published in English yet, but given his reach among Anglophone readers, it won't be long before there's a publishing deal for this controversial new novel. Sarah Judith Hofmann read the book
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Interview with Ask Project initiator Corey Gil-Shuster
Ask Israelis, ask Palestinians – beyond black and white
In 2012, fed up with people expressing clear-cut opinions on the rights and wrongs of the Middle East conflict, Canadian conflict researcher and long-time Israeli resident Corey Gil-Shuster grabbed his video camera and went out onto the streets in Israel and the Occupied Territories to ask ordinary people their views. The result: the Ask project. Inge Gunther met up with him for Qantara.de in Tel Aviv
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Interview with Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm
The Haifa Republic – full equality for Middle East peace
Given that the political landscape in Israel is once more expected to shift to the right in the upcoming general elections, philosopher Omri Boehm argues in his forthcoming book – "A future for Israel" – for more open discussion on alternatives to the failed two-state solution, including the taboo concept of a Jewish state. Interview by Rene Wildangel for Qantara.de