It is astonishing, but symptomatic, that Israeli security forces cannot tolerate a non-violent, non-intrusive peace camp. A new one has been established on land in Sarura, from which Palestinians were expelled. Bulldozers and other machines of destruction have been sent in to destroy it. Why?

This is a very harsh report from the UN’s OCHA on how Israel cannot let Palestinians live their lives. The martial law imposed by security forces means the people they govern have no power over their own lives and resources.

Israel was created by Jewish acts of terrorism against Arabs and British soldiers and police, not the benign moves of a sympathetic world. When Tom Suarez started a tour to promote his book, State of Terror, he found the pro-Israel establishment was doing all it could to silence him and his argument. Jonathan Cook and Suarez.

An event in London to celebrate Palestinian culture, art, food and history – something which all countries engage in – has led to an extraordinary campaign by Israel loyalists to get the event cancelled (Hamas-lovers, terrorists etc). After all, if Palestinians are normal human beings what does that make of the people who heap calumnies on their heads?

Jerusalem is unique. It is presented as a symbol of unity, a symbolism that is wholly specious. No other city has a brand that is so adrift from its reality. Acting on its reality could, says Avraham Burg lead to a plan for proportional representation and federalism.

Haredi journalist Eli Bitan steps into a left-wing rally against 50 years of an ‘enormous, never-ending injustice’ and pleads with all to join against the divisions and lies enforced by the settler Right.

This week, May 22nd to 28th, 2017 is the beginning of Ramadan. Israeli Jews know little about it so Samah Salaime provides a guide: A guide to Ramadan for Jews. This week there has also been a sudden drop in tension in Palestine/Israel following the suspension, or cessation, of the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike. The prison […]

This year Ramadan, the holy month, began on May 27, 2017, and lasts until June 24, 2017. It’s for spirituality, charity, reflection, resolutions. JfJfP send warm greetings to all our friends and colleagues who follow the rites and celebrate the spirit of the month.

This is not a demanding article from VOX. It matches images of Pres. Trump taken on his middle east tour to who he meets and what he says. For once, he read a proper speech written by someone else (but still managed to muddle the distinction between Islamic and Islamist).

The impossible situation in Gaza, which is short of everything needed for a decent life, is exacerbated by the PA’s cutting of their power supply. Abbas seems to believe his path to National Leader status depends on keeping Hamas subservient.

One step forwards two steps back: just as Hamas gets some respect for its revised charter it gains massive criticism for yet again using the death sentence, passed by a body with no judicial worth, as a public horror spectacle.

Why a hunger strike? According to those involved this strike had such widespread support it overcame the entrenched divisions of Palestinian politics. It demonstrated that the prisoners’ leadership could now initiate and sustain a prolonged period of starvation while increasing popular support and public knowledge of the cruelty of the prison service.

Sensibly Trump dropped his ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan on his first foreign tour. Now he’s the cheerleader for the forces against ‘terrorism’, hijacking the Manchester Arena bomb to make his point; which is that terror is all around and only common focus on this one threat will protect us.

The first Mondoweiss article on Gaza is about the ‘incremental genocide’ that is Israel’s policy toward the Strip. The second is made up of vox pop interviews. A few people hope Trump can achieve something; most think US presidents make gestures and pass the problem onto their successor.

The Palestinian elite hoped Trump might deliver something because he is a businessman, recognises their existence and is off the usual diplomatic route. For most Palestinians the hunger strike is their main concern. His effigy is burned in Gaza.

Pres. Trump’s whistlestop tour of the Middle East may have flattered the leaders of the regimes but most commentators rebutted Trump’s self-presentation as new and dynamic, finding him vacuous and insensitive.

The new city of Rawabi is a dream for town planners, architects and a few hundred Palestinians who get to live in new housing with all mod cons (now that Israel has finally stopped blocking a water supply). Is the city an emblem of Palestine’s capacity for independence – or of the conquest of politics by capitalist advance? Poor Palestinians will not be able to live there.

Israel’s PM hoped the hunger strike would be over by the time of Trump’s visit; short of that he wanted it out of sight. Judging by the silence of the broadcasting media in Israel and the UK, he seems to have got his way – but for the activists in western Europe, NY, Palestine and Israel who are asked to spread the news.

The hunger strike by Palestinian political prisoners continues. They are merely demanding that conditions for prisoners follow the rules for all prisoners. The fact that they have to starve to get these normal rights tells you what you need to know about Israeli prisons.

Human rights? Never heard of them. 9/11 bombers? Fake news. Lotsa money for lots of weapons? Now you’re talking. Trump in the land of super-rich autocrats.