The Reification of Ramallah: Undermining a Palestinian Capital in Jerusalem
While civil society organizations have highlighted tourism’s role in advancing Israeli land theft in the West Bank, few describe how Palestinian Authority (PA) investments can also undermine Palestinian calls for self-determination. Al-Shabaka’s 24418 analyzes how the PA’s governmental and cultural investments in Ramallah establish facts on the ground that obscure Palestinian claims to a capital in Jerusalem.
In Palestine, COVID-19 Meets the Israeli Occupation
The West Bank and Gaza Strip are confronting COVID-19 from a reality of Israeli military occupation. Al-Shabaka Senior Palestine Policy Fellow 24588 analyzes the severe challenges this presents to Palestinians, Israel’s political manipulation of the virus, and the international community’s normalizing response – and how it should change.
It’s Time to Reclaim UNRWA
With COVID-19 spreading in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and neighboring refugee camps, the consequences of the US’s defunding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees are even more dire. Al-Shabaka’s Randa Farah examines these challenges and outlines ways Palestinians can reclaim UNRWA and ultimately use it as a vehicle of empowerment and self-determination.
A Question of UN Credibility: Releasing the Settlements Database
The European Union’s highest court recently ruled that EU countries are required to identify products made in Israeli settlements on their labels. However, another international body – the UN – continues to avoid releasing its database of companies engaged in activities with Israel’s settlements. Al-Shabaka Policy Analyst 24498 and Guest Contributor Maha Abdallah explain why and recommend ways to pressure the UN to fulfill its mandate.
Dangerous Bill in Congress to Crush the PLO and PA
A US bill being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee puts at stake the ability of the Palestinian leadership to engage diplomatic and legal channels to support Palestinian national aspirations and to seek accountability through international mechanisms, as well as the future of the US-Palestinian bilateral relationship. Al-Shabaka Policy Analyst Zaha Hassan reports.
The US Law Restricting Satellite Imagery of Palestine-Israel
The Kyl-Bingaman Amendment, passed by the US Congress in 1997 under the pretext of protecting Israel’s national security, prevents US satellite operators and retailers from selling or disseminating high-resolution images of Palestine-Israel. Al-Shabaka US Policy Fellow 24598 argues that the legislation is an act of censorship that also harms US business, and calls for its dissolution.
The Rise in Hate Speech Targeting Palestinians in Israeli Social Media
The number of online attacks against Palestinians by Israelis are on the rise. Al-Shabaka Policy Analyst Nadim Nashif of 7amleh – the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media analyzes the results of his organization’s latest report on racism on Israeli social media and recommends ways to protect Palestinians and their freedom of speech.
Climate Change and the Palestinian Authority
Despite Palestinians and Israelis inhabiting the same terrain, Palestinians will suffer the effects of climate change more severely. Al-Shabaka US Policy Fellow 24598 examines how the Israeli occupation prevents Palestinians from managing their land and resources and the Palestinian Authority from supporting climate change adaptation, and recommends ways to strengthen Palestinians’ ability to counter the climate crisis.
Israel’s Termination of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron
What’s behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent expulsion of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) – a group that had monitored human rights in the city for more than 20 years? Al-Shabaka Analyst Belal Shobaki sheds light on Netanyahu’s move and suggests ways for the international community to better defend Palestinian rights.
