Author: Rami G Khouri
In the past nine months, there has been a concerted effort by authorities in the United States to suppress Palestinian activism and identity. Various sectors, including politics, business, civil society, higher education, and culture, have been impacted. Peaceful protests have been quelled, accusations of anti-Semitism have been made, and even wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf or using the word intifada has been deemed controversial. One notable instance of censorship involved Rabea Eghbariah, a Palestinian lawyer and legal scholar at Harvard University. After the Harvard Law Review declined to publish his article proposing the Nakba as a legal framework for Palestine,…
President Joe Biden recently introduced a ceasefire proposal for the Gaza conflict, consisting of three stages focusing on negotiation, cessation of hostilities, and rebuilding efforts. He urged Israel and Hamas to accept the deal promptly in order to move towards a resolution. This proposal raises questions about its origin and feasibility, highlighting key aspects of the conflict and potential resolutions. Despite initial positive responses from Hamas, there is skepticism surrounding Israel’s intentions. The sudden shift in attitudes from Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is attributed to their shared desperation for political survival. However, their conflicting interests and relationships pose…
In the midst of Israel’s violent onslaught on Gaza, a divide in American society is becoming more apparent, with university students leading the charge against the political establishment. Some oppose US support for Israel and the profits reaped from arms investments, while others back the Israeli offensive and advocate for police intervention in student protests. This clash not only reveals intergenerational tensions in the US but also sheds light on how the media covers Israel’s actions in Gaza. Pro-Israel groups have tried to shift focus to alleged anti-Semitic incidents at protests, aiming to redirect attention from Israel’s actions and silence…