A Palestinian woman flashes a victory sign as she shouts at Israeli forces following a protest against the expropriation of Palestinian land on July 19, 2013 in the village of Kfar Qaddum, near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus. (Photo: Nedal Eshtayah/ APA Images)
African-American artist Nina Simone, also an activist in the American Civil Rights Movement, experienced the most important turning point of her life when the Curtis Institute of Music rejected her application as a student because of the color of her skin. Simone expressed her disappointment at being deprived of the opportunity of becoming the first Black classical pianist in the United States. This racist incident gravely impacted Simone’s life and forced her to work in bars. Later, she decided to write her own song lyrics. Some of those songs became revolutionary icons as they fueled Black people to be proud of who they were, united them against white supremacy, raised their self-confidence, and urged them t
G. Allen Johnson May 6, 2021Updated: May 7, 2021, 1:36 pm
President Bill Clinton (center) is in the middle of it as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) and PLO leader Yasser Arafat shake hands at the White House after signing the Mideast accord on Sept. 28, 1995. The documentary “The Human Factor” shows the behind-the-scenes story of the U.S.’s effort to secure peace in the Middle East. Photo: Doug Mills, Associated Press 1995
Peace in the Middle East seems unattainable, and “The Human Factor,” a new documentary by Israeli filmmaker Dror Moreh, explains why.
For every step toward progress, the process takes three steps backward. It starts, of course, with a deep distrust some might say hatred between the Israelis and Palestinians. Add ever-changing politics as leaders come and go in the United States and Israel, and it’s even harder to get traction.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become deeply ingrained in daily life. Work must begin now to heal deep-seated divisions, which are not likely to be resolved in a burst of diplomacy.
April 28, 2021
The status of the Palestinian legislative elections and possibly the political fate of the current Palestinian leadership will be in the balance on the night of April 29, as heads of Palestinian factions are due to meet to decide whether to delay the May 22 elections or not. The official start of the election campaigning is due to begin April 30.
Palestinian sources told Al-Monitor that a yet to be announced internal decision has already been taken by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement to delay, yet what is needed is the blessing of the factions. With the exception of the official Fatah list, almost all other factions have publicly declared that they are opposed to any delays. Signed petitions, public statements and possibly a protest is expected to take place at the same time that the heads of the main Palestinian factions meet, most likely after the end of the Ramadan fast at sunset on Thursday.
Palestinian Election Postponement Announcement Expected Mohammad Al-Kassim 04/27/2021
Fearing major loss for his Fatah party, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will delay May elections, placing blame on Israel for not allowing east Jerusalem voting
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to postpone the Palestinian Legislative Council election, according to a Palestinian official.
The Palestinian official, who spoke to The Media Line on condition of anonymity, said that the Palestinian leadership is expected to convene in Ramallah on Thursday when Abbas is expected to make his announcement.
“The president will ask all factions to consent – they all agree that elections must be held in Jerusalem. But if Hamas and other factions object, the president will issue an executive order,” the official said.