Uri Avnery

Uri Avnery is a longtime Israeli peace activist. Since 1948 he has advocated the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. In 1974, Uri Avnery was the first Israeli to establish contact with the PLO leadership. In 1982 he was the first Israeli ever to meet Yasser Arafat, after crossing the lines in besieged Beirut. He served three terms in the Israeli Knesset and is the founder of Gush Shalom (Peace Bloc). Visit his Web site.

‘Unified’ Jerusalem Is a 50-Year Lie

In the tumult of the last few days, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the "unification" of Jerusalem, one of the articles stated that "even peace-activist Uri Avnery" voted in the Knesset for the unification of the city. That is true. I have tried to set out the circumstances in my autobiography, "Optimistic". … Continue reading “‘Unified’ Jerusalem Is a 50-Year Lie”

Whither the Palestinian Authority?

Last week, a not so well-known Palestinian woman received an unusual honor. An article of hers was published on top of the first page of the most respected newspaper on earth: New York Times. The editors defined the writer, Diana Buttu, as: "a lawyer and a former adviser to the negotiating team of the Palestine … Continue reading “Whither the Palestinian Authority?”

Palestine’s Nelson Mandela

I have a confession to make: I like Marwan Barghouti. I have visited him at his modest Ramallah home several times. During our conversations, we discussed Israeli-Palestinian peace. Our ideas were the same: to create the State of Palestine next to the State of Israel, and to establish peace between the two states, based on … Continue reading “Palestine’s Nelson Mandela”

The Syria ‘Chemical Attack’: Cui Bono?

Cui bono – "who benefits" – is the first question an experienced detective asks when investigating a crime. Since I was a detective myself for a short time in my youth, I know the meaning. Often, the first and obvious suspicion is false. You ask yourself "cui bono", and another suspect, who you did not … Continue reading “The Syria ‘Chemical Attack’: Cui Bono?”

The Two-State Solution Still the Only Game in Town

The Arab taxi driver who brought me to Ramallah had no trouble with the Israeli border posts. He just evaded them. Saves a lot of trouble. I was invited by Mahmood Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority (as well as of the PLO and the Fatah movement) to take part in joint Palestinian-Israeli … Continue reading “The Two-State Solution Still the Only Game in Town”