Jonathan Cook

Jonathan Cook is a writer and journalist based in Nazareth, Israel. His latest books are Israel and the Clash of Civilizations: Iraq, Iran, and the Plan to Remake the Middle East (Pluto Press) and Disappearing Palestine: Israel's Experiments in Human Despair (Zed Books). Visit his Web site.

Report: Israel Stole $2B from Palestinian Workers

Over the past four decades Israel has defrauded Palestinians working inside Israel of more than $2 billion by deducting from their salaries contributions for welfare benefits to which they were never entitled, Israeli economists have revealed.  A new report, “State Robbery”, to be published later this month, says the “theft” continued even after the Palestinian … Continue reading “Report: Israel Stole $2B from Palestinian Workers”

Arab Politicians Face Tide of ‘Persecution’ in Israel

Leaders of the Arab minority in Israel warned this week that they were facing an unprecedented campaign of persecution, backed by the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu, designed to stop their political activities. The warning came after Said Nafaa, a Druze member of the Israeli parliament, was stripped of his immunity last week, clearing the … Continue reading “Arab Politicians Face Tide of ‘Persecution’ in Israel”

‘Lost Tribe’ on Fast Track to Israel

The Israeli government is reported to have quietly approved the fast-track immigration of 7,000 members of a supposedly “lost Jewish” tribe, known as the Bnei Menashe, currently living in a remote area of India.  Under the plan, the “lost Jews” would be brought to Israel over the next two years by right-wing and religious organizations … Continue reading “‘Lost Tribe’ on Fast Track to Israel”

Israel Creates First ‘Army-Owned’ University

Ehud Barak, Israel’s defense minister, approved last week the upgrading to university status of a college in a settlement located deep inside the West Bank, a move certain to further undermine Palestinian confidence in the peace process. The decision, authorizing the first Israeli university in Palestinian territory, is expected to entitle the college to significant … Continue reading “Israel Creates First ‘Army-Owned’ University”

Israel’s Rocket Defense System Tightens Screws on Gaza

Israel unveiled “Iron Dome” last week, a missile-defense system that is designed to strike a knock-out blow against short-range rockets of the variety fired into Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah. In the short term, Iron Dome is supposed to herald the demise of the rocket threat to Israeli communities near Gaza four years after Hamas … Continue reading “Israel’s Rocket Defense System Tightens Screws on Gaza”

Israel’s Bedouin Denied Right to Elections

Some 35,000 Bedouin residents of Israel’s southern Negev have been denied the right to hold their first local council election after the Israeli parliament passed a law at the last minute to cancel this month’s ballot. The new law gives the government the power to postpone elections to the regional council, known as Abu Basma, … Continue reading “Israel’s Bedouin Denied Right to Elections”

South Africa Deports Israeli Airline Official After Investigation

South Africa deported an Israeli airline official last week following allegations that Israel’s secret police, the Shin Bet, had infiltrated Johannesburg international airport in an effort to gather information on South African citizens, particularly black and Muslim travelers. The move by the South African government followed an investigation by local TV showing an undercover reporter … Continue reading “South Africa Deports Israeli Airline Official After Investigation”

Judge Warns of Israel’s Two-Tier Legal System

An Israeli judge made a historic ruling last week when he decided that an Arab teenager needed "protection" from the justice system and ordered that he not be convicted despite being found guilty of throwing stones at a police car during a protest against Israel’s attack last winter on Gaza. Prosecutors had demanded that the … Continue reading “Judge Warns of Israel’s Two-Tier Legal System”

Campus Watch Copycats Close in on Israeli Professors

Right-wing groups in Israel want to create a climate of fear among left-wing scholars at Israeli universities by emulating the "witch-hunt" tactics of the U.S. academic monitoring group Campus Watch, Israeli professors warn. The watchdog groups IsraCampus and Israel Academia Monitor are believed to be stepping up their campaigns after the recent publication in a … Continue reading “Campus Watch Copycats Close in on Israeli Professors”