Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler

Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler write for Inter Press Service.

Israel Taking Sharp Measures Over Iran

JERUSALEM — Questions about Iran’s nuclear thrust are tumbling out, echoing around the world in several directions. – Is Iran now "either very near or in possession" of enough low-enriched uranium to produce one nuclear weapon, as a senior U.S. diplomat warned? – Will the six world powers involved in the Iranian nuclear dossier — … Continue reading “Israel Taking Sharp Measures Over Iran”

Split ‘View of Zion’ in East Jerusalem

OCCUPIED EAST JERUSALEM – In the early morning sunlight, the smoky window of the plush new apartment reflects back a golden tinge from the Dome of the Rock that stands at the heart of Islam’s third holiest shrine. Down across the valley from the walled Old City, families have already started moving into some of … Continue reading “Split ‘View of Zion’ in East Jerusalem”

Israeli-Swedish Row Heats Up

JERUSALEM – It’s not so much the proverbial making a mountain out of a molehill, but Israel finds itself climbing out of a stinky dung heap and onto a slippery diplomatic minefield. The new story began with a story – by all accounts a false, libelous, and unsubstantiated news report emanating from the occupied Palestinian … Continue reading “Israeli-Swedish Row Heats Up”

Suddenly, It’s Advantage Fatah, and a Solution

JERUSALEM — Has the just-ended Fatah party convention, concluded in a cavalcade of personnel change, affected the prospects for a two-state solution that might finally resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Even more than the dramatic shift of power from the old guard of politicians who had returned from exile to the middle-aged generation that grew up … Continue reading “Suddenly, It’s Advantage Fatah, and a Solution”

Israel Prepares for War Over WHO Gaza Reports

JERUSALEM — Six months after Israel’s devastating assault on Hamas, its south-western border with Gaza has not been as quiet in a decade — only two rockets in the past six weeks on Israeli towns. Yet, the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza continues to haunt Israel. The World Health Organization is charging that Gazans … Continue reading “Israel Prepares for War Over WHO Gaza Reports”

The Old Bibi Is Back

JERUSALEM — "Reckless," "cavalier," "unscrupulous," "petty politician, not statesman"…these and such epithets applied to Benjamin Netanyahu by friends and foes alike — not that he ended up with many friends — when he was first Israel’s Prime Minister back in the late 1990s. Re-elected in February, Netanyahu seemed aware of the question on everyone’s lips … Continue reading “The Old Bibi Is Back”

Israeli Wall Bound to Become an Issue Again

JERUSALEM – Beneath the towering eight-meter concrete slabs, an army jeep patrols the Israeli side of the "security wall" that cuts through Palestinian territory, dividing the occupied West Bank from Israel. Suddenly, a soccer ball flies over the wall and lands on the roof of the jeep. The soldiers kick it back. The ball comes … Continue reading “Israeli Wall Bound to Become an Issue Again”

Defiant Netanyahu Plays His Jerusalem Card

JERUSALEM — Israel’s newly installed ambassador in Washington says the "disagreement" with the U.S. over Israel’s settlement policy will be resolved "soon." Speaking on Israel Radio, Michael Oren was giving his first interview since taking up his post. His upbeat assessment is challenged by many other Israeli officials and by most political pundits who foresee … Continue reading “Defiant Netanyahu Plays His Jerusalem Card”

Israeli Soldiers Talk About War Crimes

JERUSALEM — Israel continues to brush off allegations of human rights violations during its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza launched at the end of December. A series of reports on such violations through the 22-day campaign come soon after completion of fieldwork by the UN human rights four-person fact-finding team headed by South African … Continue reading “Israeli Soldiers Talk About War Crimes”

Israeli Road Sign Controversy Runs Deep

JERUSALEM – What’s a name, what’s in a road name? History, ideology, nationalism. In deciphering what lies beneath the protracted Arab-Israeli conflict, sometimes small historical footprints encapsulate the conflict and at the same time highlight the enormous difficulties in trying to resolve it. Take the surreptitious graffiti war that has broken out on the streets … Continue reading “Israeli Road Sign Controversy Runs Deep”