Ramzy Baroud

As the 300-foot spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris tragically came tumbling down on live television, my thoughts ventured to Nuseirat Refugee Camp, my childhood home in the Gaza Strip. Then, also on television, I watched as a small bulldozer hopelessly clawed through the rubble of my neighborhood mosque. I grew up around … Continue reading “Notre Dame of Gaza: Our Mosques and Churches Are Also Burning”

So, what have we learned from the Israeli legislative elections on April 9? A whole lot. To start with, don’t let such references as the "tight race" between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his main rival, Benny Gantz, fool you. Yes, Israelis are divided on some issues that are particular to their social and … Continue reading “War Versus Peace: Israel Has Decided and So Should We”

The current violence targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails dates back to January 2. It was then that Israel’s Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan declared that the "party is over." "Every so often, infuriating pictures appear of cooking in the terrorist wings. This party is coming to an end," Erdan was quoted in the Jerusalem … Continue reading “The Unfinished Gaza War: What Netanyahu Hopes To Gain From Attacking Palestinian Prisoners”

The aims of the Great March of Return protests, which began in Gaza on March 30, 2018 are to put an end to the suffocating Israeli siege and implementing the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees who were expelled from their homes and towns in historic Palestine 70 years earlier. But there is much more … Continue reading “‘The Essence of Being Palestinian’: What the Great March of Return Is Really About”

Political commentators sympathetic to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Fatah Movement, in particular, fanned out as soon as the news was announced of Mohammad Shtayyeh’s appointment as the new Palestinian Prime Minister. It is no surprise to witness this gush of support and enthusiasm, for Shtayyeh is a Fatah man, par excellence. Gone are … Continue reading “Uniting Fatah, Not Palestinians: The Dubious Role of Mohammed Shtayyeh”

More US measures have been taken in recent weeks to further cement the Israeli position and isolate the Palestinian Authority (PA), before the official unveiling of President Donald Trump’s so-called "deal of the century". But while attention is focused on spiteful US actions, little time has been spent discussing the PA’s own responses, options and … Continue reading “Chasing Mirages: How Will Palestinians Combat the ‘Deal of the Century’?”

Immediately after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forged an alliance with the fringe political group, Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a widespread outrage ensued. The anger did not emanate only from the Center, Left and Arab parties, but from some in the Right as well. Even the pro-Israel lobby in the US, known for its hawkish … Continue reading “Why the Outrage? ‘Jewish Power’ Party Is the New Norm in Israeli Politics”

On February 18, members of extremist Jewish groups raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They clashed with Palestinian worshippers, as the settlers attempted to shut down the gate of Al-Aqsa itself. The clashes involved the Israeli army and police as well, who opened fire and brutally assaulted Palestinians, leading to scores of … Continue reading “War on Al-Aqsa: What Price Netanyahu’s Victory”

The Russian-sponsored Palestinian unity talks in Moscow on February 11 were neither a success nor failure. Uniting Palestinian factions was not the main objective of the Moscow conference, in the first place. Instead, the nature of the event, the host country and the clear messages sent to Washington and Tel Aviv were all meant to … Continue reading “Russian Mediation: The Critical Messages of the Hamas-Fatah Talks in Moscow”

American politicians from the two main parties have finally found something to agree upon: more intervention in Venezuela. "Now, despite (President Nicolas) Maduro, there is hope (in Venezuela)", wrote Democratic Senator, Dick Durbin, in USA Today. "These events (meaning the current political instability in the country) are a welcome development of Latin American nations defending … Continue reading “Enough Western Meddling: Let the Venezuelan People Decide”