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Documentaries on the Israel/Palestine conflict?

tybeet — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:03:37 -0800

Documentaries on the Israel/Palestine conflict? My partner is making her birthright trip to Israel soon, and she wants to know more about the conflict there: what it's like, the history of it, the politics, etc...

Have you seen any documentaries that you would recommend to someone who may already sympathize with the Palestinians?

What is being said in this photograph

fingerbang — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:14:53 -0800

Hebrewfilter. What does this text say or imply?

Book concerning the origins of the Israeli state and it's conflict with Palestine

phrontist — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:11:25 -0800

What book should I read to get an understanding of the the current Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the history of the Israeli state? My ignorance is unparalleled.

Where did Zionism come from (I understand it's a heading some pretty diverse ideologies fall under)? Why was Israel set up the way it was? Who thought it needed to be a separate nation to begin with? To what extent did religious belief inform the various actor's decisions in the early post-war days (including the nominally secular leaders of allied powers after the war)? To what extent is the current conflict about religious belief?

If at all possible, I'd like something unbiased and reasonably academic (though readability takes presence over the latter). The ideal text would take me from the earliest proponents of Zionism, through the founding of the state, through it's first several decades of existence.

International adoption

Mossy — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 04:29:06 -0800

Has anyone had any experience with international adoption in the UK? We are specifically looking to adopt from a muslim country like Palestine. We've found a lot of general adoption links like adoptionguide.com and adopting.org, but would welcome any other information or pointers.

Whose Gaza is it anyway?

parmanparman — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:37:46 -0800

Is Gaza considered a separate nation-state from the Palestinian Authority by the Israeli government? Israel is at war with Hamas, the militant group/political party that won elections in the Palestinian Authority a few years ago and then recently took control of Gaza in a military coup that routed Fatah militias and the Palestinian Authority's police. If both of those groups are not present in Gaza, doesn't that mean that Hamas has instituted a wholly separately Palestinian nation with a different political structure?

The West Bank is run by the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah Party. If Hamas runs Gaza, is it still a part of the Palestinian Authority? Or, is it considered by Israel to be a second Palestinian nation-state that is entirely separated from West Bank/Palestinian Authority? If Hamas is decimated in Gaza, who is the de facto head of state?

Take this money—it'll keep you safe.

ocherdraco — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:56:25 -0800

My friend is going to the West Bank next week. He's Jewish. I'm worried, but nothing I do is going to stop him. My roommate told me about a tradition in the Jewish community where travelers are given money to give to charity at the end of their journey, with the idea that the intention to do good will protect them on their way. Tomorrow, I'm going to send my friend some money and tell him to give it to charity—when he gets back to the States. What other things can I send with the money, to let him know that I really care about him before he goes to this really dangerous place, or that might help him while he's there? Until tonight, I didn't know that his trip to Israel was really going to be a trip to the West Bank. Part of me wants to say "don't go!" but I'm certain that will be a wasted effort—the worries of his parents, whom he loves more than anyone, haven't seemed to do anything to change his mind. The main reason he's going is to make sure his brother (the primary proponent of the trip) won't do anything really stupid, and to decide, once they're in Israel, whether or not they're risking too much by trying to go into the West Bank.

Basically, I feel like there's a much higher chance than normal in the next few weeks that this close friend of mine is going to die, and I want to make sure he knows how important he is to me and how much I love him before he leaves for this trip, given that telling him not to go isn't going to get me anywhere. Giving him the money is just a talisman, I know, but when I feel powerless to change the situation, gestures like this seem a lot more meaningful.

Said's last word

anonymous78 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:25:46 -0800

Where can I find Edward Said's last position vis-a-vis a one-state/two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? I'm ONLY interested in links to articles he wrote on the topic between 2002 and 2003 so please spare me personal opinions and/or summaries of his ideas.

what made ancient canaan special?

minicloud — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:36:42 -0800

Why was Canaan/Palestine/Israel such desired territory in ancient times? I'm talking before Jerusalem became an important holy site. Is it just because the area was situated between other important civilizations and was therefore a trading hub? It doesnt seem like it was exactly rich in natural resources. Also, why did Jerusalem end up being the capitol of the Kingdom of Israel instead of someplace like Jaffa which seems to be a more convenient location for trade?

How to change her mind?

lain — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:55:09 -0800

Other ways to help Palestine? [Life-risking girlfriend inside] My girlfriend is young(teens), but very political; she feels very strongly for the Palestinians in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. She wants to join the International Solidarity Movement, and feels risking her life for a good cause like Rachel Corrie is something she wants to do in her teens/early 20's.

Of course for me, it's a mixed feeling. I'm very glad that she feels so strongly and wants to make a difference, but I don't want her to get hurt. I'm not sure if she is just young and idealistic, or sincerely wants to do this. Either way, I need help thinking of ideas to give her that would help solve this conflict countries away, without putting her life in danger. I want ideas that would be leaning towards the "Go to school, live life a little, mature more, and help out" spectrum. Thanks!

Middle East political theory question...

Afroblanco — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:37:21 -0800

Have any well-known Middle East scholars come out in favor of uniting Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank into one multi-ethnic, secular state, with the goal of making all residents equal citizens?

Sometimes I don't think you WANT peace!

John of Michigan — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:17:48 -0800

I/P in tha house! Hey, everyone. I have a student wanting to undertake an independent study on contemporary Israel/Palestine relations. I'd like to expose him to both sides, so does anyone have any suggestions for some online resources--ideally, reputable ones--for this student to begin his study? Thanks in advance!

What is a good history of the Israel/Palestine conflict

elr — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:34:08 -0800

I would like a definitive view of the Israel/Palestine conflict that doesn't take sides (even most of the factual histories I've read omit some facts to give a certain slant to one side or the other). This could come in the form of a book, website, documentay, torrent, .pdf, podcast, or miscellaneous other media forms I haven't thought of. I keep getting drug into arguments about Israel with my activist friends (Israel is evil!) and my Jewish relatives (Palestine is evil!). I'd like to believe that neither side is correct and that both Israel and Palestine have done some serious good and bad, but I'm willing to believe that one side is more at fault than the other. I just don't know which one.

While I know that the smart thing would be to avoid these arguments. That's just about impossible.

I would at least like to be well (mentally) armed for my birthright trip in a couple weeks. I imagine the subject coming up and much loudness ensuing.
Thanks.

What charities are working in the Lebanon and Palestine?

handee — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 05:41:14 -0800

Which charities are currently doing humanitarian aid work in the Lebanon and Gaza, and which charities are most likely to be involved in the inevitable re-building program?

Israeli/Palistinian conflict: the death toll.

verisimilitude — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 17:44:46 -0800

Are these statistics disputed? The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the B'Tselem site's fatality lists are approximately accurate for Israeli fatalities, but it doesn't hold any data on Palestinian fatalities.

I am interested to know if B'Tselem's statistics are accepted by Kadima. If not, on what grounds are they disputed?

Citations would be great.

What are they fighting about now?

anonpeon — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:07:19 -0800

Why is Israel and Palestine so important on the world stage? Every time there's a flare up with these two countries, the news covers it almost 24/7. Why is this conflict and/or countries considered so important?

mailing to Palestine....

fabesfaves — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 10:44:12 -0800

How do I address an envelope for something going in the mail to Ramala, Palestine? Asking this for a friend...

Looking for literature on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

tcp — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 05:27:59 -0800

I am looking for literature on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict... I am an undergraduate student in political science and currently have to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What should I read to get a general overview and a detailed analysis of the current situation? I am currently reading Baylis & Smith: The Globalization of World Politics in a wider context and I like its straight style (english is not my native language).

Freelance Outreach

By The Grace of God — Tue, 04 Jan 2005 08:38:08 -0800

I used to be a freelance reporter and won an award for this work, but haven't written much in about 2 years. Very recently, a casual conversation spun into the opportunity to interview a big name in recent Middle Eastern affairs. I would like to get the interview a home before the Palestinian elections in a progressive online or print venue. Given this context, which venues are most amenable to cold contact, and by what methods of contact? The award is cited online and I have writing samples available. I'm waiting for response from one large online venue but would like to line up interest from some others. One friend of mine suggests "cold-calling newspapers" with the story. I'd like to talk to people who are amenable to content from unknown individuals.