IMEU : Politics & Democracy

Between political statements and reality on the ground: Eighteen months since the Annapolis Conference (Alternative Information Center)

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:21:19 PST

This report provides the AIC's analysis of the Annapolis process 18 months after it took place. Through our analyses we can affirm that in spite of the peace conferences, the Roadmap, and speeches, the Israeli Government has not fulfilled its commitments and the settlement project continues to rapidly increase, presenting one of the major obstacles to peace. The settlement issue is the reason for the big question mark on the future direction of the peace process.

The Israeli state budget and the needs of Arab citizens (Mossawa Center)

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:06:40 PST

An analysis of the 2009-2010 State Budget proposal and what has been allotted to the Arab citizens in Israel has revealed that although this group comprises 19% of the total population they will receive less than 5% of the governmental development funds and less than 6% of the salary budget allotted to government employees. A breakdown of the budgets of most ministries shows that the percentages of funds allotted to Arabs are consistently and proportionately lower than the population.

Hamas: Ideological rigidity and political flexibility (United States Institute of Peace)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:39:40 PST

The report attempts to inject some gray areas into an issue that is often framed only in black and white terms. In a unique approach, the authors do not ask us to necessarily change our conclusions about the value of such engagement. Instead, they invite us to reevaluate our assumptions by providing a new prism through which to analyze Hamas.

Nurturing instability: Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps (International Crisis Group)

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:49:42 PST

Until the Arab-Israeli conflict is resolved, a comprehensive approach is required that clarifies the Palestinians' status, formally excludes their permanent settlement in Lebanon, significantly improves their living conditions and, through better Lebanese-Palestinian and inter-Palestinian coordination, enhances camp management.

Operation "Cast lead": news control as a military objective (Reporters Without Borders)

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:43:50 PST

Reporters Without Borders maintains that the closing of the Gaza Strip to the press constituted a serious and unacceptable violation of press freedom. On this too, the organisation strongly urges the United Nations to adopt a resolution immediately calling on Israel to stop using such coercive methods to control news.

Middle East Quartet: a progress report (21 European NGOs)

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:16:30 PST

The humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) continues (see 'The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion'). Its population of 3.7 million people, 52 per cent of whom are children, struggle for their basic needs. Palestinian women, children, and men are increasingly dependent on aid as their livelihoods are destroyed. The only sustainable solution to the crisis is a comprehensive peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians based on international law.

Delivering security to the Palestinian people (The Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and Shams Center for Human Rights and Democratic Participation)

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:31:00 PST

The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and Shams Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Participation on 12 March 2008 organised the first Forum 'Delivering Security to the People - Challenges to Palestinian Security Sector Governance' in Ramallah. The Forum is a new project by DCAF and Shams to enhance the Palestinian dialogue on security sector reform and to support a sustainable reform process based on the security needs of the Palestinian citizens.

The death of the settlement freeze: 4 months since Annapolis (Peace Now)

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:54:00 PST

Despite [Israeli Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert's announcement of a "settlement freeze", construction has been continuing in the settlements, East Jerusalem and the outposts, even after Annapolis. It is not only that existing construction has continued, but new plans have been promoted, construction tenders published and projects approved for marketing.

Public perceptions toward liberal values in Palestine (Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty and the Freedom Forum - Palestine)

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:25:00 PST

How do Palestinian citizens see their individual future and the future of their national state still in the making? Do they appreciate democracy and equal rights for minorities or do we have to face tendencies in favour of an authoritarian state with a high inclination to ignore or simply deny the rights of women, religious or ethnic minorities? Starting from these and similar questions, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty, commissioned an opinion poll on "Liberal Values in the Palestinian Society".

Defending Palestinian prisoners: a report on the status of defence lawyers in Israeli courts (Addameer Prisoners' Support and Human Rights Organization)

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:48:00 PST

Lawyers who represent Palestinians in Israeli military and civil courts face obstacles that systematically erode the right of Palestinian detainees to legal representation. Defense attorneys must contend with military orders, Israeli laws and prison procedures that curtail their ability to provide adequate counsel to their clients. This report describes how, from the moment of detention through the process of appeal, lawyers are prevented from giving adequate counsel to Palestinian defendants.