The occupation is killing us all
Richard Swift weighs up the claims and counterclaims and lays bare the core of contention in this seemingly endless conflict.

We refuse to be enemies
Palestinians and Israelis who have moved beyond hate.

Gone to soldiers
Generations of young Israelis are spending their adolescence policing the hostile occupation of Palestinian territory. Dan Bar-On measures the psychological cost.

Towards a democratic Palestine
An interview with Palestinian intellectual Mustafa Barghouthi.

OCCUPATION – THE FACTS

JC Tordai / Panos

Silence and security
Samah Jabr thinks that Israeli security is intimately linked to that of Palestinians.

You can’t shake hands with a suicide bomber
The suicide bombs have traumatized Israel and frozen opposition to the occupation. Amichai Geva pleads for the political space for the peace movement to gather force.

History and faith
Ancient claims on the Holy Land.

Dangerous illusions
Modern myths that add fuel to the flames.

I choose not to settle
David Fingrut finds that, despite the handsome perks, life in a West Bank settlement is not for him.

Mean streets
The confrontation between the Palestinians and the ultra-orthodox in the West Bank town of Hebron is about as ugly as it gets. Jessica McCallin from the front line.

The US will pay
George Bush gives a blank cheque.

Blunt talk
A conversation with Uri Avnery.

Action to end the occupation

Room for manoeuvre
Possible paths to peace.

Still Pictures

It is impossible to edit a magazine about Israel and Palestine without provoking ire. I know I can expect it. Almost certainly there will be those who feel that any criticism of Israel is either anti-Semitic or gives aid and comfort to anti-Semites. George Orwell once took the Left to task for its overly liberal use of the epithet 'fascist'. He felt that it was being devalued and should be saved for the real thing. I think the use of 'anti-Semitism' by defenders of the current Israeli Government stands in similar peril. Its casual use, or 'self-hating Jew' (against Jewish critics) to buttress Israeli raison d'état does, I feel, debase the coinage. There is certainly some anti-Semitism amongst Palestinians, as there is anti-Arab racism amongst Israelis. There is no monopoly in hate. And, what with the Haiders, Le Pens and Islamic Jihads of this world, there is certainly enough real anti-Semitism to fight against. So let's agree or disagree about the facts. But let's work to find the best way forward towards peace and security. The debate certainly has enough heat - what it needs is some light.

As this magazine goes to press, Israeli public opinion has forced the construction of a protective wall to separate off the West Bank. Most Palestinians, all the Israeli settlers and the right-wing are opposed to this. The Palestinians fear being walled in and the settlers fear being walled out. While in no way a healthy long-term solution, the wall at least indicates that Israel and Palestine are now two separate places.

Richard Swift
for the New Internationalist
Co-operative
rswift@newint.org