Analysis: The Palestinian Capitalists that have gone too far

[Jefferson23]

By Al-Shabaka

Al-Shabaka is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and foster public debate on Palestinian human rights and self-determination within the framework of international law.

This policy brief is authored by Tariq Dana, an assistant professor of political science at Hebron University who focuses on the transformation of Palestinian civil society from mass-based movements to neoliberal-oriented NGOs.

While most Palestinians living under Israeli occupation are struggling to survive, a powerful group of Palestinian capitalists is thriving and growing in political, economic, and social influence.

The cost, all too often, is their engagement in economic normalization projects. In other words, they deal with the Israelis as though they were a "normal" business partner rather than an occupying power that has ruthlessly violated Palestinian rights for over 65 years.

In this policy brief, Al-Shabaka Policy Member Tariq Dana sheds light on the ways in which these Palestinian capitalists exercise political influence and social control and gives examples of the economic normalization projects in which they have engaged.

remainder: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=665941

[Jefferson23]

1. Israeli leaders heading to Davos - to talk peace

World Economic Forum to dedicate entire day to discussing Israeli-Palestinian issues.
By Haaretz | Jan. 20, 2014 | 11:00 PM


A delegation of 100 leading Israel businessmen are expected to arrive at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos next Sunday to promote a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of two states for two people.

Among the Israeli businessman attending as member of group, Break the Impasse, are Ofra Strauss, chairwoman of the Strauss Group, Google Israel CEO Meir Brand, Amdocs co-founder Morris Kahn, founder digital printing company Indigo Benny Landa and discount supermarket chain founder Rami Levy. The Israeli businessmen will meet with the world statesmen and business leaders who attend the annual conference in Davos.

The WEF is dedicating an entire day to discussing an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement and the effect it will have on economic opportunities for both peoples and the entire region. WEF chairman Prof. Klaus Schwab sponsored the BTI delegation's visit and participation.

Break the Impasse is a Palestinian-Israeli dialogue group led by venture capitalist Yossi Vardi and Palestinian billionaire and politician Munab al-Masri, who will also be attending the conference. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni will be attending, as well as Palestinian Authority negotiating team chief Saeb Erekat.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.569555#

[Jefferson23]

3. New Left Project: Israeli-Palestinian Talks: An Update

As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently observed, we are at a 'critical point' in the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. In a New Left Project interview earlier this month, Norman Finkelstein presented an in-depth analysis of where the Israeli-Palestinian talks being brokered by Kerry are heading, the gist of which was: in the absence of a revived Palestinian movement, the U.S. and Israel will successfully impose Israel's terms of settlement on an unprecedentedly weak Palestinian leadership, inflicting an in-all-likelihood decisive defeat on the Palestinians' decades-long struggle for self-determination.

As diplomacy picks up pace and an agreement draws nearer, we will publish periodic updates on the situation from Finkelstein. The following is adapted from a conversation with NLP's Jamie Stern-Weiner.

http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/article_comments/israeli_palestinian_talks_an_update

[bemildred]

2. Interesting. nt

[Jefferson23]

4. Erekat meets Livni secretly

21 January 2014

GAZA CITY (Alresalah.ps) -- A secret meeting will be held in Washington within 24 hours between officials from the PA and Israel, sources said. The meeting will discuss the encouragement of negotiations and Kerry's 'Framework Plan'.

Tzipi Livni will represent the Israeli delegation, and Saeb Ereqat will head the Palestinian delegation, and the meeting will be brokered by the U.S.

"The American side is adamant to intensify the Israeli-Palestinian meetings at this particular time," said Wasel Abu Yousef, the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

"The U.S. administration is practicing pressure on the PA to resume negotiations and to accept Kerry's security plan," said Abu Yousef. "Negotiations will lead to nothing," confirmed the PLO official.

"The Palestinian leadership is ready to head to the UN Security Council sue Israel," added he.

Danny Danone, Deputy Minister of Israeli Occupation Forces, revealed that preparations are being made to gather President of the PA Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

http://www.alresalah.ps/en/index.php?act=post&id=3307

[oberliner]

5. That site is more right wing than Israel National News

I guess that makes sense, though, considering who runs it.

[Jefferson23]

6. They have the facts right about the meeting that took place. n/t

[oberliner]

7. No they don't

Chief Palestine Liberation Organization negotiator Saeb Erekat also dismissed the idea of extending the peace talks beyond the nine-month period.

He further denied that the Palestinians were holding secrets talks with Israel in Washington.

“There are some who are talking about secret talks in Washington while I’m here in Jericho,” Erekat was quoted by Ma’an news agency as saying.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/01/22/347104/abbas-rejects-talks-extension-idea/

[azurnoir]

8. oh good lord PressTV really? and haven't you used Ma'an yourself?

you say it's more Rightwing than Arutz Shiva-also known as Israel National News which you also claim to condemn

[Jefferson23]

9. No, that is just not accurate. n/t