Topic: Birzeit University

Is the Palestinian Authority really a 'fig leaf' for Israeli occupation?

That's the charge of Yossi Beilin, Israeli architect of the Oslo accords. In an interview with the Monitor, he defends his recent call for the PA to be dissolved – 19 years after he helped set it up.

No explanation given: Palestinian PM skips Netanyahu meeting

Looking ahead, Palestinian leaders face few appealing options for advancing their agenda, which has been sidelined by Iran and the US elections.

The cool new Palestinians: geeks

The West Bank and Gaza Strip is home to hundreds of tech companies, creating everything from websites to smart phone apps.

Hamas and Fatah overcome key roadblock to reconciliation (+video)

Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Khaled Meshal agreed in Qatar today that Mr. Abbas would lead an interim powersharing government. 

Gilad Shalit deal boosts Hamas, but also reveals group's weaknesses [VIDEO]

Hamas scored a victory with the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli solder Gilad Shalit. But its concessions to Israel show fragility.

Can green energy help Palestinians unplug from Israel?

Green energy proponents hope to convince Palestinians that renewables can give them greater autonomy from Israel and is more affordable in the long run.

Palestinian 'nakba' protests turn deadly. Israel sees Iran's 'fingerprints.'

Eight people were reportedly killed in separate incidents along Israel's borders with both Syria and Lebanon – and dozens were wounded in the West Bank and Gaza – during the Palestinians' annual 'nakba' protest against Israel.

Palestinians optimistic on Hamas-Fatah unity deal

Palestinians see the Hamas-Fatah unity deal to be signed in Cairo today as strengthening their push for statehood. But they say that reconciliation will be a year-long project at least.

Why Palestinians remain so quiet as Egyptians loudly rail against Mubarak

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority dispersed rallies supporting Egyptian protesters, but Palestinians don't seem eager to push back.

Palestine papers: Will a big scoop change business as usual?

A roundup of opinion so far.

How leaked Palestinian documents will affect Abbas, peace process

Al Jazeera has begun to publish 1,300 documents that detail far-reaching Palestinian concessions on Jerusalem and borders. The offers were rebuffed by Israel.

Israel warns Gaza missiles could provoke new offensive against militants

Gaza militants fired 15 mortars or rockets into Israel on Monday and Tuesday in an unexpected flare-up two years after Israel's devastating offensive on the Hamas-controlled coastal strip.

Did militant Israeli settlers burn mosque near Bethlehem?

Many Israelis suspect militant Israeli settlers, seeking to incite religious violence and undermine peace negotiations, attacked a Palestinian mosque near Bethlehem.

As Israel settlement freeze ends, one-year peace plan begins

Israel's 10-month settlement freeze ends today, and the clock starts ticking on a Sept. 2011 deadline for a comprehensive peace agreement.

Did Hamas condone the latest rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza?

Rocket attacks on Israel: Why Hamas has an interest in keeping Gaza quiet

Rocket attacks near the Israeli towns of Sderot and Eilat have raised concerns of escalating Israel-Hamas tensions. But while Hamas could be a potential spoiler in peace talks, it also has an interest in avoiding a fresh clash.

Palestinians brace for US pressure after Netanyahu's White House visit

After Netanyahu's visit to Washington on Tuesday, the US may pressure Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to drop his precondition for face-to-face talks with the Israelis: a permanent settlement freeze.

Why Israeli raid on Freedom Flotilla makes Abbas's job harder

International pressure in the wake of the Israeli raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla has boosted sympathy for Hamas, the chief rival of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's party and a longtime opponent of peace talks.

Elvis Costello, Noam Chomsky, and Israel: Who's in? Who's out?

One day after far-left Jewish American academic Noam Chomsky was prevented from entering the West Bank to give a lecture at Bir Zeit University, rock singer Elvis Costello canceled two summer concerts in Israel.

Architect eyes tony Palestinian city with eco-mindset and fast Internet

Bashar Masri is spearheading the first planned Palestinian city, pending Israeli approval. His young team – who order pizza and work through lunch – envision a 21st-century city conscious of its ecological impact and equipped with a fiber-optic network.

Israel moves to deport 'illegal' Palestinians from West Bank

A new Israel military order scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday gives Israel the power to deport and prosecute Palestinians living in the West Bank without a permit.

Erekat: US efforts to jumpstart Israeli-Palestinian talks hit 'dead end'

Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said today that Obama's efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have hit a dead end. His comments reflect dwindling Palestinian hopes for a two-state solution.

Israel crisis: Taking cue from US anger, Mahmoud Abbas digs in heels

Emboldened by the Israel crisis with the US over East Jerusalem building plans, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is again insisting on 'a complete cessation of settlement activities' before renewed negotiations.

Skin whitening cream finds new popularity among Palestinian women

Palestinian women are using skin whitening treatments as popular media are reasserting a 'fair-is-beautiful' bid. But the message is not new and can be found even in old Arabic poetry.