Resources on Palestine & Israel
Compiled by Hanan Watson,
Revised February 1, 2011
A disclaimer: These sources are not comprehensive nor are they meant to present a “balanced viewpoint”. In compiling this list, the assumption was made that most people are aware of the mainstream Israeli and US points of view. These sources are meant to supplement and complement the mainstream sources with which most people are familiar. The resources include US, Israeli and Palestinian organizations as well as UK, Israeli and Arab news sources.
Organizations working on Palestinian Israeli Issues:
American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights
AAPER Public Education a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to educate Americans about Palestine and U.S. policy toward the Middle East. AAPER Government Relations is a nonprofit lobbying organization whose mission is to shape an equitable U.S. policy toward Palestine that reflects the interests and ideals of the United States.
The Amos Trust – Palestine section
The Amos Trust promotes human rights and nurtures local responses to situations of injustice.
Bitterlemmons
Bitterlemons-international.org is an internet forum for an array of world perspectives on the Middle East and its specific concerns. It aspires to engender greater understanding about the Middle East region and open a new common space for world thinkers and political leaders to present their viewpoints and initiatives on the region.
Council for the National Interest Foundation (CNI)
The Council for the National Interest Foundation (CNIF) is an independent non-profit organization that provides information and analysis on the Middle East, its relationship to the United States, and about policy formation regarding this region. Its primary focus is on Israel-Palestine.
The Dialogue Project
The Dialogue Project's mission is to build trust, compassion, and partnerships among people who experience bias, hostility, and tension relating to the conflict in the Middle East.
It also has an excellent reading list:
Foundation for Middle East Peace
Established in 1979 by the late Merle Thorpe, Jr., the Foundation is dedicated to promoting, through various activities, a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that brings peace and security to both peoples.
Givat Haviva
An educational organization that works to further social justice and Jewish-Arab peace in Israel and neighboring Arab countries.
Hand in Hand Center for Jewish-Arab Education
Develops bilingual, multicultural schools aimed at building peace between Jews and Arabs in Israel
If America Knew
Information not usually seen in US sources.
IMEU – Institute for Middle East Understanding
The Institute for Middle East Understanding offers journalists and editors quick access to information about Palestine and the Palestinians, as well as expert sources — both in the U.S. and in the Middle East.
The Jerusalem Fund
The Jerusalem Fund for Education & Community Development is an independent, non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian organization based in Washington, D.C. Funding for operational expenses is derived from investment income. This, together with donations from private individuals throughout the U.S., supports the organization’s humanitarian grants.
Has excellent resources, articles and lecture videos
Just Vision
Just Vision emerged in response to the lack of media coverage of Palestinian and Israeli civilians working to end the occupation and the conflict. While violent extremism receives front-page exposure, courageous nonviolence leaders and peace builders are relegated to occasional human-interest stories. Consequently, Just Vision works to ensure that these Palestinian and Israeli civic leaders are not only taken seriously as partners in the quest for peace, but are also more visible, valued and influential in their efforts.
Learn about two documentary films: “Budrus” and “Encounter Point”.
Read interviews with Israeli and Palestinian Peace Builders.
View the unsung heroes of 2010.Download educational materials for classrooms and communities.
The Middle East Research and Information Project
A primer on the Arab- Israeli Conflict.
Mondoweiss
Mondoweiss is a news website devoted to covering American foreign policy in the Middle East, chiefly from a progressive Jewish perspective.
It has four principal aims:
- To publish important developments touching on Israel/Palestine, the American Jewish community and the shifting debate over US foreign policy in a timely fashion.
- To publish a diversity of voices to promote dialogue on these important issues.
- To foster the movement for greater fairness and justice for Palestinians in American foreign policy.
- To offer alternatives to pro-Zionist ideology as a basis for American Jewish identity.
Oasis of Peace
Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (the "Oasis of Peace" in Hebrew and Arabic) is the only community in Israel where Jews and Palestinians choose to live, work and raise their children in equality and mutual respect. The village started with a handful of individuals in the 1970s and is now home to 60 families - half Jewish, half Palestinian. More than 300 families are on a waiting list, hoping to join the community in the near future.
The Palestine Monitor
A Palestinian organization that was set up in December 2000 to monitor and report on the conditions of Palestinians under occupation and publishes information on its web site.
The Parents Circle
Mission statement
•To prevent further bereavement, in the absence of peace
•To influence the public and the policy makers – to prefer the way of peace on the way of war
•To educate for peace and reconciliation
•To promote the cessation of acts of hostility and the achievement of a political agreement
•To prevent the usage of bereavement as a means of expanding enmity between our peoples
•To uphold mutual support between our members
Peace Now
Click on APN Map project and learn about conditions on the ground.
Sabeel
Sabeel ecumenical liberation theology Center working for justice, peace and reconciliation in Palestine – Israel.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
Immediately after the Arab-Israeli hostilities of 1948, emergency assistance to Palestine refugees was provided by international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, League of Red Cross Societies and the American Friends Service Committee. In November 1948, the United Nations established the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees (UNRPR) to extend aid and relief to Palestine refugees and coordinate efforts of NGOs and other UN bodies such as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Refugee Organization. The United Nations established the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) under UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV), of 8 December, 1949, as a subsidiary organ of the United Nations. UNRWA's mandate has been renewed every three years since 1949, and is expected to continue to be renewed pending a just settlement of the refugee problem.
UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME)
An independent organization of concerned UUs working to educate ourselves and our fellow UUs and citizens about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its legal, moral and ethical issues in an effort to bring about peace and justice in Israel-Palestine, including a settlement of the conflict affirming the equality, dignity, freedom and security of all peoples involved.
Progressive Jewish Activist Organizations:
J Street
The organization gives political voice to mainstream American Jews and other supporters of Israel who, informed by their progressive and Jewish values, believe that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to Israel’s survival as the national home of the Jewish people and as a vibrant democracy. J Street’s mission is two-fold: first, to advocate for urgent American diplomatic leadership to achieve a two-state solution and a broader regional, comprehensive peace and, second, to ensure a broad debate on Israel and the Middle East in national politics and the American Jewish community.
Jewish Voice for Peace
Jewish Voice for Peace members are inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, equality, human rights, respect for international law, and a U.S. foreign policy based on these ideals.
JVP opposes anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab bigotry and oppression. JVP seeks an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem; security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians; a just solution for Palestinian refugees based on principles established in international law; an end to violence against civilians; and peace and justice for all peoples of the Middle East.
The website has an activist tool kit.
Newspapers and other media sources:
Arab Sources:Jordanian Link to Jordanian newspapers
:
.com/1/world/jo
Aljazeera
AlArabiya
/ Israeli Sources:
Haaretz
The Jerusalem Post
/ UK Sources:
The UK Guardian
BBC
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