Country Reports

The Evacuation Of Migron

Israeli Settlement Policies In The West Bank And East Jerusalem

“The Court concludes that the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (including East Jerusalem) have been established in breach of international law.”

New Dynamics in the Middle East

2011 – An eventful year for the Palestinian Territories

For the Palestinian Territories the year 2011 was first and foremost marked by the events of the so-called “Arab Spring”. Although there has been no overthrow of the political regime or even mass demonstrations in either the West Bank or the Gaza Strip for that matter, the “Arab Spring” had a significant impact. Neither would there have been the (so far unsuccessful) attempts of reuniting both territories nor would the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held hostage by the Islamist Hamas, have taken place, if it were not for the upheavals in Egypt.

“Palestine 194”

In September the Palestinians want to become the 194th member state of the United Nations. A seemingly posi-tive event. The Israeli minister for foreign affairs, though, is worried that there will be an unprecedented bloodshed. Europe must stand united now to reach a common position re-garding the Palestinian venture.

Between UN and Intifada: a turbulent September in the Palestinian Territories?

It is unclear what the Palestinians can achieve by going to the United Nations. Some Palestinian politicians already warn of it. “September” could become the catch phrase of the Middle-East conflicts' new phase.

Palästinensischer Pessimismus

Die neue Nahostpolitik des amerikanischen Präsidenten Barack Obama ist weniger ambitioniert als die Palästinenser gehofft haben. Auch von der israelischen Regierung ist man in Ramallah enttäuscht. Präsident Mahmoud Abbas sieht keine gemeinsamen Grundlagen mehr für neue Friedensverhandlungen.

Joint Israeli-Palestinian Poll

The view on the peace process remains marked by pessimism on both sides. This is also reflected in the views of Israelis and Palestinians regarding a quick solution of the conflict in light of the uprising in Egypt.

Back to square one?

The publication of confidential documents by Al-Jazeera and their implications for the Middle East peace process

The publication of documents related to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks by al-Jazeera seems like a PR disaster for the entire Palestinian leadership.

Statehood without Peace?

The new Palestinian strategy is only a continuation of old policies through new means

Due to a general lack of give-and-take attitude on both sides the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) came to a hold at the end of September 2010. This has prompted the PA to opt for a radically new approach: They want to enforce the creation of an independent state through a fait accompli, both on the national and international scene. However, the Hamas controlled Gaza Strip is again neglected. The United States and the European Union (EU) should not stand by idly and watch.

Was folgt nach der Jasmin-Revolution in Tunesien und den Unruhen in Ägypten?

Reaktionen aus dem Nahen Osten

Wie sehen die Regierungen im Nahen Osten die Proteste in Tunesien und Ägypten? Die Mitarbeiter der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung bieten einen Überblick über die Reaktionen aus Israel, den Palästinensischen Autonomiegebieten, Jordanien, dem Iran und den Golf-Staaten.

Joint Israeli Palestinian Poll, November-December 2010

A majority of Israelis opposes intolerant steps toward Arab citizens. Palestinians incorrectly believe that the majority of Israeli Jews supports such steps. These are the results of the most recent poll conducted jointly by the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah. This joint survey was conducted with the support of the Ford Foundation Cairo office and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Ramallah and Jerusalem.