Russia’s quest to make itself indispensable in the Middle East
September 17, 2020 | Oved Lobel
Although it has neither the desire nor the financial or military capacity to actually displace the United States in the Middle East, Russia has become adept at planting itself firmly in the middle of crises and conflicts and establishing itself as an indispensable intermediary at relatively little cost.
Mahmoud Abbas courts disaster by rejecting hundreds of millions of dollars the Palestinians desperately need
September 15, 2020 | Allon Lee
Three things seem certain in the Middle East: death, taxes and the uncanny ability of Palestinian leaders to make terrible choices that leave their people worse off. A New York Times feature has demonstrated yet again not only this principle in action but the dysfunction at the heart of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’ 15-year one-man rule.
Al Jazeera coverage promotes Qatar’s view opposing UAE-Israel normalisation deal
September 4, 2020 | Judy Maynard
Surprise and a largely positive international reaction greeted the August 13 announcement of the Abraham Accord, the US-brokered normalisation agreement between Israel and the UAE. Even many Arab states said positive things about the agreement, or at least did not oppose it. Less surprising has been the negative coverage given to this historic development by the “independent” media organisation, Al Jazeera, the anti-Israel, anti-US and pro-Islamist propaganda outlet of the Qatari government, which founded, funds and controls it.
Islamic charity in hot water receives Australian endorsement
September 3, 2020 | Naomi Levin
Islamic Relief Australia was recently endorsed by the Australian Government as a preferred charity, despite the departure of its director over vile antisemitic social media comments, and existing unresolved accusations that an Australian board member allegedly has close ties to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
What’s different about the UAE-Israel normalisation agreement?
August 19, 2020 | Sharyn Mittelman
The deal has rewritten the rules of “peacemaking” in the Middle East and reflects a new alignment taking place
Will Lebanon’s crisis lead to Lebanese-Israeli border disputes finally being resolved?
August 14, 2020 | Jack Gross
In wake of the massive explosion in Beirut, and subsequent outpouring of public frustration with deteriorating living conditions in Lebanon, the main sides blocking a resolution to maritime border disputes between Israel and Lebanon have agreed to American mediation
Anti-Israel conspiracy theorists try to link Israel with Beirut port blast
August 12, 2020 | AIJAC staff, Ahron Shapiro
Shortly after the Beirut explosion, on Aug. 5, Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia published a video discussion about the event between Abu Anas and senior preacher Wassim Doureihei, also known for his extreme anti-Western views.
Israel set to delay budget, dodge new elections
August 12, 2020 | Ahron Shapiro
Israel’s emergency national unity government, just three months old, appears to be navigating its way through a major coalition crisis…
The latest Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories from the Middle East and far right
August 10, 2020 | Jack Gross
Whether assigning blame to the West for the creation and spread of the virus or blaming Israel, the Middle Eastern media has continued to be a source of harmful claims. Meanwhile, the far-right has also been a major source of antisemitic conspiracy theories linking the outbreak of the virus to a Jewish plot…
Mapping a terrorist empire: New Hezbollah resource again makes the case for Australia to ban the Lebanese group
August 7, 2020 | Oved Lobel
The first thing that strikes viewers is just how active Hezbollah has been outside Lebanon, including in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Australia’s parliament does not need “parliamentary friendship” with Iran’s Majlis
August 4, 2020 | AIJAC staff, Tzvi Fleischer
On July 19, Australia’s ambassador to Iran, Ms. Lyndall Sachs, met with the Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission in the Majlis (Iran’s parliament), Mojtaba Zolnour.
