Israel, free speech, and the Oxford Union

Avi Shlaim, The Electronic Intifada, 19 November 2007
The Oxford Union is one of the world's most illustrious debating chambers and a bastion of free speech. It was founded in the nineteenth century to uphold the principle of free speech and debate in England at a time when they were being severely curtailed.

Recently, however, the Union failed to live up to its lofty ideals. A debate was scheduled for 23 October on the motion "This house believes that one-state is the only solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict."

Professor Ilan Pappé, Dr Ghada Karmi and I agreed to speak for the motion. Norman Finkelstein, the American-Jewish academic, Lord Trimble, the Northern Irish politician, and Peter Tatchell, the gay rights activist, accepted the invitation to speak against the motion.

In the end the debate took place without any of the scheduled speakers after an ugly and acrimonious, American-style row over the make-up of the panel.

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What really happened at Oxford

VIDEO: Walls of Shame: West Bank

November 20, 2007
A look at the most controversial wall in the world today. We look at the plight of Palestinian farmers whose land became inaccessible because of the wall, and the real intention of those who first drew its outlines.
Part 1

Part 2


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Arnon Soffer

Walking in the West Bank

November 17, 2007
Taking a hike in the hills is usually seen as a relaxing past time.

But not if you're walking in the West Bank.

There even taking a stroll poses extra challenges.

Palestinian fighters attend Red Cross training

November 15, 2007
For the first time armed members of Palestinian factional groups are attending training camps run by the Red Cross - learning about International Humanitarian Law and First Aid. Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh was given exclusive access to one of the sessions, where she came face to face with those responsible for recent sieges in the territory. Here she reveals the truths about the men behind the fighter's mask.

Al Jazeera: Is Israel helping Iraq's Kurds?

9th November 2007

Inside Iraq looks at allegations that Israeli intelligence and military experts are training Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq. Inside Iraq investigates the plausibility of such reports. Inside Iraq asks: Is there any historical precedent of an Israeli-Kurdish collaboration? And what interests and implications might be at play here?

AUDIO: Review of "Foreign Agents: The AIPAC"

Martin Short, a British author and producer, Tim Llewellyn the BBC's Middle East correspondent for nearly a decade, and Abe Haim, of Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine sat down to discuss the book "Foreign Agents: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee" by Grant Smith.

MP3

Windows Media Audio