Palestine Times

Last updated

Palestine Times was the only English-language daily Palestinian newspaper. It was a family-owned business with its main office in Ramallah. It was initially distributed all over the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. On March 13, 2007 the paper signed a contract with BAR, an Israeli newspaper distribution company, and was available in Israel too. [1] It was to be aimed at the generally well-educated minority of Palestinians who speak English, as well as Israelis. [2] The newspaper went out of business less than six months after its launch.

The newspaper was launched on November 27, 2006. Its editor-in-chief was Othman Fakhri Mohammed. Its stated aim was to reflect all aspects of Palestinian life accurately to the world. It received no funding from any Palestinian political party or faction, and aimed to be independent. According to Mohammed during an interview with the Israeli daily Haaretz , "[Writing freely about negative stories in the PA]'s not a problem. I am a Palestinian and the writers are Palestinians. Beyond the fact that I'm biased in favor of the Palestinian cause, I don't see any problem with criticizing corruption or political phenomena in the territories. Our problem is that in this part of the world, they don't sue you for damaging someone, they simply shoot you. Therefore, I have to be careful." [3] Ynetnews, an online Israeli English-language news site, included a "Congratulations" blurb over an article reporting on the publication of the newspaper. It was funded by advertising, subscriptions and sales. [2]

Among the notable journalists working for the paper were Khalid Amayreh, a journalist from Dura, Hebron region, whose original copy was written in English, unlike many of the paper's journalists who wrote in Arabic and whose copy was then translated. Almost all of the paper's journalistic contributors were Palestinians.

Palestine Times was not a translated edition, since no Arabic-language version existed. In this respect the paper was more similar to the English-language Jerusalem Post rather than the Hebrew-language Haaretz, which publishes an English edition.

A monthly news website of the same name was previously established at www.ptimes.org. It was not associated with the daily newspaper. In addition, between 1999 and 2017, a media website under the name The Palestine Times was established at www.palestinetimes.com.

Palestine Times ceased publication on May 18, 2007, citing "extreme financial difficulties." On July 18, the Jerusalem Post reported that Mohammed planned to resume publication of the newspaper in August. [4] It did not relaunch, however, and its website (www.times.ps) is inactive.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestinian Christians</span> Christian citizens of the State of Palestine

Palestinian Christians are Christian citizens of the State of Palestine. In the wider definition of Palestinian Christians, including the Palestinian refugees, diaspora and people with full or partial Palestinian Christian ancestry this can be applied to an estimated 500,000 people worldwide as of the year 2000. Palestinian Christians belong to one of a number of Christian denominations, including Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, Lutheranism, other branches of Protestantism and others. Bernard Sabella of Bethlehem University estimates that 6% of the Palestinian population worldwide is Christian and that 56% of them live outside of the region of Palestine. In both the local dialect of Palestinian Arabic and in Classical Arabic or Modern Standard Arabic, Christians are called Nasrani or Masihi. Hebrew-speakers call them Notzri, which means Nazarene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestinian National Authority</span> Interim government in Western Asia

The Palestinian National Authority, commonly known as the Palestinian Authority and officially the State of Palestine, is the Fatah-controlled government body that exercises partial civil control over West Bank areas "A" and "B" as a consequence of the 1993–1995 Oslo Accords. The Palestinian Authority controlled the Gaza Strip prior to the Palestinian elections of 2006 and the subsequent Gaza conflict between the Fatah and Hamas parties, when it lost control to Hamas; the PA continues to claim the Gaza Strip, although Hamas exercises de facto control. Since January 2013, the Palestinian Authority has used the name "State of Palestine" on official documents, although the United Nations continues to recognize the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as the "representative of the Palestinian people".

This timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict lists events from 1948 to the present. The Israeli–Palestinian conflict emerged from intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine between Palestinian Jews and Arabs, often described as the background to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The conflict in its modern phase evolved since the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 and consequent intervention of Arab armies on behalf of the Palestinian Arabs.

<i>Haaretz</i> Israeli daily newspaper based in Tel Aviv

Haaretz is an Israeli newspaper. It was founded in 1918, making it the longest running newspaper currently in print in Israel. It is published in both Hebrew and English in the Berliner format. The English edition is published and sold together with The New York Times International Edition. Its Hebrew and English editions are available on the internet. In North America, it is published as a weekly newspaper, combining articles from the Friday edition with a roundup from the rest of the week. Haaretz is Israel's newspaper of record. It is known for its left-wing and liberal stances on domestic and foreign issues.

<i>The Jerusalem Post</i> English-language Israeli newspaper

The Jerusalem Post is a broadsheet newspaper based in Jerusalem, founded in 1932 during the British Mandate of Palestine by Gershon Agron as The Palestine Post. In 1950, it changed its name to The Jerusalem Post. In 2004, the paper was bought by Mirkaei Tikshoret, a diversified Israeli media firm controlled by investor Eli Azur. The Jerusalem Post is published in English. Previously, it also had a French edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amira Hass</span> Israeli journalist and author (born 1956)

Amira Hass is an Israeli journalist and author, mostly known for her columns in the daily newspaper Haaretz covering Palestinian affairs in the West Bank and Gaza, where she has lived for almost thirty years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab citizens of Israel</span> Overview of the ethnic Arab citizens of the State of Israel

The Arab citizens of Israel are the largest ethnic minority in the country. They comprise a hybrid community of Israeli citizens with a heritage of Palestinian citizenship, mixed religions, bilingual in Arabic and Hebrew, and with varying social identities. Self-identification as Palestinian citizens of Israel has sharpened in recent years, alongside distinct identities including Galilee and Negev Bedouin, the Druze people, and Arab Christians and Arab Muslims who do not identify as Palestinians. In Arabic, commonly used terms to refer to Israel's Arab population include 48-Arab and 48-Palestinian. Since the Nakba, the Palestinians that have remained within Israel's 1948 borders have been colloquially known as "48-Arabs". In Israel itself, Arab citizens are commonly referred to as Israeli-Arabs or simply as Arabs; international media often uses the term Arab-Israeli to distinguish Arab citizens of Israel from the Palestinian Arabs residing in the Palestinian territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Media coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict</span> Allegations of bias in media coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict

Media coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict by journalists in international news media has been said to be biased by both sides and independent observers. These perceptions of bias, possibly exacerbated by the hostile media effect, have generated more complaints of partisan reporting than any other news topic and have led to a proliferation of media watchdog groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ynet</span> Israeli news and general content website

Ynet is one of the major Israeli news and general-content websites, and is the online outlet for the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper. However, most of Ynet's content is original work, published exclusively on the website and written by an independent staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bil'in</span> Palestinian village in Ramallah and al-Bireh, State of Palestine

Bil'in is a Palestinian village located in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west of the city of Ramallah in the central West Bank. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Bil'in has a population of 1,800, mostly Muslims. In the 2000s, it was known for its regular protests against Israeli occupation.

Daniel "Danny" Seaman is an Israeli media professional and former civil servant, mainly active in the fields of foreign service and public diplomacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass media in Israel</span> Print, broadcast and online media in the State of Israel

The mass media in Israel refers to print, broadcast and online media available in the State of Israel. The country boasts dozens of newspapers, magazines, and radio stations, which play an important role by the press in political, social and cultural life and cater it to a modern, developed and literate society.

<i>Al-Quds</i> (newspaper) Palestinian newspaper

Al-Quds is a Palestinian Arabic language daily newspaper, based in Jerusalem. It is published in broadsheet format. It is the largest circulation daily newspaper in the Palestinian territories. It was founded in 1967 as a result of a merger of two publications: Al-Difa and Al-Jihad. The owner of the former Al-Jihad newspaper, Mahmoud Abu-Zalaf, served as its first editor-in-chief until his death in 2005. It is currently edited by his son, Walid Abu-Zalaf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestinian literature</span> Literary tradition of the Palestinian people

Palestinian literature refers to the Arabic language novels, short stories and poems produced by Palestinians. Forming part of the broader genre of Arabic literature, contemporary Palestinian literature is often characterized by its heightened sense of irony and the exploration of existential themes and issues of identity. References to the subjects of resistance to occupation, exile, loss, and love and longing for homeland are also common.

Hanna Siniora is a Palestinian Christian who lives in East Jerusalem. He is the publisher of The Jerusalem Times and a co-Chief Executive Officer of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information. He is also a member of the Palestine National Council and the chairperson of the Palestinian-American Chamber of Commerce.

<i>The Times of Israel</i> Israel-based online newspaper

The Times of Israel is an Israeli multi-language online newspaper that was launched in 2012. It was co-founded by Israeli journalist David Horovitz, who is also the founding editor, and American billionaire investor Seth Klarman. Based in Jerusalem, it "documents developments in Israel, the Middle East and around the Jewish world." Along with its original English site, The Times of Israel publishes in Hebrew, Arabic, French, and Persian. In addition to publishing news reports and analysis, the website hosts a multi-author blog platform.

<i>Al-Ittihad</i> (Israeli newspaper)

Al-Ittihad is an Arabic language daily newspaper in Israel. Based in Haifa, it was established in 1944 and is owned by the Israeli Communist Party. It is the oldest Arabic media outlet in Israel and considered the most important. It is currently edited by Aida Touma-Suleiman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annapolis Conference</span> Middle East peace conference held in the United States

The Annapolis Conference was a Middle East peace conference held on 27 November 2007, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. The conference aimed to revive the Israeli–Palestinian peace process and implement the "Roadmap for peace". The conference ended with the issuing of a joint statement from all parties. After the Annapolis Conference, the negotiations were continued.

Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi is a Palestinian professor and peace activist. Dajani gained international recognition for his work in helping to raise awareness concerning the Holocaust through a variety of media. Dajani has also been active in forming relationships with Jewish and Christian religious leaders and peace activists to spread the Wasatia message of understanding, tolerance, coexistence and brotherhood. Dajani is tackling the ideological roots of extremism. In 2014, he became the center of a controversy when he led a group of students from Al-Quds University to Auschwitz.

References

  1. "Palestine Times hits the shelves". CNN. March 22, 2007. Archived from the original on August 28, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "New Palestinian paper hopes to win Israeli readers". Ynetnews. November 28, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  3. Issacharoff, Avi (January 18, 2007). "Palestinian news: Now in English". Haaretz. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  4. Kress, Rory (July 18, 2007). "'Palestine Times' to resume publishing". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 2, 2014.