March-April 2000 Issue No.60

THIS ISSUE

Barak's rendezvous with the Syrians at Shepherdstown went sour, and then he missed a date with Arafat: February 13 was the deadline for working out the framework of the final-status agreement. Our editor asks, What's Gone Awry, Mr. Barak? These snarls have the region teetering once again Between War and Peace. Yakov Ben Efrat looks at the reasons.

Meanwhile, south of the worrisome northern border, An Absurdity Gains Momentum, as the PA and Israel prepare an astounding formula: Abu Dis = al-Quds. Michal Schwartz explains this amazing discovery in a plain and simple language that laypersons can understand. As for the erstwhile al-Quds, Yossi Wolfson traces Israel's battle to get the "foreigners" out of the Holy City. No need to go to Austria - when it comes to keeping third-worlders at bay, we have "Haider" in Jerusalem. In Nazareth, another holy city, a more distinguished visit almost didn't happen. Communists wrangled with Islamists there, till government whispered, Shhh! Pope!

Looking at the PA areas, Dr. Adel Samara, a Marxist economist from Ramallah, reveals The Economic Logic of Arafat's Surrender and other matters pertaining to the post-Oslo Palestinian economy.

Meanwhile, despite the sellout, debate on the Refugees' Right of Return continues. Palestinian and Israeli Security Services had forgotten that there is such a right, but they recently interrogated the editor of the Hebron Times, Khaled Amayreh, in order to learn more about it.

If life is tough, we may at least take heart from our increasing ties to the global village. Israeli Textile Firms Flourish in Jordan and Egypt, reports Wehbe Badarneh, as "Marks & Spencer" Calls the Shots. We too have a little contribution to make in the textile department. Read about our new subscription campaign and How to get a "Don't Globalize Me" T-shirt or Bag. Remember, in order to combat gluttonous globalizers, we need you!