Israeli coalition will prove unstable in the long term

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
West Bank ◽  
The West ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Way

Significance It requires new legislation and changes to existing laws to establish and run the new government, including a mechanism to rotate the premiership between the pair. Many of the stipulations aim to provide guarantees, given the imbalance of power between Netanyahu and Gantz in the legislature, with the latter having split his own party by entering unity negotiations. Impacts The agreement paves the way for annexations of areas of the West Bank from July. The deal may yet be scuppered, and fresh elections called, if Netanyahu is forced from office because of his criminal indictments. Breaking conventions to offer key committee posts to the opposition may become contentious once the health crisis passes.

US peace plan will disrupt Israel-Hamas truce push

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
West Bank ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
The West ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
Two Sides

Significance That comes as Hamas yesterday called on Palestinians to step up their confrontations with Israel in response to the killing of a Palestinian teenager in clashes with Israeli security forces in the West Bank. In late 2019, Israel and Hamas began exploring the possibility of a long-term ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and some understandings between the two sides have already been implemented, albeit with little official fanfare. These are now coming under pressure amid Palestinian outrage at a plan to end the conflict unveiled by US President Donald Trump on January 28. Impacts Ahead of March’s election, Netanyahu will come under pressure to act more forcefully in response to escalations. The IDF will complete a 1-billion-dollar underground wall around Gaza to prevent tunnels towards the end of 2020. Prospects for a truce were always likely to be hindered by Hamas’s ongoing reluctance to hand over Israeli hostages and soldiers’ bodies. Hamas may revive Friday protests along the border as of late March. Israel will refrain from acting on its threat to annex parts of the West Bank until at least after the election, if not indefinitely.

Russia's Baltic pipeline nearly ready but risks remain

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Content Type ◽  
Bilateral Agreement ◽  
The Us ◽  
Nord Stream ◽  
The Way

Significance Despite this, Biden indicated no change in the US position after a bilateral agreement with Germany effectively paved the way to completing the pipeline. Technically, Nord Stream 2 could begin partially operating in October. Impacts The recent spike in European gas prices to levels unseen since 2008 reinforces the case for Nord Stream 2's speedy completion. EU energy diversification, with a focus on renewables, poses long-term questions about the viability of both the Nord Stream pipelines. From October, Hungary will switch to Gazprom gas supplied via Serbia and Austria instead of through Ukrainian pipelines.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on the trade of goods and services in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asier Minondo
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Trade Of Services ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the trade of goods and services in Spain. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses monthly trade data at the product, region and firm level. Findings The COVID-19 crisis has led to the sharpest collapse in the Spanish trade of goods and services in recent decades. The containment measures adopted to arrest the spread of the virus have caused an especially intense fall of trade in services. The large share of transport equipment, capital goods, products that are consumed outdoors (i.e., outdoor goods) and tourism in Spanish exports has made the COVID-19 trade crisis more intense in Spain than in the rest of the European Union. Practical implications The nature of the collapse suggests that trade in goods can recover swiftly when the health crisis ends. However, COVID-19 may have a long-term negative impact on the trade of services that rely on the movement of people. Originality/value It contributes to understand how COVID-19 has affected the trade in goods and services in Spain.

The Illusion of Palestinian Sovereignty

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Hass
Keyword(s):  
West Bank ◽  
The West ◽  
East Jerusalem ◽  
The Way

This chapter presents an article, originally published in Haaretz, that discusses the illusion of Palestinian soveriegnty. The article argues that the Israeli military's incursions into the West Bank's Area A and even Area B destroy the illusion of Palestinian sovereignty. It is a virtual sovereignty, fragmented and curtailed. Therefore, it is an illusion—but an illusion that works. The strength of the delusion of sovereignty can be seen in the way East Jerusalem residents, and even Palestinian citizens of Israel, often travel to West Bank enclaves and feel a sense of relief. In these enclosures, which are free of any army presence, they get a break from routine Israeli racism and vulgarity. This temporary feeling of rest and relief is only strengthened by the necessary return to Israel via an intimidating path of walls, barbed-wire fences, pointed rifles, threatening policemen and soldiers, and deluxe, verdant suburbs for Jews only.

Prediction model of business success or failure for Palestinian small enterprises in the West Bank

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir D. Baidoun ◽  
Robert N. Lussier ◽  
Maisa Burbar ◽  
Sawsan Awashra
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
West Bank ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Business Failure ◽  
Business Success ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Random Guessing

Purpose The aim of this study is to examine the factors that lead to success or failure of a small business in the West Bank of Palestine. Design/methodology/approach This study methodology is a survey research, testing the Lussier model of business success and failure with a sample of 246 small businesses (90 failed and 156 successful) to better understand the reasons of their success or failure using logistic regression statistical analysis. Findings The model is significant (p = 0.000); it will predict a group of businesses as successful or failed more accurately than random guessing 99 per cent of the time. The model will also predict a specific small firm as successful or failed 94 per cent of the time vs. 50 per cent for random guessing. The r-square is very high (r = 0.70), indicating that the model variables are, in fact, significant predictors of success or failure. Results indicate that having adequate capital, keeping good records with financial controls, making plans and getting professional advice on how to manage the firm are the most important factors for the viability and success of small businesses. Practical implications With the high rate of small business failure globally, results of this study provide a list of variables that contribute to the success of small firms. Firms that focus on these important factors will increase their odds of success. Thus, avoiding failure, firms better utilize resources that contribute to economic growth. Originality/value This is the first study that looks at success and failure of small businesses in Palestine. There is no one single accepted theory that may be applied to small businesses. This paper aims to further contribute to the global validity of Lussier success and failure model moving toward a theory to better understand why some businesses succeed and others fail.

scholarly journals Victims of War: Dehydroepiandrosterone Concentrations in Hair and Their Associations with Trauma Sequelae in Palestinian Adolescents Living in the West Bank

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Schindler ◽  
Mohammed Shaheen ◽  
Rotem Saar-Ashkenazy ◽  
Kifah Bani Odeh ◽  
Sophia-Helen Sass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
West Bank ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The West ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Trauma Sequelae

Due to its anti-glucocorticoid properties, the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) might play a role for coping with traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The majority of studies report elevated DHEA secretion and decreased cortisol/DHEA ratio associated with traumatic stress, however, contrasting results have also been published. One reason for this heterogeneity might be that in past studies, DHEA has been measured in plasma or saliva samples reflecting acute hormone levels. In comparison, the current study assessed the hair levels of DHEA and cortisol as long-term markers along with self-reported data on psychopathology and coping in 92 female adolescents aged 11–16 from the West Bank affected by the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Results showed that trauma-exposed individuals had significantly higher DHEA levels (p = 0.013) and lower cortisol/DHEA ratios (p = 0.036) than participants from the non-trauma group. Furthermore, DHEA and cortisol/DHEA ratio emerged as associated with trauma load and timing, but not with coping. By applying the novel method of DHEA analysis from hair samples, this study adds to the growing literature on the interplay of DHEA, cortisol, traumatic stress and coping, and provides valuable starting points for further research.

Netanyahu corruption scandal could force early polls

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
West Bank ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Political Pressure ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Procurement Contracts

Significance The allegations against Netanyahu involve the acceptance of expensive gifts from wealthy businessmen and an attempt to close a confidential deal on coverage with the publisher of a major newspaper, who until now has been considered his arch-rival. Police are also investigating accusations relating to the role of Netanyahu’s personal lawyer in major procurement contracts between the Israeli navy and a German manufacturer. Impacts Public support for Netanyahu by ministers from his Likud party could be undercut in private. Netanyahu is likely to resist increased right-wing pressure to annex parts of the West Bank, fearing a US response. The accusations have put the premier under extreme political pressure, which might affect his responses to rising tensions with Gaza.

Belarus will contest gas price as Russia's charms fade

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Lower Price ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Term Energy ◽  
The Government ◽  
Gas Price

Subject Arguments about gas prices as a reflection of deteriorating relations. Significance Attempts by the Belarusian government to secure a lower price for gas imported from Russia have political undertones. The government is cautiously distancing itself from Moscow while signalling an openness to improved ties with the West. A long-term energy security programme adopted in December 2015 sets out steps towards diversifying fuel imports and would, if successful, undermine Russia's role as monopoly supplier. Impacts Reduced economic reliance on Russia is likely to be accompanied by greater political frictions. A worsening relationship could prompt Moscow to consider covertly undermining the Belarusian leadership. The government is unlikely to institute democratic and human rights reforms. This reluctance to change will be a constraint on closer EU ties.

Prospects for the Levant in 2021

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
West Bank ◽  
Economic Shocks ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Shifts

Significance However, in 2021 they will all face two common challenges: recovering from major economic shocks in 2020 and reorienting to US policy shifts under a Biden presidency. From Damascus to Beirut, to Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and on to Amman, they also face mutual contagion risks from instability.

Israel-UAE deal will expand existing security ties

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
West Bank ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Arab States ◽  
Regional Partnerships

Significance The US-brokered deal reflects Washington’s priorities in fostering regional partnerships against Iran and in upgrading Israel’s relationships in the Gulf (ostensibly as a step towards resolving the conflict with the Palestinians). Impacts There is speculation an accord could be signed as early as next month, but this may be delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington will seek to strong-arm other Arab states, notably Sudan, Bahrain and Oman, into following the UAE’s example. The agreement provides cover for Netanyahu to abort already troubled plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Netanyahu’s exclusion of coalition partners and security officials from talks has raised further public concern over his trustworthiness. In Israel, the deal remains overshadowed by preoccupations with the pandemic’s health and economic consequences.

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