A central question of the Middle East Peace Process remains: can the two-state solution be saved? Israel continues to build illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories - contrary to the recent UN resolution 2334. Against this backdrop, a conference has been organized in Paris on Sunday, January 15 to try to relaunch the moribund peace process. Over 70 countries will be attending the conference although Israeli and Palestinian officials will not be present. The French Initiative has been warmly received by the Palestinian leadership as a final chance to save the two-state-solution: “Two states today is possible. Tomorrow, it might be too late” warned Muhammad Shtayyeh, Fatah Central Committee Member, who nevertheless remains optimistic. “The reality on the ground, the demography on the ground, the geography on the ground, shows that a two-state solution is still possible today”. However, Palestinian public opinion no longer reflects this official position. A recent poll shows that 65% of Palestinians no longer believe the two-state solution is viable due to ongoing settlement expansion. “The more people think the two-state solution is no longer viable, the more likely they it is that they will shift and support a one-state solution” explains Dr. Khalil Shikaki, Director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. A few years ago, a minority of Palestinians would openly express support for the one-state solution. But today support is growing according to Radi Jarai, a Fatah dissident and Political Scientist at Al-Quds University. In 2013, together with members from other political factions, he created the ‘One Democratic State’ movement that advocates for the creation of a binational state. According to Jarai: “We are in a one-state solution since 1967, after the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza strip”. Young people are key proponents of the binational state. Mainly because they are disillusioned with the concepts of state building and the peace process. Will the peace process be relaunched after the Paris Conference? More than 60% of Palestinians believe otherwise. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q71GPh1GU70

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank City of Bethlehem gathered on June 2, 2020 outside the Church of Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus, to hold a vigil in honor of George Floyd and Eyad al-Halaq. Mahmoud Zawahreh, a local activist, told Mondoweiss that “it is important for Palestinians to stand with all the oppressed people in the world, of all nationalities, who are the victims of racism and persecution.” ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56kXBtQ2rNk

Phil Weiss is the founder and Senior Editor of Mondoweiss. Phil talks about the impact the Trump presidency has had on Jewish American communities and organizations, what he's looking for on election night and beyond, and what a Biden presidency could mean for the Palestine solidarity movement. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mU5wBmViTY

Hundreds of activists, organized by a coalition of Palestinian, Israeli and International organizations joined the families of Sarura to rebuild their village and create the "Sumud Freedom Camp." The coalition wants to show a grassroots counterpoint to the high-level political process and Trump's visit to Israel/Palestine this week. They also want to send a message to the Israeli authorities. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeafvU5oWY8