1) “Story of a Land Grab“, by Hagit Ofran of Peace Now. Not so much an article but an illuminating slideshow. This visually helps chronicle how one settlement started off by only colonizing a small amount of land and then began to slowly take over more land. It’s all too easy to forget how the settlements sliced and diced the West Bank up into so many pieces that the two state solution is effectively finished because of land grabs like this.
2) “Is Israel its Own Worst Enemy?“, by Nicholas Kristoff. Over the last few years Kristoff has become more critical of Israel and has devoted quite a few columns to the issue. He makes a very strong point about the occupied Palestinian territories that you’d rarely hear from a New York Times writer, “So where do we go from here? If a peace deal is not forthcoming soon, and if Israel continues its occupation, then Israel should give the vote in Israeli elections to all Palestinians in the areas it controls. If Jews in the West Bank can vote, then Palestinians there should be able to as well.” This is the one state argument plain and simple and if you’ve read my previous posts you know I’m inclined to think that would be the best solution as well. I don’t normally enjoy Kristoff nor do I fully agree with the whole column here, but it makes for a very interesting read.
3) “Creation Myth“, by Malcom Gladwell. The article is a piecemeal history of the creation of the computer mouse with Gladwell’s always interesting take on things. He provides a unique history of the mouse while making you think about what ‘innovation’ really is. As a rule of thumb for me, no matter what the topic is, if Gladwell is writing it it’s sure to be fantastic. What is so great about his writing style is that it usually systematically refutes the conventional wisdom on the issue; this piece is no exception.