Israeli Fatah’s first day

16/08/09 19:01 CET

world news

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A newly-elected member of Palestinian Fatah who is a former Israeli has had his first day on the job. Professor Uri Davis is now in one of the nationalist movement’s governing bodies. He said: “As a Palestinian hebrew of Jewish origin, anti-Zionist and a citizen of an Apartheid state, the State of Israel, and an alleged constitutional monarchy, the United Kingdom, I hope to make a constructive contribution to the Revolutionary Council.”

Davis stands for a secular democratic state in all of historic Palestine. He became disgusted with his Israeli citizenship in the 1980’s, over Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza. At the first Fatah congress to be held in 20 years, the sociologist and writer won a seat in the Council. In Ramallah, its leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said dialogue with Hamas would continue, and that: “…negotiations with the Israeli side, because our aim is to have a Palestinian independent state on 1967 lands.”More about: Israel, Palestinian Territories

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

Two Rebel groups have agreed to merge and create an independent Islamic state in Northern Mali. After seizing Azawad – an area larger than France – two months ago, the groups had initially disagreed, with the secular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)…