Silwan

Archeology seems like a neutral science. Who, after all, could argue with the importance of understanding the past? But in occupied Palestine, like in Arizona, history and its uses are highly politicized.

The Jewish National Fund was set up in 1901 to purchase land in the Land of Israel on behalf of the Jewish People. The JNF also has become Israel's forestry service. However, in addition to all of the important environmental work the JNF does, there is sadly a dark side.

In Silwan there is a fight over nationality, history and also religion. For the Palestinians, it is a Palestinian neighborhood, next to Al-Aqsa Mosque where thousands of Palestinians have been living for ages

JERUSALEM — Heavily armed Israeli police dragged the Dana brothers from their home before dawn, tossed them in armored jeeps and hauled them in ...

When the word came that Samer Sarhan was killed, some young Palestinians gathered and threw their anger and frustration at the policemen in stones. The police reacted with tear gas and sound bombs.

As a result of the American pressure, Israeli building plans in East Jerusalem have been frozen. The future of Jerusalem must be decided upon the negotiations table and not by the bulldozers.

In his recklessness and tunnel vision, Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat is undermining the very legitimacy of Israel at a time when Israel can least afford it.

In East Jerusalem, there are Palestinian neighborhoods with tens of thousands of residents, which in the last months have been at the center of clashes between settlers, police, and residents.

JERUSALEM — A Jerusalem planning body on Monday approved a plan to raze 22 Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem to make room for an Israeli touri...

The recent clashes in East Jerusalem, though limited in scope and duration, are forcing us again to question the presentation of Jerusalem as a united city.

The plan to build an archeological park on the ruins of Palestinian homes in Silwan is meant to deepen Israel's hold on this focal point in the political contest between Israelis and Palestinians.

"The strength comes from my hope and belief that one day things will be better. It comes from our strong desire not to lose the children -- not to see them commit violence and end up in jail."

Last week, an incident that could have set the entire Middle East on fire was prevented. Netanyahu's secret plan to visit a disputed tunnel in the East Jerusalem Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan was canceled.

Many in Israel today see archeology as a tool for strengthening the connection between the Jewish people and the ancient past of the land of Israel.

These murals present a reality that is imaginary, illusory, and utterly alienated from the treachery conducted beneath and atop the very grounds of the holy basin of the Old City.

After spending a week on the West Bank, I concluded that the recognition by the U.S. and the West of a viable Palestinian state in partnership with Israel has never seemed more like a pipe dream.