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Israel and Palestine have dominated global headlines this week after US President Donald Trump shocked many when he announced that his country would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This breaks with decades of diplomatic tradition. Julie Ingersoll explains why Trump’s evangelical Christian base is thrilled by his controversial move.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a popular carol among those who celebrate Christmas. This Palestinian West Bank city, just nine kilometres from Jerusalem’s southern outskirts, is more than a symbolic site in the Christian imagination, writes Freya Higgins-Desbiolles. It is a vibrant city of the Middle East whose economy depends on tourism.
The United Nations has been working for more than a year to put together a database of companies operating in some 250 Israeli settlements. The settlements are supported by the state of Israel but considered illegal by many in the international community. The database has been dismissed by US and Israeli leaders, who call it a “blacklist” and say they’ll fight to prevent its release. Valentina Azarova argues that the list must be made public to help companies and their home states improve transparency and respect international law when operating in disputed zones.
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Why Jerusalem matters to evangelicals.
jaime.silva
Julie Ingersoll, University of North Florida
Many American evangelicals believe that the establishment and protection of Israel set up a chain of event for the return of Jesus. What were the origins of this narrative?
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Graffiti images on the Separation Wall separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem.
Freya Higgins Desbiolles
Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, University of South Australia
Bethlehem looms large in our minds with the approach of Christmas. But the reality for people living there now or tourists wishing to visit the ancient city remains deeply politically fraught.
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Israeli diggers work on opening new roads on a land prepared for the construction of the first Israeli West Bank settlement of Amichai in 25 years, 21 June 2017.
EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Valentina Azarova, Koç University Istanbul
Hundreds of companies operate in illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories – and the UN is listing some of them.
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Science + Technology
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Carole Mundell, University of Bath
A sudden flare and cooling of gas around a black hole has enabled astronomers to measure the magnetic field of a black hole for the first time – finding it much weaker than expected.
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Michelle Langley, Griffith University
Researchers in human evolution used to focus on Africa and Eurasia – but not anymore. Discoveries in Asia and Australia have changed the picture, revealing early, complex cultures outside of Africa.
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Environment + Energy
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Prashant Kumar, University of Surrey
Winter has once again brought severe air pollution to the Indian capital.
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Politics + Society
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Christopher R. Rossi, University of Iowa
The dispute between Uganda and Kenya over an islet half the size of a football pitch has been fuelled by the perceived imbalance in fish harvests and the prospects of oil reserves beneath.
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