About Us
Palestine-Israel Journal is published by Middle East Publications, a non-profit organization (No. 58-023862-4) founded in 1994 by two prominent Palestinian and Israeli journalists, Ziad AbuZayyad and Victor Cygielman (1926-2007), and was established concurrently with the first phases of the Oslo peace process to encourage dialogue between civil societies on both sides and broaden the base of support for the peace process. It was obvious from the start that, alongside the institutional efforts of Palestinians and Israelis, channels of communication must be opened for academics and other intellectuals, opinion and policy makers, grassroots organizations and activists to voice their views and take part in the public debate for a democratic and just solution to the conflict.
As an independent publication, with an often-critical voice, Palestine-Israel Journal provides background material and in-depth analysis of various aspects that are related to the conflict from the perspective of both sides, thus helping to shed light on the complex issues dividing Israelis and Palestinians and the relationship between the two peoples. The Journal’s activities are conducted in parallel, and selected articles are available on the website www.pij.org, in addition to its blog which is a platform for opinion-based articles. The internet newsletter, roundtable discussions, public events, policy papers, workshops, and projects are all organized in conjunction with each thematic issue. Palestine-Israel Journal aims:
Despite the extensive media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, much of this comes in soundbites, as immediate reaction to daily events on the ground, generally from the perspective of one of the sides only. There is therefore a need for means of communication that can increase each side's exposure to and understanding of the other and promote sober and meaningful exchanges between the two peoples around central issues.
Palestine-Israel Journal is the only independent, joint publication to be produced locally, and in which the crucial issues at stake are presented from the perspective of both sides. As such, we are more convinced than ever that we have an important responsibility and role to play in maintaining open the channels for dialogue between the two peoples and providing a forum where the complex issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can continue to be examined seriously, freely and critically.
Now in its 29th year, Palestine-Israel Journal proves the fact that it is possible to work together in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and recognition, even on the most conflicting and sensitive issues. While the present situation is economically and politically challenging for the Journal, we successfully continue to publish as a joint venture in pursuit of these aims.
Co-Editors
Ziad AbuZayyad Hillel Schenker
Managing Editors
Susie Becher Nisreen AbuZayyad
Cultural Editor
Galit Hasan-Rokem
Circulation & Production
Najat Hirbawi
Editorial Board
Adnan Abdelrazek, Ali Abu Shahla, Alon Liel, Ata Qaymari, Benjamin Pogrund, Dan Jacobson, Daniel Bar-Tal, Danny Rubinstein, Edy Kaufman, Frances Raday, Galia Golan, Gershon Baskin, Hanna Siniora, Hind Khoury, Huda Abuarqoub, Ilan Baruch, Izhak Schnell, Jumana Jaouni, Khuloud Khayyat Dajani, Lucy Nusseibah, Meir Margalit, Menachem Klein, Moshe Maoz, Nivine Sandouka, Mossi Raz, Suheir Freitekh, Yehudit Oppenheimer, Tony Klug
Board of Sponsors
Anat Cygielman (Tel Aviv), Alice Shalvi (Jerusalem), David Grossman (Jerusalem), Ghassan Khatib (Ramallah), Hanan Ashrawi (Ramallah), John Ashley (Ramallah), Manuel Hassassian (Copenhagen), Nadia Naser-Najjab (Exeter), Naomi Chazan (Jerusalem), Peter Weiss (New York), Rashid Khalidi (New York), Samir Hulileh (Ramallah), Sari Nusseibeh (Jerusalem), Simone Susskind (Brussels), Yael Dayan (Tel Aviv), Lamis Alami (Jerusalem)
ABOUT THE JOURNAL
The Journal is staffed by a joint team of Palestinians and Israelis working from a single office based in East Jerusalem. In order to ensure that the views of both sides are equally reflected, the Journal employs two chief editors and two managing editors, one Israeli and one Palestinian respectively. Currently the Editorial Board composed of 26 members (journalists, academics and other intellectuals), is also equally divided between Palestinians and Israelis. The Board convenes once every six weeks and takes an active role in the Journal’s work by providing guidance, suggestions and feedback on the content and quality of the Journal and its related activities. These meetings also provide the board members with the opportunity to consolidate links and engage in informal debate and dialogue about current events.
The Journal is produced quarterly, with each issue (128 pages) devoted to a particular topic related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and relations between the two peoples. A range of articles written by Israeli and Palestinian experts examine the focus topic from different perspectives, giving readers a comprehensive overview and analysis of the subject. Sometimes a double issue (up to 200 pages and more) is published when many valuable articles on the topic are submitted.
Past issues focused on the following topics:
Water, the environment, peace education, human rights; the role of the media; the right of return; national identities; collective narratives; settlements; the status of Jerusalem; religion and politics; Post-Oslo: impasse and options, refugees, the role of women and youth in the conflict; the effects of the conflict on mental health; regional security, the role of the international community and public opinion, and more: https://pij.org/journals
Each publication is accompanied by a series of debates and discussions, thus extending the dialogue beyond the pages of the Journal and strengthening opportunities for direct dialogue between the two sides. Our newly updated website (www.pij.org) with free on-line access to selected articles also contains an archive of past issues and bios of article authors enables us to reach out to and forge links with a wider public. The publication of each issue is accompanied by a public launch, in-person or via Zoom.
The Journal seeks to reach a targeted, but diverse public. Our readership includes academics, journalists and political figures, as well as opinion and policymakers, grass-roots activists and associations, students, diplomatic missions and international agencies as well as members of the general public who want to understand what is behind the daily headlines. It currently has an average circulation of about 3,500. It is generally estimated that readership is about three times the circulation level. A large number of copies are sent to locally based decision and policy makers, opinion leaders, relevant NGOs and international bodies, and the media on a complimentary basis. It is also available by subscription and through local points of sale and distributors in third countries. One third of our subscribers are based in the region.
Palestine-Israel Journal, East Jerusalem, P.O. Box 19839 | Tel 972-2-6282115/59 | Fax 972-2-6273388 | E-mail pij@staff.pij.org, http://www.pij.org
