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Academic life in the present era is subject to several occupational stressors, including increased workloads, reduced research funding, tenuous career paths, and family-work conflicts. Such stressors affect academics' quality of life, wellbeing, and job satisfaction, and women are particularly vulnerable. There is, however, a dearth of information on such issues in the Arab World. We conducted a scoping review to map the current body of knowledge related to the institutional and socio-cultural factors that influence the wellbeing status of women working in academia in Arab countries. Fourteen articles were included. Several challenges threatening women's wellbeing in academia were identified including institutional factors (i.e., human resource policies and laws, workplace empowerment, and academic mentoring) and socio-cultural factors (i.e., work-life balance, culture and religion). Current human resources, policies, and labor laws do not adequately support maternal or complex family roles contributing to work-life imbalances and contribute to poor mental health outcomes for academic women working in academia in Arab countries. Although some of these challenges may stem from lingering cultural stereotypes about gender roles, this review highlights the need for professional development and mentoring programs for academic women in Arab countries, in addition to supportive institutional laws, policies, and resources for empowerment of women in academia.

There is a significant literature on the value of journaling to support teachers in reflecting on their pedagogical practices as well as their duties and obligations as educators. Institutions of teacher education should therefore provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to develop their self-reflective skills. A mixed-method action research approach was used in this study to examine the perspectives of 71 teacher candidates in the occupied West Bank on reflective journaling (RJ). The development of professionals' reflective and critical thinking is one of the goals of higher education (Berger & Youkeles, 2000). The use of reflective journaling as a teaching tool may be of use to professionals learning the abilities required to lead a classroom. The key question this study addresses is: What are teacher candidates' experiences with RJ during their practicum course? A triangulated, mixed-method approach was employed and converging quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaire responses and interviews. The study's findings suggest teacher candidates benefited significantly from writing reflective journals in developing motivation and self-confidence and strengthening their writing skills.

The present study investigates the effect of obesity and overweight on children's cognitive abilities and well-being using survey data from West Bank schools. The results show the significant adverse impact of obesity on a child's well-being by raising externalizing (behavioral) problems and increasing the probability of classifying a child with abnormal mental health difficulties, according to the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while no such impact was founded on the cognitive test results. The analysis further exposes that teachers' negative attitude toward obese students is an important factor that contributes to the association between obesity/overweight and higher SDQ scores.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the academic world came into contact with a virtual learning environment that allows students and educators to leave the boundaries of space and time and maintain academic interactions at unrestricted times and sites. After three semesters of remote learning, there is a feeling that the return to universities and to closed spaces will deter students and that they will prefer remote learning. Studying from home spares valuable time, time otherwise wasted in traffic jams, as well as petrol and other expenses. Remote learning gives a feeling of freedom, comfort, flexible time, and a better sense of control over one's studies than in the classroom. The current study, conducted about one year after the outbreak of the pandemic, examined students' background variables: gender, years of schooling, marital status, financial and employment status -- with the goal of exploring the association between these variables and students' preference for either face-to-face or digital teaching. It is evident from the research findings that after this experience of e-Learning neither of these two methods shows a clear advantage over the other. Was the e-Learning experience during the crisis a one-time, incidental event? Or perhaps, in light of the crisis, academic institutions should prepare for a different type of learning, one that combines face-to-face with digital learning? The study illuminates an issue that is confronting educational institutions in general and academic institutions in particular, i.e., preparations for teaching and learning in the post-crisis world, after the considerable upheaval to which we were subjected.

Families of autistic children from underserved populations participate in support services at lower rates than other families. To better understand possible reasons for this inequity, we reviewed qualitative studies examining parent-reported barriers and facilitators to accessing and participating in support services. A systematic search identified 18 articles that met inclusion criteria. Resulting thematic analysis located three themes: (a) support service accessibility, (b) diversity of support services, and (c) community. Parents reported that financial pressures, geographic location, and service flexibility influenced their ability to obtain support services. Implications for service delivery and areas for future research are discussed.

The study aims to identify the effectiveness of distance learning of mathematics from the perspective of the public-school teachers during the COVID pandemic. Differences of statistical significances between the answers of the participants were registered. To achieve the desired goals, researchers employed the descriptive approach; a questionnaire was designed to collect the necessary information from the research sample (125) teachers. Results show that effectiveness of distance learning of mathematics from the teachers' point of view was average. Regarding the fields, the field of objectives of the activation of mathematics curriculum distance learning came first whereas the liabilities of distance teaching of mathematics occupied the last place. No variations of statistical significance emerged regarding the distance teaching of mathematics in relation to the study variables. The research is expected to contribute usefully to the scientific community as it handles a global incidence and its implications within a developing country with limited resources and capabilities. The gap that the paper attempts to address is one of great significance as it answers pivotal questions on how technology in education can be a real hope for educational achievement in a marginalised area of the world.

This study is a pioneer study examining the significance of retirement in terms of lost investments and outcomes. Research findings on the output of academic faculty and on measures of excellence in higher education indicate that upon retirement the academic institution as an organization loses not only faculty who are still capable of contributing both to research and to teaching, but rather also two other important products: valuable knowledge and experience accumulated by senior faculty in the academic system in light of the institution's investments in them. 107 questionnaires were collected from senior faculty members in a case study of one academic institution. A combined research method was utilized, consisting of qualitative and statistical analysis, with the aim of exploring the significance of retirement in terms of lost input and output, as perceived by academic faculty members. The research findings indicate that indeed, as perceived by the faculty, academic institutions as an organization lose faculty who are still capable of contributing to both research and teaching, as well as valuable knowledge and experience accumulated by senior faculty members within the academic system, after being nurtured by the academic institution.

To address the gap in locally driven mental health capacity strengthening initiatives in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), researchers from Birzeit University (BZU) and King's College London (KCL) developed a unique short course focusing on the intersection between methods, mental health, and conflict. The course was delivered in the West Bank at BZU, aiming to strengthen mental health research capacity among local researchers, health professionals and administrators. Twenty-eight participants from the West Bank and East Jerusalem completed the course. Participants accepted on the course from the Gaza Strip did not receive permission by the Israeli authorities to travel to the West Bank and were thus unable to attend. A pre-training assessment was completed before the start of the course and identified a gap in participants' key qualitative and quantitative research skills. The post-evaluation showed that all participants agreed that their qualitative research skills improved, and the majority agreed that their quantitative research skills improved. Several participants considered the quantitative part too intensive, requiring more training time. The majority of participants were highly satisfied with the course. Our initiative offers a model for strengthening the local research capacity required to tackle the burden of mental illness in conflict-affected areas. This annual course can be scaled up to other conflict settings.

This paper discusses a collaborative research project that aimed to explore approaches to creative practices and pedagogies by teacher education communities in the West Bank, Palestine, and North West England (Bethlehem and Chester). The project explored the values, attitudes and perceptions of teacher educators and student teachers in relation to creative pedagogies and the conditions under which they flourished in each community. We found that creativity was understood to take many forms, according to the cultural values and conditions present in each community, and that creative pedagogical forms emerged from the specificities of their cultural and political contexts. Creativity in education is a contentious issue in both cultures, but an area that both education communities wished to explore further. Despite the differences, there were surprising commonalities between the two communities about the value of creative practices and the relation of creativity to democratic and critical practices in the classroom.

This paper investigates the short and long-term pernicious impact of armed conflicts on education and educational agents (students, teachers and students' parents), using a multivocal review by means of the integration and qualitative analysis of 60 research reports (voices) found in two databases: Web of Science and PROQUEST in the period between 1995 -date of the first founding paper- until 2014. Through the analysis of source data (voices) and taking the "multivocal review" as a method, the voices have been combined in nine categories, namely: a) Refusal and impediments to a return to education; b) Educational infrastructure damaged or destroyed; c) Cuts in or withdrawal of spending on education; d) Loss of the educational and protective functions of the family; e) Loss of the academic community; f) Non-qualified teaching staff; g) Drastic loss of skills; h) Abandoning school (population movements, destruction of networks and social environment); i) Behavioural problems: traumas, pedagogical roles and self-victimization. These categories have highlighted the serious consequences arising from conflicts, infringing as they do the most basic human rights and in particular the right to a sound education during childhood.

The Palestinian information technology (IT) sector is growing. Meanwhile, an ongoing out-migration of IT professionals and graduates is taking place. Drawing on group, pair and individual interviews, as well as fieldwork observations, this paper investigates highly skilled IT students' intentions to stay in or to leave the West Bank. In particular, it examines their transition from university to employment or further education, including professional opportunities and factors affecting migratory and stay decisions. This paper shows how physical, legal, bureaucratic, professional, educational, cultural and personal factors shape professional plans and career trajectories. Particular attention is paid to the Israeli occupation and gender expectations. The students' mobility is facilitated by completed degrees and diplomas, acquired skills and scholarships, all of which are potential tools to overcome restrictions. However, this study reveals a clash between aspirations and reality, which often results in limited freedoms. We argue that a student's relative (un)freedom contributes to (im)mobile transitions from university to employment or further education, where migration could be a way to obtain freedoms or to escape the lack thereof.

This paper traces challenges faced by six Arab women from three different Arab localities -- Palestinian Arab society in Israel, Palestinian Authority territories, and Jordan -- on their path to appointment as school principals, investigating how they cope with the challenges involved in women's leadership in a patriarchal society. Qualitative methodology employed in-depth interviews to elucidate the life stories of six Arab women principals. Findings show that the women's professional careers were empowered by family support. They report various difficulties and obstacles that they needed to overcome, especially since they are expected to continue to fulfil their homemaker role while complying with the requirements of their demanding profession. It is concluded that Arab women who attain educational leadership posts employ their strong characteristics, their empowered agency, and the values they acquire and represent to improve their social status, transform their personal and professional identity, and improve their resources despite restrictive cultural norms. Enlisting support from their families and other resources, they overcome barriers on the path to principalship. It is recommended that government policy in the studied societies should encourage women to undertake senior roles in education and provide the necessary mentoring and support to ensure their success. Further implications of the findings are discussed.

This study was designed to evaluate the dimensionality, internal consistency, and validity of scores on the Arabic Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory--Short Form (PTGI--SF). This brief 10-item form of the PTGI self-report measure was administered to a sample of Arabic-speaking professional helpers (N = 338) working in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Scores were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. The findings suggest that the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the PTGI--SF make it appropriate for assessing posttraumatic growth in the broader Arabic-speaking population.

Informed by a perspective centred on psychological health and well-being, the present research investigated whether teachers' overall well-being was influenced by their affect balance, as well as the extent to which both affect and well-being are influenced by social capital, in conflict-ridden areas such as the occupied Palestinian Territories (Gaza Strip and West Bank). The study involved three cohorts of Palestinian teachers working in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, respectively (N = 153). Dynamics of social exclusion, religious difference, educational disparity, poor educational standards and a lack of opportunity are factors affecting Palestinian teachers in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The results supported the hypothesis that emotional balance directly influences teachers' well-being. Teachers with higher levels of positive affect reported greater personal well-being than those with higher levels of negative affect. Social capital also positively influenced teachers' personal well-being, both directly, and indirectly by fostering positive emotions. These results suggest that availability of community resources plays a key role in promoting teachers' well-being.

Despite being a protracted refugee crisis that entails international debates and controversies, discussions about Palestinian education have frequently sidelined the perspectives, needs and priorities of the Palestinian refugee population. Drawing upon a qualitative study in the West Bank and engaging with theoretical ideas of Johan Galtung, Paulo Freire and Pierre Bourdieu, we argue that the nexus between educational motivation and motivation for Palestinian liberation, which was particularly significant during the periods of 'Palestinian uprising', seems to be declining today in the present day context of oppression and structural violence. The growing disassociation among young refugees with Palestinian liberation, and with education as a means to this liberation, can be seen as a process of symbolic violence. Building upon these findings, we propose a new analytical framework for understanding the interrelationship between education, violence and struggle for social and political transformation in conflict-affected societies.

The purpose of this paper is to share the evolution of a sociological framework to investigate the experience of teaching and learning music in relation to the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in the occupied Palestinian territories. The primary foundation of the framework is Christopher Small's (1998) theory of musicking, supported by the concept of third place from urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg (1999) and the reconceptualization of music education as cultural practice suggested by educational researcher Rubén Gaztambide-Fernández (2007, 2011). Preliminary findings suggest that Small's theory is particularly apt because of its focus on ideal relationships between infinite combinations of people, places, and sounds. [This paper was presented at the 9th International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education (2015).]

Background: Density is difficult to learn and teach in middle schools. This study, hypothesizing that the density concept develops as part of a conceptual system, used a conceptual change approach to teaching density. The approach emphasized the use of multiple strategies to teach the density concept and the associated concepts in the conceptual system. Purpose: This study assessed post-instructional understanding of different aspects of density in a sample of seventh grade students, examined the effectiveness of the multi-dimensional approach in teaching density, investigated the relations between prior student characteristics and their post-instructional understanding, and investigated if the concept of density develops as part of a conceptual system. Program description: In the first part of the study, student understanding of density was assessed in regular classrooms. In the second part, the investigator and a science teacher co-taught the density unit over a two-week period emphasizing relations between density, mass, volume, part-whole relations, and a scientific particulate conception of matter. A conceptual change approach was used which emphasized multiple representations of knowledge and the use of analogies. Sample: The sample in regular classes consisted of 1,645 seventh graders in 51 schools in the West Bank, Palestine. The intervention group consisted of 29 students in one school. Design and methods: The post-instructional understanding of density in 51 regularly taught classrooms was assessed in the first part of the study using a pencil-and paper test. In the second part, a pre-test was used with the intervention group. Students in both parts of the study took the same post-test. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe student performance. Comparison between pre-test and post-test performance of students in the intervention group was conducted using "t"-test and ANOVA. Correlations between pre-test sub-scores and post-test scores for students in the intervention class also were calculated. ?[superscript 2] was used to test for co-development of the density concept and other concepts using the different items of the post-test for all groups. Results: Student understanding of density was found poor after instruction, while the intervention had a moderate effect on understanding. Students who started with a basic understanding of some aspects of density gained more from the intervention. The density concept co-developed with the concept of volume and a particulate conception of matter. Conclusions: Teaching density as part of a conceptual system helps promote understanding of the concept. This requires the continuous development and refinement of a learning progression of density, volume, and the particulate nature of matter on the one hand, and an in-depth treatment while teaching the concept on the other hand.

We examined access to autism-related services among Palestinians (N = 24) raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the West Bank. Using qualitative methods, we identified five primary interview themes. Poor screening, diagnostic, and psychoeducational practices were prevalent, as parents reported service providers minimized parental concerns and communicated ineffectively with the caregivers regarding treatment options. Geographic barriers and financial burdens prevented many families from seeking or maintaining services. Limited service availability was a dominant barrier: parents reported limited or denied access to education, community-based services, and ASD-specific interventions. Consequently, several families noted their children did not receive any services whatsoever. Research, practices and policies to address the shortage of services for children with ASD are urgently needed in the West Bank.

This article offers an ethnographic account of the professional activities of mental health practitioners, employed by the state's religious education system. I analyze various models implemented by practitioners for the purposes of preparing pupils for the state-mandated evacuation of Jewish settlers from Gaza and the West Bank. By focusing on the interaction between psychological and religious-national cultural frameworks I show how practitioners imbue familiar professional concepts with new meanings and create hybrid models of intervention.

WEST BANK, 2007 FOR HAFEZ'S MOTHER, Sundus, it begins with seashells. She shuts her eyes and her childhood house appears behind her lids. Her own mother is ambling toward the [...]

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant global health concern and is characterized by the degeneration of joint structures, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations It is estimated that 654.1 million individuals are affected by osteoarthritis worldwide, with females, especially those older than 60 years of age, being the population most impacted. However, there remains a gap in understanding the awareness of knee osteoarthritis among specific populations, such as the Palestinian community in the West Bank, thus, highlighting the need for targeted research to address this health disparity. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the West Bank from August to September 2024. Participants were recruited from 11 cities and a validated questionnaire adapted from a previous study was used to collect the data. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, yielding a value of standard alpha = 0.71, which is an acceptable value. The survey collected demographic data, clinical characteristics, knowledge of osteoarthritis risk factors, symptoms, and attitudes towards treatment options. R Statistical Software was used for data analysis, which included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to explore the relationships between demographic factors and osteoarthritis knowledge, whereby a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was set up as a significance level. Results: A total of 725 valid responses were included in our study. Among the participants, 569 were female, predominantly aged 25 or younger (66%, n = 479), and 62% (n = 450) were single. Knowledge assessment revealed that 80% (n = 580) recognized knee osteoarthritis as a chronic disease, while only 51% (n = 369) understood its impact on joint involvement. The majority identified high BMI (87%, n = 632), advancing age (94%, n = 683), and previous knee injury (72%, n = 520) as risk factors, although only 42% (n = 306) acknowledged genetics as one. Most participants were aware of the management strategies, including analgesics (70%, n = 510) and physiotherapy (80%, n = 579). However, 66% (n = 478) scored low for overall knowledge regarding knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the critical importance of raising awareness and knowledge about osteoarthritis within the Palestinian community. Despite being widely known as a long-term issue, there are still noticeable gaps in the understanding of the joint impact, potential risks, and effective treatment methods for osteoarthritis. The use of informal sources highlights the importance of specific educational programs by healthcare providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent wave of armed conflict in and around the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in an unprecedented scale of looting and destruction of archaeological sites in the West Bank, with the aim of extracting valuable artefacts for personal financial gain. The antiquities looters used both traditional hand tools and heavy machinery in their plundering activities. This armed conflict (still ongoing as of this writing), which has led to the destruction of numerous archaeological sites in the Palestinian Territories, motivates this research. The primary objective of this study is to identify the impact of the recent political crisis on Palestinian archaeological sites, specifically focusing on the case studies of Khirbet Qusātīn, Khirbet Sīmiyā, and Khirbet ‘Abda, all located in Hebron governorate. The methodology employs a multidisciplinary approach, including field surveys, photography using cameras and drones, literature review, and analysis of available satellite imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Article explores the processes of family reunification through marriage in the West Bank and East Jerusalem under their two different legal systems, where one spouse is a Palestinian resident of the West Bank or East Jerusalem, and the other spouse is a foreign national. It argues that Israeli state institutions produce uncertainty through purposefully malfunctional, unclear, and inconsistent policies of family reunification and visa applications for those families. The Article argues that the uncertainty produced through creating a regulatory gray area constructs a mechanism of control. The process of producing this uncertainty is twofold: on one hand, there are few clear legal resources and precedents that regulate the family reunification process, and on the other hand, there is an abundance of changing and unwritten rules that inform the process. This Article draws on data collected as part of current PhD research, including interviews, auto-ethnography, and review of policy documents to examine how Israeli state institutions produce such uncertainty. The Article then shows how impacted families navigate the complex legal-administrative matrix and challenge Israeli bureaucratic violence. Their ability to construct and acquire knowledge by alternative means, such as through rumor, expectations, and guesses, allows them to negotiate their situations. This alternative knowledge impacts families' perceptions of their situations and can be a way in which they navigate through and challenge Israeli bureaucratic violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article by Al-Najjar et al. (2022a) possesses abundant flaws in geopolitical, geographical and hydrological contexts. The paper ignores a vast body of scientific literature about the study region of the Negev Desert, Israel, in general, and Nahal Besor (Wadi Gaza) in particular. The paper's methodology lacks data collection from the field. These gaps and flaws lead to erroneous and geopolitically slandered research conclusions. Nahal Besor is a large transboundary ephemeral river shared between Israel, the West Bank (Palestinian and Israeli territories) in the northeast, and finally, its western outlet into the Mediterranean Sea is in the Gaza Strip. Despite the current political ordeal between the two nations to accurately portray and model the segment of the river in the downstream coastal plain of Gaza, it is crucial to use the data of upstream Israeli floods that in some events reach the Strip. In this comment, we utilize some of the main flaws of Al-Najjar et al. (2022a) to demonstrate that how the hypothesized potential flood geohazard of Gaza can be significantly reduced by binational and regional cooperation such as using upbasin bank-side reservoirs in the northwestern Negev, Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates the physicochemical attributes, antibacterial efficacy, and antioxidant capacities of four distinct varieties of honey from the West Bank region of Palestine: Assal Barsem (Medicago sativa) AB, Assal Morar (Centaurea dumulosa Boiss) AM, Assal Horfesh (Silybum) AH, and Assal Sader (Ziziphus spina-christi) AS. The analysis encompassed parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), and Total Phenolic Content (TPC). Furthermore, the antioxidant potential was gauged through Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) determination and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In addition, the antibacterial effectiveness of the honeys was measured against a spectrum of bacterial strains including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Bacillus subtilis, utilizing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC). The outcomes of the physicochemical analysis adhered to the quality benchmarks outlined by the European Union Commission and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The MIC and MBC values exhibited notable variance across the tested honey varieties, with MIC values ranging from 0.024% w/w to 1.56% w/w, and MBC values ranging from 0.048% w/w to 3.15% w/w. Particularly, AH demonstrated superior efficacy against all seven bacterial strains, with MIC values spanning from 0.1 to 0.6% w/w, and MBC values ranging from 0.3% w/w to 0.8% w/w. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were notably susceptible to all honey samples. Collectively, our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of Palestinian honey varieties, highlighting their multifaceted health-promoting attributes. Further exploration is warranted to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of bioactive constituents and explore their potential applications in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 7 October 2023 Hamas attack precipitated Israel's longest war and its first existential one since 1973. Although Israel has enjoyed military successes against Hamas, Hizbullah and Iran itself, it remains focused on the persistent threats posed by the 'axis of resistance' and its own political failures. US–Israeli strategic cooperation has been unprecedented, including the first joint combat operations. But bilateral tensions, especially regarding civilian casualties and the post-war future of Gaza, have also grown. Israel is compelled to reassess its overall national-security strategy, its reluctance to devise a long-term strategy for Gaza and the West Bank, its ties with the international community, the existential importance of the relationship with the United States, and polarisation within Israeli society. The two-state solution may be the ultimate casualty of the war, necessitating new approaches to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing care for families under occupation has always been marked by scarce resources and too many patients. The current war in Gaza has dramatically worsened conditions in the Occupied Territories of Palestine (OTP). A family physician and her team in the southern West Bank describe their own challenges and give voice to the physicians in the OTP they interviewed to better understand the professional and personal challenges of living and working during the uncertainty of war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2002, Israel started the construction of a 708-kilometer wall to control the Palestinian territories. The Wall offered a massive canvas, which the Palestinians used to develop graffiti and murals. The artwork and graffiti are location-specific, ephemeral, transitory, and unstable. This paper aims to document, archive, and analyze discourse and themes emerging from the artwork that developed on the Wall between 2018 and 2022. The analysis of these images has revealed that, while the purpose of building the Wall was to curb and stifle their resistance, Palestinians turned it into a platform where they were able to express their commitment to national resistance, freedom, justice, love, poetry, business, and even personalization of their own stories. The Wall has also attracted international solidarity and sparked a new protest movement called "struggle tourism", focusing on the Palestinian presence in the region's physical, moral, and political landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article makes three contributions to the study of the root causes of the First Lebanon war: 1) It argues that Israeli policies and actions during Begin's governments (1977–1983) in the Occupied Territories and Lebanon should be analyzed together and interwoven into a single dialectical narrative; 2) It contends that the decision to lead Israel into a full-scale war in Lebanon was linked to Israel's ambitions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including Jewish settler agendas and their advocacy of a large-scale war in Lebanon; 3) It maintains that the deception narrative which has dominated Israeli scholarship regarding this war should be adjusted and analyzed in light of the fact that the war plans and preparations had been reported accurately and in detail by both the international and Israeli press since August 1981.* [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research deals with the study of geomorphological phenomena of the drainage basin area of Wadi al-Qelt located between latitudes E°31 '55 "59 and °31 '48 "27 north, and longitudes N °35 '12 "22 and °35 '32 "51 east, and is one of the valleys of the eastern slopes of: the mountains of Ram Allah and Jerusalem, located within the mountain range of central Palestine, and ends in the Jordan Valley in the east of Jericho at the Jordan River coupler, It aims to vary the influence of geomorphological factors in the formation of terrain features, as the geological structure, both rock and tectonic, had the largest role in the geomorphological formation of the region, where doloms and soluble limestone rocks are spread, which resulted in the presence of karst forms, and marlin rocks that can be carved and eroded, which resulted in the active decline of slopes and the intensification of the number of river ranks. The second part of the structure, represented by the tectonic factor, resulted in its impact on the Afro-Asian groove (collapse pit), the direction and intensity of the general slope and the resulting increase in the energy of the valleys on vertical sculpture, deepening and formation of gorges and others, while the second factor represented by the ancient and current climate has clearly appeared its effects in the parts of the drainage basin, where the effects of the current climate appeared by the extreme variation of rain amounts between the parts of the study area, and the impact of the ancient climate was manifested in the lower basin Which was greatly affected by the change in the levels of the ancestor of the Dead Sea, which were alternating those parts, the study followed the descriptive, historical, and analytical approach to describe the geographical reality and its characteristics, trace geological eras, and employ (GIS) technology. It concluded that the basin consists of a set of structural geomorphological phenomena, phenomena resulting from erosion and sedimentation, and phenomena associated with weathering processes, and the study recommended carrying out many geomorphological studies on the region and identifying what abounds in the geography of the Wadi basin Clumping is a morphodynamic, morphodynamic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analytical report discusses the importance of employing settlement in the service of the Zionist project and its patterns in Palestine, specifically the West Bank, and its character of violence, substitution and settlement, in addition to its results in the West Bank and recent trends in settlement plans, and reviews the concept of Jordanian national security, its components and the challenges it faces. The report concluded with the most important effects resulting from settlement policies on Jordanian national security, such as: the threat to Jordanian national security, the continuation of wars in the region, the increased risk of displacing Palestinians to Jordan and imposing settlement there, compromising the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, and increasing demands to extend to Jordan as a Part of the historic Land of Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphological variations among collections of okra landraces in order to improve local varieties in Palestine. Eighteen okra accessions from various locations in the West-Bank region were evaluated for morphological variation. Different sixteen morphological traits were used for okra collection evaluation. The results revealed significant differences in seed color, leaf rib color, stem color, branching patterns, and fruit characteristics. Cluster and similarity analysis classified into two main clusters (I and II) with further sub-clusters. Genetic proximity did not strictly align with geographical boundaries, suggesting that factors beyond location influence genetic similarity. Cluster I exhibited greater diversity, with sub-clusters hinting at potential local adaptation. In contrast, Cluster II was smaller and less diverse, implying potentially distinct genetic origins. These findings provide insights for breeding strategies and germplasm conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the author's deep conflict regarding the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel's military actions, particularly in Rafah. Topics include the unresolved status of Palestinians in the West Bank, the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza exacerbated by Israeli military actions, and the violations of international humanitarian law that have led to increased suffering among civilians in both regions.

The research leverages yearly variations in climate variables, such as rainfall and temperature, across the West Bank from 1999 to 2018 to assess their influence on individuals' decisions to stay in the agricultural sector. The main findings suggest that an increase in rainfall in the previous year is associated with a higher proportion of workers in the agricultural sector, especially in regions where agriculture is the primary economic activity. Temperature variation is also an important factor. An increase in the maximum temperature will generally have a negative effect on the supply of labor in the agricultural sector, while an increase in the minimum temperature may have a positive effect. However, this effect varies across different regions of the West Bank, reflecting the diverse agricultural practices and irrigation methods employed. The study also examines two potential mechanisms through which climate change affects labor decisions: agricultural labor migration to the Israeli labor market and how climate shocks affect agricultural wages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Palestinians living in the West Bank began to infiltrate Israel. These infiltrations were characterised by robberies and break-ins, and sometimes the killing of Israelis. Israel responded to these actions with military raids and harm to the civilian population in the villages of Jordan from which these infiltrators set out and crossed the border. As a result, a defensive Jordanian National Guard was developed. Shaul Bartal presents the Jordanian military concept behind the Jordanian National Guard and outlines its military successes in repelling Israeli attacks in the period preceding the 1956 Suez Crisis. ◼ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAnalysts strive to predict future scenarios of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, concentrating on the question of whether Palestinians will be willing to pay the costs of violent struggle. In contrast with various policy assessments, this paper takes political trust as a factor that enables us to anticipate Palestinian social reactions as a point of departure. We interviewed 90 West Bank inhabitants, focusing on six major issues: the armed struggle against Israel, democracy and human rights, the internal PLO-Hamas rift, the standard of living, corruption in the PA, and political trust in the PA. Our findings match the quantitative results of Khalil Shikaki’s PCPSR public opinion polls of the West Bank. We conclude that the lack of democracy, the continuing internal rift, the low standard of living, and the manifestations of governmental corruption erode political trust within Palestinian society. Based on research from other places around the globe, such a loss of trust dissuades recruiting people for national struggles. Accordingly, a new popular intifada seems unlikely. However, the Palestinians interviewed also objected to the occupation and its ramifications, which is not an encouraging insight for peace-seekers in the Middle East.

The article discusses the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting that the roots of this conflict date back to 1882 with the arrival of Zionist settlers in Palestine. It clarifies that major events such as the Nakba in 1948 and the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967 are not the beginning of the conflict, but rather the result of a long history of settlement and displacement. It also points out that the Palestinian situation has worsened with the continuation of Israeli occupation and racist policies, culminating in the recent events following the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" in October 2023, which led to significant violence and loss of life in Gaza. [Extracted from the article]

Developing unit hydrographs is critical in gauged catchments. Due to the lack of local data, engineers should strive to estimate discharges based on empirical (synthetic) methods in ungauged catchments. Synthetic unit hydrograph methods, such as the Snyder and Soil Conservation Service are popular and play an essential role in hydrology. These methods are simple, requiring only catchment characteristics. Therefore, these methods are valuable tools for simulating runoff in ungauged catchments. This research paper focuses on the Al-Badan sub-catchment, which is located in the northeastern part of the West Bank in Palestine with an area of 83 km2 . The study used a de-convolution matrix approach to develop an average onehour unit hydrograph by selecting four significant rainfall events in the period (2005-2007), and the direct runoff hydrographs which are measured by Al-Badan flume located in the outlet of the sub-catchment. By computing the characteristics of the average one-hour UH with a peak discharge of 4.52 m³ /sec and time to peak of 5 hours, Snyder and SCS UHs were developed to suit Al-Badan sub-catchment physical characteristics. The parameters were determined for the Snyder; peaking coefficient depends on the storage capacity of the catchment Cp = 0.88 and the non-dimensional regional coefficient representing catchment storage effects and slope Ct = 1.26 and for the SCS; Cp = 1.90 and the coefficient depending on the total runoff volume occur before peak discharge C = 2.92. These synthetic one-hour UHs were examined for two selected rainfall events that occurred in the period (2017–2019) by comparing observed and simulated direct runoff hydrographs. The performance was tested statistically. Results showed that the synthetic UHs are suitable for application and that the SCS method is more applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between rural livelihood transformations and the land struggle in the West Bank between 1979 and the Oslo Accords. During this period, the Israeli adoption of the state land doctrine opened a new terrain of struggle, prompting specific responses among Palestinian rural communities. Bringing Agrarian Political Economy and Agrarian System Analysis in dialogue with Settler Colonial and Indigenous Studies, and relying on an extensive fieldwork, it analyses drivers and outcomes of de-agrarianization and semi-proletarianization in the villages of Al-Walaja and Wadi Fukin, showing how wage work in Israel contributed to uproot Palestinians from their land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AbstractThis study aimed to assess the relationship between management commitment, psychological empowerment, and job performance among Palestinian academic employees in higher education institutions. A multi-wave survey was utilized and 665 academics were recruited from several public and private universities in West Bank, in which the stratified sampling method was adopted to select universities. Findings demonstrated that participants reported moderate levels of management commitment and job performance and agreeable levels of psychological empowerment. Management commitment and psychological empowerment positively correlated with job performance (p < 0.01). However, management commitment had a direct influence on job performance and management commitment had a relationship with psychological empowerment (p < 0.01). Thus, strategies should be carried out to enhance management commitment and psychological empowerment to improve job performance among academic staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the poetic expressions of a traumatic event experienced by poet Ibrāhīm Abū Ṣyām of the Gdērāt al-Ṣāneʿ tribal group, which was expelled in 1952 from al-Lgiyyeh in the northern Negev to the southern West Bank. Forty days later the tribe was returned to Israel, but not to the area from which it had been expelled. Instead, it was resettled in the eastern Negev. The article presents two poems that tell of this expulsion and return, examining them in their diverse contexts and interpreting their subtle symbolism by drawing on the history and culture of the Negev Bedouin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]