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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.

Background: Organizational factors are considered to be the cornerstone in achieving psychological and professional security at work, which in turn are positively reflected in job performance both quantitatively and qualitatively. Aim of the Study: The study aimed to assess night shift and education/training developmental factors on performance of professional nurses in north West Bank governmental hospitals. Subjects and methods: A quantitative descriptive study utilized stratified random sampling of 185 nurses. A self administered questionnaire was developed with a response rate of 97%. The questionnaire was validated by experts, and reliability was obtained by Cronbach's alpha coefficient was (0.86) Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The overall level of night shift factor affecting performance of professional nurses was high (79.0%) and ; the education/training developmental factors moderate (68.8%) as perceived by nurses. It was found that there are significant differences at a = 0.05 between the total score of night shift and education/training developmental factors towards workplace in favor to Dr. Nazal Hospital. Conclusion and recommendation: The night shift and education/ training developmental factors affected the performance of the professional nurses. The findings of this study provide recommendations and suggestions to improve the performance of professional nurses in governmental hospitals such as: reduce the strain of long work hours on night shift and motivation. Providing continuous professional development of nurses in service training program.

Background: Organizational factors are considered to be the cornerstone in achieving psychological and professional security at work, which in turn are positively reflected in job performance both quantitatively and qualitatively. Aim of the Study: The study aimed to assess of selected organizational factors (workload, available recourses and manager support) affecting nurses performance in northern region of the West Bank governmental hospitals to improve its current and future performance of professional nurses. Subjects and Methods: A quantitative descriptive study utilized stratified random sampling of 185 nurses. A self administered questionnaire was developed with a response rate of 97%. The questionnaire was validated by experts, and reliability was obtained by Cranach's alpha coefficient was (0.863) Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The overall level of selected organizational factors affecting performance of professional nurses was high (74.6 %); the workload rated the highest (79.2 %) among the study dimensions as perceived by nurses, manager support (72.0%), and resources availability (69.8%). Also it was found that there are significant differences at a = 0.05 between the total score due to workplace between Thabet Thabet hospital and Rafedia hospital, in favor Rafedia hospitals. Conclusion and Recommendation: The findings of this study provide recommendations and suggestions to improve the performance of professional nurses in governmental hospitals such as: managers should ensure adequate number of staff and qualification according to work condition and sufficient number of professional nurses in the hospital at all times and shifts.

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.

Drawing on pictures, written sentences and interview contributions, this article explores some Palestinian children's perspectives in order to gain insights into some children's classroom fear in the light of its potential influence on learning. After presenting some existing research indicating a negative relationship between fear and young children's transformational learning, we explain the distinctions we make among different forms of authoritarian pedagogies and how all of these contrast with a transformational approach to schooling. We then report on the words and pictures of refugee Palestinian pupils as a starting point for reflecting on the associations between authoritarianism, coercion and fear in the classroom, how these might influence learning approached from a transformational perspective and what the implications for future practice might be.

In September 2011, I travelled to the Palestinian Occupied Territories to participate in an internship with the Al Kasaba Theatre in Ramallah. As part of my internship I was invited to attend rehearsals of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with students of the Drama Academy Ramallah. Directed by Samer Al-Saber, with movement and choreography by Petra Barghouthi, the production premiered as a work in progress in Palestine before touring to Essen, Germany, where it was presented as part of an Intercultural Shakespeare Festival organised by Folkwang University. In this paper, I draw on post-colonial theory to offer some observations about the various strategies of syncretisation that the production seemed to employ in order to localise, indigenise or "Palestinian-ise" Shakespeare's text. My analysis will attempt to illuminate some of the Palestinian cultural specificity introduced by the syncretic approach as well as offer some assessment of the potential and unintended impact that this approach might have engendered.

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 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]

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]

Copyright of Journal of Arts & Social Sciences (JASS) is the property of Sultan Qaboos University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

Background: Despite advancements in family planning (FP) services, several barriers persist in the Occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), blocking women's access to suitable, high-quality and equitable FP services. The aim of this study was to understand how healthcare providers perceive their abilities, barriers and opportunities in providing good quality FP services. Furthermore, it seeks to explore knowledge and training regarding FP among healthcare providers engaged in providing FP services. Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken from August to September 2022 in seven Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics distributed in three governorates and operating under the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) in the West Bank. Semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 13 health providers (Physicians, midwives and nurses), using an interview guide in Arabic language. Transcripts were subsequently analyzed using the six phases of reflexive thematic analysis. Results: FP services face various challenges, including shortages in resources such as staff, supplies, infrastructures and FP methods. Midwives possess significant potentials to offer accessible, high-quality, efficient and equitable FP services, yet, their capacities remain underutilized, representing a missed opportunity for a country like Palestine. The study provided a current overview of FP services while illustrating the need for quality FP services and the need for an updated continuous education and training, updated standardized guidelines and protocols and supportive supervision are needed across all levels of healthcare providers. Finally, providers reported a wide range of structural barriers to FP services. Conclusions: It is crucial to meticulously address both community-related and health system factors to enhance the fulfillment of FP needs and reduce unintended and closely spaced pregnancies. Policymakers should invest in the development of laws and regulations regarding FP services, promoting a comprehensive and holistic approach to FP services. This includes formulating supportive policies, capacity building of human resources and maintaining security of FP commodities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study focuses on the decision to disengage Jordan from the West Bank in July 1988. It addresses the pivotal moments of competition between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) regarding the representation of the Palestinian people following the aftermath of the 1967 war, the events of September 1970, and the ramifications of the Rabat Summit in 1974. The study also elucidates the impact of the Palestinian uprising in 1987 on King Hussein's decision to reconsider the future of the West Bank Methodology: This study employed a descriptive historical approach, gathering material from original sources and analyzing along with presenting the information to the best extent possible. Results: The study concluded that the Palestinian Liberation Organization successfully pressured Jordan regarding the decision to disengage from the West Bank. Conclusion: The study found that the decision to disengage had significant social, economic, and administrative implications for the inhabitants of both the West Bank and Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the late British Mandate period until 1967, a cohesive system of social and political arrangements took shape among the people of the Hebron district in the West Bank. This system, referred to here as the Hebronite alliance, was born of a continuous crisis and played a central role in cultivating harmony and co-liability among the people of the district and its expatriates. It promoted them as a collective and individuals and shaped the distinct pro-Hashemite character of the Hebron region. The strength of the alliance stemmed from the adoption of a unique social contract and a new regional 'Hebronite' identity that was a stable anchor for many Palestinians caught between the competing Palestinian, Jordanian, and pan-Arab national identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introduction aims to frame the texts it predates, to highlight their common theoretical and thematic concerns, and to set them against what we envision as a relevant common backdrop for the issues they raise. To this end, we begin from how insufficient acknowledgement of the current genocidal violence carried out against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by Western feminism is symptomatic of its enmeshment with colonial rationales and imperialist violence. We question the extent of its liberating and emancipatory politics, reading them against the semiperipheral iterations of what Adam Tooze describes as the "polycrisis." Focused on the gendered aspects of democratic backsliding - broadly understood as a weakening of faith in liberal democracy and the electoral invigoration of the far-right -, the articles included here trace cultural negotiations of gender justice, as it wanes or strengthens across the region. Variously located within broader networks of transnational transfers and global concerns, the articles included here complement relevant work conducted outside the bounds of academic writing. We gesture towards such feminist, anticolonial and antiracist movements which have emerged in Romania, specifically in the literary field, and to their contestation of the patriarchal and deeply unequal national cultural system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the complexities of International Water Law (IWL) in the Israel Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) context. In the Oslo Accords, Israelis and Palestinians agreed to employ the core principles of IWL in their respective utilisation of shared water resources, in particular, over shared water resources in the West Bank: the principle of equitable and reasonable utilisation of water courses, the principle of no significant harm and the duty of co-operation. This article critically discusses these three principles in the Israel–OPT context and addresses in particular the questions: To what extent these principles are applicable in the Israeli–Palestinian context, and to what extent have they been implemented? The article concludes that there is an evident lack of implementation of such principles which has resulted in adverse effects on Palestinian water rights and have been on the expense of the OPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Water & Landscape (WAL) / Agua & Territorio (AYT) is the property of Editorial de la Universidad de Jaen and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Effective communication is the heart of any organization. It is associated with employees' job satisfaction and productivity and therefore, is responsible for the institution's continuity and prosperity. In educational institutions, communication has been undergoing swift and significant changes that affected not only instructional strategies, but also administrative dimensions. The need for instant and precise information made digital mediums indispensable for school administration that helps in planning, following up, executing, and evaluating short-term and long-term goals. Since the start of the 21st century, a multitude of smartphone applications have surfaced, all designed to enhance communication. WhatsApp is one of the applications that stands as the most popular medium, which is widely spread and used on personal as well as professional basis. The question at hand is whether employing WhatsApp as a communication tool within educational institutions can effectively contribute to the development of communication competence, encompassing aspects such as communication motivation, communication knowledge, and communication skills. Methods: Based on the indicators used to measure communication competence in institutions, this qualitative study elicited relevant information through semistructured interviews from 14 different government secondary school principals in Jerusalem and the West Bank about the approach principals employ WhatsApp to achieve competence. Results: The results of the study show that indicators of communication competence are achieved through the use of WhatsApp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically re-examines the narrative that the Israeli system of spatial control has an exclusive negative impact on the West Bank economy. It focuses on the burgeoning fuel smuggling industry, which grew to constitute nearly one-third of the total consumed fuel in the West Bank by 2018. The article posits that the impacts of Israeli control on West Bank-Israeli economic relations involve an interplay between structural top-down imposition and Palestinian agency exerted from below. Drawing from documentary evidence and semi-structured interviews conducted with smugglers, Israeli, and Palestinian policymakers, the research reveals a paradox, finding its theoretical explanation in borderland studies. The barriers and fragmentation meant to oppress Palestinians create opportunities for new Palestinian economic beneficiaries. The article traces the emergence of smuggling networks that expand Palestinian-Israeli connections and cooperation. It concludes considering how the structure-agency interplay, which characterizes the Israeli colonial structure, affects the study of Palestinian political economy under Israeli occupation. This includes the influence of smuggling on supply, demand, pricing, and power hierarchies within the West Bank's fuel sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary addresses three objectives: (1) to situate and contextualise the ongoing military assault on Gaza within longer colonial histories in Palestine; (2) to collate resources that can equip geographers—specialist and non‐specialist, academic and non‐academic—with resources to build decolonial politics on Palestine–Israel; and (3) to contribute to discussions on what we, as geographers, can do to support Palestinian calls for liberation. These objectives are informed by a strong conviction that now is not a time for equivocation or silence. Palestinians, both in Palestine and in exile, need robust support and solidarity. This commentary offers one example of the form this support and solidarity can take in the context of academia. It does so by calling forth our discipline's plural and deep commitment to justice and thoroughgoing critique of the deleterious power structures and colonial legacies that have brought us to this current moment of crisis in Palestine. This commentary addresses three objectives: (1) to situate and contextualise the ongoing military assault on Gaza within longer colonial histories in Palestine; (2) to collate resources that can equip geographers—specialist and non‐specialist, academic and non‐academic—with resources to build decolonial politics on Palestine–Israel; and (3) to contribute to discussions on what we, as geographers, can do to support Palestinian calls for liberation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the growing connections between the Persian Gulf states and the heavily militarised Israeli innovation ecosystem. The Gulf actors now play an increasing role in support of Israel as a globally expanding 'Start‐up Nation', and are involved in transforming Palestinian land into a regional frontier of technology in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli‐Gulf cooperation and its impact on Palestinians, however, has not been thoroughly researched. Drawing from fieldwork among Palestinian and Israeli innovation elites, we map these growing connections between Gulf state actors and Israel and analyse how the occupied Palestinian territories are further enmeshed in complex networks of financial capitalist and settler colonial security interests. Theoretically, the paper advances the critique of the contemporary settler colonial frontier, venturing beyond its usual Eurocentric and binary geographies. We conclude that 'innovation' is both (a) the terrain of expanding structures of Israeli colonisation and (b) the site of productive ambivalences and novel forms of resistance in an evolving regional and global reality. This article explores the growing connections between the Persian Gulf states and the heavily militarised Israeli innovation ecosystem. The Gulf actors now play an increasing role in support of Israel as a globally expanding 'Start‐up Nation', and are involved in transforming Palestinian land into regional frontiers of technology in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Drawing from fieldwork among Palestinian and Israeli innovation elites, we map these growing connections between Gulf state actors and Israel and analyse how the occupied Palestinian territories are further enmeshed in complex networks of financial capitalist and settler colonial security interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to investigate the impact of academic achievement on child labor. The study utilizes survey data collected from Palestinian children in the primary grades (5th–9th) in West Bank schools. The results show that increasing a child's academic achievement is significantly associated with decreasing the probability of a child's paid work in the following period. Our findings varied among children according to their gender, age, and locality type. Our analyses are subject to different specifications, including two-stage least squares (2SLS) to account for potential endogeneity. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the opportunity cost of dropping out of school is low for students with poor school outcomes. Further analysis indicates the role of the family-supportive environment as a mediator between academic success and child labor-supply decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide mothers are suffering from postpartum depression (PPD) which impairs mothers' well-being, children, and families, and leads to adverse outcomes for mothers and their growing newborns. Low and middle-income countries have a higher prevalence of PPD and limited studies about it. This study assessed the percentage of Palestinian mothers experiencing PPD nationally, identified mothers at a higher risk of PPD, and studied the correlation between PPD and mistreatment during childbirth. Methods: The study is based on a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional study in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). A total of 745 telephone-based interviews with mothers were done within 2–4 weeks post-childbirth. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used as a screening tool for PPD. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used for analyzing the data. Results: In the context of descriptive epidemiology, we observed that 12.6% of the selected Palestinian mothers experienced PPD, with a higher occurrence of PPD among mothers living in the Gaza Strip, a politically and economically unstable region in Palestine, compared to mothers living in the West Bank (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOD: 2.2, Confidence Interval (CI): 1.4–3.44). Older mothers were two times more likely to develop PPD compared to young mothers (AOR: 2.03, CI: 1.070–3.84). Mothers who experienced disrespectful behaviors represented by any abuse, negligence, abandonment, ineffective communication, or poor pain management in childbirth settings were more likely to report PPD than those who were not exposed to the disrespect. Conclusion: A notable percentage of Palestinian mothers were identified as experiencing PPD, especially among mothers who experienced mistreatment in childbirth settings. It is essential to support healthcare providers to improve their practices and attitudes to eliminate mistreatment and abusive behaviors of mothers during childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the prevalence and the associated factors with meeting the recommended amount of physical activity among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients receiving care in resource-limited settings of the West Bank of Palestine. Physical activity was assessed using the World Health Organization's Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Associations were examined using multivariate logistic regression. Of the 302 patients included, 117 (38.7%) met the recommended amount of physical activity. Being younger than 58 years [aOR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.0–4.3], were employed [aOR = 2.3 (95% CI 1.1–4.9)], had high income [aOR = 3.9 (95% CI 1.3–11.9)], had thought that physical activity was crucial for T2DM patients [aOR = 32.7 (95% CI 3.9–275.5)], did not have comorbidities [aOR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.1–4.4)], had normal weight [aOR = 2.8 (95% CI 1.3–6.0)], and those who were overweight [aOR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.1–6.0)] were more likely to meet the recommended amount of physical activity compared to the patients who were 58 years or older, had low income, did not think that physical activity was crucial for T2DM patients, had comorbidities, and were obese, respectively. There is a need to increase physical activity among T2DM patients in resource limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the largest problems facing the world today is the morbidity and mortality caused by antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections. A major factor in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the irrational use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to assess the prescribing pattern and cost of antibiotics in two major governmental hospitals in the West Bank of Palestine. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 428 inpatient prescriptions containing antibiotics from two major governmental hospitals, they were evaluated by some drug use indicators. The cost of antibiotics in these prescriptions was calculated based on the local cost. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM-SPSS version 21. Results: The mean ± SD number of drugs per prescription (NDPP) was 6.72 ± 4.37. Of these medicines, 38.9% were antibiotics. The mean ± SD number of antibiotics per prescription (NAPP) was 2.61 ± 1.54. The average ± SD cost per prescription (CPP) was 392 ± 744 USD. The average ± SD antibiotic cost per prescription (ACPP) was 276 ± 553 USD. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were ceftriaxone (52.8%), metronidazole (24.8%), and vancomycin (21.0%). About 19% of the antibiotics were prescribed for intra-abdominal infections; followed by 16% used as prophylactics to prevent infections. Almost all antibiotics prescribed were administered intravenously (IV) 94.63%. In general, the average duration of antibiotic therapy was 7.33 ± 8.19 days. The study indicated that the number of antibiotics per prescription was statistically different between the hospitals (p = 0.022), and it was also affected by other variables like the diagnosis (p = 0.006), the duration of hospitalization (p < 0.001), and the NDPP (p < 0.001). The most commonly prescribed antibiotics and the cost of antibiotics per prescription were significantly different between the two hospitals (p < 0.001); The cost was much higher in the Palestinian Medical Complex. Conclusion: The practice of prescribing antibiotics in Palestine's public hospitals may be unnecessary and expensive. This has to be improved through education, adherence to recommendations, yearly immunization, and stewardship programs; intra-abdominal infections were the most commonly seen infection in inpatients and ceftriaxone was the most frequently administered antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do political activists' protest strategies affect intergroup violence around friction points? Activists presume that their presence around checkpoints will protect the controlled population from humiliation and prevent the dominant force from engaging in violent or abusive behavior. However, depending on the protest strategy chosen, their presence may backfire and engender violence. We conducted a comprehensive content analysis of YouTube video clips featuring political activists at checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank over a 15-year period (2003–2018, n = 50, overall duration of 210 min) and examined how attributes of the protest (violent or nonviolent) and attributes of the activists (religious identity) influence the (apparent) emotions and behavior of the soldiers and Palestinians present. Results revealed that violent demonstrations by activists are associated with aggression and signs of anger among Israeli soldiers and with aggression (though at lower levels) and signs of humiliation among Palestinian civilians. The findings suggest that, despite the hope of political activists that their presence at checkpoints will have a positive effect on the treatment of Palestinian civilians, in practice, their presence may backfire if they employ a violent protest strategy. Public Significance Statement: We examine how the behavior of political activists at checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank affects the emotions and behavior of Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians. Findings suggest that, despite activists' hope that protests at checkpoints will have a positive effect on the treatment of disadvantaged groups, violent protests may backfire by increasing negative emotions and aggressive behavior among actors on both sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural menopause is associated with somatic, vasomotor, psychological, and sexual complaints that may affect women's quality of life (QOL). Aims: To determine the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and their impact on QoL among Palestinian women visiting primary care centers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 through March 2019. Convenience sampling was used to interview 380 women aged 45–60 years attending primary care centers in the West Bank city of Nablus. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and QoL. Mean scores of menopausal categories were compared for different symptoms. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The age of menopausal onset (12-month absence) was 49.37 ±3 years (N = 200). The most prevalent symptoms were physical and mental exhaustion (86%), anxiety (85.5%), and irritability (85.3%). Only the prevalence of sleep problems was statistically different between the pre-, peri, and post-menopausal groups (P <0.001). The average MRS score was 18.64 ± 9.19, indicating severe symptoms and a low QoL. Conclusion: The physical and psychosocial problems experienced by Palestinian post-menopausal women negatively impacted their QoL. Therefore, all women approaching menopause should have access to supportive networks and preventive programs for a healthy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The escalating incidence of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria has elicited worldwide apprehension owing to its profound ramifications, such as the emergence of infections that cannot be effectively treated and may result in mortality. The poultry industry is of significant concern due to its substantial utilization of antimicrobials, including those regarded as last-resort therapies for complex multi-drug resistant Gram-negative infections. Methods: A comprehensive collection of ninety cloacal swabs was undertaken from a diverse range of thirty poultry farms located within the Nablus governorate during the period spanning from March to June in the year 2019. The swabs, specifically collected from broilers, were cultured on appropriate culture media to isolate Gram-negative bacteria under optimal conditions. The separated bacteria were subjected to various microbiological techniques, such as Gramme staining, oxidase testing, and API20E, to aid in their identification. The susceptibility of the isolates for 16 antibiotics was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, while colistin was assessed using the micro-broth dilution method. Additionally, molecular characterization was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the existence of MCR genes. Result: A total of 244 isolates of Gram-negative bacteria were collected and subjected to characterization, identification, and categorization into two groups: the Enterobacteriaceae group consisting of 170 isolates (69.7%) and the remaining 74 isolates (30.3%) categorized as others. The initial cohort consisted of 103 Escherichia coli (42.2%), 24 Proteus mirabilis (9.8%), and 19 Salmonella spp. (7.8%). The second group consisted of 62 Serratia spp. (25.4%), 1 Aeromonas hydrophila (0.4%), and 11 other unidentified species (4.51%). The study observed varying levels of antibiotic resistance among different antibiotics. The highest resistance rates were found for trimethoprim (100%), tetracycline (94.3%), trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (90.6%), ciprofloxacin (86.1%), chloramphenicol (80.7%), ampicillin (75.4%), gentamicin (50.4%), fosfomycin (17.2%), cefuroxime (10.2%), cefotaxime (10.2%), ceftriaxone (7%), ceftazidime (2%), amikacin (1.2%), and meropenem (0.4%). Furthermore, the percentages of multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) isolates were 83.8%, 4.8%, and 18.6%, respectively, with corresponding proportions of 140/167, 8/167, and 31/167. Notably, a significant proportion of the total isolated bacteria, specifically 65.4%, exhibited resistance to colistin as determined through the micro-broth dilution method. In our study, 167 Enterobacteriaceae isolates were examined, of which 111 (66.5%) were resistant to colistin. Among these colistin-resistant isolates, 35 (31.5%) were found to possess variants of the MCR gene. The gene variant MCR-7 was the most prevalent among the isolates, with 12 occurrences. Subsequently, the presence of MCR-1 and MCR-8 was detected in 10 and 8 isolates, respectively. Conclusion: This study represents the inaugural report on colistin resistance in Gram-negative bacteria obtained from poultry farms in the West Bank region of Palestine. The results of our study serve as a catalyst for raising awareness about the emergence of colistin resistance in animal farms, particularly in poultry, and the significant implications this has for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizenship is a contested term and its meanings and implications vary according to the socio-political and historical context in which it originated and continues to be practiced. This research explores the conceptualisation of citizenship among different groups within the Palestinian education system. The research utilises qualitative research methods such as interviews, focus groups, policy document analysis, and classroom observations. The findings of the research reveal that citizenship represents a unique relationship between the individuals and the homeland. Moreover, this research demonstrates how politics and culture affect citizenship conception. It also demonstrates how the absence of Palestinian statehood affects the perception towards citizenship amongst the participants in this research. The study concludes that the existing definitions of citizenship could be adapted, rather than merely adopted from other contexts when applied to the unique Occupied Palestinian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-traditional tobacco products, such as waterpipes and e-cigarettes, are perceived to be less harmful than cigarettes. The north of the West Bank has become the site for growing tobacco production and consumption. This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence of nontraditional tobacco smoking (waterpipes and e-cigarettes) and associated risk factors among men in the West Bank. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed among males aged ≥16 years in 2022 from the largest three governorates in the north of the West Bank (n=1241). Body mass index and waist circumferences were measured. Results: The final number of participants was 1204, aged 16–58 years; 58.9% were singles, 69.4% were young adults, 22.1% were adolescents, 67.5% were cigarette smokers (53.9% heavy smokers), 35.3% were waterpipe smokers, and 15% e-cigarette smokers. Adjusted logistic regression results revealed that risk factors associated with waterpipe smoking were e-cigarette smoking (AOR=3.29; 95% CI: 2.30–4.70), energy drink intake (AOR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.24–2.13), young adult age (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.15–4.03), being a student without work (AOR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.09–3.50) or a working student (AOR=2.73; 95% CI: 1.32–5.65), and less likely to be associated with cigarette smoking (AOR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.18– 0.31). In addition, an increased likelihood of central obesity was associated with waterpipe smoking (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.15–4.03) and decreased with coffee intake (AOR=0.44; 95% CI: 0.27–0.87). Conclusions: Non-traditional tobacco smoking is an emerging hazard among male Palestinians, with waterpipe smoking linked to increased central obesity. Further research is needed to investigate the health consequences of this trend in the West Bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 10 major cities in the West Bank (WB), Palestine—Nablus, Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Jenin, Qalqilia, Salfit, Tubas, Jericho, Bethlehem, Tulkarem, and Hebron—are experiencing rapid urban transformation and changing land cover. This study explores the relationship between land cover (built-up and unbuilt areas) and soil type in these cities across benchmark years 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2021. In addition to the former, the paper argues that the expansion and increase of the built-up area and the change in soil type of the aforementioned cities in the West Bank, Palestine, are leading to changes in the land surface temperature (LST). This conclusion was reached through a methodological framework that was developed to measure the relationship between the changing land cover (built-up and unbuilt-up areas), soil type, and LST in the 10 major cities in the region. The framework relies on data retrieved through remote sensing in the years from 1995 to 2021. The results of the analysis conducted through this methodological framework showed that there is an inverse relationship between the increase in built-up areas and LST; however, LST is less inside the built-up areas than in the surrounding areas (open spaces) due to different land cover (unbuilt area with grass and shrubs) and different soil type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]