Inside Rawabi: A New West Bank City Built by a Palestinian for Palestinians
Share
[aggregation-styles]
CBS News 60 Minutes
CBS News 60 Minutes
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently announced the U.S. no longer considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank in violation of international law. The surprise decision reversed four decades of American policy. It drew criticism from allies around the world and alarm from Palestinians about the prospects for peace. To get a firsthand look at the politics of peace, we went to the West Bank, an area about the size of Delaware along the Jordan River, where Palestinians have long hoped to establish a state.
In the city of Ramallah, we found a businessman who isn’t waiting for the Palestinian Authority and the Israelis to hammer out a path forward. He’s trying to build one himself. Bashar Masri is the dreamer behind a brand new city on a hill called Rawabi. Everyone told him it was impossible but today it’s the biggest construction project in modern Palestinian history and the first planned city for Palestinians in more than 1,000 years.
When you think of the West Bank, chances are a Las Vegas-style concert is not what comes to mind. But this is what we found one night in Rawabi.
20,000 Palestinians jammed the largest amphitheater in the Middle East singing and swaying to the songs of Mohammad Assaf, one of the most popular performers in the Arab world.
In the city of Ramallah, we found a businessman who isn’t waiting for the Palestinian Authority and the Israelis to hammer out a path forward. He’s trying to build one himself. Bashar Masri is the dreamer behind a brand new city on a hill called Rawabi. Everyone told him it was impossible but today it’s the biggest construction project in modern Palestinian history and the first planned city for Palestinians in more than 1,000 years.
When you think of the West Bank, chances are a Las Vegas-style concert is not what comes to mind. But this is what we found one night in Rawabi.
20,000 Palestinians jammed the largest amphitheater in the Middle East singing and swaying to the songs of Mohammad Assaf, one of the most popular performers in the Arab world.
By Bill Whitaker | 8 Dec 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump
Politics /
6 hours ago
Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children
News /
6 hours ago
California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left
Opinion /
7 hours ago
How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again
Opinion /
1 day ago
What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.
Sports /
1 day ago
Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony
Politics /
2 days ago
Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight
Events /
2 days ago
Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase
Economy /
2 days ago
Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99
A suspected DUI driver crashed into a parked California Highway Patrol motorcycle and tow truck along Highway 99 near North Avenue, missing ...
Local /
6 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

Local /
6 hours ago
Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

World /
6 hours ago
Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

World /
6 hours ago
Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

Politics /
6 hours ago
Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump

News /
6 hours ago
Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

Opinion /
7 hours ago
California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left

Opinion /
1 day ago
How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

Video /
3 days ago