The Palestine Monitor was set up in December 2000, just a few months after the start of the second Intifada.

Palestinian writers, commentators and activists had quickly realized that though there was mass international media coverage of the Intifada itself, Palestinian narratives were largely missing from mainstream media reportage, and Palestinian voices were still rarely being heard in situ.

The intifada had erupted from the continuing military occupation of Palestine by Israel: yet dominant international media narratives were still largely excluding Palestinians from commentary and debate on both its impact and consequences.

In November 2000 an informal network of writers and political activists carried out a rapid analysis of mainstream international media coverage, which highlighted that an alternative narrative was needed from inside occupied Palestine.

There was an urgent need for Palestinians to be able to present their own narratives in situ, directly to international audiences. This would allow them to tell their side of the story, and to challenge perceptions of and opinion about the Intifada, and the illegal occupation of their land.

It would obviously need to be internet based, in order to convey information, analysis and eye witness accounts as fast as possible.

This information and analysis based website would be witness to the scale of human rights abuses being carried out by the Israeli Government, and military, across the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

It would present another powerful onus for a peace settlement based on justice, equality and internationally recognized human rights for Palestinians.

We launched the ’Palestine Monitor’ information clearing house just a few weeks later, at the end of 2000.

For the last seven years the Palestine Monitor (or PalMon for short) has been recognized as a dynamic and independent voice of Palestinians living under occupation. Alongside rigorously researched news and updates, information, fact sheets and regular political analysis, we also publish first hand eye-witness accounts of life in these occupied territories.

These are the voices of ordinary Palestinians surviving under extraordinary circumstances.

We are a small and dedicated team based in Ramallah. We travel throughout Palestine researching the evolving humanitarian, political and human rights situation, collecting testimonies directly from Palestinians, and witnessing for ourselves the brutal economic impact of the occupation of Palestine by Israel.

We monitor deaths and injuries of Palestinians by the Israeli military, plus detentions, torture, freedom of movement, poverty, access to health care and water, land confiscation and other vital issues.

Our aim is transparent: to present the occupation of Palestine from a Palestinian perspective, and to highlight that a credible lasting peace settlement is only possible with full scale democracy, equality for Palestinians, and internationally recognized human rights that are clearly implemented and adhered to across Israel and Palestine.

We support the aims and objectives of the Palestinian National Initiative. However, we do not receive funding from any government or political movement, and value our independence. We also value your feedback, letters of support and donations. Please contact us with any constructive comments, or if you would like to be added to our email list.

Thanks very much for visiting – and come back soon!