July 2011

"Irvine 11" now "Irvine 10" as charges are dropped for one student in ongoing free speech case

Nora Barrows-Friedman 29 July 2011

A judge removes the prosecution’s lead investigator and two deputies from the case brought by the Orange County District Attorney’s office, which has been intent on criminalizing Muslim students who nonviolently disrupted a speech by an Israeli official in 2010. Meanwhile, charges against one of the students are dismissed. 

Palestinian civil society stands in solidarity with Norway

Maureen Clare Murphy 28 July 2011

Palestinian civil society, as broadly represented within the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), wishes to express its sincere condolences to and deep solidarity with the people of Norway and to Arbeidernes Ungdomsfylking (AUF), the Norwegian labour youth party, in particular after the massacre of last Friday committed by a far right fanatic. 

Palestinian Authority's UN "statehood" bid: useful, useless or dangerous?

Ali Abunimah 26 July 2011

I gave two interviews in recent days on which focus on the Palestinian Authority’s effort to have Palestinian “statehood” recognized at the UN in September. One is with The Socialist Worker’s Eric Ruder, and covers the UN bid as well as the Arab uprising, and the growing BDS movement. Here’s an excerpt: 

Dutch Islamophobe Geert Wilders reaffirms Norway killer's goals but rejects methods

Ali Abunimah 26 July 2011

Dutch politician, and leading European Islamophobe Geert Wilders says Anders Breivik, who perpetrated the massacre of dozens of people in Norway is actually inspired by Al Qaeda. And, while rejecting the massacre of innocents in Norway, Wilders affirms his support for the “anti-Islamization” to which the killer was committed. Wilders says the Norway massacre must not be allowed to discredit the broader anti-Muslim campaign in Europe, which the “Freedom Party” Wilders leads has spearheaded. 

Palestinians to UN and UNESCO: Stop destruction of Mamilla cemetery for "Museum of Tolerance"

Nora Barrows-Friedman 25 July 2011

Palestinians from Jerusalem and those with Israeli citizenship, supported by a legal team from the Center for Constitutional Rights, once again urged the United Nations and UNESCO to take action to stop the destruction of the ancient Mamilla cemetery in Jerusalem. 

Norway suspect laid out detailed plans for violence against "traitors," Muslims

Ali Abunimah 23 July 2011

Anders Behring Breivik saw himself as a holy warrior and crusader engaged in a war against a “Marxist-Islamist alliance” that he feared would take over Europe if not stopped. He hoped by his actions to inspire “thousands” to follow in his path. He described himself as a “martyr” and “resistance fighter.” He described members of Norway’s Labour Party as “traitors” because of their alleged support of “multiculturalism and Islamisation.” Behring advocated “terror” attacks on mosques, especially during Muslim relgious holidays. 

How a clueless "terrorism expert" set media suspicion on Muslims after Oslo horror

Benjamin Doherty 23 July 2011

Immediately after news of the bombing of government buildings in Norway’s capital Oslo, the Internet buzzed with speculation about who might have done it and why. Most speculation focused on so-called Islamist militancy and Muslims. The urge to speculate after grave events is understandable, but the focus of speculation, its amplification through social media, its legitimization in mainstream media, and the privilege granted to so-called experts is a common pattern. 

Comments policy

Reader comments on The Electronic Intifada are moderated. This means all comments are reviewed before publication. We welcome comments that represent a range of informed viewpoints and we encourage debate. We also encourage you to make your comment as briefly as possible and to focus on expressing your thoughts clearly. Comments are limited to 2000 characters. 

Palestinian students ask South African counterparts: Boycott Israeli tour on your campuses

Ali Abunimah 18 July 2011

The Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel and Palestinian Youth Against Israeli Apartheid have issued a call to their counterparts in South Africa to boycott a forthcoming tour of several South African university campuses by dozens of Israeli students designed to burnish Israel’s image. The Palestinian students write: 

New York Times' Ethan Bronner speaks out about "advocacy journalism"

Ali Abunimah 18 July 2011

Controversial New York Times Jerusalem bureau chief Ethan Bronner has spoken out at last on a topic he is expert in – advocacy journalism. In response to an email from a Facebook user called Scott Mohn complaining that The New York Times had not covered the 15 July march in Jerusalem held by thousands of Israeli left-wing Zionists and a number of Palestinians from eastern occupied Jerusalem, Bronner wrote: 

As Raed Salah case goes to High Court, UK solidarity campaigners call for action

Ali Abunimah 14 July 2011

On Friday the High Court in London will hear an appeal from Sheikh Raed Salah, a popular Palestinian leader, and head of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel who has been in a British jail since his arrest four days into a UK speaking tour late last month. Palestine solidarity activists in the UK have called for supporters to take action to demand Salah’s release. 

Israeli warship attacks international human rights boat Oliva

Benjamin Doherty 13 July 2011

Following up on our report yesterday on the human rights monitoring boat Oliva, we have video today of the boat being attacked by water cannons from an Israeli war ship. CPS Gaza boat and crew were attacked with water cannons on 13 Jule 2011 at midday. The boat filled with water, as those aboard were hit in the face with powerful blasts of water. 

How Greece abandoned Palestine

David Cronin 13 July 2011

No doubt, Greece’s refusal to allow the Freedom Flotilla II to set sail for Gaza was partly the result of pressure — and possibly even financial blackmail — from the US and Israel. Nonetheless, it was not an isolated occurrence but the logical consequence of a process that was already underway. David Cronin analyzes for The Electronic Intifada. 

Rights groups: anti-boycott law "effectively a legal annexation of W. Bank"

Maureen Clare Murphy 12 July 2011

Human rights groups in Israel are protesting the new Israeli law passed yesterday which “prohibits boycott of businesses, universities, and social and cultural institutions based in Israel and the illegal settlements, and imposes heavy financial sanctions against civil society organizations and businesses that participate in boycotts.” 

Activists in "fly-in" action to Tel Aviv arrested, detained; Palestinian civil society orgs call for military embargo on Israel

Nora Barrows-Friedman 9 July 2011

Activists are detained and arrested while trying to enter Ben Gurion airport during the “fly-in” action; while Palestinian civil society groups officially call for a full military embargo against Israel. 

Ali Abunimah explains the Amina "Gay Girl in Damascus" hoax on France 24 Arabic channel

Ali Abunimah 8 July 2011

In June, The Electronic Intifada revealed the true identity of the hoaxster behind “Amina Arraf,” the so-called “Gay Girl in Damascus” blogger. In an interview with France 24 Arabic’s program Aswat al-Shabaka, Ali Abunimah explains how the hoax was uncovered and why it was important to do so. 

Firm that produced anti-flotilla video works for Israeli government

Benjamin Doherty 7 July 2011

The Israeli production company Zed Films that made the anti-flotilla propaganda video “Sex with the Psychologist” lists the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the Government Press Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other official Israeli bodies as its clients. Does this indicate that this and other recent propaganda videos are the work of the Israeli government? 

Film production company Zed Films behind "Sex with the Psychologist" hasbara video

Benjamin Doherty 7 July 2011

On 30 June, a new Israeli video appeared on the internet which used satire to attack and misrepresent the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2. “Sex with the Psychologist” features a young woman seeking treatment for an unspecified but apparently traumatic problem. The psychologist performs a Rorschach test which causes her to tell a story of a young woman who has been abused and harassed. 

Israeli checkpoints kill women in childbirth, says new study

6 July 2011

For three years now a United Kingdom medical journal The Lancet has been working with Palestinian health professionals and researchers to document the effects of stressful living — coping with economic difficulties and shortages, restrictions on movement, political tensions and fear of outside attack — and has just published its latest findings. 

Challenging Israeli apartheid -- by plane

Mazin Qumsiyeh 5 July 2011

This week, hundreds of activists plan on challenging Israel’s apartheid apartheid by flying in to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv as part of the “Welcome to Palestine” initiative. Heraclitis once stated that “There is nothing permanent except change,” and indeed human history is a chronicle of change — and the Welcome to Palestine project follows that tradition. 

Following boarding and arrests, Canada boat demands end to Greek interference

Benjamin Doherty 5 July 2011

Yesterday Canadian activists attempted to leave Greece and sail for Gaza, but their boat was boarded and commandeered by Greek coast guards. Today, the activists on board the Tahrir issued a statement to explain their current situation and the action they want Canadians and other supporters to take. 

Why was Salah muzzled for preaching peace in London?

Jonathan Cook 5 July 2011

Israel’s legal system, despite its reputation for presuming that Palestinian citizens are habitual security offenders, has neither found Sheikh Raed Salah guilty of anti-Semitism nor of directly helping terrorists. So why is Britain being even “more Israeli rather than the Israelis,” as two Arab members of the Israeli parliament caustically observed, and detaining him?