Palestinian officials in Ramallah have condemned Israel’s recently announced decision to expand by 1,100 Jewish-only housing units the illegal settlement of Gilo built on land stolen from the occupied West Bank villages of Beit Jala, Beit Safafa and Sharafat. But what they say in public is at odds with their private willingless to hand the settlement over to Israel in its entirety. Condemnation from “chief negotiator” A 27 September press release states: Read more about Palestinian officials who decry Gilo colony in public, offered it to Israel in negotiations 

The Ireland I grew up in was a repressive place. Some of the best friends of my adolescence were gay but they could not tell anyone. It wasn’t until they were in their 20s or 30s that they finally had the confidence to come out. Read more about Why should Israeli settlers influence an Irish election? 

Drawings made by Palestinian children in Gaza will be shown at a new gallery space in Oakland, as the Middle East Children’s Alliance refuses attempts to censor the exhibit. Read more about Palestinian childrens' art finds new venue in Oakland after museum censorship 

Mainstream media published hundreds of articles on the Palestinian Authority’s UN statehood bid from the point coverage began in earnest in the summer to the day of Abbas’ historic speech in the UN. But where were the Palestinian voices? Read more about Searching for Palestinian voices in the UN bid media coverage 

The Electronic Intifada has obtained a copy of the full text of the application for UN membership for the “State of Palestine” presented yesterday by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Read more about Full text of "State of Palestine" UN application letter and documents 

Guilty verdicts but no jailtime for the Irvine 11 defendants, as the presiding judge acknowledges that they were motivated by their beliefs. Attorneys say they will appeal — as high as the Supreme Court — to protect free speech and the right to dissent in the US. Read more about Irvine 11: Sentenced to community service, no jailtime; attorneys prepare appeal 

Ten University of California students were today found guilty of on charges of “conspiracy” and “disrupting” a public meeting for a February 2010 protest against Israeli ambassdor Michael Oren. The Irvine 11 case (there were originally 11 defendants) became a test of the limits of freedom of speech. The Electronic Intifada’s Nora Barrows-Friedman has been in court for much of the trial and providing full coverage. Read more about Irvine students found guilty for protesting Israel ambassador await sentencing 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled by Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah has ordered all mosques to join its campaign in support of Abbas and the PA’s bid for UN membership. Read more about Palestinian Authority orders mosques to praise Abbas, UN bid 

Register of interest shows Conservatives accept free trip from Israel’s foreign ministry. Read more about Israel pays for junket by British MPs 

The prosecution claims that the Irvine 11 students unlawfully conspired to “censor” Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, while the defense argues that the students were in their full constitutional rights to exercise free speech. Read more about From the court: Defense begins closing arguments in Irvine 11 trial  

Illinois Republican Congressman Joe Walsh has introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives that seems to support formal Israeli apartheid. Or does it in fact support a one-state solution with equal voting rights for Israelis and Palestinians alike? Read more about Is Tea Party Congressman Joe Walsh supporting a one-state solution for Palestine? 

A group of Palestinian youth activists in response to the PA’s UN bid came up with a satirical video titled “Blue Chair”. The video highlights the fact that supporters of statehood have become obsessed with “magical” chairs rather than basic human rights. Read more about Palestinian song "Blue Chair" mocks PA's UN statehood bid 

Jalal Abukhater discusses Abbas’ speech and the UN statehood bid on the BBC. Read more about My BBC radio and TV talks today 

The board of the Museum of Children’s Art has prioritized giving into intimidation by the Israeli lobby over freedom of expression of children in Palestine who suffer under the effects of Israeli policy. Read more about Alice Walker urges children's museum to reverse decision, but censoring of Gaza kids' art continues 

It may be time to recognize that historic Palestine today resembles one giant Northern Ireland, but with a lot more firepower, including, on the Israeli side, nuclear weapons. Read more about Putting away the partitionist's knife: Palestine and approaches to "ethnic conflict" 

Two significant milestones in the Palestinian-led movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) were marked this week with a vote by the UK’s Trades Union Congress to reconsider its ties with Israel’s national trade union federation, and with the confirmation that boycott target Agrexco was ordered into liquidation. Read more about UK trade unionists put Histadrut under review; victory declared over Agrexco liquidation 

Attorneys for the Irvine 11 attempt to bring evidence of an Israeli official’s plans to attend an LA Lakers game into the courtroom — blowing a hole in the prosecution’s claims that he had to cut short his speech due to protests — but the judge has refused to let the jury see the photograph. Read more about Irvine 11 update: Attorneys use key evidence, as reported by EI, in courtroom 

How Israel jumped on George Bush’s bandwagon. Read more about "Sacred" 9/11 and the shock doctrine in Palestine 

While world attention remains focused on whether or not the UN will admit as a full member a nonexistent Palestinian state, Israeli occupation forces are escalating their very real demolitions of Palestinian homes and infrastructure in the occupied West Bank. On 8 September, Chris Gunness, spokesman for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine Refugees, stated: Read more about With focus on bogus "statehood" bid, Israel resumes home demolitions 

Welsh journalist and author Jon Ronson has begun a documentary project called “Esc & Ctrl” on The Guardian’s Comment is Free blog about efforts to control people and influence opinion online. In the introduction to the series, he explains his vision and methods for the series: Escape and Control: Stories About People Trying To Control The Internet Read more about Doc on manipulation on the Internet begins with anti-flotilla hoax busted by EI 

Opening arguments in the Irvine 11 free speech trial include the defense attorney’s statements that no unlawful act was committed, and therefore the misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to commit an unlawful act are baseless. Read more about Recap of first day of Irvine 11 trial: "no unlawful act was committed" 

The new book Threat, Palestinian Political Prisoners in Israel is an excellent resource for activists who want to shed light on the situation of Palestinian political prisoners. Read more about Developing campaigns in support of Palestinian political prisoners 

Lawyers representing the victims of the Israeli military attack on the Mavi Marmara have affirmed that they are pursuing legal action against the perpetrators, including individuals Israeli soldiers. Read more about Mavi Marmara lawyers pursue criminal complaints against Israelis, declare UN report "null and void" 

“For a Language to Come,” by Kelman Duran and Hyesung Moon, features Ahlam Khamis, a Palestinian theater student at the California Institute of the Arts (where the filmmakers are both graduate students). In the film, shot on 16mm, Khamis describes her work with the Ashtar theater group in Ramallah. Read more about Palestinian theater student interviewed in experimental short film documentary 

Guest post by Sami Kishawi: Read more about A subtle form of whitewash: the Palmer report on Israel's attack on the flotilla 

Major rights organizations say that recommendations made by a UN panel inquiry into Israel’s deadly use of force on the Mavi Marmara aid ship last year do not provide effective remedy for the victims and their families. Read more about Rights orgs: Gaza siege illegal, Palmer recommendations fall far short of justice 

Why Palestinians are increasingly dissatisfied with their political leadership and why this leadership is considered an obstacle on the road toward liberation. Read more about Telling off Palestinian leadership for being "idiots"