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Nahr al-Bared was destroyed, but who noticed?

Michael Birmingham 24 October 2007


Something terrible has been done to the residents of Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, and the Lebanese people are being spared the details. Over the past two weeks, since the camp was partly reopened to a few of its residents, many of us who have been there have been stunned by a powerful reality. Beyond the massive destruction of the homes from three months of bombing, room after room, house after house have been burned. Burned from the inside. Activist Michael Birmingham, who lived in nearby Baddawi camp with thousands of Nahr al-Bared’s displaced during the Lebanese army’s siege there, comments. 

A life cut short

Yassmin Moor Rafah, Gaza Strip 24 October 2007


Five-month-old Eyad is one of the happiest babies I’ve ever met. Barely touch his cheeks and he smiles and giggles; tickle his little belly and he bursts out in laughter, kicking his feet up in the air. Jamalat, his mother, says his laughter is a blessing from God for it fills her heart with joy and takes away some of her heartbreak and sorrow. Yassmin Moor writes from Gaza. 

Photostory: Bil'in, the art of shaking off

Adam Beach 18 November 2007


In January 2005 the people of the West Bank village of Bil’in began holding weekly demonstrations demanding access to their farmlands that had been cut off by the Israeli separation barrier. During that time of popular and nonviolent struggle the response by the Israeli army intensified and grew increasingly violent. The separation barrier has stagnated the agriculturally-based economy in Bil’in and has become a symbol of Israeli oppression and colonization in the West Bank. Photographer Adam Beach documented the Bil’in demonstrations. 

Gaza's children deserve life

Rami Almeghari Gaza City, Gaza Strip 22 October 2007


Places of entertainment in Gaza are few and far between compared with other parts of the world. While the atmosphere in Gaza is becoming more depressed and the economy is crumbling, Gaza’s population was nevertheless determined to celebrate the major Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. EI contributor Rami Almeghari writes from the Gaza Strip. 

Closed borders, closed future in Gaza

Sami Abu Salem Gaza Strip 22 October 2007


Nine-year-old Najla Rajab, with her two brothers and mother, was among tens of Palestinians demonstrating today in Gaza City, calling for permission to leave Gaza. Najla said that she wants to travel to Saudi Arabia to see her father and to re-enroll in her school in Jeddah, but she has not been able to since Israel has closed Gaza’s borders for months. “We came to Gaza to spend the summer vacation. Now we are stranded here; I cannot go back to my school in Saudi Arabia,” said Najla. Sami Abu Salem reports from Gaza. 

Artist Emily Jacir awarded prestigious Golden Lion

22 October 2007


Emily Jacir, who participated in the 52nd La Biennale di Venezia international art exhibition, was awarded last week with the prestigious Golden Lion award. Jacir, whose ongoing installation work “Material for a film” was featured in the 2007 Biennale themed Think with the senses - Feel with the mind, was given the Golden Lion award for an artis under the age of 40. “The award for an artist under 40 is given for a practice that takes as its subject exile in general and the Palestinian issue in particular,” stated the Bieannale’s International Jury. 

Meet the Lebanese Press: Guess games and plotters

Hicham Safieddine 22 October 2007


Electronic Lebanon is pleased to introduce Meet the Lebanese Press, a twice-monthly review of what is making the rounds in the Lebanese press and the pundits’ take on it. This week, the roller coaster of speculations in the Lebanese press about the outcome of shuttle diplomacy among Lebanese politicians and world leaders over the presidential file reached a significant low last week only to climb back into a new high over the weekend. 

The moderate blindfold

Ben White 21 October 2007


We’ve had Live 8 and Live Earth, and this week, albeit on a smaller scale, we almost had One Million Voices. Organized by the OneVoice group, the declared aim was to bring together Palestinians and Israelis in simultaneous events in Tel Aviv, Jericho, London, Washington and Ottawa to voice support for the “moderates” and call for a negotiated two-state solution. EI contributor Ben White comments. 

Concert cancellation victory against normalization

18 October 2007


The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel and all its partners, individuals and organizations active in art, culture and human rights, regard the cancellation of the Jericho-Tel Aviv event, planned by “One Voice” to take place on 18 October, as a substantial accomplishment for the Palestinian boycott movement. A solid partnership between diverse civil society organizations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has succeeded in thwarting the event’s organizers’ attempt to mislead public opinion and to use deceptive slogans to market a political program that concedes some fundamental Palestinian rights. 

Academic freedom at risk on campus

Saree Makdisi 18 October 2007


“Academic colleagues, get used to it,” warned the pro-Israel activist Martin Kramer in March 2004. “Yes, you are being watched. Those obscure articles in campus newspapers are now available on the Internet, and they will be harvested. Your syllabi, which you’ve also posted, will be scrutinized. Your Web sites will be visited late at night.” Kramer’s warning inaugurated an attack on intellectual freedom in the US that has grown more aggressive in recent months. Saree Makdisi comments.