Ramallah 27 July 2011
The number of Palestinian children with post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders including depression has increased, according to Médecins Sans Frontières and Palestinian organizations specializing in mental health. Read more about Trauma of Palestinian children increasing, say health groups
Gaza 26 July 2011
In a special ceremony at the French Cultural Center in Gaza City earlier this month, a representative of the French consulate in Jerusalem presented the highest award bestowed on non-French citizens to Reem Abu Jaber, head of the Qattan Centre for the Child in Gaza. Read more about France honors educator of Gaza's children
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: Read more about Palestinian Authority's UN "statehood" bid: useful, useless or dangerous?
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. Read more about Dutch Islamophobe Geert Wilders reaffirms Norway killer's goals but rejects methods
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. Read more about Palestinians to UN and UNESCO: Stop destruction of Mamilla cemetery for "Museum of Tolerance"
Gaza City 25 July 2011
On 11 July, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Palestine Red Crescent Society helped facilitate a demonstration to protest the ban on Palestinians from Gaza visiting their imprisoned loved ones. Read more about Gaza families demand right to visit prisoners
25 July 2011
The strong reaction by left-wing Israelis to the recently passed “boycott law” must have astounded many in the country’s right-wing government and made them wonder why such a strong reaction now. Read more about Israeli left's awakening too little, too late
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. Read more about Norway suspect laid out detailed plans for violence against "traitors," Muslims
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. Read more about How a clueless "terrorism expert" set media suspicion on Muslims after Oslo horror
Gaza Strip 22 July 2011
Why won’t the international media ask women in Gaza what really matters to them? Yasmeen El-Khoudary comments for The Electronic Intifada. Read more about Who is the real oppressor of Gaza women's rights?