Art, Music & Culture

Book review: Resurrecting "America's Defense Line"

Muhammad Idrees Ahmad 1 May 2009



In his new book, America’s Defense Line: the Justice Department’s Battle to Register the Israel Lobby as Agents of a Foreign Government, tenacious analyst Grant F. Smith focuses on an important aspect of the Israel lobby’s origins that has implications for how it operates today. Muhammad Idrees Ahmad reviews for The Electronic Intifada. 

The Zionist movement and sports in Palestine

Issam Khalidi 27 April 2009



Even today, there remains a great deal of misinformation on Palestinian websites regarding the participation of Palestine in the 1934 and 1938 World Cup tournaments. Such misinformation generally comes from individuals who are not familiar with the historical facts and must be corrected. Issam Khalidi looks at the history of the Zionist movement and sports in Palestine. 

Film review: Kindness as vengeance in "Heart of Jenin"

Maureen Clare Murphy 23 April 2009



After his young son Ahmad was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the Jenin refugee camp in 2005, Ismail Khatib was propositioned by the Israeli doctor treating his son: would Ismail wish that his son Ahmad’s organs be donated to children (in Israel) who needed them? The Electronic Intifada’s Maureen Clare Murphy reviews Heart of Jenin, a documentary about the Khatib family’s experience. 

Film review: Musical resistance in "Telling Strings"

Maymanah Farhat 20 April 2009



Swiss filmmaker Anne-Marie Haller’s 60-minute documentary Telling Strings provides a rare look into the profound workings of a Palestinian family of musicians. Initially, the film appears unassuming yet its powerful content, stunning cinematography and informing moments make it a welcomed addition to a long list of documentaries on Palestine. Maymanah Farhat reviews for The Electronic Intifada. 

Animal Farm finds a Palestinian stage

Mel Frykberg 19 April 2009



RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - “Intifada,” scream the animals as they chase Jones from the farm. Strobe lights flash and loud music blares as the packed audience sits captivated, eyes trained on the stage below. “We are exhausted not because we are hungry. We are exhausted because of human oppression, and we can’t work out how to resolve our problems,” shouts Old Major, one of the senior pig revolutionaries. 

Empire and agency: "A World of Trouble: America in the Middle East"

Muhammad Idrees Ahmad 13 April 2009



While nowhere in his invaluable diplomatic history of eight presidencies, A World of Trouble: America in the Middle East, does Patrick E. Tyler use the phrase “the Israel lobby,” it nevertheless looms largest among the reasons why all US efforts to feign balance between the competing concerns of good relations with Arab-Muslim states and unwavering allegiance to Israel have foundered. Muhammad Idrees Ahmad reviews for The Electronic Intifada. 

Cultural solidarity in Quebec: An interview with filmmaker Malcolm Guy

Stefan Christoff 7 April 2009



“People who were not that open to the boycott campaign previously [are now] willing to support the international boycott campaign against Israel.” The Electronic Intifada contributor Stefan Christoff interviewed Canadian filmmaker Malcolm Guy about a Quebec film festival’s recent decision to cancel a “tolerance award” and the growing movement for a cultural boycott of Israel. 

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