Blogs

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

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

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?

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

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"

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

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

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. 

  • Activism and BDS Beat

    News about popular struggle, international solidarity and boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) activism

  • Arts and Culture

    Palestine-related arts and culture news

  • From the Editors

    Highlighting important stories on and off The Electronic Intifada.

  • Lobby Watch

    An eye on the groups that try to stifle free debate about Palestine

  • Media Watch

    The good and the bad of media coverage of Palestine

  • Power Suits

    We go through the revolving door of the “peace process” and “diplomacy”

  • Rights and Accountability

    News about work to enforce human rights and international law