Diaries: Live from Palestine

Pride through solidarity



Though I’ve never felt compelled to take the streets for Pride, I did this past month, on several occasions, walk alongside folks that I resonated with in important ways, in vocalizing my outrage against the illegal and inhumane acts of the Israeli state. Amita Kumari writes from Toronto. 

The Last Queen of the Night



The Last Queen of the Night is not the name of a mythical character, or even an ancient Oriental queen or goddess. It is not the name of a Parisian perfume or chocolate like “After 8.” It is the name of a flower, one that blooms only during the night. Yasmeen El Khoudary writes from the occupied Gaza Strip. 

National unity remains elusive under occupation



Since the split between the Fatah and Hamas factions deepened after the latter stymied foreign-backed efforts to overthrow it in 2007 following its election victory the previous year, there has been much talk of restoring Palestinian unity. Such reconciliation has however so far eluded all efforts. Some analysts think it may have a better chance now. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Gaza moves New York City mother from apathy to activism



Last New Year’s Eve, Debbie Mardon did not celebrate with noise makers or confetti — instead, she headed to Cairo’s main square to participate in the Gaza Freedom March with her son and daughter. It was an unlikely place to be for a previously apolitical mother who voted for George W. Bush and as recently as three years ago relied on right-wing radio hosts to help her make sense of the world. Alex Kane reports. 

Hope and anxiety at Rafah crossing



Jamila Hammouda, a mother of five small children, hopes that she will be reunited with her family in Cairo, Egypt. Hammouda, her husband and their children were waiting on the Gaza side of the Rafah terminal crossing with Egypt, where Palestinians in Gaza have queued up after Egyptian authorities reopened the crossing “indefinitely.” Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Besieged Palestinians outraged over Israel's attack on Flotilla



As news was released of Israel’s attack on the Freedom Flotilla and rising casualties among the passengers, the mood at Gaza’s modest seaport grew somber. Hundreds of civilians including governmental and non-governmental representatives, activists, and ordinary Palestinians were waiting anxiously to welcome those on board the Flotilla. Rami Almeghari writes from the occupied Gaza Strip. 

Thousands rally for Freedom Flotilla in Stockholm



The central Sergels Torg square in Stockholm is not the place you would normally expect to hear the words “stop the blockade,” or “boycott Israel,” or even “In our souls and with our blood we support you Palestine,” in Arabic no less. Sami Halabi and Assaad Thebian report from the Swedish capital on protests against Israel’s attacks on the Freedom Flotilla aid convoy. 

Long-separated family reunites in Gaza through tunnel



Naima Akkawi, a 40-year-old Moroccan native, is finally back home in Gaza with her husband Mahmoud Jouda and her two young children, Riwan (5) and Rimas (3) after an enforced absence of 10 years. During that long and agonizing separation, Mahmoud and Naima did all they could to get back together through official channels but it was all to no avail. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

A day in Jerusalem



Jerusalem is only an hour and a half drive away from where I live in Gaza City. I grew up contemplating the moment I would see Jerusalem, but that day wouldn’t come until I graduated from the American University in Cairo and was promised by my parents that they might be able to make the necessary arrangements (an Israeli-issued permit) for me to visit the holy city. Yasmeen El Khoudary writes from the occupied Gaza Strip. 

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