On New Year’s Eve, my family and I planned to escape the immense pressure we and everyone else in Gaza continue to endure. We ended up at a party that contradicted the notion that conservative Gaza is being ruled by freedom-curtailing Islamists. Read more about A New Year's song of hope for Gaza 

Faiz Ahmed witnessed the Mavi Marmara’s return to a hero’s welcome at Istanbul’s Sarayburnu port late last month. Read more about The return of the Mavi Marmara 

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - A number of recent incidents discriminating against Israel’s Palestinian minority has prompted Israeli Knesset members to debate whether Israel is becoming increasingly racist. Read more about Israel further institutionalizes racism toward Palestinian citizens 

“I am in shock, we are in shock,” Hamde Abu Rahmah told me as we stood outside the small cemetery in Bilin where 36-year-old Jawaher Abu Rahmah was buried on Saturday. One day earlier, on 31 December, Jawaher was killed after inhaling US-made tear-gas fired by Israeli soldiers at demonstrators in the occupied West Bank village. Joseph Dana reports from Bilin. Read more about From Bilin to Tel Aviv, outrage at killing of Jawaher Abu Rahmah 

Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes continued in Lyd, the Negev region, and in numerous places around the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem where two Palestinian families were forced to demolish their own homes in Sur Bahir village. The families had received demolition orders from Jerusalem Municipality officials three days before, citing “illegal construction.” Read more about Israel forces Palestinians to demolish their own homes 

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee in Palestine, has expressed its concern following reports that Israeli companies have been contracted to take part in the construction of Rawabi, an already controversial Qatari-financed Palestinian real estate development in the occupied West Bank. Read more about Role of Israeli firms raises boycott concerns about Rawabi 

Israeli forces are using Volvo construction equipment and trucks in the destruction of Palestinian property. This is the second part of a feature by The Electronic Intifada documenting the use of Volvo equipment by the Israeli government in its destruction of Palestinian property. Read more about Photostory: Volvo equipment used in house demolitions (part 2) 

Between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009, Israel used its formidable military arsenal to wage all out war against a territory whose destitute population is made up largely of refugees. More than 1,400 people were killed, including almost four hundred children. Two years later, Rami Almeghari speaks with Gazans who witnessed Israel’s invasion. Read more about Gaza families recall horror two years after Israel's assault 

Palestinians and solidarity groups in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland have organized vigils and political awareness actions on the occasion of the second anniversary of Israel’s winter 2008-09 attacks on the Gaza Strip — during which more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed and thousands more injured. Read more about Activism roundup: world to commemorate Gaza massacre anniversary 

BAT YAM (IPS) - Emotions are running high in this working class town on the Mediterranean adjacent to Tel Aviv, the Israeli metropolis that has long been the symbol of liberal laissez-faire Israel. Principally, anti-Arab emotions: racism is on the march. Read more about Outrage continues over Israeli rabbis' racist decree