Stories about Israel from October, 2009
Palestine: IDF Torches Palestinian Vehicles
At Do Unto Others, Samuel Nichols writes that Israeli military patrols have started setting fire to cars which are caught trying to cross the border from the West Bank into Israel. He posts a video here.
Israel/Palestine: Bloggers Talk
Velveteen Rabbi reports from an Israel-Palestine Blogger Panel in Washington, DC.
Israel: “Ordinary Racism” In Media Coverage
Approximately 20 per cent of the country's population, the Palestinian citizens of Israel (also known as Israeli Arabs) argue that they are discriminated against in many aspects of life. The media coverage of a recent road accident prompted a Palestinian blogger in Israel to comment.
Lebanon Ups the Ante in the Hummus War
As many as 300 Lebanese chefs gathered yesterday in Beirut to make the largest ever plate of hummus in an attempt to claim the reigns in ownership of the popular chick pea dip. The new world record is part of an ongoing campaign in Lebanon to reaffirm the country's claim to a number of dishes being produced in Israel - with the ownership of hummus being one of the main quarrels.
Israel: Why I don't want to be a man
Batya, at Shiloh Musings from Israel, never wanted to be a man. Click on the link to find out why.
Israel: Civil Marriage Good for Women's Rights
Elana Sztokman assesses how a new civil marriage bill would improve Israeli women's civil rights. She asserts: “Anyone who has encountered the real suffering brought on by this system cannot help but be in favor…”
Israel: Future Gay Tourist Hub?
Is Israel becoming a hub of international gay tourism, I Googled Israel ponders. He observes: “There is a clear trend definitely geared towards bringing in more gay vacationers and, to be more precise, their holiday dollars.”
Israel: Sviva Israel is Best Practice in Social Media
Sviva Israel as a best practice model in social media. Debra Askanase of Community Organizer 2.0 explains how in her case study: “How a Facebook Event Transformed an Organization.”
Israel: Charitable Giving at Every Level
“The difference between being charitable and being a philanthropist is having a strategy,” writes Richard Marker in eJewish Philanthropy, explaining why “You Don't Need to Be Rich to be a Philanthropist.”
Israel: What Other Countries Eat
Daniel Lubetzky's Peaceworks blog posts photos of what countries around the world eat in one week. Each photo shows a family in their kitchen surrounded by a week's worth of food.
Israel: Exploring Hebrew's Latin Roots
BaLashon (On the Tongue) explores the Hebrew term kalgas קלגס, meaning soldier. He discovers Latin roots: “Caliga- Roman sandals, secured with nails (which made quite a bit of noise)- were apparently frightening enough to give their name to the Roman soldiers.”
Israel: Can Tel Aviv Become a Biking Mecca?
Can Tel Aviv join the Netherlands and China as an ideal location for cyclists? Ami Vider of Tel Aviv Tomorrow discusses its potential.
Israel:Blog Action Day for the Environment
On Blog Action Day, October 15, Israeli bloggers were already looking ahead to October 24 when environmental organizations, activists, and bloggers too, are planning a day of climate change protest across the Middle East.
Arab-American Blogger Leila Abu-Saba Mourned
Lebanese-American blogger Leila Abu-Saba has died after a long battle with cancer. Bloggers who have interacted with her over the years recall her merits and endless quest for peace.
Poland: Marek Edelman
Raf Uzar writes about Marek Edelman, the last surviving leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, who passed away on Oct. 2 at the age of 90.
Israel: A Consolation Prize for Obama
YMeded, from Israel, remarks on Obama's Nobel Peace Prize saying: “It's probably a consolation prize for the loss of the Olympics hosting that Obama couldn't achieve.”
MENA: Where is Obama's Peace?
He's done it again and this time he has won the Nobel Peace Prize, much to everyone's surprise - including his own. US President Barack Obama's prize has sparked a serious debate in the Middle East and here's a round up of some of the reactions.
Egypt: Niqab Ban Stirs Controversy
Egypt's top leading Islamic leader, Sheikh Mohammed Tantawi told a 13-year-old student to uncover her face, saying it was not part of the religious obligations of Muslim women. A few days later, Egypt banned female undergraduates from wearing the niqab in the country's public universities. Bloggers join in the debate.
Israel: Conscietious Objectors on World Tour
Israeli youth who conscientiously object to army service are on an international tour to raise awareness. Ibn Ezra reports: “They did not dwell on their personal stories. They are using their visit to educate people about the conflict, and the dispossession of the Palestinians. On this score they were eloquent...
Israel: Ancient Prayers, Modern Messages in Jerusalem
Envision this: a woman prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem, while holding a cell phone that relays the prayers to a friend. Leiv Esther reflects on the old and the new uniting to enhance our religious practice.
Israel: Photos of Jerusalem Festivities
Jews are currently celebrating the holiday of Sukkot (Feast of the Tabernacles). Israelity features photos of sukkah booths and festivities around Jerusalem.
