· October, 2009

Stories about Israel from October, 2009

Palestine: IDF Torches Palestinian Vehicles

  27 October 2009

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: “Ordinary Racism” In Media Coverage

  26 October 2009

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

  25 October 2009

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: Civil Marriage Good for Women's Rights

  16 October 2009

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?

  16 October 2009

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: Charitable Giving at Every Level

  16 October 2009

“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

  16 October 2009

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

  16 October 2009

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:Blog Action Day for the Environment

  16 October 2009

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.

MENA: Where is Obama's Peace?

  10 October 2009

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

  9 October 2009

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

  7 October 2009

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...