· November, 2012

Stories about West Asia & North Africa from November, 2012

Egypt: Down with The Tyrant – Take Three!!

In what is being described as the third wave of the Egyptian revolution, Egyptians across the country and not only Cairo took to the streets again to make a strong message that they are more than willing to take down another tyrant in the making.

29 November 2012

Iran: Reflections on Gaza and Israel

For many in Iran, the issues surrounding Gaza, Hamas, and Palestine are viewed through a prism of politics. Condemning Hamas publicly means becoming a target. One Iranian student organization, became a victim of this policy because of its stance against both Hamas and Israel in the previous Gaza war.

27 November 2012

Homs: A Revolutionary Syrian City in Ruins

Homs is a Syrian city that is 4,300 years old and is the home of three Syrian presidents. Homsi protesters were among the first Syrians to take streets in thousands to protest against the Syrian regime. The colossal damage months of shelling has done can be seen in the destruction of historic buildings and architecture, hundreds of thousands of refugees and thousands of martyrs.

27 November 2012

Yemen: Ashoura Celebration in Sanaa Attacked

November 24th is Ashoura Day, and it is a day that is commemorated in the Muslim world by both the Sunni and Shite sects. However in Yemen, it was a tragic day as four people were killed and more than a dozen were wounded in an explosion that targeted a Shiite Ashoura Celebration in the capital Sanaa. This was the first sectarian bombing to occur in Sanaa, an alarming development with the clear aim to fuel sectarianism in Yemen.

26 November 2012

Israelis React to Barak's Retirement from Politics

Israel's Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, who previously served as Israel's Prime Minister (1999-2001) and IDF Chief of Staff (1991-1995), made a surprise announcement in a press conference today, saying he will be retiring from politics as we wants to spend more time with his family. Israeli netizens react to his resignation.

26 November 2012

Saudi Judge: “What applies to the ruler, does not apply to those he rules”

Earlier today, Riyadh Criminal Court held the sixth hearing session of the ongoing trial of the two prominent human rights activists Mohammad Al-Qahtani and Abdullah Al-Hamid. Today's session was solely a debate between the judge and the defendants, and the public prosecutor did not talk at all. Sixty-five people attended the session, in which the judge argued: "What applies to the ruler, does not apply to those he rules."

24 November 2012

Made in Libya: Blogger Ahmed Ben Wafaa

Ahmed Ben Wafaa is a science teacher who started blogging in 2000 to express himself on the state of things in his country and through his blog "Made in Libya" he succeeded in becoming a source of information during the Libyan revolution. Ahmed Ben Jeddou interviewed him to know more about blogging and citizen media in Libya before and after the revolution

24 November 2012

Pakistan Stands With Palestine

A number of rallies and protests were held in Pakistan to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their recent conflict with Israel. Using social media, people have raised concerns over the grave situation, displayed support and also condemned the government for being more involved in Gaza rather than dealing with the increased terrorism back home.

24 November 2012

Candles Lit for Gaza in Bulgaria's Capital

About 100 people gathered in Sofia's central square to show their support for the victims of Israel's recent Operation Pillar of Defense in the Gaza Strip. Facebook page “Together for...

23 November 2012

Has Morsi Pulled a Mubarak and Cut the Internet Off Tahrir Square?

Egyptian netizens are reporting Internet cuts around Tahrir Square, the epi-centre of the Egyptian revolution while others are saying it in working fine. If the Internet is being disrupted by the authorities, it brings to mind what happened on the second day of the start of the Egyptian revolution, when access to the Internet was cut off in Egypt on January 26, 2011.

23 November 2012

Iran: ‘Back to the Stone Age’

Iran Abad writes with irony that Iran's regime has an extraordinary talent to take Iranian economy back to the Stone Age.The blogger mentions several examples such as giving more incentives to...

23 November 2012

Lebanon: France, Oil and Independence Day

Nadine Mazloum puts together a collection of Lebanese Twitter user reactions to Independence Day (Nov 22). She ends her article with a sarcastic comparison of the various occupiers of Lebanon in which France wins the first place. Thus,...

22 November 2012

Israeli Media Criticized for Coverage of Gaza Conflict

The latest round of fighting between Israel and Gaza militants was covered around the clock in Israel. Media outlets largely adopted the government's narrative and justifications for the offensive. Leftist Israeli bloggers and netizens, while criticizing the government throughout the operation, also attacked what they saw as a biased coverage of the events.

22 November 2012

Bus Explodes in Central Tel Aviv Hours Before Ceasefire

Hours before a truce was declared between Israel and Hamas, a bus exploded in central Tel Aviv around noon today, injuring some 17 people. Hamas took responsibility for the blast, which many said would put a dent on talks of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, who have been clashing for a week.

21 November 2012

About our West Asia & North Africa coverage

Walid El Houri
Walid El Houri is the West Asia and North Africa Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.


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