· November, 2012

Stories about Palestine from November, 2012

Palestine Gets “Symbolic” Upgrade at the UN

  30 November 2012

The upgrade of Palestine from an "entity" to a "non-member state" at the United Nations received a lukewarm reaction from netizens - who asked what a 'symbolic' gesture like recognising Palestine at the United Nations would do to Palestinians, particularly those living under Israeli occupation and refugees.

Pakistan Stands With Palestine

  24 November 2012

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.

Israeli Media Criticized for Coverage of Gaza Conflict

  22 November 2012

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.

Chileans Protest in Support of Gaza

  19 November 2012

The latest hostilities between the Israeli government and Hamas in the Gaza Strip prompted an unusual protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Santiago, Chile. Reactions come from a country that, despite the physical distance, is home to around 350,000 ethnic Palestinians, making it host to the largest community of Palestinians outside the Arab World.

Palestine: Social Media in Conflict, Four Years On

  18 November 2012

Back in 2008, during Israel's attack on Gaza that left more than 1,400 (more than 700 of whom were civilians) dead, individuals the world over took to social media to comment on the attacks and the politics behind them. Four years later, the world — and the Internet — has changed. Now, as Israel once again unleashes a barrage of air strikes against Gaza's population, social media has become a secondary battlefield.

In Gaza, Children are Paying the Price of War

  18 November 2012

Heartbreaking photographs of dead Palestinian children were splattered across social media today, calling attention to the on-going tragedy in Gaza, as Israel and Hamas continue to exchange fire. Today, the fifth day since Israel started bombing Gaza round the clock, an Israeli missile hit a house in Gaza City, killing at least 10 civilians, including five children. Online, this tragedy has drawn condemnation from netizens.

Arab League on Gaza: “Blah Blah… Blah Blah Blah”

  17 November 2012

The Arab League is meeting at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss Gaza - and netizens aren't holding their breath or being optimistic about a strong reaction. Sultan AlQassemi tweets: "Live update from Arab League meeting on Gaza aggression by Israel: We will not tolerate blah blah! We must stand with blah blah bah."

Why is the GCC Quiet about Gaza?

  17 November 2012

“Gulf countries awfully quiet about Gaza,” tweets Foreign Policy editor Blake Hounshell. Lebanese journalist Antoun Issa adds: @antissa: Amazing how eager GCC are to arm Arabs to fight each other,...

Is Israel Planning a Ground Invasion of Gaza?

  16 November 2012

Gazans braced themselves for another day of continuous shelling, as news trickles in of the possibility of an Israeli ground invasion. Like yesterday, Palestinian bloggers in Gaza have been keeping followers updated on social media, around the clock.

Israel: “Ashdod Feels like a War Zone”

  15 November 2012

After a cease fire was negotiated and rocket fire from Gaza had almost stopped, IDF drones assassinated Hamas military chief, Ahmad al-Jabari. Gaza militants responded by launching a barrage of rockets. One of those rockets exploded in a home in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi, killing three members of a family. IDF attacks on Gaza have resulted in the death of at least 13 people, some of them civilians, and injured over 100 people. Israelis living under constant rocket fire in southern Israel shared their experiences and feelings online.

“Bombs are Falling Like Rain in Gaza”

  15 November 2012

Gazans stayed up all night as Israel continued to pound the Palestinian enclave. The situation flared up when Israel and Gaza exchanged fire - which still continues now - after Israel killed Hamas military leader Ahmed Al-Jabari during an air raid on Gaza yesterday. According to Press reports, the current bout of fighting has left up to 13 Gazans and three Israelis dead.