Stories about Palestine from March, 2009
Israel: Gaza Aid in Exchange for Shalit
“A proposal has been made in the U.S. Congress to link the 900 million dollars of aid pledged to Gaza to the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who has...
Palestine: Viva Palestina arrives in Egypt
Kalash reports on the progress and politics surrounding a 100-vehicle convey from the UK – Viva Palestina – that is slowly edging its way towards Gaza, which is now in...
Palestine: Objecting the ‘t-word’
Writing at KABOBfest, Carlos argues for the non-biased application of the term ‘terrorist’ following the bulldozer attack in Israel. “Would Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post use the ‘t-word’ to describe...
Jordan: Adopting a Palestinian Child
Jordanian blogger Ali Dahmash has ‘adopted’ a Palestinian child who lost his father in the recent war on Gaza. Read more about why he did that in this post.
Israel: Film Illustrates Problem of Closed Gaza Borders
In the Israeli blogosphere you rarely get the feeling that everyone is listening and no one is talking, and that's the case today with the debut of a short film called “Closed Zone.” A 90-second animated film about the sealed Gaza border crossings, “Closed Zone” already has 31,600 hits and 200 text comments on YouTube, and counting.
Egypt: Most Religious Country in World, Poll Says
Egypt is the most religious country in the world according to a new Gallup survey that asks respondents to answer “yes” or “no” to the question “Is religion an important...
Israel: Airport Security Detains British Rapper
When British rapper Lowkey arrived in Israel this week to help raise funds to rebuild Gaza, airport security didn't react kindly to his arrival and detained him for questioning. David...
Israel: Jerusalem Suffers Third Bulldozer Attack This Year
The first time it seemed like a freak attack: an anomaly separate from time and place. The second, it was a nightmare. Now it has happened again. Israeli news reported today what appears to be the third terrorist attack with a bulldozer in the last eight months, writes Maya Norton, who reviews the reactions of Israeli bloggers in this post.
Jordan: Photo of the Moment
Jordanian blogger Naseem Tarawnah posts a Reuters photograph showing a Palestinian man sitting near the Jaffa Gata in Jerusalem's Old City and notes: “If this picture doesn’t personify the Palestinian...
Palestine: Clinton's Visit
Kalash discusses US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments on Gaza and Hamas during her visit to the Middle East in this post.
Israel: Cold Front Warmly Received
The snow and icy rains that chilled Israel this weekend received a warm welcome from its residents. As the rainy season draws to a close, many fear that this year's low rainfall will lead to dangerous summer drought.
Egypt: Interview with Elhamalawy
Egyptian blogger Mohammed Maree posts a video interview with blogger and activist Hossam Elhamalawy about his work at the Center for Social Studies, including workers’ strikes, industrial action and their...
Israel: Negotiating a Prisoner Exchange for Gilad Shalit
Three years ago, Palestinian militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid. Despite numerous diplomatic attempts to earn Shalit's release, the 22-year old remains in Hamas custody. In exchange for his freedom, Hamas demands the release of 1,400 Palestinians currently held in Israeli jails while Israel says Shalit's release is a pre-condition for a ceasefire, writes Maya Norton, who reviews the reactions of Israeli bloggers towards this deal.
Palestine: Need for Change in the Journalists’ Union
Fadi Abu Sada argues that the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate should not wait for political permission before holding its elections: “Palestinian journalists as a community need to pressure the Syndicate and...
Palestine: Carrying Rocks to Syria
Samuel Nichols, who works with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in the West Bank, tells us about a request he received from a Palestinian refugee in Damascus: “Please go to my...
Palestine: New Theatre Organisation
Abdelfattah Abusrour, director of Al-Rowwad Culture and Theatre Center in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem introduces the newly-established Palestine Theatre League [Ar].
Israel: Novelist Writes From Palestinian Perspective
Matt Beynon Rees is a Jerusalem-based crime novelist whose third book, The Samaritan's Secret, has just been published to positive reviews. His protagonist is the Palestinian school teacher and amateur...
Israel: What is the Language of Peace?
MePeace participants discuss whether “language is a barrier to peacemaking on the web.” MePeace is an online community dedicated to promoting conversation among Israelis, Palestinians, and others interested in peace...