Latest posts by Maya Norton from March, 2009
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.
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.
Israel: Triumphant Week for Israeli Women
What a week it was for Israeli women, Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem observes. Tzipi Livni won the elections, singer Hila Pitman landed a Grammy, supermodel Bar Rafaeli was chosen as Sport Illustrated's swimsuit edition cover girl, and a Jewish-Muslim duo were chosen to represent the nation at the Eurovision song...
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 sleuth, Omar Yussef. Rees explains: “I think of my novels as humanist, filtering out the politics that makes people see...
Israel: Changing Check Points
Those who frequently pass between check points have been offered special stickers for their vehicles, intended to smooth their passage. The consequences of the stickers may not be so clear, however. Treppenwitz's David Bogner observes: “On the one hand, this little sticker could simplify my life and speed my passage...
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 in the Middle East.
Israel: Is Lindsay Lohan Converting to Judaism?
Word in the Israeli blogosphere is that Lindsay Lohan is converting to Judaism. On her personal Facebook page, Lohan last week said she hoped that the conversion will bring her closer to her Jewish girlfriend, Samantha Ronson. Lohan and Ronson are currently in London attending a family bar mitzvah. The announcement has been met with mixed reviews.
