Latest posts by Ayesha Saldanha from July, 2009
Palestine: Back Home In Gaza
Dr. Mona El-Farra is back home in Gaza after a prolonged absence: “I now see a different Gaza, and it is not the Gaza I have known, it is like a city after an earthquake.”
Palestine: No Security
In the West Bank, activist Hannah Mermelstein writes: “A friend of mine here once told me that she never feels safe, so safety is not a consideration for her in making decisions. As much as I may try, I cannot truly imagine this lack of control.”
Palestine: Indigenous Solidarity
In the West Bank, Marcy Newman has been teaching young Palestinians about indigenous Americans, as preparation for a solidarity visit by a group of Native Americans next month.
Palestine: Photos Of Gaza
Antony Loewenstein is visiting Gaza, and is posting photos on his blog.
Palestine: A Gazan Haircut
From Gaza, Erin Cunningham writes on Twitter: “just had my hair cut by a wonderfully gay Gazan stylist whose salon has been firebombed several times by extremists. resilience = good hair.”
Bahrain: Accusations of Islamist Hypocrisy
The Bahraini Nationalist read the response by the Olama Islamic Council to the Crown Prince's call for dialogue with Israelis: “It’s the usual, humdrum response we’ve come to expect from all Islamist political groups…it exposes the hypocritical way these groups approach the issue of Palestine.”
Israel: A Belief In Coexistence – Interview With Activist Ibn Ezra
While Israel as a whole has moved to the right in recent years, there are nevertheless Israelis who oppose their government’s policies towards the Palestinians. Global Voices Online has interviewed activist Joseph Dana, who blogs at Ibn Ezra, about his involvement with the group Ta'ayush ("coexistence"), the state of activism in Israel, and using social media to get the message out.
Bahrain: Keeping Apart
Bahrain-based blogger Shirley Dockerill, who writes at White Girl Arab World, had a male student walk out of her class because she was female: “I'd forgotten there is a school of thought here which doesn't allow interaction with non-relatives of the opposite sex, in any way, shape or form.”
Bahrain: Be Positive
Bahraini blogger aMal has decided to rid herself of negative feelings – but that's not so simple: “People, at least maybe in this part of the world, I wholeheartedly say, are allergic to positivity.”
Bahrain: Learn To Live With Israel?
The Bahraini Nationalist is pleased that Bahrain's Crown Prince has written an op-ed in the Washington Post asking Arabs to talk to the people of Israel: “Shaikh Salman is trying to tell Arabs that Israel is a reality and won’t disappear. Learn to live with it!!” Yet a Facebook group...
Palestine: Fear Of Flying
At the Moments of Gaza blog, Professor Abdelwahed writes about a couple taking their children out of Gaza for the first time in 13 years, and discovering that they were terrified to fly: “Their persistent question was on their situation if the airplane bombed somewhere and killed innocent people like...
Jerusalem: Discovering The Old City
Glenn Strachan has been working temporarily in Nazareth, and is now visiting Jerusalem for the first time: “What I quickly discovered is that Nazareth is to Jerusalem what hamburger is to filet mignon.”
Israel: Does Violence Pay?
Israeli activist Joseph Dana compares the way the Israeli state treats ultra-orthodox rioters with its treatment of anti-occupation protestors: “The ultra orthodox have succeeded in exerting force against the state – one could say that violence in this situation has proven successful – while non-violent leftist Israelis are often attacked...
Palestine: Israeli Settlers Set Farmland On Fire
The Palestine Solidarity Project blog reports that Israeli settlers were seen setting farmland on fire near Beit Ummar in the West Bank.
Palestine: Second Humanitarian Convoy Enters Gaza
Gazan blogger DR – LION reports on the second Viva Palestina humanitarian convoy to enter Gaza, accompanied by the British MP George Galloway [Ar].
Bahrain: The Stereotype Of Expat Kids
Ashish Gorde, who grew up as an “expat kid” in Bahrain, is always amazed at the negative generalisations people make about such children – and prefers to think of the positive: “Not having a place we can call our own is a blessing in disguise because it has protected us...
Bahrain: Blogging Ministers
Bahraini blogger Yagoob reports on new initiative on Bahrain's E-Government Portal – a blog where people can leave comments, and where ministers will be available to answer questions.
Palestine: Blogs Versus Forums And Facebook
Zaytonatona asks, “What's the difference between a blogger, a forum member, and someone on Facebook?” [Ar]
Palestine: Famous Musicians
Ruba Anabtawi profiles two famous musicians in Palestinian history, Wasif Jawhariyah and Amin Nasser [Ar].
Palestine: A Campaign Like Never Before
A campaign was launched earlier this year, at the time of the Israeli attacks on Gaza, to promote the concept of taking pride in Palestinian resistance, and to focus on Palestinian rights not victimhood. Called the Never Before Campaign, it is based in Beirut, Lebanon, and has produced a series of videos to convey its message. Global Voices Online has interviewed the Never Before Campaign to find out more.
Bahrain: Having Respect For Yourself
Rick Beeman, an American based in Bahrain, is back in the USA for a visit – and wonders about the behaviour of certain Americans: “These people didn’t seem to have any self-respect and that was the sad part. While the people I'm with over in Bahrain…the laborers, have an incredible...
