Latest posts by Maya Norton from December, 2008
UAE: World's First Refrigerated Beach
Dubai's new Palazzo Versace Hotel is set to feature the world's first refrigerated beach, reports Norma of Bloggin’ Banat. She comments: “Clearly, nature is no obstacle for this lavish playground. The beach’s sand will be cooled via an underground system of heat-absorbing pipes and giant wind blowers… Apparently the refrigerated...
Palestine: Reacting to the Star of David Symbol
“If I believed in God, my prayer would be that I never see the star of David again as long as I live, so help me God,” writes Yasmin of The Angry Arab Comments Section blog. “It is impossible for me to separate it from the Israeli flag, which represents...
Palestine: Living Conditions Worsen Under Hamas
Ramzy of MidEast Youth observes: “Ever since Hamas went to power the Palestinian people’s living conditions are from bad to worse with every day because it is internationally recognized as a terrorist group and can’t be endorsed as part of the world system without renouncing violence and recognizing Israel and...
Palestine: Shopping for Palestine
“When you buy a Palestinian product, it not only represents solidarity, but also creates a direct bond between you, the Palestinian people, and the land,” Annie of Annie's Letters believes.
Palestine: Relief Boat Docks Safely in Gaza Port
Free Gaza announced that a relief boat carrying medical supplies landed safely in Gaza's port. Among its passengers were representatives of 15 different nations. The Palestinian Video Blog has live footage.
Israel/Palestine: Violence Hurts Both Peoples
“The region has been slowly but surely moving back into instability. With Qassam rockets and mortars being targeting Israeli communities and Israeli helicopters and tanks targeting Palestinian locations. Several Palestinians have been killed. Several Israelis injured, All people in the region are in fear of further escalation,” observes Hope Man,...
Israel: LivniBoy Gives ObamaGirl a Run For Her Money
Check out LivniBoy, Israel's answer to ObamaGirl. His YouTube video, “Love Song to Tzipi Livni,” has received over 6,350 views this week alone. Tzipi Livni is the Kadima Party candidate for prime minister in the upcoming winter elections. You'll be able to enjoy the feel of the video even if...
Israel: Decking the Halls in the Holy Land
“We ended up doing the ultimate Christmas thing in the Holy Land,” muses Anglosaxy. “Eating felafel, made by Israeli Arabs, sat next to a hungry pack of street cats…the kids enjoyed themselves anyway!”
Israel: Celebrating Hanukkah with YouTube
Every year at this time, Jews look forward to Hanukkah, the festival of lights. Jacob Richman posts a list of 70 Hanukkah videos on YouTube, among them is an old favorite: Adam Sandler's “Hanukkah Song.”
Israel: Kibbutz Features Argentinean Murals
Israeli Mom describes her visit to Kibbutz Or HaNer, which is special for its large scale murals created by Argentinean artists Daniela Almeida and Jose Kura. “During 2007, Kura and Almeida were invited to the kibbutz (founded by Jewish immigrants from Argentina), to create a collection of murals that will...
Israel: Innovation in First Aid Technology
Dr. Eran Shenkar has developed a remote medical vehicle that can deliver first aid in place of human first responders. Israelity reports: “It’s smaller, cheaper, and more compact than a helicopter – meaning it can go places a helicopter can’t, and, in times of war, there’s nobody to shoot down…...
Israel: New Arrivals by Style and Mile
“And so the race is on. Which will arrive first – an H&M store or an express train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv?” inquires Rebecca of Israeli blog The Big Felafel. “It’s a tough call, but I think we may be sporting some trendy yet affordable dresses before being able...
Israel: Giving Up the Golan?
“The idea that Israel should give up a large swath of land, which it won in a defensive war, which does not have demographic dilemmas, in return for an elusive peace, is utterly ridiculous,” writes Occidental Israeli in response to former American President Jimmy Carter's claim that there will be...
Israel: Who Were the Weirdest Terrorists of 2008?
Who were the weirdest terrorists of 2008, asks an Israellycool poll. Among the contenders are: Hairstyle Man, Big Bicep Guy, Popsicle-of-Violence Guy (pictured), and the Naqba Dwarf. Whom do you choose?
Israel: Looking for Love? Start Blogging
Hadassah Sabo has a suggestion for finding love online. “Attention single guys/girls! Get a blog and write on it. Write about your dating woes!” she opines. “You know why? People eventually start emailing you with suggestions for a shidduch [love match].”
Palestine: Israeli Raid Ruins Lunchtime
In an entry entitled, “The Israeli Army Raid on my Street Ruined my Shawarma,” Mo-ha-med of The Traveller Within posts about returning from shopping to find a road in his Ramallah neighborhood blocked. He complains, “By now, my shawarma was cold. Damn Occupation!”
Palestine: Terrorist Dolls Not the Best Stocking Stuffer
“What could be more enjoyable for your kids this year than a doll resembling an Al-Qaeda terrorist?” asks Palestinian-American blogger Nawal of Bloggin' Banat. Maya Norton picks up the story on the doll, fashioned after the classic Lego, and tells us why we will not have our hands on it soon.
Israel: Praying for Rain
The first hard rains of winter fell this week after months of waiting, causing all of Israel to breath a sigh of relief. Jews, Muslims and Christians were also united in their prayer for rain, reports Maya Norton.
Israel: Perceptions of Breastfeeding Throughout Jewish Tradition
In “Breastfeeding and Judaism: Why Moses’ Mother Didn’t Put Bottles Into The Ark Of Bulrushes,” Hannah Katsman of the Green Prophet explains the importance of breastfeeding in Jewish law and tradition compared with its role in Israeli society today.
Iran: Film Festival Will Honor Jewish Actor
Iran's 27th Fajr International Film Festival will honor actor Paul Newman, who died this year, Israelity notes. In Israel, Newman's best known work is “Exodus,” the story of the State's founding.
Israel: Send Terrorist Prisoners to Sderot
“What if Israel moved all the terrorist prisoners to Sderot so that they too would be exposed to the rocket fire from Gaza?” Yaakov Kirschen of the Dry Bones Blog asks.
