Jillian C. York · July, 2008

Latest posts by Jillian C. York from July, 2008

Israel: Olmert to Resign Following Kadima Primary

Ehud Olmert said yesterday that he will not stand for the Kadima primary in September. According to Al Jazeera English, Olmert said: “I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections.” Bloggers had a strong reaction to Olmert's resignation.

Palestine: Anger at Young Boy's Needless Death

Israeli troops shot and killed 12-year-old Ahmed Ussam Yousef Mousa during a peaceful protest against the barrier being erected in Nilin. Up to 18 others were injured by rubber bullets during the protest. Ahmed was the only person hit by a live bullet. Jillian York sums up blog reactions in this post.

Western Sahara: Eljahoub temporary released

Saharawi-Students provides an update about the trial of Maliha Eljahoub, a Saharawi law student and human rights activist arrested for “criminal charges” in Agadir on July 24. Eljahoub's trial is scheduled for August 13 in Marrakesh. He is currently on temporary release.

Arabeyes: Mourning Youssef Chahine

Tributes are pouring in from bloggers from around the Middle East and North Africa, mourning the death of renowned Egyptian film maker Youssef Chahine. Born in Alexandria in 1926, Chahine has left behind a legacy, and millions of fans and followers across the region.

Syria: Why plastic surgery?

Maysaloon expresses frustration at the desire amongst some Arabs to have plastic surgery, saying, “Not only do they wish to live like people in the West but they are desperate to look like them as well.”

Morocco: Rural Life

PRÈS DU PUITS, a French transplant to rural Morocco, blogs about ten things that would make her family's life in Ouled Mgatel, a village outside of Fez, easier. The list includes a DSL connection and rainwater tanks.

Morocco: Another perspective on Faiza Silmi

Last week, Global Voices covered the story of Faiza Silmi, the Moroccan woman denied French citizenship for her beliefs and actions (which included, among other things, wearing the niqaab or full facial veil). Today, Moroccan blogger ...xoussef [FR] chimes in with another perspective on the issue.

Palestine: Left behind by Obama

As US presidential hopeful Barack Obama wraps up a tour of Israel and Palestine, newspaper headlines all over the world are fixated on the Senator's attention to Israel...and lack of attention to Palestine's struggle.