Human Rights

By Mel Frykberg | (Inter Press Service) | – – UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness, who says that unless someone steps in to alleviate the financial crisis facing the U.N. agency, “ it is innocent refugees who will again suffer”. Credit: Mel Frykberg/IPS JERUSALEM, Jul 3 2015 (IPS) – The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) […]

censorship

Egypt’s Draconian new anti-Terrorism Law threatens freedom of speech, Democracy

contributors

Euronews | (Video Report) | – – “Egypt launched airstrikes on Islamist militant targets in the Sinai peninsula killing 23 fighters, the offensive comes a day after deadly clashes in the region.” On Wednesday, the cabinet approved a new anti-terrorism law which it claims will act as a deterrent but political expert Bashir Abdl Alfatah […]

Arab Spring

Syria: When al-Assad Regime shuts off Internet, State Violence Spikes

contributors

By Sarah Myers West | (Electronic Frontier Foundation) | – – EFF has noted and protested when authorities deliberately cut off Internet access in times of unrest. As a restraint on the freedom of expression of those affected, communication blackouts during protests are unconscionable. But recent research by Anita Gohdes, a postdoctoral researcher at the […]

Apartheid

Israelis Detain, expel Former Pres. of Tunisia from Gaza Aid Flotilla; he vows to return

contributors

By IMEMC | – – Israeli occupation authorities deported to France, late on Monday, former Tunisian president Moncef al-Marzouqi, who took part in Freedom Flotilla III. After intercepting and towing the Gaza bound ship, the Israeli occupation detained, investigated, released and deported participants, including Israeli Arab MK Basel Ghattas and former Tunisian President Moncef al-Marzouqi. […]

Apartheid

Israeli naval forces intercept Gaza Aid flotilla

contributors

Update: Israeli forces had already hijacked the lead vessel in the four-ship convoy by early morning on Monday ET. BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli naval forces are preparing to intercept the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla III which is expected to arrive in Gaza on Monday, Israeli media reported Sunday. The Hebrew-language news source nrg.co.il reported that Israel’s […]

Apartheid

Israelis demolish 1,000 Palestinian Homes in Negev Per Year

contributors

By IMEMC | – – The Israeli Interior Ministry and Land Administration Agency, in cooperation with the Regavim NGO and the Jewish National Fund (JNF), have been demolishing 1,000 Arab homes in Al-Naqab every year, under the pretext that they were built without permits. Days of Palestine reports that this has been revealed by Amichai […]

BDS Occupied Territories

Why Boycotting Israel will Backfire, just as Netanyahu’s Blockade of Gaza Has

contributors

By Guy Laron | (Informed Comment) | – – Many people who support a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict believe that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has a good argument. With the recent elections in Israel renewing Binyamin Netanyahu’s mandate to pursue hardline policies vis-à-vis the Palestinians and the lack of will […]

censorship

Journalists Pay the Price in Egypt’s Crackdown on Dissent

contributors

By Kitty Stapp | – – NEW YORK (IPS) – The Egyptian government is holding a record number of journalists in jail, a press freedom group said Thursday, despite promises to improve media freedoms in the country. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets then Egyptian Minister of Defence General Abdul Fatah Khalil al-Sisi in […]

Apartheid

Palestinian Member of Israeli Parliament will join Gaza Aid Flotilla, Risks loss of Immunity

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Arab MK [Member of Knesset or Parliament] Basel Ghattas said this week that threats by fellow Israeli lawmakers to remove his parliamentary immunity will not affect his decision to take part in the Freedom Flotilla III. The Israeli Knesset Committee reportedly voted in favor Tuesday of […]