Human Rights

By Jillian York | (Electronic Frontier Foundation) In the midst of the global surveillance debate, talk of online censorship has often taken a backseat. Yet, all around the world, the inalienable right to freedom of expression is violated on a regular basis. While in 2014, issues such as terrorism and online harassment generated new discussions […]

Apartheid

Stealing Bethlehem: How the Israelis are economically Strangling the Palestinian Town of Jesus’ Birth

contributors

By James Zogby (Ma’an News Agency) For those who do not know the place, Bethlehem possesses a timeless quality, derived from these artistic creations. It is a place of mystery and contradictions. It is the peaceful little town that played an out-sized role in history; the birthplace of Jesus, the child born in a cave, […]

Apartheid

Why the US should welcome Palestine Pres. Abbas joining Int’l Criminal Court

contributors

by Aaron Magid | (Ma’an News Agency) Criticism against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority is mounting after his United Nations Security Council Resolution and bid to join the International Criminal Court. Aside from Netanyahu and the usual hawkish Israeli right, even officials generally sympathetic to the Palestinian plight are attacking Abbas. Former […]

Economy

Why Egypt’s Threat to Arrest Amal Clooney will hurt its Economy

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — Patrick Kingsley of The Guardian reported on Friday that Amal Clooney was threatened with jail by Egyptian authorities last February if she released a report in Cairo on flaws in the Egyptian judiciary that had been commissioned by the International Bar Association. The report is available on the […]

Apartheid

When will it Explode? Jerusalem’s Silwan district is a Global Powder Keg

contributors

Vice News | — “Throughout the past several months, Jerusalem has been a scene of clashes and violent attacks. Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood just steps away from Jerusalem’s Old City, has been at the heart of the unrest, and is becoming one of the most contentious neighborhoods in the most contested city in the world. […]

Apartheid

What would Happen if the Int’l Criminal Court Indicted Israel’s Netanyahu?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — If the International Criminal Court takes up Israeli government actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, it could well find specific officials guilty of breaches of the Rome Statute of 2002. Article 7 forbids “Crimes against Humanity,” which are systematically repeated war crimes. Among these offenses is murder, forcible […]

Apartheid

Israel War Crimes Trial in 2015? Palestinians sign up to join International Criminal Court

contributors

RT | — “Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed up to join International Criminal Court, paving the way for the investigation on Israel’s possible war crimes in the West Bank. It’s in the wake of the latest Palestinian statehood resolution being rejected by the UN Security Council – where it fell short by a single […]

Displaced and Refugees

Syrian Refugees in Turkey struggle to Cope with Frigid Winter

contributors

CCTV | — “As budget shortfalls continue to plague UN relief agencies, the colder weather brings with it further challenges for the millions of Syrian refugees who have fled the war zones in Syria. While some refugee camps inside Syria and Iraq are being equipped with emergency winter kits, including heating stoves, blankets, mattresses and […]

censorship

NCIS Egypt-Style: 820 Civilians referred to Military Courts since October

contributors

Human Rights Watch | — (New York) – Egyptian authorities have referred hundreds of civilians to military courts based on an October 2014 decree by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. At least 820 civilians have been referred to military prosecutors in the past six weeks based on the unprecedented extension of military court authority, according to […]