Middle East

By: Ali Abunimah | (Al-Shabakah/ Ma’an News Agency) – While Al Jazeera’s undercover investigation into Israeli influence in the United States, “The Lobby – USA,” was completed in October 2017, it never aired. Though the network’s director-general attributed the problem to outstanding legal issues, many, including journalists involved in the making of the documentary, suggested […]

Yemen

To Save 10 mn Yemenis from Starvation, UN Pushes De-Escalation at Hodeida Port

AFP

Rimbo, Sweden | AFP | – The United Nations has submitted proposals for de-escalation in the flashpoint Yemeni port city of Hodeida as well as the country’s third city of Taiz to warring parties at UN-sponsored talks in Sweden. The Yemeni government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and its military allies, has been battling […]

Bahrain

Is Kushner Covering for Bin Salman Murder Charge so Israel can Usurp Palestinian West Bank?

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The New York Times (h/t Mother Jones) has reported from one Saudi source and several sources in US intelligence that Jared Kushner has been corresponding over Whatsapp with Saudi crown prince and world-renowned axe murderer, Mohammed Bin Salman. Kushner, the Times reporting concludes has “offered the crown prince advice about […]

Middle East

Middle East Women Won Changes, Rights in ’18 Despite Backlash

AFP

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | – Women rights defenders have stood up for change across the Middle East and North Africa in 2018 despite a plethora of abuse from governments and armed groups, Amnesty International said Monday. Paying tribute to women activists in a report released on Human Rights Day, Amnesty said they […]

Israel/ Palestine

US Evangelicals have Sent $65 mn. to Support Israeli Squatters in Palestinian West Bank

Maan News Agency

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Evangelical Christian groups have invested up to $65 million in projects in the “Biblical Heartland” over the past decade, however, that doesn’t include services they provide free of charge, such as volunteer laborers, according to a Haaretz investigation. Haaretz news outlet reported that about 1,700 volunteers were sent by Christian Evangelical groups […]

Bill of Rights

A Protest Against ‘Climate of Fear’ at U of Michigan over standing for Palestinian Rights

Alan M. Wald

(Informed Comment) – In response to the furor that arose this fall over the disciplining of Professor John Cheney-Lippold for declining to write a letter of recommendation for a student to do summer study at Tel Aviv University, the administration of the university has appointed a faculty commission (which is light on humanists) to consider […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israeli Army Snipers Wound another 33 Palestinians on Friday March of Return

Maan News Agency

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Thirty-three Palestinians were injured during the 37th Friday of “The Great March of Return” along the eastern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip. A Ma’an reporter said large crowds of Palestinians gathered by the return camps near the eastern Gaza border, in order to participate in the weekly protests to break […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israeli Gov’t Strong-arms Germany to Boycott Israeli Orgs Calling for Palestinian Rights

Middle East Monitor

London (Middle East Monitor) – Assault on free speech has been a common feature of Israeli governments. This week another example of its efforts to silence critical voices was revealed by the +972 magazine, which reported details of a campaign by the right-wing Netanyahu government to de-fund independent publications and human rights organisations. In an […]

Egypt

Sean Penn Smeared in Arabic Press as “Muslim Brotherhood” for Khashoggi Documentary

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The October 2 murder of dissident Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi is still shrouded in some mystery despite extensive leaks by Turkish intelligence and the CIA/ NSA. The Arabic press is reporting that actor Sean Penn has shown up outside the consulate where Khashoggi was murdered with […]