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‘Soul Train’ creator Don Cornelius commits suicide Daily Star 2 Feb 2012 Don Cornelius, creator of the iconic TV music and dance show Soul Train that helped introduce Americans to black pop culture, died on Wednesday after shooting himself in the head, Los Angeles officials said. Silencing dissent in Israel Sergio Yahni, Alternative Information Center 1/26/2012 “Im Tirtzu," an organization that defines itself as “an extra-parliamentary movement that works to strengthen and advance the values of Zionism in Israel," has embarked on a campaign calling on Tzavta theatre in Tel Aviv to boycott Palestinian artist and director, Muhammad Bakri. As part of this campaign, In Tirtzu has asked members to send letters to the theatre house protesting Bakri’s scheduled appearance in Federico Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba.” Im Tirtzu has also scheduled a demonstration for January 30. The protest will begin one hour before the play starts. The right wing organization claims that the boycott is a response to Bakri’s movie “Jenin, Jenin,” which is based on real events. The movie reconstructs the 2002 battle in the Jenin refugee camp using the residents’ testimonies. The film was banned from public screening in Israel and reserve soldiers who had served in Jenin filed a defamation suit arguing that the movie had sullied their names. While the court dismissed the case, the judge claimed that Bakri had not shown "good faith” and that he had not proven that his interpretation of the events were supported by reports from human rights groups. In response, Bakri said that he "seen hundreds of films that deny and ignore what happened to Palestinians, yet [people haven’t] complained or tried to ban any film." The call to boycott the Palestinian artist is Im Tirtzu’s latest move in the broader they are waging against those they accuse of disloyalty, subversion, and treason against Israeli institutions. Among other things, Im Tirtzu activists have spied on classes in Tel Aviv University, reporting on professors and lecturers who disagree with the movement’s radical ideology. more.. e-mail My Word: Riding a Dragon Jerusalem Post 28 Jan 2012 - Performers in Beijing celebrate the Chinese New Year with a traditional dragon dance. The Chinese dragon is awe-inspiring but auspicious. Tears and dance in celebration of freedom The National 26 Jan 2012 - Thousands of Indian expatriates celebrated the 63rd anniversary of India's constitution, which officially freed their homeland from British rule. The Weekly Schmooze: Birthright comedy Jerusalem Post 26 Jan 2012 - JPost column on hottest Jewish news: Ben Stiller, Alan Alda and Joanathan Safran Foer collaborate on a very Jewish TV show. Spinoff for ‘The Office’ in the works at NBC Daily Star 26 Jan 2012 Quirky workplace TV comedy "The Office" may be headed for greener pastures. Israeli comedy show parodies the Birthright experience Ha'aretz - 24 Jan 2012 Curtain up on Tel Aviv's rebuilt Habima Theater Ha'aretz - 21 Jan 2012 150 social activists protest opening of Habima Theatre YNet News, 22 Jan 2012 - Police arrest three protesters during demonstration in front of newly renovated national theatre building. 'We don't want luxury, we want our city back,' the demonstrators chant .... In Syria's capital, dueling protests stand in sharp contrast LA Times 21 Jan 2012 - As supporters of the government of President Bashar Assad sing and dance, his opponents play a furtive game of cat and mouse with security forces. In a central square, government supporters set up a stage and speakers for a rally, watched over by a towering... Jerusalem gets dancing for equality Jerusalem Post 17 Jan 2012 - 200 women dance in downtown Jerusalem to protest discrimination against women. Globe theatre defends hosting controversial Israeli company The Guardian 17 Jan 2012 - Campaigners criticise programming of Habima's Merchant of Venice over company's record of playing Israeli settlements Shakespeare's Globe has defended programming an Israeli theatre company that has faced criticism for performing to "exclusively Israeli audiences" in West... Natan Datner: An actor’s director Jerusalem Post 15 Jan 2012 - The veteran talent returns to the stage to act in and direct ‘Art’ at the Haifa Theater this month. [uruknet.info] Maliki's dance on Shiite-Sunnite divide Uruknet January 15, 2012 - ...Assad cunningly plays with time, because he wants to see a new ally consolidate himself in neighboring Iraq. That man is Nouri al-Maliki, prime minister of Iraq. He is now emerging as the well-needed link between Damascus and Teheran, cementing fears that the fundamental tectonic shift due to take place will be... Out and About: Top ten things to do Jerusalem Post 12 Jan 2012 - The Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company brings you 'Rushes Plus.' Comedian Stephen Colbert mocks U.S. politics Daily Star 13 Jan 2012 Late night comedian Stephen Colbert has dropped a fat hint that he is exploring a run in the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, although the deadline has passed to get on the ballot. [uruknet.info] Israel's Mercy is Inhumanely Strained Uruknet January 11, 2012 - There is a growing campaign to urge the London Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to cancel Israel's Habima Theatre's performances of 'The Merchant of Venice' on 28-29th May 2012 at the Shakespeare Globe to Globe Festival. The Habima Theatre, the National Theatre of Israel, has no moral qualms about performing in the illegal settlement... Berlin theatre stages first live play on Facebook Daily Star 11 Jan 2012 Pistol duelling in print and energetic postings of "applause" accompanied the Facebook premier of Theodor Fontane's "Effi Briest". Israel's Mercy is Inhumanely Strained Palestine Chronicle: 11 Jan 2012 - By Vacy Vlazna There is a growing campaign to urge the London Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to cancel Israel's Habima Theatre's performances of 'The Merchant of Venice' on 28-29th May 2012 at the Shakespeare Globe to Globe Festival. The Habima Theatre, the National Theatre of Israel, has no moral qualms about performing in the illegal settlement colonies on stolen Palestinian lands. These colonies and their extremist residents have a tragic daily and long-term impact on Palestinian lives with their rabid theft of land, water, livelihood and homes that consequently have impoverished Palestinian families... You take my house when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house; you take my life When you do take the means whereby I live. OCHA reported that the weekly average racist attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties and property damage has increased by 40% in 2011. Settler terrorism with its 'strange apparent cruelty' is sanctioned...more Russell Brand gets late night U.S. comedy show Daily Star 10 Jan 2012 Irreverent British comedian Russell Brand has signed up for a new late night TV comedy show on the FX network, starting later this year, FX said on Monday. Israel’s national theater to bring ‘Merchant’ to World Shakespeare Fest in May Mondoweiss - Habima National Theatre Unlike many post-Oslo normalization programs that claim to promote peaceful co-existence and respect the ‘Green Line’ – thereby obfuscating the reality of colonial power relations –, the case of the Israeli national theater company Habima presents event organizers and the public with a... The Delusions of 'Liberal' Zionism Palestine Chronicle: 9 Jan 2012 - By Roger Sheety The most recent diatribe by Israeli writer A. B. Yehoshua published by Haaretz represents the latest nail in the ideological coffin of so-called liberal Zionism. Writing out of his comfortable home in Haifa, a city that was ethnically cleansed of most of its original Palestinian residents by the end of 1948 through multiple terror campaigns and massacres, Yehoshua spends an entire article at once fuming over what he calls Palestinian “passivity” in the face of daily Israeli brutality in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and simultaneously dreading what he believes is the inevitable forthcoming bi-national state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Yehoshua personifies a certain type much favoured by the Israeli/Western left, a supposed liberal Zionist who speaks of co-existence and dialogue and yet can barely tolerate the indigenous Palestinian population that remains so close to him; a novelist and playwright with several awards to...more 250 women dance in Beit Shemesh protest flashmob Jerusalem Post 6 Jan 2012 - Local organizers use Facebook to plan public dance in protest of women's exclusion in Beit Shemesh. Arab World: Damascus’s theater of farce Jerusalem Post 6 Jan 2012 - One thing is clear after the Arab League observer force’s first week in Syria – it won’t bring an end to the bloodshed in the country. [uruknet.info] West Bank theatre founder wanted by Israel after amnesty deal revoked Uruknet January 1, 2012 - A former Palestinian militant who renounced violence in favour of "cultural resistance" is in custody after Israel apparently revoked an amnesty deal, in a move seen by his associates as part of a campaign of harassment against a radical West Bank theatre. Zakaria Zubeidi, a former of leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs... West Bank theatre founder wanted by Israel after amnesty deal revoked The Guardian 1 Jan 2012 - Former militant Zakaria Zubeidi co-founded Jenin's Freedom theatre with Juliano Mer Khamis, who was murdered in April A former Palestinian militant who renounced violence in favour of "cultural resistance" is in custody after Israel apparently revoked... Palestinians told to dance to shake off Gaza stress Ha'aretz - 31 Dec 2011 [uruknet.info] Press Release from the Jenin Freedom Theater Uruknet December 30, 2011 - On 29 December 2011, co-founder of and mentor to the Freedom Theater, Zakaria Zubeidi, was told by the Palestinian Authority that his amnesty will be revoked by the Israeli authorities. His amnesty agreement, granted in 2007 by the Israeli Prime Minister's office was in return for Zubeidi's ending of armed resistance. The... Russell Brand-Katy Perry 14-month marriage over Daily Star 31 Dec 2011 British comedian and actor Russell Brand called it quits on his 14-month marriage to Teenage Dream singer Katy Perry on Friday, filing for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. [uruknet.info] Jenin Freedom Theatre Director Zakaria Zubeidi ordered by Israel to turn himself in to PA security services Uruknet December 29, 2011 - Zakaria Zbeidi, the former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Jenin who was pardoned by Israel two years ago, has been added to Israel's wanted list again. In recent days, Palestinian security services informed Zbeidi that upon Israel's request, he must remain in the Palestinian Authority's detention facilities during all hours... Riding Israel: A tragicomedy Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera.com 12/30/2011 Senior political analyst explains why Newt Gingrich is no Tom Cruise, and why touting Israel is a mission impossible. The film "Mission Impossible 4" opened in US theatres in recent weeks, starring BMW, Apple and Tom Cruise. A two-hour-long commercial on steroids. If you are unfamiliar with it, Paid Product Placement (PPP) is a big thing in the movie industry. This is how it works: Hollywood places in its movies certain watches, cars or a laptop brands; preferably worn by George Clooney, driven by Angelina Jolie or placed in front of Meg Ryan. In "The Transformers", for example, GM’s Cameros lead with Megan Fox. PPP is indirect marketing that targets oblivious movie viewers, gender notwithstanding, Catherine Banning or Will Smith could be drinking Pepsi. The spirit and soul of a movie are sometimes compromised when its script and shooting are shaped by commercial, rather than artistic, considerations. PPP allows for extra budgets to produce costlier gimmicks that, in turn, bring more profit. "Mission Impossible", for example, has reaped $75m in the first 10 days at the box office. The same logic seems to apply to politics. PPP is one way to understand the sudden surge of Israel-schmoozing and Palestine abusing ahead of the US election. more.. e-mail Israel cancels pardon of former militant leader 12/29/2011 - JENIN (Ma'an) -- Israel has canceled the pardon of a former Fatah militant leader in Jenin and instructed him to hand himself in to the Palestinian Authority, he told Ma'an on Thursday. Zakaria Zubeidi, who headed the Al-Aqsa Brigades during the second intifada and set up The Freedom Theater in Jenin, said.... Jenin Freedom Theatre Director Zakaria Zubeidi ordered by Israel to turn himself in to PA security services Mondoweiss - link to www.haaretz.com '--> link to www.palestine-info.co.uk '--> link to www.palestine-info.co.uk link to www.ynetnews.com link to www.hrw.org Palestinian pardoned by Israel put back on wanted list Zakaria Zbeidi, the former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Jenin who now runs the Freedom Theater, says he... Tel Aviv demonstrators call to end degradation of women Jerusalem Post 28 Dec 2011 - Over a hundred protesters march from Habimah Theater to Independence Hall in support of women's rights. Be'er Sheva hosts first fringe theater festival Ha'aretz - 25 Dec 2011 Israeli Army Invades Jenin, Arrests Culture Workers PNN - PRESS RELEASE Last night the Israeli army invaded Jenin refugee camp for the second night in a row. They arrested another three members of The Freedom Theatre. This time Adnan Naghnaghiye, our... Jenin Freedom Theater to Reenact Midnight Arrests PNN - PRESS RELEASEJenin refugee camp has recently suffered a higher number of arrests than usual. Over thirty arrests have been made in the past month. On the night of December 19th alone, at... South Sudanese gear up for Christmas in the Holy Land Jerusalem Post 22 Dec 2011 - "We pray and dance all night," says Tel Aviv upholsterer. Top 5: Sufganiot style for singles Jerusalem Post 22 Dec 2011 - Drinks at swanky bars, off the wall comedy and pub quizzes are just some of the Hanukka events on offer for singles in J'lem. [uruknet.info] Jenin Freedom Theater to Reenact Midnight Arrests Uruknet December 21, 2011 - Jenin refugee camp has recently suffered a higher number of arrests than usual. Over thirty arrests have been made in the past month. Last night alone, at least eight new arrests were made during a major Israeli military invasion of the refugee camp. Among the people arrested were three members of The... Eclectic new album highlights Israel's jailing of Palestinian children Electronic Intifada: 20 Dec 2011 - James Edwards The Electronic Intifada Dublin Lost Youth - Songs of Solidarity, a new benefit album for a young Palestinian theater performer arrested and imprisoned by Israel on his way to tour Ireland, Scotland and England in 2005, has been released.more Theater Review: Blood Brothers Jerusalem Post 18 Dec 2011 - "Blood Brothers" is the stuff of Greek tragedy, a story whose bleak ending is foretold by its beginning. Downey dips, ‘Sherlock’ slips with $40M debut Daily Star 19 Dec 2011 Sherlock Holmes is facing his worst enemy: declining crowds at theaters as this year’s domestic movie attendance dips to the lowest in 16 years. Show me a story Jerusalem Post 17 Dec 2011 - Set designer David Sharir says that ever since he was a child, he has had a passion for the theater. This comes through in a new documentary being screened about him at the J'lem Jewish Film Festival. Concert Review: Voca People Jerusalem Post 12 Dec 2011 - The group shows tremendous talent in their ability to sing, dance, create sounds that simply don't sound human. Free media helping to define US presidential race Daily Star 11 Dec 2011 From late-night comedy shows to cable news interviews, free media exposure has proved influential in defining the Republican presidential candidates and setting the dynamics of the primary race, especially for lower-tier hopefuls lacking cash for TV... Gul, Barak trade snubs in Vienna Jerusalem Post 10 Dec 2011 - Turkish president and Defense Minister Barak dance around each other at the World Policy Conference in Vienna. Israeli women stand up to gender segregation with musical protest The Guardian 9 Dec 2011 - Women sing and dance in central Jerusalem to resist Haredi Jews' campaign The performers were mostly women, as was the audience. On a cold night in the centre of Jerusalem this week, they sang, swayed and... [uruknet.info] Militarizing the Borders Drones Are Coming to a Theater Near You Uruknet December 8, 2011 - "The UAVs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are coming." So says Candice Miller, the Republican congresswoman from northern Michigan borderlands. She should know. Miller chairs the Border and Maritime Security of the House Committee on Homeland Security, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security's rush to deploy drones to keep the homeland secure. In... Stand up for Koby Jerusalem Post 8 Dec 2011 - Top comedians arrive in Israel to raise funds for Israeli charity, the Koby Mandell Foundation. IN PHOTOS: Jenin refugee camp and Freedom Theater Alternative Information Center - At first glance, Jenin’s refugee camp seems different from other West Bank refugee camps. The streets are wider, the houses newer, the design of the camp is neater. The scenes of destruction from 2002--when the Israeli... Egypt's belly dancers defy specter of post-election Islamist clampdown Ha'aretz - The Islamists have made big gains in the first round of Egypt's parliamentary elections, triggering fears that they will restrict freedoms and entertainment. J'lem municipality gives first approval for 2 skyscrapers Jerusalem Post 5 Dec 2011 - Libeskind’s 120m.-high ‘Eden complex’ will house hotels, apartments and theaters. Palestine Wins 3rd Place in Dance Festival WAFA Golden opportunities Jerusalem Post 26 Nov 2011 - Just as it has for the past 16 years, the Suzanne Dellal Dance Center is this year hosting International Exposure 2011. Jerusalem dance studio is the new frontline in battle for secular liberty The Guardian 26 Nov 2011 - Art group defies hardliners' demand to keep women out of sight The concentration on the dancers' faces was clear through the large windows. In leggings and layers of loose tops, the young women and men arched... A new adventure Jerusalem Post 24 Nov 2011 - The Inbal Pinto Dance Company sweeps audiences into an alternate reality with its latest work, ‘Bombyx Mori'. Yemen's Saleh dance 'on heads of snakes' nears end Jerusalem Post 23 Nov 2011 - Saleh rose to power from the military in 1978, was the West's ally against al-Qaida, previously broke three power transfer deals. Habimah theater returns home Jerusalem Post 20 Nov 2011 - The new Habimah foyer encloses the original iconic columns that characterized the entrance when the theater opened in the 1930s. Jerusalem dance troupe to raise the curtain on rehearsals to protest Ha'aretz - Kolben Dance Group, last professional dance company left in Jerusalem, will join protests against exclusion of women from public spaces in the city by removing curtains hiding company's rehearsal hall from the street. If the walls could speak Jerusalem Post 18 Nov 2011 - Two dancers and the stage itself perform in ‘Cell in a Human Scale,’ which premieres this week. Dances and dalliances: legendary Jerusalem bar opens once more The Guardian 13 Nov 2011 - Casino de Paris was once a playground for British officers and their Jewish girlfriends against the backdrop of the struggle to create the state of Israel. In the heart of the city's iconic market, it is... [uruknet.info] Profits of Doom: Managed Democracy on the March Uruknet November 11, 2011 - ...Berlusconi's fate was sealed when Italian bonds broke the 7 percent mark, thereby threatening to lower, slightly, the gargantuan profit margins of the rapacious speculators who gorge themselves on chaos and suffering. The high crimes and low comedy (to coin a phrase) of his years in power never troubled the great and good (such... Renowned Syrian theater actors flee to Egypt 11/10/2011 - BEIRUT (AFP) -- Two Syrian theater actors known for their plays mocking authority headed to Egypt on Thursday, fleeing possible arrest in their country but vowing to pursue their pro-democracy struggle. Mohamed and Ahmed Malas, 29-year-old twin brothers, left to Cairo from Beirut, where they had been living in hiding for the past month. The.... Gaza doctor tragedy central in Israeli stage show 11/8/2011 - ACRE, Israel (Reuters) -- An Israeli mother-and-daughter play performed at a recent theater festival climaxed with the tale of the killing of a Gaza doctor's family, a 2009 event that brought the Israeli-Palestinian conflict deep into Israeli living rooms." Explosive: War tourism" culminated with the sounds of an audio recording of Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish.... Syria opposition calls for intl protection in Homs Daily Star 7 Nov 2011 Syria's opposition on Monday called for "international protection for civilians" in the central city of Homs, besieged by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad and theatre of deadly clashes between soldiers and alleged army deserters. Why I’d Love to Stop Worrying and Love Occupy Wall Street Dissident Voice: 4 Nov 2011 - I love occupations. I really, really do. Not only can they be really fun (its like a sleepover! Where people talk about Žižek and Marx!), but I honestly think they can be an effective tactic for change – they are the right mix of political theatre and direct action, and given the right conditions and demands, can be quite useful. I love occupying, I love occupations, and so what I’m writing here almost pains me to admit. I do not like the Occupy Wall Street movement. … Except it’s not that clearcut. I want it to be that clearcut, but it’s not. Let me try again. I like what the Occupy Wall Street movement was – and more importantly, what it can be — but right now I think it is damaging to itself and a waste of good people power. That’s a bit better. OWS started out as an...more American Playwright, Palestinian Actors Team Up for "Still Small Voices" PNN - PNNOn Monday evening, American actress and playwright Maren Rosenberg will premier her play Still Small Voices at the Catholic Action Center in Bethlehem, featuring three Palestinian actors from the theater company Inad.... Police raid club employing underage dancers, escorts Daily Star 1 Nov 2011 Police closed down a nightclub in Maameltein for hiring minors and subjecting them to financial and sexual exploitation, the Internal Security Forces said in a statement it issued Tuesday. Welcome to the settler party Jenna Bereld, International Solidarity Movement 10/28/2011 As I pass, my Palestinian scarf is hidden in my bag – I do not want to get any spit on me tonight. Around the tomb of Shimon HaTzadik, the festival is going on. The settlers have built a stage, erected a huge party tent and assembled a long line of portable toilets. Danceable klezmer music is booming from the loudspeakers and the Israeli police are present with horses and cordons. Children are playing around amidst guns and dancing men with beards and luminous bracelets. One wouldn’t expect a Jewish festival to take place in the middle of the Palestinian neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. But it’s not a coincidence – it’s a statement. Otherwise I would gladly have jumped into the crowd and joined the vibrant mass. A while back, someone sprayed “A.S.A.B.” on the wall to the al-Kurd family house in Sheikh Jarrah. All Settlers Are Bastards. There are people in the garden when I enter it, and I am desperately trying to figure out whether they are friends of the family or rabid festival-goers that are here to backslap the Israeli settlers. I’m relieved when I catch a glimpse of Alex and Ellen in the tent outside the house. Since March this year, activists have been keeping watch outside the al-Kurd house, and tonight it is our turn. But there are more activists here tonight because the settlers’ festival is perceived as a threat. I greet an activist from EAPPI and some Israeli activists who say that they usually play drums on demos. “Good thing they didn’t bring their drums here”, I managed to think through the noise from the settler celebrations. If one could break down the Israeli occupation of Palestine to one single conflict, it would be Sheikh Jarrah. Since 2008, many Palestinians here have been evicted from their homes and extremist settlers have instead moved in and barricaded themselves behind barbed wire and surveillance cameras.... more.. e-mail [uruknet.info] An "Open Door" tour for Israeli apartheid Uruknet October 28, 2011 - On Tuesday, 18 October, I and eight other Adalah-NY members stood in front of the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan, holding signs, singing songs, and handing flyers to passersby and concert-goers. The concert: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter India.Arie, and "Israel's most popular dread-locked musician" (according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Idan Raichel. Despite one... After the killing of its director, Jenin's Freedom Theatre asks: 'What else?' The Guardian 26 Oct 2011 - In April, director and activist Juliano Mer-Khamis was shot dead. Now his West Bank theatre group are back with a play about fear, intimidation and the psychological impact of occupation The Freedom Theatre has always seen... The Real ‘Theater of the Absurd’: Netanyahu, Givat HaMatos and his endgame in Palestine Mondoweiss - During his deliberately offensive speech on September 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the General Assembly as “the theater of the absurd.” Israel’s few friends at the United Nations – led by the US delegation - listened gleefully and applauded as Netanyahu heralded a steady... [uruknet.info] Somalis Under Relentless Drone Attack as U.S. Tightens Military Grip on Continent Uruknet October 18, 2011 - Africa, under President Obama, is an expanding theater of war for the United States. There are few points on the African map where the U.S. military does not operate, independently, through proxies, or by agreement with local governments and militaries. AFRICOM has penetrated the armed forces of the continent to a degree no single... [uruknet.info] Theater of the Absurd': Netanyahu and His Endgame in Palestine Uruknet October 18, 2011 - During his deliberately offensive speech on September 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the General Assembly as 'the theater of the absurd.' Israel's few friends at the United Nations - led by the US delegation - listened gleefully and applauded as Netanyahu heralded a steady stream of insults. Netanyahu then returned to Israel... Hey, New York, Freedom Theater is in Town! Tikun Olam - Freedom Theater director Udi Aloni with actors during rehearsal of 'While Waiting' (Michael Nagle/NYT) All you Jews (and Palestinians and anyone else) at the Occupy Wall Street protests are hereby urged to take a break tomorrow night. That’s because you have a rare opportunity to see... 'Theater of the Absurd': Netanyahu and His Endgame in Palestine Palestine Chronicle: 18 Oct 2011 - By Ramzy Baroud During his deliberately offensive speech on September 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the General Assembly as 'the theater of the absurd.' Israel’s few friends at the United Nations – led by the US delegation - listened gleefully and applauded as Netanyahu heralded a steady stream of insults. Netanyahu then returned to Israel with vengeance, enraged by the passionate international reception of Palestinian Authority’s statehood bid. Despite every Israeli effort, the world community has long been united in its support of Palestinian rights. For decades, Israel labored to legitimize itself, denying the very existence of Palestinians. Following its occupation of the rest of historic Palestine in 1967, it tried to validate its colonial project while concurrently targeting any political platform that represented the Palestinian people. This endeavor was unsuccessful, thanks in part to the resistance of the Palestinians themselves, but also largely due to the enduring...more The Beginning Is Near Dissident Voice: 18 Oct 2011 - The anti-Wall Street protest has often resembled a street party. In occupied Liberty Park, people banged on drums, danced , performed mime, even dangled donuts to bait cops. Their mood has been merry, which is remarkable considering that they’ve been sleeping out in the open , on hard ground, in a compact park, without even tents over them. Food and money have been limited, and sanitation a logistical nuisance, yet even a cloudburst in the middle of the night, drenching everyone, was greeted with cheers. A sign, “ THE REVOLUTION WILL BE PLAYFUL .” Critics have slandered these protesters as idle and frivolous, as muddled crybabies who would flee from any job application, not that anyone’s hiring, by the way. This rally, then, is just a noisy blight on America’s crooked economic engine. With a first dusting of snow, these anarchists, hippies, art students, bums and trust fund kids would all go...more The joyful theater of Tahrir Mondoweiss - Many people had warned me not to go to Tahrir Square, not to talk politics. Things are tense now-- you're foreign, American, they don't want interference! But the moment you set foot in Tahrir, everyone wants you to take their picture! And as I walked around... Turaath: Celebrating Arab Culture in America Arab American Institute 17 Oct 2011 - By Maha Neouchy If you will be in Washington D.C. this Veteran�s Day Weekend, be sure to attend �Turaath: Celebrating Arab Culture in America� at the historic Lincoln Theatre on November 10. The event, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m., is a part of a new... Raising the curtain on dance Jerusalem Post 16 Oct 2011 - This year’s Curtain Up Dance Festival has works by 10 young yet proven choreographers at Suzanne Dellal Dance Center and Jerusalem Theater. Baghdad Journal: An Embrace of the U.S., Spun and Mixed by Young Iraqis New York Times 12 Oct 2011 - The sounds of rappers and the moves of dancers are defiant gestures of rebellion in a social order with little space for individual expression, especially of the sort draped in Western mores. The Revolution Started Without Me: Occupying Wall Street Dissident Voice: 11 Oct 2011 - [Occupy Wall Street is] a diffuse and leaderless convocation of activists against greed, corporate influence, gross social inequality and other nasty byproducts of wayward capitalism not easily extinguishable by street theater…. — Ginia Bellafante, NY Times 9/23/11 In the summer of 1968 I had finished my freshman year in high school. By chance, I journeyed to San Francisco with some older fellow students, checked the scene at Haight-Ashbury, partied with the cast of Hair and ended up on the beach in Big Sur talking philosophy. I was offered a hit off a joint but declined. Later that year a friend and I hitched to a New Year’s concert at the Fillmore West. As Cold Blood, Boz Skaggs and the Voices of East Harlem marked the hours to midnight, joints passed freely among the audience. This time I accepted though my friend declined. I had come to understand that marijuana was...more A day of festivities for the injured children of Gaza Middle East Monitor 10 Oct 2011 - EXCLUSIVE PICTURES The Our Country Centre has held a theatre and entertainment event for child war invalids on the grounds of the Al-Jazeera Club in Gaza City. The goal of the festival was to bring and atmosphere of joviality and happiness to Palestinian children who have... Dancing on Our Occupation Permit Dissident Voice: 10 Oct 2011 - Sunday night, our permit expired for occupying Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. So we threw a dance party, and when we could dance no more, we went to sleep in Freedom Plaza. We have until 2 p.m. today to remove our possessions. We do not intend to do so. We suspect that if the police want to remove us by force they will wait until evening. So we’re throwing a dinner party, and 99% of the country is invited. Our permit is now the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. There is no way for the vast majority of people in this enormous country...more Opportunity in a Middle East identity crisis Mark LeVine, Al Jazeera 10/7/2011 Exploring his own character as a Palestinian Jew, Israeli filmmaker Udi Aloni says a universal identity is needed. Udi Aloni is a well-known Israeli filmmaker, theatre director, writer and activist, whose recent work includes such films as Forgiveness, Local Angel, and Kashmir: Journey to Freedom. His new book, What Does a Jew Want?: On Binationalism and Other Specters, is published by Columbia University Press (2011). Mark LeVine met with Aloni in Ramallah as he was beginning rehearsals for a production of "Waiting for Godot" with students from the Jenin Freedom Theatre and continued the conversation in the United States. The US premiere of the production will take place at the Miller Theatre in New York, on October 18. Mark LeVine: Your book starts off with a seemingly provocative question, one which would seem to be impossible to answer. How can anyone claim to answer what Jews collectively want, or Muslims or Christians for that matter? Udi Aloni: The idea for the book arose from the contradictions that I felt exists between my work as an artist, as a writer, and as an activist. In particular, a difficulty in expressing how one can move from one's particularity - in my case as an Israeli Ashkenazi Jew - to a universal ethic and aesthetic, and to create a new identity in the process. The task, I suppose, is to show people that you can open yourself to your most dreaded "other", that you can forge relationships outside of your group that are even more meaningful than the ones that have always defined you.. To do that, I had to accept the position of speaking from weakness and vulnerability, in contrast to the strength Israelis and American Jews imagine they have (but are really afraid that they don't possess). I argue that from this weakness, we can create new possibilities, or openings. more.. e-mail An idiot’s guide to Yom Kippur Jerusalem Post 6 Oct 2011 - Stand-up comedian and writer Benji Lovitt gives his unique take on the holiest of fast days. Room for expression Jerusalem Post 4 Oct 2011 - From its founding day, Amir Orian’s Room Theater has been a source of inspiration for theater artists and audiences alike. [uruknet.info] François Abu Salem, founder of the Palestinian National Theatre, dies at 60 Uruknet October 4, 2011 - Palestinian theater has lost one of its heroes. François Abu Salem, founder of the influential Palestinian National Theatre, was found dead on Sunday near his home in al-Tira, a suburb of Ramallah. The cause of death is still uncertain, though suicide is a likely possibility. Abu Salem was born in 1951 to a French... Reflections on the Abbas statehood speech Richard Falk, Al Jazeera 10/4/2011 There is a natural disposition for supporters of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination to suppose that the Palestinian statehood bid must be a positive initiative, because it has generated such a frantic Israeli effort to have it rejected. Despite the high costs to United States diplomacy in the Middle East at this time of regional tumult and uncertainty, the US has committed itself to exercise its veto on Israel’s behalf if that turns out to be necessary. To avoid the humiliation of disregarding the overwhelming majority opinion of most governments in the world, the US has rallied the former European colonial powers to stand by its side, while leaning on Bosnia and Colombia to abstain, thereby hoping to deny Palestine the nine votes it needs for a Security Council decision, without technically casting a veto. On the side of Palestinian statehood, one finds China, Russia, India, South Africa, Brazil, Lebanon, Nigeria, and Gabon, the leading countries of the South, the main peoples previously victimised by colonial rule. Is not a comparison of these geopolitical alignments sufficient by itself to resolve the issue of taking sides on such a litmus test of political identity? The old West versus the new South. Add to this the drama, eloquence, and forthrightness of Mahmoud Abbas’s historic speech of September 23 to the General Assembly, which received standing ovations from many of the assembled delegates. Such a favourable reception was reinforced by its contrast with the ranting polemic delivered by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who insulted the UN by calling it "the theatre of the absurd" while offering nothing of substance that might make even mildly credible his strident rhetoric claim to support "peace," "direct negotiations" and "a Palestinian state". The deviousness of Netanyahu was made manifest when, a few days later, the Israeli government announced that it had approved 1,100 additional housing units in the major settlement of Gilo, east of Jerusalem. This was a bridge too far even for Hillary Clinton, who called the move "counter-productive" and which Europeans regarded as deeply disappointing and confidence-destroying - so much so that Netanyahu was openly asked to reverse the decision. more.. e-mail Theater director Abu Salem dies in Ramallah 10/2/2011 - RAMALLAH (AFP) -- Francois Abu Salem, a French actor, director and long-time West Bank resident, has died at the age of 60 in the city of Ramallah, Palestinian security forces said. His body was found on Saturday night in the al-Tira suburb of the city, where he lived and worked for many years. The cause of.... Laughs keep coming for Arab-US comedians The National 1 Oct 2011 - Raucous and rude, performers at this festival in New York have moved a long way from jokes about George W Bush and the indignity of air travel. Lebanon speaker responds to Netanyahu speech 9/24/2011 - BEIRUT (Ma'an) -- The speaker of the Lebanese parliament on Saturday criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. Netanyahu told world leaders that the UN had become a "theater of the absurd" as "Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon" held presidency of the UN Security Council.... Winning app turns Facebook into virtual nightclub Jerusalem Post 24 Sep 2011 - New application allows singles to virtually meet new people, chat, flirt, dance and drink, all from the comfort of their own smoke-free couch. ‘Limb Factory’ returns life to disabled throughout world Jerusalem Post 24 Sep 2011 - Father-son team work around the clock making prosthetic limbs for people who have lost theirs; professional dancer gets career back with new limbs. At U.N., Iran president again denounces U.S. LA Times 22 Sep 2011 - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad excoriates the U.S. and its allies, blaming them for centuries of misery, including the current global economic turmoil. Dozens of diplomats walk out. With his now-familiar mix of bombast, politics and theater, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday denounced the United States... 'Comedy' king Maradona enjoys first Al Wasl win 9/22/2011 - DUBAI (AFP) -- Diego Maradona enjoyed his first victory as coach of UAE side Al Wasl on Thursday, a day after telling fans to stay at home and watch a DVD if they found it too stressful to follow his team. Al Wasl's goals against promoted Emirates in the second round of matches in.... Ismail Khalidi: A tragic lecture, justifiying a vicious occupation, with no awareness that we killed the two-state solution Mondoweiss - A great effect of the Obama speech: Americans are going to hear clear moral voices. We will be informed. Playwright Ismail Khalidi gains a platform in the Albany Times-Union: The only conclusion to be drawn from the ongoing row over the Palestinian plan to gain full... Jenin’s Freedom Theatre Performs First Play Following Murder of its Founder Alternative Information Center - Jenin’s Freedom Theatre continues to resist and shows Waiting for Godot . On 10 September, the students of slain activist and Freedom Theatre co-founder Juliano Mer Khamis, under the direction of Udi Alon, first presented the play... Palestinian embassy holds cultural day in Ireland 9/20/2011 - DUBLIN, Ireland (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian embassy in Dublin held a cultural day on Saturday, showcasing Palestinian dress, food, films, music and dance. Assisted by the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union and Sadaka - The Ireland Palestine Alliance, the embassy organized the day as a reminder of Palestinians' right to live freely on.... Veteran Israeli actress breaks world record for longest career Ha'aretz - Hanna Meron, who began acting at age 4 has been referred to as 'the first lady of Israeli theater.' UN awards Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan for theatre work The National 19 Sep 2011 - Dr Sheikh Sultan recognised with medal and citation by the International Theatre Institute for his diplomacy through art. Roseanne Barr: Meditate with me at Jewish retreat Jerusalem Post 18 Sep 2011 - Emmy Award-winning comedian to host women’s spirituality weekend; "Judaism as a philosophy extremely goddess-centered," she says. Will the adult theater in Nabaa return … again? Daily Star 16 Sep 2011 After General Security announced Wednesday the closure of a cinema showing pornographic films in Nabaa, inhabitants of the Beirut suburb had different views on the real reasons behind the closure. Jenin’s Freedom Theatre premieres Waiting for Godot Joseph Dana 14 Sep 2011 - Ramallah–During the first act of Samuel Beckett’s 1952 tragicomedy Waiting for Godot , one of the play’s protagonists, Estragon, turns to the other, Vladimir, and blankly notes to the audience, “Nothing to be done.” Vladimir returns, “I’m beginning to come round to the opinion.” Jenin’s Freedom Theatre... Shakespeare in the West Bank: British troupe savour 'Elizabethan' crowd The Guardian 9 Sep 2011 - Raucous audience at Bethlehem refugee camp see closing performance of The Tempest by Jericho House theatre It was, said the director, an Elizabethan atmosphere. People came and went throughout the play. There was chatter and laughter... DNC agenda: 1, jobs, 2, healthcare, 3, ‘Jewish messaging’ Mondoweiss - Great reporting by Nicholas Confessore in the New York Times dances out on the third rail, Jewish donorship, pointing out that getting Jews on board is issue #3 at a DNC meeting today in Chicago: It’s no surprise that the Democratic National Committee meeting in Chicago... Israeli Army Targeting Jenin’s Freedom Theatre Alternative Information Center - In the past six weeks, the Jenin Freedom Theatre, still recovering from the unsolved 4 April murder of its co-founder and mentor, Juliano Mer-Khamis, has faced a new stumbling block: the Israeli military. Libya: hunt for Gaddafi - Wednesday 7 September 2011 The Guardian 7 Sep 2011 - • NTC send envoys to Niger to stop Gaddafi fleeing • Gynaecological operating theatre found under Tripoli college • Military ruler Tantawi to give evidence at Mubarak trial • Syria: Up to seven killed in Homs •... Erdogan to speak at Tahrir on Sept 12 and try and visit Gaza after, says Turkish news site Mondoweiss - From the Turkish broadcasting site. This could be big, in the runup to the statehood initiative. The item says that Erdogan may go to Gaza after addressing Tahrir, but this has not been confirmed. This could be international theater on a grand scale. And a call... [uruknet.info] Human Rights Israeli harassment campaign masquerades as murder probe in Jenin theater Uruknet September 2, 2011 - Israeli soldiers and security forces have conducted a string of arrests and violent raids at Jenin's renowned Freedom Theater over recent weeks, in their investigation into the murder of actor and director Juliano Mer-Khamis. According to those close to the theater, however, the Israeli authorities' actions hint at a purpose other than solving the... MIDEAST: Israelis Stage an Investigation Act IPS Israeli soldiers and security forces have conducted a string of arrests and violent raids over recent weeks, at Jenin's renowned Freedom Theatre, in their investigation into the murder of actor Juliano Mer-Khamis, the theatre's former director and co-founder, earlier this year. The occupation is bent on destroying the Jenin Freedom Theatre under the guise of investigating Mer-Khamis’s murder Mondoweiss - Below are two statements regarding the recent attacks on the Jenin Freedom Theatre. They include an appeal for support . First from Felice Gelman, a New York-based activist/leader. Then an email from Jacob Gough of the Freedom Theatre. Felice Gelman: The Israeli Occupation Forces continue their "investigation"... Israeli harassment campaign masquerades as murder probe in Jenin theater Electronic Intifada: 2 Sep 2011 - Jillian Kestler-D'Amours The Electronic Intifada Jerusalem Israeli soldiers and security forces have conducted a string of arrests and violent raids at Jenin’s renowned Freedom Theater over recent weeks, in their investigation into the murder of actor and director Juliano Mer-Khamis.more Candidly Speaking: Explaining doublespeak to our friends Jerusalem Post 31 Aug 2011 - Obama’s Middle East policies have forced Israelis to partake in the theater of the absurd. [uruknet.info] URGENT APPEAL | The Freedom Theatre - Crime and Punishment Uruknet August 30, 2011 - An appeal for moral and financial support following a new wave of harassments against The Freedom Theatre by the Israeli army The Freedom Theatre in Jenin refugee camp was attacked by the Israeli army on the 27th July. Two of its members, Adnan Naghnaghiye and Bilal Saadi were taken. On the 22nd of August... Freedom Theatre attacked yet again The Only Democracy? JVP 30 Aug 2011 - Missed this item last week because of earthquake/hurricane, but the Freedom Theatre was attacked again on August 22nd: Rami Hwayel on stage, "waiting for Godot or a Shin Bet decision" photo: Emily Smith Freedom Theatre targeted again After the Israeli army targeted the theatre twice during... Coming to a theater near you... Jerusalem in 3D Jerusalem Post 27 Aug 2011 - IMAX extravaganza with bird's eye views of the capital city to be screened for next 5-10 years on 35 screens around world. Egypt, Israel and Palestine: an awkward three-way dance | Khaled Diab The Guardian 26 Aug 2011 - Relations between Israel and post-revolution Egypt are proving tetchy – but ordinary people hold the keys to peace It has been a tense week in Egyptian-Israeli relations. It all started when unknown assailants crossed from Sinai... Israeli forces surround Jenin Freedom Theatre for second time in a month; abduct three IMEMC - Thursday August 25, 2011 - 07:21, A squadron of Israeli armored vehicles and soldiers entered Jenin refugee camp at around 2 am on Tuesday morning, surrounded the Jenin Freedom Theatre, beat the security guard before abducting him and two others. Israel’s relentless campaign against the Freedom Theatre Richard Lightbown, Redress 8/24/2011 The words, of course, came from Juliano Mer Khamis who was gunned down by an unknown assassin on 4 April this year outside the theatre of his creation. "The location of the Freedom Theatre [is] in the middle of the most attacked and poorest refugee camp in Palestine, the refugee camp of Jenin. We are talking about almost three thousand children under the age of 15 suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It means they pee in their pants when they are 11. It means they cannot concentrate; they cannot deal with each other without violence. "This camp ... is [besieged] by electric fence, all around it. People cannot go out or in unless they have a permit. We have two gates like a big prison, and we are just in the middle, trying to serve this population, trying to bring some normality, some sanity to some people here. "I would say that the Freedom Theatre offers the very basic elements of life to children, to people, to grown-ups, to women, to men: freedom. "And then of course we help with all the tools possible around the arts: cameras, drama therapy, computers, video cameras, lighting, stage, microphones, music ... whatever [it] needs just to flip away from 60 years of occupation. "We hope this theatre will generate a political, artistic movement of artists who are going to raise their voices against female discrimination, against child discrimination, against violence – unnecessary violence against civilians, to generate a new... to bring back the just cause. We are not terrorists...." more.. e-mail [uruknet.info] The Libyan Soldier: The True Heroes of NATO's War Uruknet August 24, 2011 - NATO has proven it has the capacity to kill thousands of Libyan soldiers from the skies, but it cannot "convey honor and legitimacy" to the rebels under its killer wings. "They are little more than extras for imperial theater, a mob that traveled under the protective umbrella of American full spectrum dominance of the... [uruknet.info] Jenin: The Freedom Theatre raided for the third time this month, "This is systematic harrassment" Uruknet August 22, 2011 - Early Monday morning, 22 August, at 2:00 am, the Israeli army conducted its third raid on Jenin's Freedom Theatre this month. The army has alleged that these raids are part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of the theater's late co-founder and director, Juliano Mer Khamis. But according to Jacob Gough, the Acting... Israeli army 'systematically harassing' iconic Jenin theater 8/22/2011 - JENIN (Ma'an) -- The Israeli army surrounded the Freedom Theater in Jenin early Monday, beating members of staff and raiding the home of a security guard, a statement from the iconic theater said." As I literally entered my home I got a call from neighbors of the theater saying the army had surrounded the.... Night of Israeli violence: Al Aqsa Mosque barricade, house demolition, gang beating, arrests 8/22/2011 - International Solidarity Movement - International Solidarity Movement, West Bank - Just after midnight on Monday, August 22 the IDF took the opportunity to trap 1500 Palestinian youth inside al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, blow up a house in Hebron (injuring 30 people in the ensuing riots), and arrested a member of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin. In Jerusalem, thousands of Palestinians.... Israeli Army Again Targets Jenin's Freedom Theatre Alternative Information Center - After the Israeli army targets the theatre twice during the last month, arresting three of its members, today at approximately 02:00 in the morning of the 22nd August the Israeli army surrounded The Freedom Theatre and... [uruknet.info] Night of Israeli violence: Al Aqsa Mosque barricade, house demolition, gang beating, arrests Uruknet 22 August 2011 - Just after midnight on Monday, August 22 the IDF took the opportunity to trap 1500 Palestinian youth inside al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, blow up a house in Hebron (injuring 30 people in the ensuing riots), and arrested a member of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin. In Jerusalem, thousands of Palestinians gathered to protest the... Jenin's Third Intifada under Attack Palestine Chronicle: 22 Aug 2011 - By Richard Lightbown 'The location of the Freedom Theatre [...is] in the middle of the most attacked and poorest refugee camp in Palestine, the refugee camp of Jenin. We are talking about almost three thousand children under the age of 15 suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It means they pee in their pants when they are eleven. It means they cannot concentrate; they cannot deal with each other without violence. "This camp [...] is [be]sieged by electric fence, all around it. People cannot go out or in unless they have a permit. We have two gates like a big prison, and we are just in the middle, trying to serve this population, trying to bring some normality, some sanity to some people here. "I would say that the Freedom Theatre offers the very basic elements of life to children, to people, to grown-ups, to women, to men: freedom. "And then of...more Palestinian officials succeed in taking TV political satire off the air Palestine Note 18 Aug 2011 - The Los Angeles Times- The worst fears of Imad Farajin, Palestinian actor and author of political satire and TV comedy show "Watan Ala Watar" ("Country on a String"), came true Wednesday when the Palestinian Authority’s attorney general, Ahmad Mughani, ordered... Glenn Beck rally could spark violence, warn Arab MKs Jerusalem Post 17 Aug 2011 - US radio show host to ‘Post’: Event will be different than people expect; MK Ahmed Tibi: "Glenn Beck is a ‘bizarre, neo-fascist comedian." Palestine TV Comedy Show Pulled Off the Air WAFA [uruknet.info] Jenin Theatre issues public letter to Israeli security apparatus denouncing raids and arrests Uruknet August 13, 2011 - ....By acting the way that you act you have once again proved to the residents of Jenin refugee camp as well as to the outside world that the only methods you know are the ones involving violence, terror and fear. We in The Freedom Theatre have nothing to conceal regarding the murder of Juliano... Israeli military forces attack the freedom of theatre 8/13/2011 - International Solidarity Movement - 13 August 2011 | International Solidarity Movement, West Bank - The Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp has faced targeted repression by the Israeli Army in recent weeks. At 3pm on August 6th, 2011, Israeli Occupation Forces arrested a Freedom Theatre actor at the Shave Shomeron checkpoint on his way from Ramallah to Jenin. Rami Awni Hwayel.... Related: The Freedom Theatre Open Letter to Israeli Security Apparatus from Jenin’s Freedom Theatre Alternative Information Center - This is an open letter from representatives of the international volunteers and staff members, the friends, supporters and foundation of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin to the Israeli security apparatus, including the Shabak, the IDF and... Paranoia and intrigue on the West Bank The National 13 Aug 2011 - For Freedom Theatre's management, struggling to move forward after Juliano Mer-Khamis ' murder, that has raised questions about the limits of performing arts in this conservative and besieged society. European Unrest: Entirely Staged Political Theatre Intifada-Palestine: 13 Aug 2011 - By Gordon Duff, Senior Editor / Veterans Today "Blacks and Paki" Rioters Looking More and More Like EDL/Zionist Auxilliaries The current civil unrest in Britain has been carefully staged by the government and security services working in concert with news media, Israeli... more Jenin Theatre says raids and arrests show that Israel’s only methods involve violence and terror Mondoweiss - This is an open letter from representatives of the international volunteers and staff members, the friends, supporters and foundation of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin to the Israeli security apparatus including the Shabak, the IDF and Israeli Police. After the attack on The Freedom Theatre's office... The Weekly Schmooze: The comedian peace plan Jerusalem Post 11 Aug 2011 - A Jpost column wrapping up Jewish culture news worldwide: Roseanne for prime minister; Kosher hair products. Freedom Theater Actor Still Imprisoned by IDF Tikun Olam - An update on the fate of Jenin Freedom Theater actor, 20 year-old Rami Hwayel, abducted by the IDF several days ago. Hwayel had been set to play the role of Pozzo in a Theater production of Waiting for Godot , before he was nabbed by the army... FestiClown Palestine: First International Clown Festival in Palestine to be Held in September PNN - Jerusalem - PNN - From September 2 to September 15 the streets, squares and theatres of the occupied West Bank will be invaded by the red noses army from FestiClown Palestine, the... Rothschild campsite observes silence for Tisha Be’av Jerusalem Post 8 Aug 2011 - Signs set up throughout Tel Aviv tent city telling locals there will be no dance parties or performances during evening of fast. [uruknet.info] IDF Arrests Jenin Freedom Theater Actor, Audience Now Awaits Godot...and Pozzo Uruknet August 7, 2011 - ....When I heard of the arrests last week, I didn't know what to think. But I presumed that they might have something to do with finding Mer-Khamis' killer. But with the arrest of the leading actor of the ensemble's current production it's becoming clearer that there is no urgency or even interest on the... Acting Student at Jenin’s Freedom Theatre Taken by Israeli Army Alternative Information Center - At approximately 15:00 on Saturday 6 August, one of the third-year graduating students at Jenin’s Freedom Theatre was taken by the Israeli army at the Shave Shomeron checkpoint, located between the Palestinian cities Jenin and Nablus.... [uruknet.info] Israeli army detains Freedom Theater actor Uruknet August 6, 2011 -- Israeli forces on Saturday detained an acting student of the iconic Freedom Theater at a checkpoint near Jenin, theater staff said. Rami Awni Hwayel, 20, was detained, handcuffed and blindfolded at Shave Shomeron checkpoint in the northern West Bank. He was returning from rehearsals in Ramallah, the theater said in a statement. An Israeli... Israel detains actor from Jenin’s Freedom Theater Daily Star 7 Aug 2011 Israeli forces detained an actor from Jenin’s Freedom Theater Saturday at a West Bank checkpoint, according to the Maan news agency. IDF detains 3rd member of Jenin’s Freedom Theatre Mondoweiss - The Jenin Freedom Theatre issued a press release today: acting student Rami Awni Hwayel, 20, has been arrested by the IDF. Batool Taleb, one of the female acting students who was in the car with Rami describes what happened: "When they got to our... IDF Arrests Jenin Freedom Theater Actor, Audience Now Awaits Godot…and Pozo Tikun Olam - Rami Hwayel, arrested Freedom Theater actor playing Pozo in Waiting for Godot (Freedom Theater) The Jenin Freedom Theater, whose founder Juliano Mer-Khamis was murdered several months ago, is about to perform Waiting for Godot under famed Israeli director and human rights activist, Udi Aloni. But after... Israeli army detains Freedom Theater actor 8/6/2011 - JENIN (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Saturday detained an acting student of the iconic Freedom Theater at a checkpoint near Jenin, theater staff said. Rami Awni Hwayel, 20, was detained, handcuffed and blindfolded at Shave Shomeron checkpoint in the northern West Bank. He was returning from rehearsals in Ramallah, the theater said in a.... [uruknet.info] Budget Cutting Perfidy Uruknet August 4, 2011 - It's all over but the mourning. After weeks of tooing-and-frooing theater, Obama signed the deal from hell. Understand clearly what happened. A bipartisan conspiracy took step one to ending America's social contract. Subsequent ones will follow. On the chopping block are Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and publicly funded pensions, heading perhaps first for privatization... Lebanese belly dancer in France under fire for sympathizing with Israel Daily Star 1 Aug 2011 A Lebanese activist group has called for the country’s authorities to take action against a Lebanese belly dancer who performed on stage in France with an Israeli band. Group slams Lebanon dancer for sharing stage with Israeli band Daily Star 1 Aug 2011 A Lebanese pressure group has called for the country’s authorities to take action against a Lebanese belly-dancer who performed on stage in France with an Israeli band. Palestinian refugees stage play in Beirut 7/31/2011 - BEIRUT (Ma'an) --A troop of young Palestinian refugees from camps in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territories will perform "Visions of refuge" on stage in Beirut on Sunday evening. The play will be staged as part of an arts festival held by a puppet theater institute in the Lebanese capital. Palestinian.... Israeli Commandos Raid “Freedom Theater” in West Bank Intifada-Palestine: 30 Jul 2011 - Juliano Mer Khamis and Palestinian youth perform at the Freedom Theatre in Jenin refugee camp. “The coming third Palestinian intifada will take the form of cultural resistance to the Israeli occupation” Juliano Mer Khamis by Dr. Ashraf Ezzat Israeli commandos, roughly... more Lebanese outcry after belly dancer performs with Israelis Jerusalem Post 28 Jul 2011 - Outcry ensues after dancer raises Lebanese, Israeli flags in front of 90,000 at French music festival. Parents march in TA to protest rising cost of raising kids Jerusalem Post 28 Jul 2011 - Parents push strollers in march to Habima Theater, chant "who cares about missiles when their isn’t money for diapers.” Israeli Army Attacks Freedom Theatre in Jenin, Kidnapping Two IMEMC - Wednesday July 27, 2011 - 11:25, Israeli army special forces attacked the Freedom Theatre in Jenin early Wednesday morning. Masked soldiers threw stone blocks at windows, kidnapped several staff, and threatened others at gunpoint. Soldiers arrest employees of West Bank theater 7/27/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin early Wednesday and arrested two employees from its iconic Freedom Theatre, staff members said. Adnan Naghnaghiye and Bilal Saadi were taken to an unknown location following the 3:30 a. m. operation, representatives of the Jenin Theatre Foundation said in a statement. Soldiers.... Israeli Army Arrests Two at Jenin Freedom Theater PNN - Jenin- PNN – At approximately 3:30 AM this morning, Israeli soldiers attacked the Jenin Freedom Theater in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and arrested two of its employees. According to... Israeli Army Attacks Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp Alternative Information Center - Special forces of the Israeli army attacked the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp at approximately 03:30 this morning (27 July). IDF arrests two employees of Freedom Theater in Jenin Ha'aretz - It is not known if the arrests were linked the April murder of Israeli-Palestinian actor Juliano Mer-Khamis. [uruknet.info] Jenin's Freedom Theater raided by the Israeli army Uruknet July 27, 2011- Overnight, roughly 50 Israeli Special Forces troops raided the Jenin Freedom Theatre in the Jenin Refugee Camp in the Northern West Bank according to members of the theater. The Freedom Theater is often associated with slain Palestinian-Jewish actor Juliano Mer Khamis and his vision of cultural resistance to Israeli occupation. Mer Khamis was shot by... [uruknet.info] IDF War Against Palestinian Theater Uruknet July 26, 2011 - Not content to wage war on armed militants (of whom there are very few these days in the West Bank), earlier today the famed special forces of the Israeli army staged a daring raid on Jenin's Freedom Theater. In a bold tactical stroke, they woke up a night watchman at 3:30AM by throwing hunks... Palestinian sources: IDF raids Jenin theater YNet News, 27 Jul 2011 - Officials say troops raided theater founded by slain actor Mer-Khamis, arrested.... Commandos From Israel Raid Theater In West Bank New York Times 27 Jul 2011 - No details were given about the reason behind the arrests of two men associated with the Freedom Theater in Jenin, which had been an oasis of so-called cultural resistance for decades. Israeli Army storms Freedom Theatre Jewish Voice for Peace - Jenin Freedom Theatre raided in the middle of the night by Israeli military Mondoweiss - Damage to the Freedom Theatre (Photo: Emily Smith) The following press release was sent out by the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp : Special Forces of the Israeli Army attacked the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp at approximately 03:30 this morning. Ahmad Nasser Matahen, a... IDF War Against Palestinian Theater Tikun Olam - Freedom Theater, Jenin Not content to wage war on armed militants (of whom there are very few these days in the West Bank), earlier today the famed special forces of the Israeli army staged a daring raid on Jenin’s Freedom Theater . In a bold tactical stroke,... Israeli Army ambushes Freedom Theater The Only Democracy? JVP 27 Jul 2011 - Soldiers have stormed the Freedom Theatre of Jenin, whose co-founder Juliano Mer-Khamis was slain earlier this year. URGENT PRESS RELEASE From The Freedom Theater Foundation, Jenin, Palestine 04.46 (gmt+2), July 27, 2011 Special Forces of the Israeli Army attacked the Freedom Theater in Jenin Refugee Camp... Dance with the devil: an Israeli orchestra in Bayreuth The Guardian 26 Jul 2011 - Today, an Israeli orchestra will be the first ever to perform at Bayreuth. Stephen Moss talks to the musicians risking controversy The hot ticket in Bayreuth on Tuesday will not be Die Meistersinger in the Festspielhaus ,... Lebanon’s top comedian, Fahmen, dies Daily Star 25 Jul 2011 Lebanon’s oldest and most popular comedian, Mahmoud Mabsoot, better known as Fahmen died of a heart attack Monday at a hospital in Nabatieh. Israel used an Imposter and a Belly Dancer to Counteract Flotilla II Intifada-Palestine: 25 Jul 2011 - One of the ships of the "To Gaza with Love" flotilla II by Dr. Ashraf Ezzat “Though the gay activist and the bellydancer stunts proved to be a total failure but they brought to light the duplicity of the Jewish state and... more Doubts Grow in Egypt About Trial for Mubarak New York Times 23 Jul 2011 - Some activists say that setting a trial date of Aug. 3 for former President Hosni Mubarak was just an element of political theater. Talent Show Aims at Equiping Palesntinian Cultural Community PNN - Ramallah- PNN-The US State Department along with many other local sponsors held a singing competition on Thursday night at the Al-Kasaba Theatre in Ramallah. The evening was replete with television coverage, a... AIC Culture is Resistance! Week Opens in West Bank Alternative Information Center 7/6/2011 The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is profoundly cultural,” explained Nassar Ibrahim, Director of the Alternative Information Center at the opening ceremony of the AIC’s Culture is Resistance! Week on Tuesday evening. “It is the clash of two narratives. The Israelis are occupying not just our land, but our language, our space, confiscating the memory of our stones. Confiscating our culture and adapting it for their own. Our political work would be missing something if we didn’t also work in culture,” Ibrahim added. Held under the auspices of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture and the Beit Sahour Municipality, the AIC Culture is Resistance! Week explores through theatre, art, music, photography, poetry, literature and cinema, the dimensions and connections between culture and resistance to Israeli colonialism. Over 100 Palestinians, Israelis and internationals attended yesterday’s opening event, which was opened with a warm welcome from Beit Sahour Mayor Hani Al-Hayak and the Director of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture in Bethlehem, Mohammed Deirieh. “I feel very comfortable here,” said Deirieh, “as the Ministry of Culture encourages both popular culture and popular resistance. Praising the Culture of Resistance work of the AIC, which includes art empowerment training for Palestinian women in Hebron and Bethlehem, political-cultural events at the AICafe and field seminars for international activists, Deirieh added that the Ministry acts to protect Palestinian identity and culture. “Protecting culture is just like shaping a stone with your fingers,” he added with a smile. more.. e-mail Belly dancer and metal band rock the boat Palestine Note 21 Jul 2011 - The Los Angeles Times- Seeing a gorgeous dancer on stage with a heavy-metal band is nothing unusual. But when the dancer is Lebanese and the singer Israeli and they hold the flags of their respective countries -- which remain in... Jennifer Love Hewitt cast in ‘Jewtopia’ movie Jerusalem Post 19 Jul 2011 - Actress joins 'Crossing Jordan' star Ivan Sergei in cast for new movie based on longest-running off-Broadway comedy in history. Arabic Graffiti: Dances with walls Palestine Note 15 Jul 2011 - The National- For centuries calligraphy has been viewed throughout the Islamic world as a spiritual and artistic discipline. According to an impressive new book on the origins and development of Arabic graffiti, the finely wrought characters of this time-honoured devotional... Israel and the Flotillas Eric Walberg, CounterPunch 7/15/2011 Clever Madman The efforts by Israel to prevent Freedom Flotilla II from leaving Greece have been largely successful. Of the original 10 ships, only the French ship Al-Karama (dignity) with 10 activists including French politicians, which sailed from the French Corsica two weeks ago, and the sabotaged-and-repaired Juliano (named after Juliano Meir Khamis, the murdered Israeli director of Jenin's Freedom Theatre), were able to elude the Greek coastguard as of early this week. Then Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman telephoned Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma and persuaded him to withdraw his country's flag from the Swedish Juliano, giving the Greek coast guard the opportunity to block the ship in Heraklion. Though Al-Karama was apprehended by the Greeks while refueling at sea near Crete, it managed to give them the slip and is still chugging along, the lone survivor. The Spanish Gernika (named after Picasso's 1937 mural against fascism) is still in port along with the remaining ships, though 20 Spaniards are occupying their embassy -- six of them on a hunger strike. Activists haven't given up hope that the Gernika, another French boat the Louise Michel, the Italian Stefano Chiarini, the Freedom for All and the Methimus II -- all sequestered or sabotaged -- will still prevail. Israeli special operatives were able to dive in Greek and Turkish waters to sabotage some of the ships, including the Juliano and the Irish Saoirse (sabotaged in Gocek, Turkey). Both vessels had their propellers damaged -- if they had not discovered the damage, they could well have sunk at sea. more.. e-mail Arabic Graffiti: Dances with walls The National 14 Jul 2011 - Tracing the evolution of Middle Eastern street art from its earliest manifestations to the global creative movement it has now become, Pascal Zoghbi and Don Karl's cohesive book strikes a happy balance between foundational instruction and conceptual analysis. Survey: Theater helps Israeli youth humanize Palestinians Palestine Note 11 Jul 2011 - Haaretz- A new study found a link between culture and tolerance: Israeli teens who watched plays about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict became more optimistic about the chances of achieving peace and viewed Palestinians more positively. The study, conducted at the University... Palestinian Theatre as Resistance: AIC Culture is Resistance! Week Alternative Information Center - Five Palestinian actors discuss the role of theatre in resisting Israel’s oppression, and how they chose this path of national and personal liberation. S. Korean mission visits Shalit tent YNet News, 10 Jul 2011 - A South Korean mission comprised of Buddhist monks and the Nirvana Dance Company visited the Shalit protest tent in Jerusalem, in show of support for the captive ... .... A gypsy celebration Jerusalem Post 7 Jul 2011 - 12 musicians and dancers will celebrate virtuoso Gypsy swing in a festive program. Pro-divestment shareholders and allies take their case to NYC streets and the internet with song and dance Jewish Voice for Peace - What does Tel Aviv’s White Night have in store for you? Ha'aretz - Tel Aviv’s annual White Night is back for its ninth year. This guide gives a taste of what’s in store, including a list of tours and a selection of music, art, theater and special events. [uruknet.info] Theater of the absurd Uruknet June 25, 2011 - The theater of the criminal and absurd continue. Merril Lynch reported that Israeli millionaires' net assets rose from $43 billion to $52 billion in 2010. Apartheid Prime minister Netanyahu announced that he will strip Political prisoners held by Israel of basic rights like the right to continue their education... Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) also... Sarah Silverman in Tel Aviv: I would vote for Obama again Ha'aretz - American Jewish comedian and actress Sarah Silverman performs stand-up comedy show in Tel Aviv; jokes about making love with Shimon Peres. Palestinian theatre stages first play without director Juliano Mer Khamis Palestine Note 23 Jun 2011 - The Guardian- A pioneering community theatre that aimed to replace violence with drama in one of the most battle-scarred Palestinian towns has hosted its first performance since the murder of its director. Israeli and Palestinian police have not identified the... Star-studded panel on Jewish identity turns awkward Jerusalem Post 23 Jun 2011 - Presidential Conference discussion featuring comedian Sarah Silverman and singer Matisyahu suffers from obvious lack of chemistry or coherence. Palestinian theatre stages first play without director Juliano Mer Khamis The Guardian 22 Jun 2011 - Freedom Theatre promises to carry on after the murder of Israeli-Palestinian director as students perform in Jenin A pioneering community theatre that aimed to replace violence with drama in one of the most battle-scarred Palestinian towns... Live theatre delivers health messages to refugees Relief Web 21 Jun 2011 - Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Country: Jordan , occupied Palestinian territory More than 6,000 refugees in ten refugee camps across Jordan were entertained and educated during May by live performances of a play... Watch Live: Shimon Peres' Presidential Conference in Jersualem Ha'aretz - Singer Shakira, comedian Sarah Silverman are just some of the international guests attending the annual three-day conference. Silverman roars Presidential Conference with laughter Jerusalem Post 21 Jun 2011 - “I’m so excited to be in such an old city, Jerusalem is like, at least 30 years old, right?” American comedian tells Channel 1 reporter. In Saudi Arabia, Comedy Cautiously Pushes Limits Palestine Note 13 Jun 2011 - New York Times- You know you are attending a Saudi Arabian comedy night when the sprawling performance tent is pitched 50 miles out into the desert to avoid the morals police and, astonishingly, the ushers are women, even if they... Newt Gingrich lauds ‘Jerusalem Day’ extremists Mondoweiss - Newt Gingrich’s speech yesterday to the Republican Jewish Coalition was standard right-wing boilerplate intended to appeal to Republican Jewish donors and hardcore Christian Zionists. But notably and disturbingly, Gingrich lauded the throngs of Jews who danced through the streets of occupied Jerusalem earlier this month to... [uruknet.info] Iraq snapshot - June 10, 2011 Uruknet June 10, 2011 - Chaos and violence continue, protesters in Baghdad are attacked, Ahmed Chalabi and Nouri al-Maliki are engaged in a curious dance, some Sunni militia groups may be brought into the government, and more...."Government Security Forces assault a group of the Great Iraqi Revoution's Youth, beating them and cursing them with filthy language, as well as... America’s Next War Theater: Syria and Lebanon? Intifada-Palestine: 11 Jun 2011 - Washington’s War against the Resistance Bloc Lebanese Hezbollah supporters carry posters of (from R-L) Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Washington and its allies, Israel and the Al-Sauds, are taking advantage of... more In Saudi Arabia, Comedy Cautiously Pushes Limits New York Times 11 Jun 2011 - Young Saudis are producing comedy shows on YouTube and performing live, offering material that edges closer to being, well, edgy. [uruknet.info] Yemeni protesters celebrate Saleh's departure; surgery successful Uruknet June 5, 2011 - Protesters danced, sang and slaughtered cows in the central square of Yemen's capital Sunday to celebrate the departure of the country's authoritarian leader for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia after he was wounded in a rocket attack on his compound. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was taken to a military hospital in Riyadh, underwent... [uruknet.info] Iraq snapshot - June 3, 2011 Uruknet June 3, 2011 - June 3, 2011. Chaos and violence continue, Iraq is slammed by bombings, activists demonstrate in Baghdad's Tahrir Square despite intimidation efforts by security forces, Adam Kokesh gears up for his dance party, and more...Youth activists and others (including The Great Iraqi Revolution community) gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to honor the detainees lost in... [uruknet.info] Iraq snapshot - June 2, 2011 Uruknet June 2, 2011. Chaos and violence continue, Adam Kokesh prepares for the Dance Party this Saturday at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Iraqi government releases false totals for May (and the press doesn't say a word), the continued effects of Nancy Pelosi's decision to sell out the peace movement, and more...Since March 2010, a wave of assassinations and... AIPAC faces its nemesis Anayat Durrani, Washington, DC, Al-Ahram Weekly 5/26/2011 American Jews are leading the wake-up call to sever the "special relationship". From 21-24 May, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) met for its annual pow-wow in Washington DC to hear the likes of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama praise the intimate ties between the US and Israel. But this year, AIPAC critics gathered nearby for a counter-conference "Move Over AIPAC: Building a New US Middle East Policy". Their four-day event was organised by Code Pink: Women for Peace, endorsed by over 100 peace activist organisations, and featured workshops and cultural events to expose the role of the most powerful US lobby in skewing US foreign policy towards Israel in the Middle East. A group called Young, Jewish and Proud, the young adult wing of Jewish Voice for Peace, literally kicked off the Move Over AIPAC event with a flash mob in Union Station and a rousing performance of the "Horah" folk dance. They sang the lyrics "Justice is dying, AIPAC is lying, Buying Congress with their cash, All opposing views they bash, Move over AIPAC! Move over move over, for a free Palestine" to the tune of "Hava Nagila". Since the Israel lobby equates legitimate criticism of Israel's human rights violations with anti-semitism, American Jews took a prominent role in Move Over AIPAC. "Time and again, AIPAC has used the experiences and heritage of the Jewish people as a cover for their support of Israel's repressive policies and violations of international law," said Hanna King, a leader of Young, Jewish, and Proud.... more.. e-mail Freedom Theatre without Juliano Alternative Information Center - Several weeks after the murder of actor and political activist Juliano Mer-Khamis , members of the Jenin refugee camp theatre were convinced the project will survive on the path blazed by Mer-Khamis and expand the importance of... Israeli theater group cancels play in Antalya over protest fear Palestine Note 24 May 2011 - Hurriyet Daily News - A leading Israeli theater company was forced to cancel a scheduled performance in Antalya on Sunday due to Turkish protesters’ plans to disrupt the play, an Israeli official has said. (Please visit the site to view... Award-winning American journalist brings his Mideast play to a tough crowd in Israel Palestine Note 24 May 2011 - Washington Post- Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist Lawrence Wright stood before an Israeli theater audience with a modest goal: To hold up a mirror to Israelis and show them why he’s concerned about the future of their region. (Please visit the... The President Goes AIPACing Intifada-Palestine: 23 May 2011 - by Dr. Lawrence Davidson Part I – Doing the Domestic Political Dance President Obama addressed the Zionist lobby AIPAC on 22 May 2011, just four days after his major televised 19 May address on the Middle East. In that earlier speech... more Top Israel theater company cancels Turkey show Ha'aretz - The move comes after Israeli embassy in Turkey advises Cameri Theater to cancel performances at international theater festival. To Israel: The Palestinians are Coming! The Palestinians are Coming! Tikun Olam - Apologies to all you youngsters out there who don’t remember the hilarious comedy spoof of the 1970s starring Alan Arkin and an amazing cast, The Russians are Coming ! The Russian are Coming! The plot revolved around a Russian submarine which runs aground on the New England... Qalqiliya: A Day at the Zoo Palestine Chronicle: 20 May 2011 - By Stephen Williams It's the little things that distinguish the longest military occupation in modern history; the minor inconveniences, the trivial acts of spite, the Kafkaesque bureaucracy, its sheer silliness. There we were, a Palestinian family and their UK guest on the way from Ramallah to Qalqilya. For the children, it was to be a day at the zoo in the park; for me, it was the opportunity to see the ”bottle” in which Qalqiliya exists , and to pass through its “neck”, surrounded by illegal settlements - a situation that is manifestly bizarre but tolerated by the rest of the world. The young IDF soldier, emerging from an unexpected checkpoint not far from Nablus, was to play his part in this Theatre of Absurdities. My presence intrigued him. “Where do you live?” he asked. He was delighted to learn that I was a Londoner; “I’m from London too,” he said....more Connecting kids to theater Jeruslalem Post 19 May 2011 - Tomorrow's culture consumers are being well cared for at this year's Israel Festival for Children at Holon's Mediatheque center. MIDEAST: When Talks Fail, Try Belly Dance IPS "Hop-a-li, Hop-a-la!" On the stage of the Arab-Hebrew Theatre established in the ancient Arab port of the vibrant Jewish metropolis, a troupe of Israeli men and women interlaces, belly dancing to a frenetic Hafla tune. Contemporary dance takes Ramallah by storm Palestine Monitor - Palestine Monitor speaks with the UK's Akram Khan Company on their recent performance in Ramallah. - In Focus / 4th-col-1st-article , Culture , Video Contemporary dance takes Ramallah by storm Palestine Monitor: 18 May 2011 - Palestine Monitor speaks with the UK's Akram Khan Company on their recent performance in Ramallah. - In Focus / 4th-col-1st-article , Culture , Videomore “Khadra, Za’al & Green Apple” theatrical performances at camps in Jordan Relief Web 16 May 2011 - Source: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Country: Jordan , occupied Palestinian territory UNRWA adopts a comprehensive approach in providing services to Palestine refugees Amman - UNRWA’s health programme is using interactive theatre to communicate... Obama and the Palestinians Ghada Karmi, CounterPunch 5/14/2011 Western Obsessions Pondering Osama Bin Laden's killing on 1 May, I found myself linking that event to another that took place 63 years ago in Palestine. It was not that Palestinians ever supported Bin Laden significantly, although some of his messages resonated with them. For example, in October 2010, he wrote to French citizens, "how is it right for you to occupy our countries and kill our women and children and expect to live in peace and security?" Any oppressed Palestinian suffering under Israel's occupation in the West Bank or Gaza could have written that too without ever endorsing any of Bin Laden's crimes. Bin Laden took on the cause of Palestine in the 1980s, but especially after the 1991 Gulf War. However, it was not this but rather the parallels I saw between the two situations that struck a chord. For those in New York and Washington who were jubilantly celebrating in the wake of Bin Laden's killing, the issue had nothing to do with Palestine. For them, a man who had masterminded the attacks of 11 September 2001 -- that came to be known simply as 9/11 -- and caused such pain and suffering had received his just desserts. None of the revellers paused to ask whether this was a legal action commensurate with the much-vaunted US promotion of democracy and the rule of law. It was not. The killing was no less than a summary execution in which the US played judge, jury, executioner and funeral director, with no accountability to anyone. The hasty disposal of Bin Laden's body in the sea before anyone could see it or verify what had really happened was neither Islamic nor lawful. Pakistan, which was the theatre where America's battle with Bin Laden was played out, and which should have been the main actor, was relegated to the role of incompetent bystander instead, unable to resist American demands. more.. e-mail CUNY reverses decision withholding honor from Kushner over anti-Israel views Ha'aretz - Following backlash, executive committee of CUNY board rescinds earlier decision and grant honorary degree to playwright Tony Kushner, the New York Times reports. Tony Kushner's honour restored by university board's unanimous vote The Guardian 9 May 2011 - City University of New York board overturns attempt to block prize-winning playwright's award because of his views on Israel The trustees board of the City University of New York (CUNY) brought to an end an embarrassing... Tony Kushner snub over 'anti-Israel' views reconsidered by university The Guardian 9 May 2011 - City University of New York committee attempts to repair damage done by veto of playwright's honorary degree The trustees of the City University of New York (CUNY) are meeting on Monday night to try to repair... Tony Kushner row deepens as supporters renounce honorary degrees The Guardian 9 May 2011 - Pulitzer-winner playwright was removed from honour list for his critical views on Israel after CUNY trustee lobbied against him A row over the decision by a leading New York university to refuse playwright Tony Kushner an... Report: CUNY to rescind decision withholding honor from Kushner over anti-Israel views Ha'aretz - Following backlash, executive committee of CUNY board will nix earlier decision and grant honorary degree to playwright Tony Kushner, the New York Times reports. Tony Kushner and the changing discourse on Israel in the US Jerry Haber, +972 Magazine 5/7/2011 Acclaimed playwright was denied an honorary degrees from CUNY due to his views on Israel, but the decision generated a fierce backlash Tony Kushner believes that Israel engaged in ethnic cleansing at the founding of the state. He is an advisory board member of Jewish Voice for Peace, which has shown solidarity with the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, a movement that has been painted by its critics as aiming to destroy the State of Israel. JVP has endorsed a partial BDS campaign, focusing on the settlements. Kushner says that he opposes BDS, but he supports (and has gathered support for) the Israeli artist boycott of the settlement Ariel, together with other distinguished artists in this country. This partial boycott is taboo in the organized Jewish community and is not endorsed by the liberal Zionist group, J Street. Because of Kushner’s views, Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, a CUNY trustee, who views himself as moderate on Israel, willing to support honorary degrees to moderate critics of Israel, opposed awarding Kushner an honorary degree. The other trustees, not wishing to engage in controversy, and probably looking at their watches, voted to table (in the US, that means to postpone) a decision on Kushner, effectively denying him the award this year. The only people who have rallied so far to Wiesenfeld’s support have been hardline rightwingers like Jonathan Tobin of Commentary and Andrea Levin of CAMERA. Liberal hawks like Jeffrey Goldberg have blasted Wiesenfeld, and former New York mayor Ed Koch, who once was liberal, has called upon Wiesenfeld to resign from the Board of Trustees. And the New York Times has, in effect, started a campaign on behalf of Mr. Kushner. more.. e-mail The malaise behind CUNY's affront to Tony Kushner | Sarah Wildman The Guardian 6 May 2011 - CUNY's withdrawal of Kushner's honorary degree exposes the widening rift within American Jewry over attitudes to Israel Tony Kushner may be many things. An American playwright. An instigator. A prodder. A gay man. A Jew. What... Tony Kushner's degree snub puts playwrights in their place The Guardian 6 May 2011 - Academia should be a bastion of intellectual freedom, but this retraction shows writers are expected to keep the status quo Playwrights who speak out often suffer a backlash. It happened to Harold Pinter in Britain, and... University snub for 'anti-Israel' playwright Tony Kushner The Guardian 5 May 2011 - Honorary degree planned by John Jay College is vetoed by pro-Israeli trustee at City University of New York A row has broken out at a leading New York university because its board blocked a decision to... Kushner fears damage to his reputation Mondoweiss - One of the most important aspects of the Tony Kushner story is the great fear that CUNY's decision has created in the playwright about potential damage to his reputation. As he wrote to CUNY administrators, "I believe I am owed an apology for the careless way... CUNY trustees dishonor academic freedom in Tony Kushner snub Muzzlewatch - Fresh off a failed attempt to fire a Brooklyn college professor for not properly toeing the line on Israel , CUNY Board of Trustees member Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld chose a much higher-profile target: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner. Wiesenfeld, who is a repeat abuser of his power... A little comedy from the AP Neged Neshek - The Associated Press reported the following a few days ago: Brazil’s first unmanned anti-drug surveillance plane has sat on the ground since it arrived from Israel more than a month ago because of a lack of fuel. Federal police say no company has bid to supply... Tony Kushner denied CUNY honorary degree over views on Israel Mondoweiss - The City University of New York has rejected a honorary degree for playwright Tony Kushner after a member of its board of trustees, Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld , objected to Kushner's criticism of Israel. The Jewish Week reports on the board of trustees meeting this week where the... Dignity in Laughter Palestine Note 28 Apr 2011 - A good comedian is like a funhouse mirror: reflecting an amusingly exaggerated image of human behavior that makes audiences take a harder look at themselves. In times of heightened societal tensions and dramatic changes, this carnival attraction becomes an integral... Iraq culture chief, top cop escape assassination Daily Star 27 Apr 2011 Iraq’s top theater and film official narrowly escaped assassination Wednesday when a magnetic sticky bomb affixed to his car detonated shortly after he parked it. To Juliano and Vittorio with love Lamis Andoni, Al Jazeera, Israeli Occupation Archive 4/25/2011 The deaths of the two activists reveal a small but hugely destructive deformity in Palestinian society. Juliano Mer-Khamis and Vittorio Arrigoni were humanists who believed in the struggle of the Palestinian people. They braved the Israeli occupation and were prepared to sacrifice their lives for freedom. But unlike International Solidarity Movement (ISM) activists Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall, who were murdered by Israeli occupation forces as they tried to shield Palestinian families, Juliano and Vittorio were killed by members of the Palestinian communities they had come to know and trust. The first killed by unknown, presumably Palestinian, assailants; the second by Palestinian fanatics. On April 4, masked gunmen shot Juliano in front of the Freedom Theatre he had founded in the Jenin refugee camp. Ten days later Vittorio, an ISM activist, was abducted and later found strangled to death in an apartment in the Gaza Strip. Solidarity activists have traditionally been embraced, virtually adopted even, by their host communities. That they should be killed by those they were trying to defend generated shockwaves that reached deep into the heart of Palestinian communities across the world. Many Palestinians would like to believe that the two men were killed by Israeli collaborators. After all it is Israel - which has never hidden its distaste for activists, whether Israeli or otherwise – that benefits the most from intimidating members of the solidarity movement. -- See also: Source more.. e-mail Arrigoni, Mer-Khamis to receive Jerusalem honors Palestine Note 25 Apr 2011 - Ma’an - President Mahmoud Abbas announced Sunday that he would award the Jerusalem Medal of Honor to murdered Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni and slain Freedom Theater director Juliano Mer-Khamis. Family members of both men will be presented with the medals... Letters: Inspiring theatre must take risks The Guardian 25 Apr 2011 - Conal Urquhart gives the impression that Juliano Mer Khamis was an unpopular, quixotic outsider, disliked by most and hated by some, and a victim of irreconcilable cultural differences ( A killing inspired by drama not politics , 22... My travels: Mark Thomas on walking Israel's West Bank barrier The Guardian 22 Apr 2011 - Comedian Mark Thomas found his idea of rambling along the Israeli barrier in the West Bank even more fraught than it sounds The dubious honour of being the first person to walk the length of Israel's... Tearful April Mornings Palestine Chronicle: 22 Apr 2011 - By Hatim Kanaaneh 'April is the cruelest month.' -- T. S. Eliot. In rural Palestine we belittle men who cry. Only women let their tears flow freely. It is considered less than manly. Real men are stoic and conceal their pain, physical as well as emotional. At least in public, I try to conform to the dictates of village culture in matters that do not impinge greatly on my personal freedom. Perhaps that is why I rarely attend funerals in Arrabeh. But also I attend few weddings. Now that the village is large enough for weddings and/or funerals to be daily occurrences I avoid both extremes of village social interactions. Instead I celebrate and grieve privately on YouTube, enjoying a daily portion of Arabic song and dance on or commiserating with fellow peace and justice seekers on our various cyberspace powwows. A rural tradition I have come to observe recently...more Irish medical delegation in Gaza 4/21/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Irish medics visited a hospital in Gaza Thursday, to prepare the ground for medical operations there by Irish doctors, delegation organizers said. The group of medics, headed by an orthopedic surgeon from Galway in the West of Ireland, toured neonatal and intensive care departments, outpatient clinics, and operating theaters at.... Murder of Vittorio Arrigoni and the Israeli Press Alternative Information Center - As expected, the Israeli press did not pass on the opportunity to dance on the blood of Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian activist with the International Solidarity Movement who was murdered in Gaza last week. No Israeli... Russia's Medvedev shows off 'dated' dance moves Jeruslalem Post 20 Apr 2011 - Moving to beat of 90s pop hit "American Boy" and sporting silver jacket with open collar, Russian president's performance becomes YouTube hit. PA: No suspects held in Mer-Khamis murder 4/20/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The killer of Israeli-Palestinian theater director Juliano Mer-Khamis has not been found, Palestinian Authority security officials said Tuesday. PA security services spokesman Adnan Dmeiri said investigations were ongoing into the fatal shooting of Mer-Khamis in Jenin refugee camp on April 4, clarifying statements made Monday by President Mahmoud Abbas on Al-Arabiya.... Related: Abbas: Suspect questioned in Mer-Khamis murder Bethlehem memorial for slain international activists 4/19/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Officials in Deisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem announced Monday plans to unveil a memorial statue honoring four activists slain in the course of their service to Palestine. A day in solidarity with the "martyrs of humanity" was declared for Wednesday for slain activists Vittorio Arrigoni, theater director Juliano Mer-Khmais, solidarity activist.... Abbas: Suspect questioned in Mer-Khamis murder 4/19/2011 - AMMAN, Jordan (Ma'an) -- Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Israeli-Palestinian theater director Juliano Mer-Khamis in Jenin two weeks ago, President Mahmoud Abbas told Al-Arabiya satellite channel Monday night. Abbas gave no details as to the identity of the suspect, who he said was being interrogated. The president did.... Related: PA: No suspects held in Mer-Khamis murder Ready. Aim. Inspire. Palestine Monitor - The room buzzed with anticipation as the hosts, comedian Jamil Abu Wardeh and International Solidarity Movement co-founder Huwaida Arraf entered the stage to welcome the audience to the first TEDxRamallah this last Saturday in Bethlehem. The slogan for the event was “Ready. Aim. Inspire.” And so... Ready. Aim. Inspire. Palestine Monitor: 18 Apr 2011 - The room buzzed with anticipation as the hosts, comedian Jamil Abu Wardeh and International Solidarity Movement co-founder Huwaida Arraf entered the stage to welcome the audience to the first TEDxRamallah this last Saturday in Bethlehem. The slogan for the event was “Ready. Aim. Inspire.” And so speakers and artists from all over the world - most with Palestinian roots or a experience working in Palestine - came to do just that. Moviemakers, authors, engineers, singers, architects and others took the stage to spread ideas and inspiration to the people in the audience physically or digitally, watching live via the web. Among the speakers were: Steve Sosebee, founder of Palestine Children's Fund, who introduced six-year old cancer survivor Ola who brightens up the room with a “grazie”; architect, writer and Palestinian refugee Suad Amiry celebrated her 60th birthday at TEDx, joking about her dog's Israeli passport, and how humor can be...more Lauren Booth´s “The intellectual intifada under attack” In Gaza: 17 Apr 2011 - excerpts from Lauren Booth on the killing of Vik : The killing of Vittorio (Vik) Arrigoni in Gaza this week follows (too) closely, the murder of pro-Palestinian peace activist Juliano Mer Khamis in the West Bank. Juliano, 52, was shot dead outside the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp on the West Bank on the 4th April. His documentary Arnas’s Children detailed the work of his mother in helping Palestinian children deal with the trauma of living under Occupation through the use of drama and self – expression. Juliano was untimely, bloody, end was one he had predicted three years ago on Israeli television. Vittorio Arrigoni was found, this week, hung, by armed ‘fanatics’ in an apartment in Gaza. An end he would never, ever, have predicted. There was worldwide condemnation for the killing of both men. That a man dedicated to non violent resistance should die in violence is bad...more Vittorio and Israel's Attack on the Intellectual Intifada Palestine Chronicle: 17 Apr 2011 - By Lauren Booth The killing of Vittorio (Vik) Arrigoni in Gaza this week follows (too) closely, the murder of pro-Palestinian peace activist Juliano Mer Khamis in the West Bank. Juliano, 52, was shot dead outside the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp on the West Bank on the 4th April. His documentary Arnas’s Children detailed the work of his mother in helping Palestinian children deal with the trauma of living under Occupation through the use of drama and self – expression. Juliano untimely, bloody, end was one he had predicted three years ago on Israeli television. Vittorio Arrigoni was found, this week, hung, by armed ‘fanatics’ in an apartment in Gaza. An end he would never, ever, have predicted. There was worldwide condemnation for the killing of both men. For friends of Vik, touched forever by his deep, smile filled voice, the pain of loss is made more acute by...more Netanyahu's Plan: A New Spin to an Old Dance? Uruknet April 15, 2011 - Over the past few months it has become disturbingly clear that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has neither a clear vision for Israel’s future nor any meaningful diplomatic strategy he can implement. It appears that the international community sits and watches as Israel’s government perpetuates a militaristic, racist, neo-colonialist policy. Yet, some members of... Netanyahu’s plan: A new spin to an old dance? Mikail Jubran, Ma’an News Agency 4/16/2011 Over the past few months it has become disturbingly clear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has neither a clear vision for Israel's future nor any meaningful diplomatic strategy he can implement. It appears that the international community sits and watches as Israel’s government perpetuates a militaristic, racist, neo-colonialist policy. Yet, some members of Israel’s polity have finally realized that Israel no longer has the privilege of sitting around and doing nothing. They have seen that Netanyahu has enveloped himself within a web of arduous ideological and political constraints. Now he may be seeking to extricate himself from these shackles. When he arrives in the United States in the coming weeks, Netanyahu may just effect a public relations coup if he is granted the opportunity to address a joint session of the US congress from whose podium he will hatch Israel’s latest scheme for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Such an opportunity certainly underscores the power of the pro-Israeli congressional clique and the notorious Israeli lobby AIPAC. Netanyahu knows quite well that being able to address the US congress is one of the greatest media coups one can achieve. We may ask, what is up Netanyahu's sleeve? Is he attempting to reshuffle the cards in a losing game? On the face of it, it may appear to be one serious gamble – or a very distasteful farce. more.. e-mail Stay Human Palestine Monitor: 16 Apr 2011 - "Nothing that we write can capture the man who was so full of the joy of life, a man with the pipe in his mouth and the captain's hat always tilted at an angle on his head," wrote The Steering Committee for the Freedom Flotilla. "The man with the big smile and gentle nature, someone who used his physical strength to hold small children in his arms, sometimes several at a time. His laughter and his last comments every time we saw him will ring in all of our ears as we board the boats to return to Gaza at the end of May. "'Stay Human,' he would say, then grin and clench his pipe in his teeth." Just a week after Palestine and the international community was rocked by the brutal murder of Freedom Theater director Juliano Mer-Khamis , Vittorio Arrigoni was found dead by Hamas officials. Kidnapped on April...more Netanyahu’s Plan: A New Spin to an Old Dance? PNN - By Mikail Jubran - Over the past few months it has become disturbingly clear that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has neither a clear vision for Israel’s future nor any meaningful diplomatic... Serious kids' stuff Jeruslalem Post 14 Apr 2011 - As today’s children become more sophisticated, the Haifa International Festival for Children’s Theater strives to keep up with them. NETANYAHU’S PLAN: A NEW SPIN TO AN OLD DANCE? Intifada-Palestine: 15 Apr 2011 - Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu by: Mikail Jubran Over the past few months it has become disturbingly clear that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has neither a clear vision for Israel’s future nor any meaningful diplomatic strategy he can implement. It appears... more Mourning Juliano Mer-Khamis Jeff Halper, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, International Solidarity Movement 4/7/2011 The ICAHD family mourns the tragic slaying of Juliano Mer-Khamis The ICAHD family mourns the tragic slaying by masked gunmen of our friend and comrade Juliano Mer-Khamis in Jenin. Juliano was a major figure in the struggle for a just peace and the forging of a new multi-cultural society in Palestine/Israel based on human rights, freedom, equality and, not least, creative, critical expression. Juliano, filmmaker, actor, and the co-founder and director of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin, supported the work of ICAHD and frequently attended our summer rebuilding camp in the West Bank, showing his films to our activists and sharing his thoughts and vision. That vision was of a bi-national society, although Juliano was far too critical to confine himself to “Jewish-Israeli-Palestinian” dichotomies. As a man of the theatre as well as a political figure driven to forge a better society against sectarian forces who sought only to divide and dominate, he opened issues of equality, gender, religion, and individual expression, bringing young people – his “actors” – into experiential encounters with them. This may have cost him his life; in both the societies in which he lived, Israeli and Palestinian, the conflict has not only suffocated equal rights and individualism by group-think sectarianism, but has legitimized the use of violence against anyone envisioning unfettered pluralism. Juliano did not allow fear or pressures to shut him up, but it is having its effects on all of us. Liberals and even those of the critical left are hunkering down; many of Israel and Palestine’s brightest young people are fleeing. The ones that envision and work for a just society are decreasing among us. The loss of one of the bravest, one of the most energetic, articulate, and creative among us, the symbol of what might be, is a cruel blow, not only to his family, to whom our condolences go, but to the rest of us who must struggle on without him. No, not “without him,” since Juliano will always inspire and guide us..... -- See also: Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions more.. e-mail Netanyahu's Plan: A New Spin to an Old Dance? Palestine Chronicle: 15 Apr 2011 - By Mikail Jubran Over the past few months it has become disturbingly clear that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has neither a clear vision for Israel’s future nor any meaningful diplomatic strategy he can implement. It appears that the international community sits and watches as Israel’s government perpetuates a militaristic, racist, neo-colonialist policy. Yet, some members of Israel’s polity have finally realized that Israel no longer has the privilege of sitting around and doing nothing. They have seen that Netanyahu has enveloped himself within a web of arduous ideological and political constraints. Now he may be seeking to extricate himself from these shackles. When he arrives in the United States in the coming weeks, Netanyahu may just effect a public relations coup if he is granted the opportunity to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress from whose podium he will hatch Israel’s latest scheme for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Such...more Mourners demand justice for slain theater director 4/14/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Mourners of slain actor and director Juliano Mer-Khamis will meet with President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday, delivering a petition ahead of a planned sit-in, calling for protection of Jenin's Freedom Theater. Mer-Khamis, director of the theater, was assassinated by unknown gunmen driving a Palestinian-plated vehicle outside of the Freedom.... Still no arrest in West Bank theatre murder Palestine Note 14 Apr 2011 - Ma'an - Nine days after an Israeli-Palestinian theatre director was murdered in the West Bank, police have yet to make an arrest, a Palestinian security official said on Wednesday. A former militant was taken in for questioning shortly after the... Nabil Sawalha, Jordan's veteran comedian poking fun at authority for 40 years The National 14 Apr 2011 - Through his comedy Sawalha has helped move forward the discussion of the kind of social issues, such as government corruption, that have led to Jordan's anti-government protests. Walking the wall: Comedian Mark Thomas interviewed Electronic Intifada: 14 Apr 2011 - Comedian Mark Thomas walked the full 723 kilometer route of Israel's wall in the occupied West Bank, encountering Palestinians and settlers and getting detained along the way.more Still no arrest in West Bank theatre murder 4/13/2011 - JENIN (AFP) -- Nine days after an Israeli-Palestinian theatre director was murdered in the West Bank, police have yet to make an arrest, a Palestinian security official said on Wednesday. A former militant was taken in for questioning shortly after the April 4 shooting of Juliano Mer-Khamis in Jenin refugee camp, but he was released after.... A remembrance of Juliano Mer-Khamis Palestine Note 13 Apr 2011 - Julian Schnabel, Foreign Policy - Last year millions of parents and children around the world lined up at movie theaters to see Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland . For most, it was a fun escape from reality. In the city... Mer Khamis murder: Palestinians must reinforce freedom of expression Aziz Abu Sarah, +972 Magazine 4/12/2011 The murder of Juliano Mer Khamis was a national tragedy for Palestinians that drew shock and outrage. However, it is imperative that we learn from this horrific event that the rights to freedom of art and expression must be protected and upheld at all costs. Since the beginning of the Palestinian struggle for freedom, artists have played a vital role in Palestinian society. Palestinian artists have helped create community for Palestinians in diaspora, and have drawn international attention to the Palestinian cause. Palestinian artists have also inspired resistance at home, taking leadership roles in every Palestinian intifada. From Ibrahim Tokan to Mahmoud Darwish, Palestinian poets and writers have provided a motivating force for thousands of activists, to the extent that their influence has frequently attracted the attention and retaliation of Israel. Ghassan Kanafani is perhaps the most well-known Palestinian writer to be assassinated by Israel in 1972 because of his writing and involvement in the Popular Front. However, despite the political differences between Palestinian writers and despite internally criticizing Palestinian society, there was an unwritten code that no Palestinian faction should harm a Palestinian artist. Except for a few rare exceptions, this red line was respected: interfering with the freedom of expression of Palestinian artists was always a red line that was not to be crossed. In the recent years, however, the Palestinian community has increasingly faced threats against the freedom of art. Academics have been attacked and even in some cases fired because of their political and religious beliefs. The Freedom Theater in Jenin was torched twice. In 2007, Hamas Minister of Education Naser El-Shaer decided to ban a Palestinian cultural book from school libraries because of references to sexual issues. The attempt failed, though, when thousands of educators demonstrated the decision and El-Shaer was forced to change his decision. The red line was shaken, but remained in place. more.. e-mail Juliano Mer-Khamis obituary The Guardian 11 Apr 2011 - Palestinian-Israeli actor, activist and theatre director with a global reputation The Palestinian-Israeli actor Juliano Mer-Khamis, who has been shot dead at the age of 52, was a successful stage and screen performer, film-maker and activist, widely... Friends mourn Juliano Mer-Khamis, the Palestinian-Israeli who used drama to foster peace The Guardian 9 Apr 2011 - The actor created a theatre in Jenin but was killed for his ideals He had feared for his life in the past, but Juliano Mer-Khamis foresaw no danger when he carried his one-year-old son, Jay, to... Juliano Mer-Khamis: 'Any artistic activity has elements of therapy, of healing' - video The Guardian 9 Apr 2011 - The Israeli-Palestinian director and Freedom Theatre founder, who was murdered in the West Bank city of Jenin last week, talks about the importance of drama as a means of coping with Israeli occupation Mustafa Khalili Israeli Forces Raid Freedom Theater in Jenin WAFA Reason Magazine on LA protest against Islamophobia Jewish Voice for Peace - I was surprised, however, to find that the demonstrators’ claim about the Ground Zero Mosque and School of Dance was accurate. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which funds the Museum of Tolerance, did oppose the Park51 development back when that issue was still in the headlines. I’d... Jenin militant charged over theater director murder Palestine Note 7 Apr 2011 - Ma'an- Police in Jenin have charged a former Al-Aqsa Brigades militant with the murder of an Israeli-Palestinian theatre director, security sources said Wednesday. Palestinian police arrested Mujahed Qaniri on Monday, just hours after a masked gunman shot dead Juliano Mer-Khamis,... Juliano Mer-Khamis: the man who died for theatre The Guardian 7 Apr 2011 - The peace activist gunned down in front of the venue he helped found in the West Bank reminds us of the true value of the arts Last October, the European Theatre Convention organised a visit to... Jenin’s Freedom Theater Founder Shot Dead WAFA Remember – A Poem Palestine Chronicle: 7 Apr 2011 - (In memory of Juliano Mer Khamis) By Remi Kanazi our paths never crossed work mind ideology daily I’m sure artist teacher director advocate intellect father son funny man much more 5 bullets casings on the floor blood painting the pavement masked gunman gone people chattering fingers pointing Israeli media and politicians sharpening knives won’t let him rest five minutes before digging in for points serving an agenda he fought daily won’t let his kids process breathe mourn break down gasp for breath don’t know what runs through someone’s veins before that trigger is pulled what excuse what idea allowed oxygen to enter that motion wanted to meet you shake hands share coffee say keep working it is appreciated it is loved it is felt now rest in peace rest assured your memory will be a theater open nights until justice is served freedom is brought and a stage is set...more Palestinian police charge former fighter with murder of Israeli peacemaker IMEMC - Wednesday April 06, 2011 - 20:18, The police force of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank arrested a man Tuesday who was identified by eyewitnesses as the masked man who shot well-known Israeli-Palestinian peacemaker, actor and theatre director Juliano Meir-Khamis on Monday. Jenin militant charged over theater director murder 4/6/2011 - JENIN (AFP) -- Police in Jenin have charged a former Al-Aqsa Brigades militant with the murder of an Israeli-Palestinian theatre director, security sources said Wednesday. Palestinian police arrested Mujahed Qaniri on Monday, just hours after a masked gunman shot dead Juliano Mer-Khamis, director of The Freedom Theatre in the refugee camp in this northern West Bank.... Murdered theater director laid to rest 4/7/2011 - TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian director of a West Bank theater who was murdered on Tuesday was buried Wednesday at the kibbutz Ramot Manashe cemetery. Juliano Mer-Khamis was to be buried next to his mother Arna, the Israeli news site Ynet reported. Palestinian youths who study at the Freedom Theater were given.... Egypt turmoil hits Cairo nightlife Palestine Note 6 Apr 2011 - Al-Aribaya - After hours spinning the latest hip-hop and trance hits, DJ Sugar loses enthusiasm, turns off the music and surveys a nightclub dance floor that has been bare for weeks. Egypt's political turmoil has dealt a blow to nightlife... Palestinian Israeli Actor Slain Palestine Note 5 Apr 2011 - Well known director of Freedom Theater likely the victim of pre-meditated killing by Palestinian militants Al Jazeera - A masked gunman has shot dead a well-known Arab Israeli actor, director and political activist in the West Bank town of Jenin... ‘He represented beautiful, terrible things about country' Jeruslalem Post 6 Apr 2011 - Hundreds bid farewell to actor and theater director Juliano Mer-Khamis, gunned to death in Jenin. Keeping it in the family Jeruslalem Post 6 Apr 2011 - This week, Israel's preeminent flamenco couple is debuting its latest work, ‘Mi Alborado,’ which combines traditional Spanish dance and music with contemporary emotions. Democracy Now! on Julian’s death The Only Democracy? JVP2 6 Apr 2011 - Democracy Now? asked us to repost their interview with Nabeel Raee, director of the Acting School at the Jenin Freedom Theatre and Constancia “Dinky” Romilly. She is the founder and president of the board of the New York-based Friends of Jenin Freedom Theatre. They are speaking of the death... Shock in Jenin after theater director's murder 4/6/2011 - JENIN (AFP) -- Jenin refugee camp was in shock on Tuesday after the brutal murder of its theater director, with co-workers refusing to believe he was killed for his work. Juliano Mer-Khamis, a well-known actor and theater director born of Jewish and Palestinian parents, died on Monday when a gunman opened fire on his car as.... Thousands expected for commemoration of slain director 4/5/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Jenin Freedom Theater director Juliano Mer-Khamis will be buried on Wednesday, in Kibbutz Ramot Menashe, following three funeral processions in Haifa, Jenin and Ramallah on Tuesday morning. Hours after the artist was gunned down in his car outside of the theater in the Jenin refugee camp, some 50 Palestinian artists and.... Palestinians memorialize slain Arab-Israeli actor Palestine Note 5 Apr 2011 - Washington Post - Scores of tearful Palestinians held a memorial service Tuesday for a popular Israeli-Arab actor who was shot dead outside the theater he founded, and his business partner said the theater would press forward with its work despite... Arab Israeli Actor Slain Palestine Note 5 Apr 2011 - Well known director of Freedom Theater likely the victim of pre-meditated killing by Palestinian militants Al Jazeera - A masked gunman has shot dead a well-known Arab Israeli actor, director and political activist in the West Bank town of Jenin... Jenin Mourns Freedom Theatre Founder Juliano Mer-Khamis PNN - Jenin – PNN - Residents of Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, along with community leaders and officials, gathered on Tuesday at the Freedom Theatre to mourn Juliano Mer-Khamis. Juliano... Two Workers Injured in Gaza, 11 West Bankers Arrested as Troops Raid the Freedom Theater PNN - Gaza – PNN – Two Palestinian workers were injured when Israeli tanks fired shells at them near the northern Gaza–Israeli borders on Tuesday morning. Palestinian medics announced that tanks shelling made it... Palestinians, Israelis Mourn Murder of Artist Activist Juliano Mer Khamis Alternative Information Center - Juliano Mer-Khamis, director of the Freedom Theatre in the West Bank city of Jenin, was shot dead Monday, 4 April. The 52-year-old was sitting in his car in the Jenin Refugee Camp, when masked gunmen shot... Interview with the late Juliano Mer-Khamis: "We are freedom fighters" Uruknet April 5, 2011 - Actor-director Juliano Mer-Khamis was shot dead by a masked gunman yesterday outside the Freedom Theatre that he co-founded in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin in 2006. Born in Nazareth in 1958 to Saliba Khamis, a Palestinian Christian leader of the Israeli Communist Party, and Arna Mer, an Israeli Jewish dramatist, Juliano memorably described... Juliano Mer-Khamis murdered in Jenin’s Freedom Theater Uruknet April 4, 2011 - Juliano Mer-Khamis, the 54-year old founder of The Freedom Theater in Jenin, was murdered today by unknown assailants. He was shot five times in his car outside the theater he founded with former Al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade military leader Zakariya Zubeidi. Mer-Khamis was in Ramallah last night at the Al Kasaba Theater for the opening... Interactive theater helps women explore taboos of domestic violence Daily Star 5 Apr 2011 BEIRUT: Ten Palestinian and Lebanese women who took part in a course on interactive theater techniques to address domestic violence were given their diplomas during a graduation ceremony at the UNESCO Palace Tuesday. The course, sponsored... The Freedom Theater Palestine Monitor - In his own words, Julian Mer-Khamis describes his innovative project in Jenin called The Freedom Theater in this short documentary. A collaboration of donkeysaddle Productions and Friends of The Jenin Freedom Theater. donkeysaddle Projects Juliano Mer-Khamis' Last Freedom Theater Palestine Monitor - Photographs by Lazar Simeonov. Juliano Mer-Khamis founded the Freedom Theater in Jenin and led it until his tragic murder today . His influence as an artist and an activist resounds throughout Palestine and the world. His last show with The Freedom Theater was a dark and kaleidoscopic... Juliano Mer-Khamis murdered in Jenin's Freedom Theater Palestine Monitor - Juliano Mer-Khamis, the 54-year old founder of The Freedom Theater in Jenin, was murdered today by unknown assailants. He was shot five times in his car outside the theater he founded with former Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade military leader Zakariya Zubeidi. Mer-Khamis was in Ramallah last... Juliano Mer-Khamis: Taken Too Soon Yousef, The Jerusalem Fund 4/5/2011 Shocking news broke this morning about the murder of Juliano Mer-Khamis in a refugee camp in Jenin where he lived. The 53 year-old apparently fell victim to masked gunmen who opened fire on his car. I met Juliano on a few occasions and his work and dedication for the Palestinian cause was remarkable. His loss will be tremendously felt. (Image right: Juliano working with Palestinian kids at the theater) I had first learned about Juliano through a movie about his mother Arna. The film, "Arna's Children," is the story of Arna Mer, an Israeli Jewish woman who served in the Israeli Palmach (Armored Brigades) only to marry a Palestinian man and dedicate her life to working with Palestinians. She opened a theater in Jenin's refugee camps which became a source of comfort and an arena for expression for countless refugee children. In the film about the theater and Arna's work, which was made by her son Juliano, Juliano returns to the camp after the intifada to find out what happened to the kids he remembered from the theater his mother established. Through interviewing those that remained, he found out many of them had been killed. To continue his mother's work and provide a creative space for Palestinian children, Juliano established the Jenin Freedom theater. Through his work, he gave voice to Palestinian children to express themselves through art. He was also a tireless advocate for Palestinian independence in his individual capacity. As a filmmaker, actor and artist, Juliano could have chosen to live in many places, but he spent a great deal of time living in the refugee camp of Jenin where he worked on the Freedom Theater. Ultimately, he gave his life there. more.. e-mail Goldstone’s Tawdry Turn, Israel’s False Dance of Vindication Tikun Olam - An Israeli reporter wrote to me today saying that Israel is “aflame” with the news that Judge Goldstone has finally given the nation the vindication it so richly deserved by renouncing his human rights report on Operation Cast Lead , which found that Israel may’ve committed numerous... Interview with the late Juliano Mer-Khamis: "We are freedom fighters" Electronic Intifada: 5 Apr 2011 - Actor-director Juliano Mer-Khamis was shot dead by a masked gunman yesterday outside the Freedom Theatre that he co-founded in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Maryam Monalisa Gharavi reflects on Mer-Khamis' art and excerpts from a previously unpublished interview she did with the artist in 2006.more The Freedom Theater Palestine Monitor: 5 Apr 2011 - In his own words, Julian Mer-Khamis describes his innovative project in Jenin called The Freedom Theater in this short documentary. A collaboration of donkeysaddle Productions and Friends of The Jenin Freedom Theater. donkeysaddle Projectsmore Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaker Killed By Masked Man In Jenin IMEMC - Tuesday April 05, 2011 - 00:26, Juliano Meir-Khamis, a well-known Israeli actor and co-director of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, was shot to death in his car Monday, just outside his Theatre in Jenin refugee camp, in the northern part of the West Bank. Meir-Khamis, the son of a Palestinian father and a Jewish-Israeli mother, lived in Jenin with his family for the last seven years. Founder shot dead outside Jenin theater 4/4/2011 - JENIN (Ma'an) -- Unknown assailants shot dead a founder of the Freedom Theater in Jenin outside the venue on Monday. Juliano Mer-Khamis, 52, was shot five times while leaving the theater, and died at Jenin Hospital, local security sources told a Ma'an correspondent. They said his body was handed to Israeli authorities.... Fayyad condemns murder of Freedom Theater founder 4/4/2011 - RAMALLAH (Ma'an) --Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Monday condemned the murder of Freedom Theater founder Juliano Mer-Khamis. Mer-Khamis was shot dead by unknown gunmen outside the theater in Jenin refugee camp on Monday afternoon."This despicable crime will not be tolerated under any circumstances, it constitutes a severe violation of our.... Related: Founder shot dead outside Jenin theater Israeli-Arab actor shot dead in West Bank AlJazeera 4 Apr 2011 - Juliano Mer-Khamis, prominent director and political activist, gunned down in Jenin where he ran a community theatre. 'Israeli actor's murder in Jenin most likely pre-meditated assassination' Ha'aretz - Zakariya Zubeidi, the Palestinian former militant who went on to co-manage the Freedom Theater with slain actor Juliano Mer-Khamis, tells Haaretz that the shooting was 'not a simple operation'. Palestinian PM condemns murder of Israeli actor Juliano Mer-Khamis in Jenin Ha'aretz - Mer-Khamis was shot five times by masked gunmen meters from the community theater he had opened in Jenin; Fayyad: We cannot stand silent in the face of this ugly crime. Kasaba Launches Al-Manara Theater Days WAFA The murder of Arna’s child Mondoweiss - Juliano Mer-Khamis made the movie Arna’s Children about his mother’s Jenin theatre company, the children he taught there when young, and what became of them. When I told my 21-year-old daughter Ana about Juliano’s death she could just not figure out why. She said more eloquently... Miral: A Palestinian disappointment Mondoweiss - I didn’t get a sneak preview nor was I among the VIPs who attended the premier of Miral at the UN General Assembly. I had to wait for its release in a nearby theatre, which luckily turned out to be only an hour away in Philadelphia.... Juliano Mer-Khamis' Last Freedom Theater Palestine Monitor: 4 Apr 2011 - Photographs by Lazar Simeonov. Juliano Mer-Khamis founded the Freedom Theater in Jenin and led it until his tragic murder today . His influence as an artist and an activist resounds throughout Palestine and the world. His last show with The Freedom Theater was a dark and kaleidoscopic romp through the looking glass of Lewis Carrol's Alice In Wonderland . Lazar Simeonov was there to photograph the Madhatter, the Red Queen and Mer-Khamis.more Juliano Mer-Khamis murdered in Jenin's Freedom Theater Palestine Monitor: 4 Apr 2011 - Juliano Mer-Khamis, the 54-year old founder of The Freedom Theater in Jenin, was murdered today by unknown assailants. He was shot five times in his car outside the theater he founded with former Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade military leader Zakariya Zubeidi. Mer-Khamis was in Ramallah last night at the Al Kasaba Theater for the opening The Chairs , a play he directed and acted in by French-Romanian playwright of Eugene Ionesco. From Israeli and Palestinian heritage, the Nazareth-born Mer-Khamis was famous for his art and activism, clashing with traditional society and the Israeli occupation. In honor of his life and work, The Palestine Monitor posts the film Arna's Children , a documentary about Mer-Khamis' mother and her struggle to fight Israeli and Palestinian injustice from the stage.more Miral: A Palestinian Disappointment Palestine Chronicle: 4 Apr 2011 - By Susan Abulhawa I didn’t get a sneak preview nor was I among the VIPs who attended the premier of Miral at the UN General Assembly. I had to wait for its release in a nearby theatre, which luckily turned out to be only an hour away in Philadelphia. That means I had read and heard plenty of reviews of the film before I actually watched it. They were mixed and varied reactions, but I think I was able to leave them outside the theatre before I entered so I could decide for myself. There was one thing, however, that I couldn’t leave at the door: my Palestinian-ness. So, I went in wanting to like the film. I was holding my breath hoping to see a compelling Palestinian narrative, told by a Palestinian woman who lived at Dar el Tifl, the orphanage where I too had spent years of my...more At NY’s Grand Central, Flash Mob Sings and Dances for Boycott of Israel WAFA Out and About: Top 10 things to do Jeruslalem Post 1 Apr 2011 - Dancer/choreographer and composer/pianist Gil Shohat have teamed up to produce a salute to both dance and Frederic Chopin, often called the greatest piano composer of musical history. For the Love of Egypt: When Besieged Palestinians Danced Uruknet March 31, 2011 - A dear friend of mine from Gaza told me that he hadn't slept for days. "I am so worried about Egypt, I have only been feeding on cigarettes and coffee." My friend and I talked for hours that day in early February. We talked about Tahrir Square, about the courage of ordinary Egyptians and about... Gaza Was Cairo, Egypt Was Palestine Ramzy Baroud, CounterPunch 4/1/2011 Both Peoples Were One A dear friend of mine from Gaza told me that he hadn’t slept for days. “I am so worried about Egypt, I have only been feeding on cigarettes and coffee.” My friend and I talked for hours that day in early February. We talked about Tahrir Square, about the courage of ordinary Egyptians and about Hosni Mubarak’s many attempts to co-opt the people’s revolution. We were so consumed by the turmoil in Egypt that neither of us even mentioned Gaza. The siege on Gaza – and on the whole of Palestine - is a constant factor that unites most Palestinians. However, the genuine solidarity that the people of the Gaza Strip felt when Egyptians took to the streets on January 25 surpassed even the political urgency around the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Ordinary Gazans danced the night away when Mubarak was removed from power on February 18. Although lifting the siege is a Palestinian priority, those who raised Egyptian flags, shed tears and subsisted on coffee and cigarettes for nearly three weeks were hardly making the connection between the siege and Mubarak. While Mubarak was loathed to the core – his decision to block the Rafah border at a critical time victimized thousands - the bond that united Egypt to Palestine runs much deeper than the sins of a senile dictator, or even a terrible siege. The story, in fact, starts well before 1948, the year of the Palestinian Nakba. Egypt and Palestine have for long reflected the state of the other: in defeat and triumph, in despair and hope. The valiant youth of Egypt are now the harbingers of hope for their country, for Palestine and for the entire region, although things haven’t always been so promising. Al-Nakba represented heartbreak to the collective conscious of Arabs, but Palestinians and Egyptians were affected the most..... more.. e-mail For the Love of Egypt: When Besieged Palestinians Danced Palestine Chronicle: 31 Mar 2011 - By Ramzy Baroud A dear friend of mine from Gaza told me that he hadn't slept for days. "I am so worried about Egypt, I have only been feeding on cigarettes and coffee." My friend and I talked for hours that day in early February. We talked about Tahrir Square, about the courage of ordinary Egyptians and about Hosni Mubarak’s many attempts to co-opt the people’s revolution. We were so consumed by the turmoil in Egypt that neither of us even mentioned Gaza. The siege on Gaza – and on the whole of Palestine - is a constant factor that unites most Palestinians. However, the genuine solidarity that the people of the Gaza Strip felt when Egyptians took to the streets on January 25 surpassed even the political urgency around the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Ordinary Gazans danced the night away when Mubarak was removed from power on February 18....more Day of Reconciliation in Palestine Palestine Monitor: 15 Mar 2011 - On a bright day in Ramallah, Al-Manara circle filled with protesters demanding an end to the division of the Palestinian leadership for the “Day of Reconciliation.” Hundreds of Palestinian flags whipped taut in the crisp wind, while loud music was projected from a stereo system wheeled in on a pick-up truck. Small groups of ebullient youth danced, sang and chanted together. By 12:30pm, the protest had already outsized previous unity demonstrations held over the last two months. Maan News estimated around 3,000 people in attendance. An estimated 3,000 came out to Ramallah on 15 March, "Day of Reconciliation." Photo by Lazar Simeonov Two days ago, a small but resolute group of youth committed themselves to camping out in al-Manara on a hunger strike until the two governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip agreed on a united government. Fadi Quran, an organizer of the demonstration and the hunger strike...more Knesset passes initial reading of bill to keep public services in West Bank settlements Ha'aretz - Bill would render discrimination in providing goods or public services on basis of place of residence illegal; could help fight discrimination against cultural institutions like the performers boycott of Ariel theater. Politics of Heritage in Palestine: Conflict between Two Narratives Nassar Ibrahim, Alternative Information Center 3/2/2011 Political dimensions and motives occupy a great space in their relation and interaction with various heritage fields and numerous human experiences. For every society, heritage constitutes a fundamental factor in plumbing historical and cultural depths. It expresses identity and interacts with the social, political, and environmental reality. It also confronts the questions and challenges that a society encounters in the course of its development, where identities, nationalities, ethnicities, and particularities are formed. Heritage did not start as songs, dances, food, clothes, architecture, and archaeology. It began in response to a dire need to fulfil the material, social, and spiritual needs of society. After it became rooted in the society, it was transformed into collective practices that, over time, became an organic part of the collective memory and behaviour. Within this narrative, the relation between the political dimension and heritage is identified. When a society faces internal political projects or external challenges, everything that can be moved to counterbalance these challenges will be brought forth, such as history, spiritual values, and social traditions that magnify and unify the nation to point it in the direction that can best serve it. In the case of the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the relationship between politics and heritage becomes more vital and dangerous, as heritage in all its forms occupies a central position and plays a decisive and fundamental role in justifying and serving the political projects that are currently being executed at all levels. more.. e-mail Adalah-NY: New Yorkers protest Israel Philharmonic for whitewashing apartheid, protests planned in other US cities 2/23/2011 - International Solidarity Movement - February 22 - Seventy New Yorkers protested the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's (IPO) performance at Carnegie Hall Tuesday evening, using chants, songs and street theater to highlight the IPO's role in whitewashing Israel's apartheid policies against the Palestinian people. The orchestra's performances are being met with protests in six.... Related: YNet: 'Philharmonic has role in Israel's apartheid' VIDEO: Extreme hiking on West Bank barrier BBC 23 Feb 2011 - Comedian Mark Thomas talks to BBC Breakfast about his extreme ramble along the entire length of the Israeli separation barrier Palestinian Alice in Wonderland staged in W Bank Palestine Note 22 Feb 2011 - Al Arabiya - A Palestinian version of Alice in Wonderland is currently performed in the West Bank under the slogan “Break the Wall.” On the stage of al-Horreya theatre in Jenin refugee camp in the northern... Iran protester's death 'hijacked by regime' Uruknet February 16, 2011 - The Iranian regime has been accused of hijacking the death of a young pro-democracy protester killed during rallies in Tehran on Monday. A family member of Saane Zhaleh, a 26-year-old theatre student at Tehran University of Arts, told the Guardian that the Iranian authorities had launched a campaign to depict the pro-opposition protester as a... Purim parade in Holon Jeruslalem Post 15 Feb 2011 - 4000 participants from Holon and all over Israel will march, dance, man floats, celebrate spirit of Purim and brotherly love. Fayyad dissolves Palestinian Authority cabinet Jeruslalem Post 14 Feb 2011 - Hamas accuses Abbas of trying to fool people into thinking that genuine reform is underway: "This is silly theater." Reading Hebron – review The Guardian 14 Feb 2011 - Orange Tree, Richmond No one could accuse this theatre of ducking the Arab-Israeli conflict. A year ago it staged an absorbing play, Ben Brown's The Promise, about the Balfour Declaration of 1917 supporting the principle of... Protesters and soldiers dance in the streets The National 12 Feb 2011 - Even members of Egypt's military could not resist joining the protesters to celebrate the end of Hosni Mubarak's nearly 30 years in power. Egypt's post-revolution celebration continues, political planning begins LA Times 12 Feb 2011 - People rejoice over the fall of Hosni Mubarak for a second day as the Egyptian army takes steps to reassure the world of an orderly transition. The military says Egypt remains committed to its peace treaty with Israel. Pro-democracy activists express faith in the army and debate the path to democracy. Egyptians carried their party into a second day as they sang, danced and cheered in ecstasy over the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt erupts with joy at Mubarak`s farewell 2/12/2011 - CAIRO (AFP) -- Flag-waving Egyptians danced, sang and cheered as they bid farewell to Hosni Mubarak's 30-year regime on Friday, but triumph was tempered with apprehension as they looked ahead to military rule. Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the nationwide revolt that toppled Mubarak, thundered with chants of "The people have overthrown the.... Arab Earthquake: The Arab Nation is Back Palestine Chronicle: 11 Feb 2011 - By Robin Yassin-Kassab Throughout yesterday messages were sent out from within the Egyptian regime to the effect that Hosni Mubarak was about to resign. Millions went onto the night streets to celebrate the victory. Then, incredibly, Mubarak repeated his intention to stay. He lied about his contributions to Egyptian sovereignty and addressed the Egyptians as his children, to screams of derision. Despicable as he is, there was something of the tragic hero about him, tragic in the Greek or Shakespearean sense. The very traits which had thrust him to greatness – stubbornness, brutishness, contempt for the people – were condemning him, with every word, to the most ignominious humiliation. He spoke from the gravel of his octogenarian throat, a man of the past adrift in a strange new world. Tragic or not, it was certainly theatre – directed by the military. Communiqué Number One had already been delivered. Then this...more The Revolt in Egypt is Coming Home Uruknet February 10, 2011 - The uprising in Egypt is our theatre of the possible. It is what people across the world have struggled for and their thought controllers have feared. Western commentators invariably misuse the words "we" and "us" to speak on behalf of those with power who see the rest of humanity as useful or expendable. The "we"... Kevin Spacey Plans Middle East Academy Palestine Note 7 Feb 2011 - New York Times - The actor and theater producer Kevin Spacey, below, has announced plans to start a theater arts academy in the Middle East, The Associated Press reported. Mr. Spacey, who appeared at a news... Army Chief Ashkenazi: Prepare for all-out war YNet News - Given recent changes in the Middle East, Israel must prepare for a battle in several theaters, outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Monday at the Herzliya ....... Surrealpolitik: Arab Revolt and Dream of 'Palestine' Palestine Chronicle: 7 Feb 2011 - By Steve Breyman 'By this time, like one who had set out on his way by night, and travelled through a region of smooth or idle dreams, our history now arrives on the confines, where daylight and truth meet us with a clear dawn, representing to our view, though at a far distance, true colours and shapes.' -- John Milton. Could anything be weirder for Palestinians than that the current intifadas, today’s uprisings against illegitimate rulers, are taking place in Tunisia and Egypt? That Arabs in Tunis and Cairo are closer to democratic self-rule than they are? Is this a dream? Whose dream? Will we wake up from it? Where is André Breton when we need him? Breton, author of The Surrealist Manifesto, thought Surrealism—the creative expression of dreams--revolutionary. Most of the painters, filmmakers, actors, playwrights, poets, and musicians who went in for one form or another of the post-War-to-End-All-Wars...more Gaza govt gives okay to re-open cinemas 2/1/2011 - GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Amid rumors that a new movie theater could open soon in the Gaza Strip, officials at the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Culture announced Tuesday that the move would be welcomed."We believe that art is a basic element of every society, and we encourage art festivals, special film festivals, and have.... The Papers of Opprobrium Palestine Chronicle: 29 Jan 2011 - By Mohamed El Mokhtar The recent damming documents, consisting of minutes of negotiations, memos, diplomatic correspondences, and maps dating from 1999 to 2010, secretly obtained and publicly released by Al Jazeera satellite TV channel eloquently laid bare the material evidence attesting and conforming, beyond any reasonable doubt, the direct complicity of the Palestinian Authority in the continuing rape and criminal destitution of the Palestinian land and people. It, alas, sadly reveals the absolute meaninglessness, and Kafkaesque character, of this farcical comedy erroneously called the peace process. Moreover, it shows, unashamedly and very clearly, the degree to which the so-called Palestinian negotiators are willing to go in terms of humiliating surrender and outright capitulation of the legitimate rights of their people for the sole purpose of pleasing their benefactors, or more accurately their masters, in Washington or indulging the paranoiac whims and endless nonsensical demands of their Israeli puppeteers. This is...more On Hamas Uruknet January 22, 2011 - M. came over and discussed the Hamas government. "They are occupying the culture," he told me. "Our grandparents used to dance Dabka together, boys and girls, now this is forbidden. What is Hamas doing?"... Another friend, A., my most radical friend in Gaza, told me, "I don't like Hamas but I hate the left the... Out & About: Top 10 things to do Jeruslalem Post 13 Jan 2011 - From a Mosh Ben-Ari concert to a food festival to a dance performance and bike race, find out what is going on in Israel this week. Deadly political theater in Bil'in Palestine Note 11 Jan 2011 - Bernard Avishai, TPM Cafe - Friday afternoon in Bil'in . I have to say I left the demonstration feeling more perplexed than inspired, given the many deaths the cause has occasioned. I left, that is, wondering if... Bethlehem celebrates Eastern Christmas 1/6/2011 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) --Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Assyrian and Ethiopian Christians gathered in Bethlehem on Thursday to welcome their Jerusalem patriarchs, celebrating the birth of Christ on the Eastern Calendar. In staggered receptions, Palestinian scouts marched in the heads of each church, with the Ethiopian cleric danced in by a delegation of faithful from the.... Ashkenazi: Female soldiers prominent in IDF YNet News - Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Thursday that the women serving in the IDF today are not the women seen in the 1976 popular comedy Givat Halfon, where female soldiers ....... Wikileaks: Israel Plans Total War on Lebanon, Gaza Juan Cole, Informed Comment 1/5/2011 The Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten has summarized an Israeli military briefing by Israeli Chief of Staff Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi of a US congressional delegation a little over a year ago and concludes that "The memo on the talks between Ashkenazi and [Congressman Ike] Skelton, as well as numerous other documents from the same period of time, to which Aftenposten has gained access, leave a clear message: The Israeli military is forging ahead at full speed with preparations for a new war in the Middle East." Note: This war preparation is serious and specific, according to the paper, and clearly is not just a matter of vague contingency planning. The paper says that US cables quote Ashkenazi telling the US congressmen, “I’m preparing the Israeli army for a major war, since it is easier to scale down to a smaller operation than to do the opposite.” The general’s plans are driven by fear of growing stockpiles of rockets in Hamas-controlled Gaza and in Hizbullah-controlled Southern Lebanon, the likely theaters of the planned major new war. Ashkenazi does not seem capable of considering that, given a number of Israeli invasions and occupations of those regions, the rockets may be primarily defensive. Ashkenazi told the visiting delegation that Israeli unmanned drones had had great success in identifying rocket emplacements in southern Lebanon, and that it had been aided in this endeavor by the US National Security Agency,which spies on communications. -- See also: Israel deliberately choked Gaza economy: WikiLeaks more.. e-mail Israeli actor Yosef Shiloach dies at 69 after long battle with cancer Ha'aretz - Shiloach was known for Israeli comedy film classics such as Alex Holeh Ahava and Hagiga B'Snuker. Analysis: Ups and downs in Europe-Israel 2010 ties Jeruslalem Post 29 Dec 2010 - Tougher Iran stance, harsh criticism of flotilla raid mark relationship; Europe’s tango with Israel will continue to be filled with rocky dance steps. Ballroom dance teacher arrested on suspicion of assaulting teenage pupils Ha'aretz - Arrest came after teenage girl accused 44-year-old instructor of raping her. The Farce of a Secular and Democratic Jewish State Gideon Levy, Ha’aretz 12/16/2010 The debate over the conversion bill is deceptive. It's being held in -remote and dark places, it deals with trivial matters, it appears to affect the fate of very few, and it seems to interest even fewer. But what is really going on there should trouble every Israeli, because it touches on the most fundamental issues that define our society and state. The question whether military or civilian rabbis will determine who is a Jew is marginal. Rafi Peretz or Shlomo Amar, who cares? Ten times more significant is the question whether we happen to be living in the only country on earth where clerics determine the right to citizenship. No less important, how do we dare continue deceiving ourselves that this is a secular and democratic state? The rabbis are Israel's gatekeepers. What most of them believe became painfully evident recently when they published a ruling that prohibits renting apartments to Arabs and foreigners. One "moderate" rabbi did propose a "compromise": renting apartments only to "good Arabs." Another moderate rabbi said that "there is no wisdom" in the rabbis' letter, but not a word about morality and justice. Most of them are frighteningly narrow-minded, obsessed with fear, and willing to whip up hatred toward foreigners they never met. What do they know about the world? Or about human rights? Convinced and trying to convince others that the Jews are a chosen people, to which entry and even contact with those deemed inferior is forbidden, they live in their narrow pale of settlement, most of them boorish and ignorant of what happens outside. They are our gatekeepers, and they determine our real image. Like the goons who get to select people at the entrance to dance clubs, the rabbis determine the character of the whole party, and this party is a benighted religious party. more.. e-mail Desolation in Hebron’s Old City Uruknet December 15, 2010 - Hebron - Al Khalil in Arabic - is the infamous theater of violent clashes between Israeli settlers and the IDF on the one side, and Palestinian residents on the other. Ever since 1968 when a group of Jewish settlers led by Rabbi Moshe Levinger occupied one of the main hotels in the city and the... Desolation in Hebron's Old City Palestine Monitor - Hebron - Al Khalil in Arabic - is the infamous theater of violent clashes between Israeli settlers and the IDF on the one side, and Palestinian residents on the other. Ever since 1968 when a group of Jewish settlers led by Rabbi Moshe Levinger occupied one... Desolation in Hebron's Old City Palestine Monitor: 15 Dec 2010 - Hebron - Al Khalil in Arabic - is the infamous theater of violent clashes between Israeli settlers and the IDF on the one side, and Palestinian residents on the other. Ever since 1968 when a group of Jewish settlers led by Rabbi Moshe Levinger occupied one of the main hotels in the city and the first settlement, Kiryat Arba was subsequently established, more radical Jews have kept coming to Hebron and settlements have been expanding. Written and photographed by Cecile Gault. Hebron's deserted Old City. Now there are a total of five scattered across the city. Tensions have exacerbated, especially around the Ibrahimi Mosque, which shelters the Tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their families and is a sacred place for both Jews and Muslims. The IDF presence is very strong, officially to prevent clashes and extremists acts from both sides. But all the NGOs present in the region have...more The funny business of remembering Koby Mandell Jeruslalem Post 14 Dec 2010 - Comedy review: In the expanded confines of the Jerusalem Theater, Avi Liberman’s was the act that seemed too short. The good humor man Jeruslalem Post 14 Dec 2010 - After three years in Jerusalem, David Kilimnick takes his top comedians and open mic nights to Tel Aviv to give them a whirl at the Carousel Theater. The play Chekhov wrote about Israel and Palestine Palestine Note 12 Dec 2010 - Yuval Ben-Ami, +972 Magazine - In one week I will be leaving my post as theatre critic for the newspaper Israel Hayom. I may write about the stage again, but so far no one has asked... Stand up comes to the Middle East Palestine Note 12 Dec 2010 - Palestinian American comic Dean Obeidallah gained notoriety through his involvement in the successful Axis of Evil Comedy Tour in the United States. But for the past three years, he's also been the executive producer of the... Swept up in a split second Jeruslalem Post 9 Dec 2010 - Parsons Dance returns to thrill and delight audiences in Herzliya and Jerusalem. UPDATE assange wrong: WikiLeaks do not advance peace by advancing Bibi MJ Rosenberg, Palestine Note 12/2/2010 UPDATE Check this out. Julian Assange buys into Netanyahu line that by demonstrating anti-Iran sentiment is rampant in region, WikiLeaks will help Netanyahu achieve peace. Peace? Netanyahu? I guess Assange is no Commie, more like a Likudnik. One point worth noting, it is true that, so far, Israel is the only country mentioned in WikiLeaks that has been pleased by the revelations. Grassy knoll time? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ecstatic. He's come to the conclusion that WikiLeak revelations that that the Saudis, and other Middle Eastern potentates, privately favor a military strike on Iran, has vindicated Israel's hawkish stance. With these Arabs aboard the war train, how can it possibly be derailed? Aside: Isn't it unseemly that the the Israeli government, which receives unstinting support, even degrading support, from the United States can so openly gloat when the US is terribly embarrassed. We suppress the Goldstone report for them, we shut up over atrocities in Gaza, we offer $3.5 billion to freeze a few settlements for a few months, but Netanyahu and his crew dance on the rooftops when America is in trouble. Can anyone imagine the Brits behaving this way? The US-Israel alliance is, sad to say, a one-way street. Of course, Bibi is totally wrong about the impact of the WikiLeaks. The revelation that the Saudi, the UAE and other royals agree with the Israeli position adds exactly nothing to the case for war. The House of Saud? Arab emirs? Whom exactly do they speak for? Not even their own people, let alone anybody else in the Muslim world. In fact, the Saudi endorsement alone could be the kiss of death for Netanyahu's plans. more.. e-mail Palestinian Folk Dance- Dabka - Goes International PNN - Ghassan Bannoura – PNN – over the weekend a group of internationals from five different cities decided to show solidarity with Palestinians in new form. The groups in Genève – Switzerland, Toronto... Israeli TV show spoofs Angry Birds and peace process Palestine Note 23 Nov 2010 - Washington - The Israeli sketch comedy television show Eretz Nehederet is gaining wide internet attention for its satirical take on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the popular mobile phone game, Angry Birds. (Please visit the site... Livnat Defines the Boycotters of Ariel Cultural Center as "Ignoramuses" IMEMC - 22 Nov 2010 - Monday November 22, 2010 - 17:43, After the theater figures who are boycotting the Ariel center sent a letter to Be'er Sheva Theater actors, encouraging their sensitivity to the cause, the Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports, Limor Livnat, defined the boycotters, on Monday, as "ignoramuses". Israeli satire show goes viral with Angry Bird take on peace talks Ha'aretz - In a satirical depiction of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, popular Israeli comedy show Eretz Nehederet portrays both sides as characters from iPhone's Angry Birds. Livnat: Actors who boycott West Bank arts center are ignoramuses Ha'aretz - Debate over boycott on Ariel cultural center intensified as the Culture and Sports Minister slammed the theater figures involved. What Made Avineri Laugh? Palestine Chronicle: 21 Nov 2010 - By Uri Avnery - Israel 'A disaster!' the courtiers of the King of Hanover cried, 'Seven renowned professors at Göttingen University have published a declaration of protest against you!' That was 173 years ago. The king had suspended the liberal constitution enacted by his predecessor. “So what,” the king replied, “Tarts, dancers and professors I can always buy.” This story was told me by Yeshayahu Leibowitz, who was himself a professor of half a dozen vastly different disciplines, from bio-chemistry to the philosophy of science. He held many of his colleagues in profound contempt. He told me this story when we were talking about one professor in particular: Shlomo Avineri, who had just agreed to serve as Director General of the Foreign Office under Minister Yigal Alon. Alon was the author of the “Alon Plan”, which provided for the annexation of wide stretches of occupied territory. This week, Avineri published...more Who’s laughing? Uri Avnery, Ma’an News Agency 11/20/2010 "A disaster!" the courtiers of the King of Hanover cried, "Seven renowned professors at Göttingen University have published a declaration of protest against you!" That was 173 years ago. The king had suspended the liberal constitution enacted by his predecessor. "So what," the king replied, "Tarts, dancers and professors I can always buy." This story was told me by Yeshayahu Leibowitz, who was himself a professor of half a dozen vastly different disciplines, from bio-chemistry to the philosophy of science. He held many of his colleagues in profound contempt. He told me this story when we were talking about one professor in particular: Shlomo Avineri, who had just agreed to serve as Director General of the Foreign Office under Minister Yigal Alon. Alon was the author of the "Alon Plan," which provided for the annexation of wide stretches of occupied territory. This week, Avineri published an article under the headline "Fascism? You make me laugh!" What made him laugh? The ridiculous (for him) argument that there exist fascist tendencies in Israel. He reminded us that fascism means the Gestapo, concentration camps and genocide. How could we forget. Avineri is a respected professor, an expert on Hegel and Zionism. He is also a valiant warrior against "post-Zionists" and other miscreants who criticize classical Zionism. more.. e-mail Tel Aviv dance club, November 2010 Mondoweiss - This photograph is by Dimi Reider at the new magazine, at 972 . It is a photograph of two people at a dance bar last weekend. "That danse macabre," he headlines it. "Partying in Tel Aviv, a dearly beloved bubble of bubbles in the midst of one... Culture minister to meet Ariel arts center boycott organizers Ha'aretz - Hundreds of theater actors and public figures have signed petition against performing in new Ariel arts center as a protest of Israel's settlement policies. Amid controversy, Ariel theater opens with sold-out show Jeruslalem Post 8 Nov 2010 - Limor Livnat, Ariel Mayor tell crowds "the cultural center was built by the state of Israel. We traveled a long path to get to this day." FM vows to stop gov't funding for Ariel boycott artists Jeruslalem Post 7 Nov 2010 - FM accuses those who signed letter, calling for performers to boycott settlement theater, of incitement against Israel. Playwrite threatens to sue if play performed in Ariel Jeruslalem Post 7 Nov 2010 - Following letter asking performers to boycott new theater in settlement, writer says his contract does not include showings "outside of Israel's borders." Yisrael Beitinu: Israel must not fund artists who boycott settlement arts center Ha'aretz - Lieberman's party urges action against theater actors calling for boycott of new Ariel arts center; Foreign Minister says that 'the show must go on, but the incitement [against the state] must stop.' Artists Encourage Actors to Boycott Settlement Arts Center PNN - Ba'er Seva - PNN - Ba'er Sheva Theater, an Israeli performance group, was asked by many prominent arts figures to boycott the newly built arts center in the Ariel settlement of the... Likud MK: Israeli public fed up with lunatic fringe that controls theater, cinema Ha'aretz - MK Yariv Levin calls for new criteria to be set for funding of cultural institutions, in the wake of letter sent by theater figures calling on actors to boycott new West Bank arts center. Theater figures urge Be'er Sheva actors to boycott West Bank arts center Ha'aretz - Be'er Sheva theater scheduled to perform in center on its opening night this week; letter says Israel's policy in occupied territories resembles 'apartheid nation.' Tears Of Gaza Dr. Ashraf Ezzat, Dissident Voice 11/4/2010 A bomb dropped by an Israeli air force F-16 jet exploding in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, on January 3, 2009. When was the last time you thought about death? Was there a time when you felt you were so close to losing your own life? Have you ever experienced that scary feeling-except maybe in the movie theatres? …have you ever felt like not actually living, you’re still breathing … but you’re living as dead? Most people live their lives never thinking about nor contemplating death. It is human nature. We were born to live and think about how to best enjoy our life while we are still alive. It is in our genes of survival. Something inside us drive us away not from death but from pondering at death. Maybe because death is the only concrete and dreadful fact we are sure of. But in some places and with some people death sometimes can be seen as their shadow on the ground. When you can’t eat, drink, move freely, watch TV, have access to internet, have a decent job and home and send your kids to schools then DEATH could be a liberating thought. …And when the world is celebrating the rescue of 33 Chilean miners trapped underground- whom we all are glad to see brought back to life again- but at the same time the world is playing deaf and blind to the 1.5 million Gazans- virtually buried above ground and besieged like animals- then something is terribly wrong with the morality of the international community. Gaza, this narrow strip of land - the aching remnant of Palestine - where the orange and olive trees have been growing for hundreds of years has lately turned into death fields and a hunting ground for the people who planted and watered those evergreen trees generation after generation. more.. e-mail Balance.com: Palestinian Perspectives Released by the Net Kieron Monks, This Week in Palestine 10/30/2010 British comedian Mark Steele famously said that if the Israeli army blew up a cat’s home, the following day headlines would scream that the unfortunate animals were smuggling Semtex for Hamas. Steele was referring to the Gaza flotilla massacre and the subsequent cover-up, but ironically, that tragic event marked a tipping point away from Israeli PR hegemony. Today, there is more coverage from the Palestinian perspective than ever before. No credit can be given to the mainstream media. The BBC refused to cover the flotilla until there was a body count and followed up with a disgracefully biased documentary. Fox News would only show the IDF’s videos. In conventional terms, the disparity in media resources between the sides is even greater than their military means. There are 23 Israeli national daily newspapers in five languages, and its national TV channels are broadcast internationally. Of the three dailies available in the Palestinian territories, two belong to political parties, all are exclusively Arabic language, and the largest individual circulation is 20,000. Yet international sympathies are shifting, almost entirely due to the internet. The live streams from the flotilla hosted on Witness Gaza (www.witnessgaza.com) and Viva Palestina (www.vivapalestina.org) gave testimonies to millions around the world that could not be confiscated. When Bassem Abu Rahmah was shot dead in Bi’lin, the footage made it to Youtube and the IDF were unable to find themselves innocent. When conventional journalists were barred from entering Gaza during Operation Cast Lead, brave bloggers ensured the massacres did not go unreported. The attention generated by internet coverage has created a self-perpetuating cycle of international visitors who come to Palestine to learn more, and then publicise their stories-most commonly through the internet. Their testimonies attract the next wave of witnesses. A generation ago it was common for European students to take a year off to work on an Israeli kibbutz; now they volunteer in the West Bank. more.. e-mail ‘Let us out of the box’ Mondoweiss - On Thursday, Palestinian chief negotiatior Saeb Erakat sat down for an hour and half “conversation” with former peace processor Aaron David Miller at the Woodrow Wilson Center in DC. They spoke in a cozy theater on the sixth floor, a setting perfect for peace process theater.... Dreaming of dancing around the world Electronic Intifada: 3 Nov 2010 - After years of training, the traditional Canaan Dabke dance troupe has a name renowned throughout Gaza, and uniforms to match.more World Briefing | Middle East: Israel: New Step for Dance Contest New York Times 2 Nov 2010 - Two Israeli women teamed up on Tuesday to become the first same-sex couple to compete in a version of the internationally popular television series “Dancing With the Stars.” Our Story Premiere Palestine Monitor: 2 Nov 2010 - Our Story describes the Palestinian situation from 1948 until the present with particular emphasis on the Apartheid Wall and the evolution of the Israeli apartheid system. It is presented by Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, "Al Mubadara". Daily life stories, maps, statistics, historical facts, photographs, and vidoe spots illustrate our presentation. "Our Story" is a critical source of information for scholars, journalists, students, and anyone seeking an objective narrative of the decades-old Middle East conflict. Invitation to attend a documentary film "Our Story" on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in Al-Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque- Ramallah Your presence is highly appreciated For more information, please contact 0599 9 400 73more Video: "No justice, no chickpeas!" activists tell Philadelphia shoppers Electronic Intifada: 1 Nov 2010 - Shoppers and employees at the Fresh Grocer's flagship store at 40th and Walnut Street in Philadelphia were surprised last month by a choreographed flash dance performed in the store by activists calling for a boycott of products that provide moral and financial support for Israeli human rights violations.more Could Have Danced All Siege Uruknet October 31, 2010 - "I'd planned to have my wedding party on a Thursday night, when more people could come, and stay later. But because the Dabke dancers weren't free then, I held it on a Tuesday," says Mohammed Ghronaim, 27, from Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. "Canaan Dabke is a talented group," he says. "But everyone loves them all... MIDEAST: Could Have Danced All Siege IPS "I'd planned to have my wedding party on a Thursday night, when more people could come, and stay later. But because the Dabke dancers weren't free then, I held it on a Tuesday," says Mohammed Ghronaim, 27, from Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. dancing under siege In Gaza: 31 Oct 2010 - * photo: Ahmad Hammad Oct 31, 2010 (IPS) – “I’d planned to have my wedding party on a Thursday night, when more people could come, and stay later. But because the Dabke dancers weren’t free then, I held it on a Tuesday,” says Mohammed Ghronaim, 27, from Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. “Canaan Dabke is a talented group,” he says. “But everyone loves them all the more because they are children and dance in an amazing way. Most of the people who came to my wedding probably came just for the Dabke.” Dabke, the traditional Middle Eastern line dance of agile steps, stomps and jumps, is still today an important element of Palestinian culture, and is virtually imperative to wedding parties. While professional groups abound in Gaza and Dabke is good business during wedding season, one group has made itself known for its unique style and energy. Founder and trainer of...more Putting the 'fun' in 'fungus' Jeruslalem Post 28 Oct 2010 - Pilobolus returns to Israel with yet another set of jaw-dropping dance pieces. Morbid Theater: Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel Palestine Chronicle: 25 Oct 2010 - By George Polley Admittedly, I am a relative newcomer to this discussion, which is not the same thing as saying that I am an ignorant one, as one Israeli correspondent has implied, saying that I have 'a huge anti-Israeli bias.' If by that he means that I question the honesty and aims of Israel's government in its reading of history and its dealings with its Palestinian neighbors and citizens, then I stand guilty as charged. I have followed this conflict and discussion about it for years. The difference between 'then' and 'now' is that I poke around and ask questions, such as: What compelled Netanyahu to quash the recent peace talks with the Palestinians? In spite of what Mr. Netanyahu says in photo ops, his intentions have been quite consistent from the beginning. His address to the United Nations in September 2009 illustrates my point, and illustrates it, as the...more Comedy tonight– Jenin Freedom Theatre benefit in NYC! Mondoweiss - Oh boy, I'm late; this event is starting in the next hour in New York. Some funny folks on hand, and moving performers. Get out there! At NYTW, which once couldn't find room for Rachel Corrie. Times are changing. Enjoy yourself... Tickets still available! ... Egyptian song and dance lift Gaza weddings Electronic Intifada: 25 Oct 2010 - Samara is the name of a new Palestinian-Egyptian dance troupe that has started a craze in the Gaza Strip. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada.more What Does Online Media Do For Palestinians? Palestine Monitor - Comedian Mark Steel said that if the Israeli army blew up a cat's home, the following day headlines would scream that the unfortunate animals were smuggling semtex for Hamas. Steel was referring to the Gaza flotilla and subsequent cover-up, but ironically that tragedy marked a tipping... What Does Online Media Do For Palestinians? Palestine Monitor: 22 Oct 2010 - Comedian Mark Steel said that if the Israeli army blew up a cat's home, the following day headlines would scream that the unfortunate animals were smuggling semtex for Hamas. Steel was referring to the Gaza flotilla and subsequent cover-up, but ironically that tragedy marked a tipping point away from Israeli PR hegemony. Today, there is more coverage from a Palestinian perspective than ever before. Little credit can be given to mainstream media. The BBC ignored the flotilla until there was a body count and followed up with a disgracefully biased documentary. Fox News would only show IDF videos. The disparity in media resources between the sides is even greater than their military means, slanting material before it reaches international audiences. There are 23 Israeli national daily newspapers in five languages and its state TV channels are broadcast internationally. Of the three Palestinian dailies, two belong to political parties, all are...more Soldier who danced around detainee: It wasn't a war crime Jeruslalem Post 17 Oct 2010 - Former IDF soldier was filmed dancing around a bound Palestinian female security suspect in 2007. Intellectual Healing At The Freedom Theatre Palestine Monitor: 14 Oct 2010 - At Jenin's Freedom Theatre, the guiding principle is to use art as resistance. As Nabil Al-Raee, director and acting instructor says, “theatre can open the minds of people, it can make them free from the occupation mindset.” This is the message the theatre wants to send to Jenin, Palestine and the world. The theatre is located in the middle of Jenin refugee camp. It aims to oppose the subtle psychological and mental effects of occupation by enhancing social change through high quality artistic products. That is the way to break cultural isolation, Nabil believes. The Freedom theatre seeks to provide a free space where the students can process their feelings and break through the cycle of daily routine under occupation. The theatre produces professional artists and high quality artistic products. Through drama therapy, workshops, acting school, dance classes, performances and multimedia, the school hopes the participants, in particular children, will...more Intellectual Healing At The Freedom Theatre Palestine Monitor - At Jenin's Freedom Theatre, the guiding principle is to use art as resistance. As Nabil Al-Raee, director and acting instructor says, “theatre can open the minds of people, it can make them free from the occupation mindset.” This is the message the theatre wants to send... Alvin Ailey: don't dance around Israeli apartheid Uruknet October 12, 2010 - The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) is deeply disturbed by news reports that your company plans to participate, later this month, in the fourth annual Tel Aviv Dance Festival, an initiative sponsored by the Tel Aviv Municipality and cultural institutions that are complicit in maintaining Israel's system of colonial... Tel Aviv Scientology building burns, arson suspected Ha'aretz - Nine workers escape unharmed from the former Alhambra theater building, which has been undergoing renovations. The Time That Remains - Film Review Palestine Chronicle: 12 Oct 2010 - By Roger Sheety In just three years the Toronto Palestine Film Festival, which was originally created in 2008 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Al-Nakba, has become a major cultural happening in a city bustling with such events. That it has succeeded so quickly is due entirely to the festival’s tireless organizers and volunteers, their vision and their determination to present films of the highest quality possible. One such film is Elia Suleiman’s The Time That Remains: Chronicle of a Present Absentee which opened to a sold-out audience of over 800 at the October 2010 edition of the festival. Like few directors before him, the Nazareth-born Suleiman has been able to capture not just the tragedy but also the comedy and outright absurdity of Palestinians who were dispossessed while still living in their own homeland. Partly inspired by the private diaries of Suleiman’s father Fouad and his mother’s letters to...more Alvin Ailey: don't dance around Israeli apartheid Electronic Intifada: 11 Oct 2010 - The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) is deeply disturbed by news reports that your company plans to participate, later this month, in the fourth annual Tel Aviv Dance Festival, an initiative sponsored by the Tel Aviv Municipality and cultural institutions that are complicit in maintaining Israel's system of colonial oppression.more Woman filmed by soldiers describes torture, humiliation 10/7/2010 - HEBRON (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian woman who was filmed, handcuffed and blindfolded, as an Israeli soldier danced around her said Thursday that the video only showed the beginning of "a journey of torture and humiliation." A video of 24-year-old Ihsan Dababisa surfaced on YouTube on Monday, and was aired on Israel's.... Palestinian woman filmed by Israeli soldiers describes torture, humiliation Uruknet October 7, 2010 - The Palestinian woman who was filmed, handcuffed and blindfolded, as an Israeli soldier danced around her said Thursday that the video only showed the beginning of "a journey of torture and humiliation." A video of 24-year-old Ihsan Dababisa surfaced on YouTube on Monday, and was aired on Israel's Channel 10 News. Dababisa spoke to Ma'an's... PFLP urges family of filmed detainee to sue Israeli army 10/6/2010 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine urged the family of the woman filmed blindfolded and handcuffed by an Israeli soldier as his colleague danced around her to file suit against the Israeli army. The PFLP said in a statement Wednesday that a legal suit was necessary to prosecute the.... YouTube clip shows IDF soldier belly-dancing beside bound Palestinian woman Uruknet October 4, 2010 - A video uploaded to YouTube shows an Israel Defense Forces soldier wriggling in a belly dance beside a bound and handcuffed Palestinian woman, to the cheers of his comrades who were documenting the incident. The IDF's internal investigation department ordered an immediate probe into the matter after the Ch. 10 television program Tzinor Laila caught... YouTube clip shows IDF soldier belly-dancing beside bound Palestinian woman Uruknet October 4, 2010 - A video uploaded to YouTube shows an Israel Defense Forces soldier wriggling in a belly dance beside a bound and handcuffed Palestinian woman, to the cheers of his comrades who were documenting the incident. The IDF's internal investigation department ordered an immediate probe into the matter after the Ch. 10 television program Tzinor Laila caught... YouTube: Israel soldier dances round woman prisoner Daily Star 5 Oct 2010 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: A grainy video of a male Israeli soldier bellydancing around a bound and blindfolded female prisoner which went viral overnight, on Tuesday provoked a furious response from the Palestinians. The clip, which came to... Architects against Israeli occupation | Abe Hayeem The Guardian 4 Oct 2010 - With the settlement freeze over, international architects must take action to end illegal construction in the West Bank In deciding to back the boycott of Ariel theatre in the West Bank, Frank Gehry, the Canadian-American architect... New YouTube video highlights IDF misconduct Palestine Note 4 Oct 2010 - Washington - The IDF has ordered an immediate probe into the latest scandal involving soldiers documenting themselves engaging in unbecoming conduct with Palestinian detainees while on patrol: a YouTube video in which one soldier belly dances... South Africa's Israel boycott Uruknet September 29, 2010 - When Chief Albert Luthuli made a call for the international community to support a boycott of apartheid South Africa in 1958, the response was a widespread and dedicated movement that played a significant role in ending apartheid. Amid the sporting boycotts, the pledges of playwrights and artists, the actions by workers to stop South African... Demo in New York to Boycott Israeli Dance Troupe Batsheva Dance Company WAFA - NEW YORK, September 24, 2010 (WAFA)-About 40 protesters gathered Wednesday evening to call upon New Yorkers to boycott the Israeli dance troupe Batsheva Dance Company during their performances at the Busting the siege, American style Mondoweiss - A fabulous party Tuesday night in Brooklyn was the latest in a series of nation-wide fundraisers to send an American boat to break the siege of Gaza. The Siege Busters’ Ball featured hours of eclectic performances , connections, conversations, and shoulder-shaking Arabic dance music into the small... Archaeologists find theater box at Herod's palace in Judean desert Ha'aretz - Archaeologists at Jerusalem's Hebrew University say the room provides further evidence of King Herod's famed taste for extravagance. Playwright Sobol: Settlements are like ticks on a dog Jeruslalem Post 20 Sep 2010 - During a Peace Now flight, writer compares settlements to metastasized tumors. Why we are boycotting the Batsheva Dance Company Mondoweiss - The following is an open letter to the Batsheva Dance Company from two groups organizing a boycott of its upcoming shows in New York City: Dear Batsheva Dance Company, We are a group of New York-based human rights activists and artists calling for a boycott of... Towards a World War III Scenario? The Role of Israel in Triggering an Attack on Iran Michel Chossudovsky, Centre for Research on Globalization - Middle East 8/13/2010 Part II: The Military Road Map Israel is integrated into the "war plan for major combat operations" against Iran formulated in 2006 by US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The stockpiling and deployment of advanced weapons systems directed against Iran started in the immediate wake of the 2003 bombing and invasion of Iraq. From the outset, these war plans were led by the US, in liaison with NATO and Israel. Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration identified Iran and Syria as the next stage of “the road map to war”. US military sources intimated that an aerial attack on Iran could involve a large scale deployment comparable to the US "shock and awe" bombing raids on Iraq in March 2003: "American air strikes on Iran would vastly exceed the scope of the 1981 Israeli attack on the Osiraq nuclear center in Iraq, and would more resemble the opening days of the 2003 air campaign against Iraq.(See Globalsecurity ) "Theater Iran Near Term" Code named by US military planners as TIRANNT, "Theater Iran Near Term", simulations of an attack on Iran were initiated in May 2003 "when modelers and intelligence specialists pulled together the data needed for theater-level (meaning large-scale) scenario analysis for Iran." ( (William Arkin, Washington Post, 16 April 2006). The scenarios identified several thousand targets inside Iran as part of a "Shock and Awe" Blitzkrieg.... -- See also: Preparing for World War III, Targeting Iran - Part I: Global Warfare more.. e-mail Nablus to host Palestine Human Rights Film Festival 9/16/2010 - NABLUS (Ma'an) -- The largest university in the northern West Bank will host its first human rights film festival at the end of September, organizers announced on Wednesday. Starting 26 September and running through the end of the month at the Zafr Masri Theater on the university's old campus, a series of.... Israeli Dancer in a Palestinian Wedding! PNN - Bethlehem – PNN/Exclusive – the Palestine News Network obtained on Wednesday a number of photos from a Palestinian wedding in Bethlehem city, southern West Bank. Most of them were normal wedding photos... The Thin Green Line: It's Not Just the Settlements (or the Occupation), Stupid! Uruknet September 13, 2010 - September 13, 2010 - The public debate over the Israeli Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign was reignited recently with the news that the illegal West Bank colony of Ariel would soon be opening its newly-constructed, multi-million dollar cultural center and would host performances by several of Israel's leading theater companies in its auditorium, built... Mideast Peace Talk Kabuki Eric Margolis, Information Clearing House 9/10/2010 On 2 Sept, 2001, in a newspaper article, I wrote: "America’s strategic and economic interests in the Mideast and Muslim world are being threatened by the agony in Palestine, which inevitably invites terrorist attacks against US citizens and property." The 9/11 attacks came nine days later. President Barack Obama is absolutely right to seek an end to the endless suffering of Palestinians. It is an affront to humanity and gravely undermines America’s values, security and prestige. In my most recent book, American Raj – America and the Muslim World, I tried to show how the poisonous conflict over Palestine has generated much of what we call "terrorism," and how it is dragging the United States ever into a deeper but unnecessary conflict with the Muslim world. For those yearning to see an end to the seven decade Jewish-Palestinian conflict, to see security and tranquility for Israel, and justice for Palestinians, last week’s so-called "peace talks" in Washington were a painful farce. President Obama convoked Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to meet in Washington with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, Egypt’s strongman, Husni Mubarak, and Jordan’s King Abdullah. The result was the same kind of tired, stale Mideast political kabuki that has dragged on for the past decade: platitudes about peace, cheery handshakes, and talks about talks about talks. All involved knew that this was political theater designed to beguile American voters into believing progress was being made in the eternal Mideast mess. more.. e-mail Rethinking the actors boycott Reuven Kaminer, Ma’an News Agency 9/13/2010 As we know, some 60 Israeli theater people came out a few weeks back with a declaration that they will refuse to appear at the Ariel “Culture” Hall located in the occupied territories. It is important to stress that actors-artists are employees subordinate to the administrative and financial owners of the theater who are their employers in every sense. So, we are not speaking only of taking a courageous stand, but an act which puts the actor on a collision course with his boss. And we are not speaking of any kind of profession. An actor, without the theater, cannot work, create or make a living. Therefore, most honest people tend naturally to honor and applaud the brave tens of theater people for their act of protest. It is also natural that the Israeli theater people received support from abroad. Indeed 150 central cultural figures, mainly from the US and the UK expressed their admiration for the courageous stand of the Israeli theater people This chain of events is yet another component in a broad movement in Israel and abroad serving to delegitimize the occupation regime and overall Israeli policies. It is important to note that this movement is itself composed of a variety of various, independent, groups and organizations, each of which has a record of long and difficult struggle against the occupation and its evils. Boycott in Principle For quite a while a serious debate has been taking place in our circles and in the broad public as to whether the boycott is an appropriate instrument for our struggle.... more.. e-mail Respect the Palestinian-led picket line Uruknet September 10, 2010 - The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) warmly salutes the tens of American and British theater, film and TV artists for their recently published statement supporting the spreading cultural boycott of Ariel and the rest of Israel's colonial settlements illegally built on occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) due to their violation... PACBI: Artists support for Ariel boycott is ‘a groundbreaking, precedent-setting initiative that will significantly contribute to ending Israel’s impunity’ Mondoweiss - Two days ago I posted a statement from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) regarding the Israeli actors' boycott of a new theater in the Ariel settlement. Many people understandably misunderstood the post (I was unclear) and thought the PACBI... Respect the Palestinian-led picket line Electronic Intifada: 9 Sep 2010 - The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel warmly salutes the tens of American and British theater, film and TV artists for their recently published statement supporting the spreading cultural boycott of Ariel and the rest of Israel's colonial settlements illegally built on occupied Palestinian territory due to their violation of international law.more Actress Julianne Moore backs Israeli actors' boycott 9/8/2010 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The list of Hollywood and Broadway stars signing a statement of support for Israeli actors boycotting a theater in an illegal West Bank settlement is growing, organizers said Tuesday. The latest signatories include Oscar-award nominated actress Julianne Moore, British actress Vanessa Redgrave and American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, a statement.... The boycott of Israel is 'gaining speed' Lawrence Davidson, Redress 9/9/2010 On 5 September 2010 the Israel newspaper Ha’aretz published an article the headline of which read ‘Anti-Israel economic boycotts are gaining speed’. The subtitle went on to state that "the sums involved are not large, but their international significance is huge". Actually, what seems to have triggered the piece was not international. Rather, it was the decision of a "few dozen theatre people" to boycott "a new cultural centre in Ariel", an illegally settled town in the occupied territories. This action drew public support from 150 academics in Israel. The response from the Israeli right, which presently controls the government and much of Israel’s information environment, was loud and hateful. Though this affair was domestic, it provided a jumping off point for Ha’aretz to go on and examine the larger international boycott of Israel which is indeed "gaining speed". It noted that Chile had recently pledged to boycott products from the Israeli settlements and Norway’s state pension plan had divested itself of companies involved in construction in the occupied territories. The Ha’aretz article pointed out that these incidents (and there are others that can be named in such countries as Ireland and Venezuela) are signs that the boycott movement – so long the province civil society – is now finding resonance at the level of national governments. The Israeli paper declared that "the world is changing before our eyes. Five years ago the anti-Israel movement may have been marginal. Now it is growing into an economic problem." The article puts forth two explanations for this turn of events one of which is problematic, and the other incomplete. Let’s take a look at them. 1. "Until now boycott organizers had been on the far left. [Now] they have a new ally: Islamic organizations… The red side has a name for championing human rights, while the green side [the Islamic side] has money." I have some personal knowledge of the boycott movement and I find some of these particulars to be, at best, exaggerations. more.. e-mail US actors back boycott of West Bank theater 9/6/2010 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Following the movement of Israeli theater professionals who authored a letter refusing to perform in the settlement of Ariel, American counterparts have come together with their own statement of support."As American actors, directors, critics and playwrights, we salute our Israeli counterparts for their courageous decision," the letter says. Organized by.... Related: American artists support Ariel boycott American artists support Ariel boycott 9/6/2010 - On August 27th, dozens of Israeli actors, directors, and playwrights made the brave decision not to perform in Ariel, one of the largest of the West Bank settlements, which by all standards of international law are clearly illegal. As American actors, directors, critics and playwrights, we salute our Israeli counterparts for their courageous decision. Most.... Related: US actors back boycott of West Bank theater Rightists heckle Tel Aviv theater performance over Ariel boycott Ha'aretz - MK Michael Ben Ari from the ultra-nationalist National Union party and right-wing activist Itamar Ben Gvir were told by police to stop their interruption. American Artists Support Israeli Artists' Ariel Boycott WAFA - RAMALLAH, September 6, 2010 (WAFA)- Following the movement of Israeli theater professionals who authored a letter refusing to perform in the settlement of Ariel on August 27th,and the attack on them Groundbreaking letter – ‘Israeli theatre artists have refused to allow their work to be used to normalize a cruel occupation . . .We stand with them’ Mondoweiss - Update on the groundbreaking letter from 150 American actors, writers, directors and artists in support of the Israeli actors’ boycott of a theater in the West Bank settlement Ariel. The letter was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and its signatoris include four Pulitzer Prize winners,... Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin’s admission: Israel “expelled Arabs” across Palestine in 1948 Uruknet September 3, 2010 - In a little noticed article on page 19 of the September 1 edition of Maariv, the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Reuven Rivlin, assailed the actors and artists who have refused to perform at the theater in the Jewish settlement of Ariel. As a proud advocate of Greater Israel and professed friend of even the... Pessimism Permeates Mideast Media on Talks New York Times 3 Sep 2010 - Many Palestinian and Israeli commentators described this week’s talks in Washington as mere political theater. 150 Israeli academics pledge to boycott settlements IMEMC - 2 Sep 2010 - Thursday September 02, 2010 - 23:59, In a move that could cost them their jobs, 150 professors, researchers and other academic professionals decided this week to follow the lead of their peers in the theatre community and signed a pledge to boycott Israeli settlements. Communist Party of Israel supports actors boycott 8/31/2010 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Hundreds gathered Monday at the Habima National Theater in Tel Aviv to demonstrate support for its actors who are boycotting performances in the occupied West Bank settlement of Ariel. A Communist Party of Israel member, Knesset member Dov Henin, said at the rally that "the Israeli theater is not and will.... B’Tselem invites theatre heads to field visit to view harm caused by Ariel settlement to Palestinian human rights Uruknet August 30, 2010 - B’Tselem wrote today to the managers of Israel’s theatres, calling them to visit the Northern West Bank and see for themselves the heavy damage to human rights inflicted by the continued existence of the Ariel settlement. B’Tselem’s letter followed the managers’ decision to perform plays for the first time in the West Bank, in the... Additional Israeli Artists Refuse to Perform in New Settlement Cultural Center Alternative Information Center - 60 of Israel’s most prominent actors, writers, and directors, from the country’s five leading theatres, have signed a petition saying they will not perform at the new cultural center of the West Bank settlement Ariel . Fatah Welcomes Israeli Artists' Decision To Boycott Settlement Theater PNN - Ramallah– PNN - The Fatah movement welcomed on Tuesday a group of Israeli artists’ decision to boycott a theater in the Settlement of Aril in northern West Bank. Around 60 Israeli theater... MK Oron: Artists have a right not to perform in West Bank settlements Ha'aretz - 300 demonstrators gathered outside Habima Theater in Tel Aviv to protest the theater's decision to stage performances in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. Israeli Lecturers Back Theater Boycott WAFA - TEL AVIV, August 31, 2010 (WAFA)- Academicians join actors and authors, call for moratorium on cultural performances in West Bank settlements; 'Israel's conduct in [occupied territories] constitutes 53 Israeli Artists boycott new Cultural Center in Ariel settlement IMEMC - 31 Aug 2010 - Monday August 30, 2010 - 14:18, Dozens of prominent artists in the Israeli theatre community – including actors, playwrights and directors -- have signed a pledge that they will not perform in a newly-constructed cultural center in the Israeli settlement of Ariel. The pledge could cause the artists to be booted from the government-funded guild for theatre professionals, but they argue that this act of conscience is more important than their salaries. Israeli actors to boycott new West Bank theatre 8/30/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - 29 August 2010, The Guardian - 60 actors, writers and directors argue that performing in occupied territories would legitimize illegal settlements - Dozens of Israeli actors, playwrights and directors have signed a letter refusing to take part in productions by leading theatre companies at a new cultural centre in a West Bank settlement, prompting renewed debate over.... Related: Source: The Guardian 4 actors reverse pledge to boycott performances in settlement Ha'aretz - Nearly 60 theater personnel signed a petition on Saturday vowing not to participate in performances staged at new cultural center in Ariel. B'Tselem invites theatre heads to field visit to view harm caused by Ariel B'tselem 29 Aug 2010 - B'Tselem wrote today to the managers of Israel's theatres, calling them to visit the Northern West Bank and see for themselves the heavy damage to human rights inflicted by the continued existence of the Ariel settlement. Netanyahu: Israel Won't Fund Boycott Efforts from Within WAFA - TEL AVIV, August 29, 2010 (WAFA)- IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Sunday criticized a recent declaration by a list of prominent Israeli actors and playwrights that they would not Writers Oz, Yehoshua, Grossman back artists’ boycott of Ariel settlement Mondoweiss - Where are the liberal American Zionists on this one? What will J Street do? Important news : Ynet learned on Monday that prominent Israeli authors A. B. Yehoshua, Amos Oz, David Grossman and Sami Michael are supporting a long line of actors, playwrights and artists who announced... Netanyahu: Israel won't fund boycott efforts from within Ha'aretz - Prime Minister slams boycott staged by theater personnel, who refuse to take part in performances in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. Prime Minister criticizes theater figures' West Bank boycott Ha'aretz - Fifty-three Israeli theater professionals, including performers, playwrights and directors, signed petition stating they would not appear in performances in Ariel. Netanyahu: Israel Won't Fund Boycott Efforts from Within WAFA - TEL AVIV, August 29, 2010 (WAFA)- IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Sunday criticized a recent declaration by a list of prominent Israeli actors and playwrights that they would not Haaretz: 53 Theater Figures Vow Not to Perform in Settlements WAFA - TEL AVIV, August 29, 2010 (WAFA)- Fifty-three Israeli theater professionals, including performers, playwrights and directors, have signed a petition stating they would not appear in the West Bank Puppet theater Gideon Levy, Haaretz, Israeli Occupation Archive 8/29/2010 The decision by our theater establishment to stage dramas in the new culture auditorium in the settlement of Ariel presents the performing public with a real test, the likes of which it has probably never seen. We will know the answer in the coming weeks: Is there genuine theater in Israel, or is it just puppet theater? Are our theater artists really actors, playwrights and directors, or are they marionettes? Israeli theater presents “Moral Blindness” – a play with infinite acts. The decision by our theater establishment to stage dramas in the new culture auditorium in the settlement of Ariel presents the performing public with a real test, the likes of which it has probably never seen. The challenge now facing our theater world has huge importance. The decision of the weeks ahead will refashion all our theater professionals. After years of theater that staged prudent commercial dramas alongside quite a few courageous political plays confronting deep moral questions, our actors now face the drama of their lives. Actually, what is at stake is not a play, but rather life itself. Should they stage their productions at the Ariel facility, we will know that the actors standing there are mere recitation automatons, and their entire theatrical enterprise will be a living prison. Should Israel’s actors, directors and playwrights decide to take part in the most appalling drama of all, they will deserve at the end of their productions jeers of derision, the likes of which they have never heard. The drama at Ariel will be the worst theatrical show ever performed here; nobody will need the verdict of theater critics to draw this conclusion. Seeing that a Cameri production of “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” may be staged as one of the premier plays at Ariel’s hall of shame, Bertolt Brecht, no doubt, will be rolling in his grave. -- See also: Source: Ha'aretz more.. e-mail Cultural Centre Opens in Settlement, Israeli Theaters to Perform Alternative Information Center - Israel's leading theater companies have agreed to perform in the new cultural center in the West Bank settlement of Ariel, according to an article in Israeli news daily Haaretz , but two actors from Habima, the national... Israeli theater actors refuse to perform at new West Bank cultural center Ha'aretz - Leading settler responds to refusal by Yousef Sweid and Rami Heuberger by saying that 'Israel is much stronger than such boycotts.' The Power of Storytelling Wajahat Ali, CounterPunch 8/20/2010 Creating a New Future for American Muslims In 7th-century Arabia, the storyteller was valued more than the swordsman. The audience sat on the floor surrounding the gifted orator as he captivated the eager listeners with beautiful poetry narrating their history. In the 21st century, the art form may have evolved to include motion pictures, TV shows, theater productions, novels, and standup comedy, but they all serve the same function: storytelling. Ideas and principles are most effectively communicated and transmitted when they are couched in a narrative. Stories, whether they concern the etiquette and biography of prophets or the trials and tribulations of America’s founding fathers, inform and influence a cultural citizenry of its values and identity. Stories of the Prophet Muhammad most effectively communicate the Quran’s eloquent exhortation to tolerate and embrace diversity: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise [each other])” (49:13). The Prophet’s cordial diplomacy and communication with the Christian, Abyssinian King yielded one of the first alliances of the young Muslim community. Furthermore, the Prophet displayed unconditional love for his diverse companions, who comprised the gamut of Arab society including former slaves, orphans, widows, wealthy dignitaries, and non-Arabs. Similarly, the story of a biracial man with an Arabic name and a Kenyan father elected to the highest office in the land reminds the world that indeed America can live up to its cherished principles of freedom and racial equality, and her citizens are capable of reflecting a magnanimous and egalitarian spirit bereft of prejudice. more.. e-mail Israeli theater actors refuse to perform at new cultural center in West Bank settlement Mondoweiss - And other news from Today in Palestine: Land and Property Theft and Destruction/Ethnic Cleansing Palestinians: Freeze must include East Jerusalem, Akiva Eldar The Palestinian Authority has told the U.S. administration that an Israeli commitment to continuing the freeze on settlement construction must include East Jerusalem. During... UK, Irish artists saluted for principled boycott stance Electronic Intifada: 18 Aug 2010 - The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) salutes the British dance group Faithless for declining to play in Israel this summer. The cancellation of the group's Israeli gig is the latest in a string of cancellations of performances in Israel by artists and musicians of conscience.more Irish artists announce cultural boycott of Israel 8/14/2010 - BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Over 150 Irish artists, musicians and playwrights announced a cultural boycott of Israel on Thursday until "Israel complies with international law."The campaign was launched by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and signatory artists saying "we pledge not to avail of any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to.... An Open Letter To Chick Corea: Don’t Turn Your Back On Gaza Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel, Desert Peace 8/10/2010 Mr. Corea, we call upon your free soul that has been adding magnificent art for decades into this disenchanted world of ours, to join those courageous people of conscience like Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, the Pixies, Carlos Santana and Devendra Banhart in boycotting Israel until it complies with international law, and until justice and accountability are reached just as the global BDS movement made way for the collapse of apartheid in South Africa. Dear Mr. Corea, We are a group of students from Gaza, and our only fault is being Palestinians. For that, Mr. Corea, we are imprisoned with our families and loved ones in what major Human Rights Organizations call the largest open air prison in modern history. The state you are planning to entertain, committed a process of ethnic cleansing against the indigenous people in 1948. And now it is engaged in, what the Israeli academic Ilan Pappe calls, “slow motion genocide” against the 1.5 million population of Gaza. We are writing to you from under the hermetic siege imposed on us. We are punished just because we belong to this land and hold its identity. Israel committed, what Prof. Richard Goldstone called “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” knowing very well that it would be immune from accountability. You must be aware that all aspects of our life are affected by the siege, which in itself is a gross violation of international humanitarian law. We love music. But, we are deprived from it. The sound of Israeli-US made F16s, F15s, F35s, Surveillance planes, White Phosphorous bombs, naval gunboats and Merkava tanks do not allow us to listen to music any more. In Gaza, we are forbidden from experiencing the meaning of humanity, from being in love and expressing it in art, dance, music, and all its magnificent other forms that we long to live and experience. more.. e-mail Music: Arabian Night: Distant Heat Music Show in Jordan New York Times 7 Aug 2010 - The Distant Heat show, an overnight rave by the Red Sea in Jordan, plays the dance music while playing down cultural differences. IDF dance-off: Nahal retains title Jeruslalem Post 5 Aug 2010 - Jordan border reservists challenge "Tik Tok" with "Waka Waka" dance. IDF reservists show they, too, can dance YNet News - Israeli soldiers on Jordanian border film their dance moves in guard tower, post.... Cinema returns to Jenin for first time since 1987 Intifada Palestine Note 4 Aug 2010 - Washington – After a 23-year hiatus, Jenin’s largest movie theatre is reopening with a grand Hollywood-style ceremony and three-day film festival, Haaretz reported Wednesday. Cinema Jenin last heard the buzz of film projectors in 1987, when... Culture: A Palestinian Strength to Be Built Upon Nader Atta, This Week in Palestine 8/2/2010 During the spring of 2010, the Ramallah Cultural Palace was the venue for the graduation ceremony of over 220 children and youth who were trained by the Popular Arts Center on various forms of traditional Palestinian folklore dance, the dabkeh. With an overflow audience of over 900 persons in attendance, the dancers stomped and shook the building with their powerful energy and enthusiasm to the applause of their family and friends, thus making a statement that the continued transfer of this form of Palestinian culture from generation to generation is alive and well. Culture is a very important means by which Palestinians have held on to their identity, values, norms, and traditions, not only in Occupied Palestinian territory but also in the diaspora. It is a glue that maintains the link between the Palestinian people, no matter where they reside, and their ancestral home. Thus, for the Palestinian people, protecting their culture and ensuring its continuity is as important as their struggle for independence. Palestinian culture has been a symbol as well as a source of strength and pride during the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. Over the past decade, it has become evident that Palestinians are no longer only battling for the land that they have tilled for centuries, they are also battling a campaign of cultural pillaging. From the dabkeh to the Palestinian thob (traditional embroidered woman’s dress) to the kaffiyeh (Palestinian headscarf) and even to such foods as falafel and hummus, a campaign is being waged to market these items as part of Israeli culture. Moreover, unlike their parents and grandparents, today’s families are having a more difficult time in raising their children during this age of the Internet and satellite television. With access to information readily available as never before in this mostly conservative society, youth are testing the limits of values that are counter to Palestinian customs. The question becomes: How can outside customs be introduced without debilitating Palestinian cultural practices? more.. e-mail Israelis and Palestinians unite for peace - and theatre | Combatants for Peace The Guardian 31 Jul 2010 - Theatre troupe Combatants for Peace use their participatory theatre approach to find out what UK audiences would do in their shoes Nour Shehadah and Chen Alon are both shaven-headed fathers in their forties. Shehadah is Palestinian... Cultural reawakening aims to rebrand Jenin Jeruslalem Post 31 Jul 2010 - The West Bank city is remembered for some of the Second Intifada’s worst violence. Fahkri Hamid, the manager of Cinema Jenin, hopes to change its image through theater. Where the hell is Matt? He’s in the Gaza Strip. 7/26/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Matt Harding, famous for his trademark dance with locals at landmarks around the world in two "Where the Hell is Matt? " films, has turned up in the Gaza Strip. The UN agency for Palestine refugees revealed "Where the Hell is Matt? Matt is in Gaza with UNRWA" on its YouTube page Sunday. Harding's.... 1 injured, 2 detained at Al-Ma’sara anti-wall rally 7/23/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - "European Solidarity" was the theme of Friday's anti-wall protest in Al-Ma'sara village south of Bethlehem, which saw one person injured and two detained. The popular committee against the wall reported more than 100 demonstrators, including a six piece drumming band, and a strong French contingent at the weekly rally. Protesters sang and danced.... Fighters turn to theatre to advocate Middle East peace | Phoebe Greenwood The Guardian 22 Jul 2010 - Combatants for Peace, a group drawn from Israel and Palestine's forces, are transforming their own experiences into drama. But will this help find a resolution to political conflict? In a list of unlikely places to look... Ex-soldiers fight for peace on the stage Palestine Note 22 Jul 2010 - Washington – Ex-military from both Israeli and Palestinian forces are bringing their fight to a new theatre, the kind with a spotlight and stage, The Guardian reported Thursday. The Combatants for Peace , formed in 2005, is... PA police host summer camp in Qalqiliya 7/21/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - EU police instructors participated in the closing ceremony of the first police summer camp in the northern West Bank district of Qalqiliya on Wednesday. Sixty-seven children participated in the camp, which included 10 days of theater, music, sports and painting, the EU's EUPOL COPPS program announced in a statement Wednesday. The summer camp.... Mr. Blair: At-Tuwani Awaits Your Response Palestine Chronicle: 16 Jul 2010 - By Ron Taylor Dear Tony Blair, I think even you would admit your appointment, in 2007, as Special Envoy to the Middle East Quartet was not met with unfettered joy in occupied Palestine. In fact, to be quite honest, the announcement was greeted with a mixture of dismay, derision and not a little anger. It’s not too difficult to imagine the reasons. After all, you had been Prime Minister of a country which is seen as a right-or-wrong supporter of Israel. You are an avowed ‘Friend of Israel’. And, the party you once led receives large donations from well-known Zionists. Probably even more damning though is that you danced to George W Bush’s tune and enlisted your country in the disastrous invasion of Iraq - widely seen by many in the Middle East as an Israeli war waged by the West. Yet another reminder to Palestinians, if one were needed,...more Israeli activists ‘bring the blindfolded’ to the Jerusalem Film Fest Mondoweiss - Street theater at the Jerusalem Film Festival (Photo: Sim Sim ) Activists from Just Jerusalem (the main Israeli organization working on the Sheikh Jarrah protests) greeted moviegoers attending the opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival with a scene they'll not soon forget. Members of the group acted... Hebrew press sees thaw in Syria-Israel relations 7/14/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - For the first time since Israel occupied and annexed the Golan Heights, a group of Dabka performers from the area's five Druze villages will be permitted to travel to Aleppo to compete, Israel's Hebrew-language daily newspaper Ma'ariv reported. Viewing the traditional Levantine dance troupe as an example of a thaw in relations between.... Arte Film Week In Ramallah PNN - Ramallah – PNN – Yesterday the Arte film week started with the screening of „Mascarades“ by Algerian director Lyès Salem in Ramallah’s Al-Kasaba movie theater. From the 13th till the 27th of... Palestinians dance to Lady Gaga in Hebron, to counter video made by IDF troops Ha'aretz - Video created in response to clip posted on YouTube last week by soldiers who performed routine to Kesha's hit Tik Tok. Hebron Requests Israel Dance Force to Perform PNN - Hebron – PNN – On Saturday July 10, the Palestinian weekly protesters in Hebron showed their most creative side. Before the blocked entrance at Shuhada street, they requested the IDF to perform... Palestinians dance to Lady Gaga in Hebron, to counter video made by IDF troops Ha'aretz 12 Jul 2010 - Video created in response to clip posted on YouTube last week by soldiers who performed routine to Kesha's hit Tik Tok. Hebron ’dance protest’ in response to Israeli soldier video 7/11/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - International Solidarity Movement activists and Palestinians staged a "dance protest" in Hebron in response to a video released showing Israeli soldiers dancing on duty, organizers said Sunday. Palestinians together with activists from Britain, Italy, Sweden and Denmark performed to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face in the Old City of Hebron in front of Israeli soldiers.... Related: Hebron "dance protest' against Israeli soldiers and settlers Obama and Netanyahu Plan Conflict, not Resolution Uruknet July 10, 2010 - On July 6, Bibi and Obama met privately for 79 minutes, Atlanta Journal Constitution writer Jay Bookman calling it "empty theatre, actors going through the motions of pretending to pretend, (when, in fact, there's) no willingness or political ability within Israel to withdraw from settlements (or) create a viable Palestinian state, (nor is there) stomach... WATCH: Stewart undoes mainstream Islamophobia Palestine Note 11 Jul 2010 - Washington - Jon Stewart took on thinly-veiled Islamophobia in mainstream news on his July 7 show, smartly uncovering Islam-is-unAmerican sentiment in the media. Comedy Central veteran news satirist Jon Stewart [Danagraves - Flickr] In the segment,... ISM: 'Go dance on your own streets' Palestine Note 11 Jul 2010 - Washington - Palestinians and the International Solidarity Movement bite back after Israeli soldiers put out a dance video to Ke$sha's "Tik Tok" while on patrol in the West Bank. One ISM volunteer tells soldiers to go... Hebron 'dance protest’ against Israeli soldiers and settlers 7/11/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - 10 July 2010 - Over 100 Palestinians together with international solidarity activists gathered in Hebron this Saturday to protest against the closure of Shuhada street. As a response to the infamous Youtube video of soldiers dancing near the illegal settlement of Tel-Rumeida, some protesters staged a dance protest: three dancers took the role of soldiers and searched and "arrested" three Palestinians.... Related: Hebron 'dance protest' in response to Israeli soldier video Hebron Palestinians: Go dance on your own streets YNet News - Leftists, Palestinians protest against IDF soldiers' mock dance during patrol in.... MIDEAST: Out of Step With the Peace Beat IPS What led the Middle East hit parade this week was less the chords struck harmoniously at the White House Tuesday by two deft diplomatic dancers than the slick dance routine performed by a squad of Israeli soldiers patrolling the streets of the occupied Palestinian city of Hebron. The play’s the thing for Bibi and Obama Palestine Note 7 Jul 2010 - DC theater at its best. That's what we had today as the much-anticipated photo-op meeting between US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took place. Both parties got what they wanted. Obama had... Israeli soldiers face punishment for dancing while on Hebron patrol The Guardian 6 Jul 2010 - Defence force condemns troops' breakout into Macarena caper which went viral on YouTube Six Israeli soldiers face possible disciplinary action after being filmed performing a dance routine while patrolling the Palestinian city of Hebron. The video... Hebron Soldiers Dance In Street PNN - Hebron - PNN - A video surfaced on YouTube this week of six Israeli soldiers dancing in the streets in Hebron. The video begins with the soldiers walking down the street looking... Soldiers' dance in Hebron may mean trouble YNet News - (Video) Controversial dance routine performed by soldiers on duty in Hebron.... Israeli Soldiers Face Penalty after Uploading Hebron Dance Video to Youtube WAFA - TEL AVIV, July 6, 2010 (WAFA) -A number of Israel soldiers could face disciplinary action after they uploaded to YouTube a video of themselves stopping a patrol in the West Bank to dance to American Israel army says investigating dancing soldiers 7/6/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinians in Hebron who complain that the Israeli soldiers patrolling the southern West Bank city rarely intervene to stop settler violence may now know why. Israel's army says it is investigating the source of a video showing soldiers breaking into choreographed dance on a road in Hebron. The video, which appeared online over.... WATCH: Israel investigating dancing soldiers Palestine Note 5 Jul 2010 - New York - The Israeli military says it is investigating the source of a YouTube video of Israeli soldiers in performing a choreographed dance while on patrol the West Bank city of Hebron . The clip begins... IDF soldiers face penalty after uploading Hebron dance video to YouTube Ha'aretz - WATCH: Video of soldiers, armed and wearing bulletproof vests, patrolling as a Muslim call to prayer is heard. Then the music changes and they break into a Macarena-like dance. Franco-Arab film fest brings Jerusalem to the cinema 7/3/2010 - Jerusalem - Ma'an - "Jerusalem, for the last 23 years, we have not had cinemas," General Manager of the city's Palestinian National Theater Jamal Ghoseh explained ahead of the launch of the first - Franco-Arab Film Festival - Following in the footsteps of its wildly successful sister festival in Amman, Palestine's started off slow with organizers from the French.... Jewish group protests ‘Brand Israel’ in North Carolina Mondoweiss - From the video description: Jews for a Just Peace-NC set up a "Palestinian house demolition" tableau in front of the Durham Performing Arts Center to protest an American Dance Festival performance by the Israel-based Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company on June 17, 2010. The... The ‘Associated Press’ really ought to say Rachel Corrie’s name, it’s on boats and books and movies Mondoweiss - Pretty good piece on Israel's isolation by Aron Heller of AP , includes a lot about boycott, but includes this: A small French cinema chain postponed a showing of an Israeli comedy and replaced it with a documentary about an American student crushed to death by an... Israeli settlers break into Joseph's tomb in Nablus 14 Jun 2010 - Nablus, June 14, (Pal Telegraph) Hundreds of Israeli settlers Broke into Joseph's Tomb, east of Nablus, on Sunday and performed religious rituals until dawn today to protect the Israeli occupation army. Witnesses said that hundreds of Israeli settlers have performed rituals and dances in the religious grave of Joseph, in “Balata” camp east of Nablus. Drama in Damascus over populist satire The National 14 Jun 2010 - An outspoken play lampooning the corruption endemic in Syria is packing out theatres. 'Beyond The Sun' Film Premiere – First Production Of 'Turning Point' Project PNN - Ramallah - PNN – The Palestinian film 'Beyond the Sun' – the first film production of the 'Turning Point' project was screened for the first time to the public, in al-Kasaba theater... ’Beyond the Sun’ premiers in Ramallah 6/11/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Palestinian film 'Beyond the Sun' - the first film production of the 'Turning Point' project is screened for the first time to the public, in Al-Kasaba theater in Ramallah on Thursday. Sami Mitwasi stars as the narrator and main character Osamain "Beyond the Sun," an independent, 100% Palestinian movie from second-time film director.... WATCH: Stephen Colbert takes on Israeli ambassador Palestine Note 10 Jun 2010 - Washington - Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren appeared on Comedy Central's the Colbert Report Wednesday June 9. Stephen Colbert (above) plays a comical neo-conservative on the Colbert Report. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons] The segment poked fun at the... Obama reiterates, "status quo is unsustainable" Palestine Note 4 Jun 2010 - Washington - In an appearance on Larry King Live Thursday, US President Barack Obama continued to dance around the issue of condemning Israel for the attack, but he reiterated his feeling that the "status quo" in... Funny guys, serious cause Jeruslalem Post 3 Jun 2010 - Four American comedians are here to support the Koby Mandell Foundation and victims of terror. 23-year-old Israeli backpacker killed in Bolivia Ha'aretz - Ido Farran dies after falling off an all terrain vehicle during a trek with friends., Activists reject offer by father of captured IDF soldier to mediate with government if they agreed to carry parcel and letter., At OECD conference in Paris, prime minister reiterates idea he first presented before his election., In indictment against Ameer Makhoul, state prosecutors claim prominent political campaigner was recruited by Lebanese militants in Denmark., While authorities actively prepare for future threats, the Israeli public appears unfazed., Move could indicate Obama administration's intent to lessen its involvement in peace process; Palestinians pressure U.S.: Discuss Israeli withdrawals, not gestures., Mine is, after all, the generation that gave Israel the settlements., Saying Israel is progressive and creative doesn't work when its politicians focus on victimhood and aggression., IDF to erect investigation committee over allegations that military tank sparked the fire as its metal wheels moved over rocks., Hearing on Wednesday was to deal only with accusations in Rishon Tours case., Shoteh Hovel struck in face and body by assailant dressed as police officer, just two weeks after his car was targeted by explosives., Netanyahu says financial reform to limit private sector centralization to be implemented this year., If you've purchased a health insurance plan that was approved by the insurance commissioner, can you be sure a professional has made sure the coverage is reasonable and logical? Apparently not., Price of PM's upcoming trip has risen by NIS 1.2 million due to special requests, including the installation of a double bed on the plane., Former troops leave English ports for emotional ceremony in France to mark historic WWII rescue., Moscow: We note with regret that our questions to the Polish and U.S. sides over this issue have remained unanswered., Iran President urges U.S. to accept nuclear swap deal, warns that if Obama reaches point of no return, his 'path to friendship with Iran will be blocked forever.', 18-day event includes theater, opera, circus, jazz and more; discounts available for certain performances., Skaat, 28, will represent Israel on Thursday night in the semifinal of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo., A list of some of the most highly reputed champagne bottles in the world raises the standard, and the price, of pleasure., Israel's next war is just a matter of time, Israel has learned nothing from the separation fence, If Israel is democratic, why not elect an Arab PM? Israeli soldiers fire at ambulance evacuating injured demonstrator Uruknet May 22, 2010 - The West Bank village of An Nabi Saleh held their weekly demonstration on Friday, attempting to reach the village land that has been annexed by the illegal settlement of Halamish. Demonstrators marched down from the village mosque till they were blocked by a line of Israeli soldiers and jeeps. Participants chanted, danced and sang for... Soldiers fire at ambulance evacuating injured demonstrator 5/22/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - The West Bank village of An Nabi Saleh held their weekly demonstration on Friday, attempting to reach the village land that has been annexed by the illegal settlement of Halamish. Demonstrators marched down from the village mosque till they were blocked by a line of Israeli soldiers and jeeps. Participants chanted, danced and sang for.... Mamilla Cemetery – What to do with the graves? Nir Hasson, Haaertz, Israeli Occupation Archive 5/20/2010 Skeletons should not be sanctified – but replacing Muslim graves with an ostentatious building dedicated to tolerance will only serve as a provocation Haaretz’s investigative reporting on the eve of Shavuot about the removal of skeletons from the Mamilla Muslim cemetery so the Museum of Tolerance can be built there rightly prompted questions from the people at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which had initiated the museum project. The questions went something like this: “So what now? Let’s assume we drop the project. Will we reestablish the cemetery on a site that served as a parking lot for 40 years? After all, if we start putting back cemeteries that have disappeared, the country will quickly fill up with gravestones and there will be no space for the living. So it’s patently absurd.” It’s no small wonder, however, that a similar case exists not far from Mamilla. Just as the large, important, ancient Muslim cemetery in Mamilla is in the heart of Jewish-Israeli Jerusalem, the large, important, ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives is in the heart of the Muslim-Palestinian city. The two cemeteries can be seen as mirror images of each other. Each of them passed into the hands of opposing sides during the War of Independence. In the 1960s, Israel destroyed part of the Mamilla cemetery and built a parking lot on it. During those same years, the Jordanians destroyed part of the Jewish cemetery to build a gas station. Over the past decade, workmen have returned to both sites. On the Mount of Olives, a major project is underway to restore the part of the cemetery that was destroyed. At Mamilla, excavations have been undertaken to remove skeletons to make room for the Museum of Tolerance. Both moves are a mistake. The gravestones on the Mount of Olives are a fiction. They are actually a theater set of a cemetery because no one really knows where the people are buried; fragments of their headstones lay in piles left by the Jordanian bulldozers..... -- See also: Source more.. e-mail Playwright was willing to change Wiesel’s name; but show will go on in New York Mondoweiss - Wow what a black eye for the Jewish tradition of free speech. (And more evidence for my view that the American Jewish revolution has given way to Establishment Jewish entitlement.) Below is a note said to be by Morgan Jenness, a dramaturg and agent for Deb... The Wiesel industry Mondoweiss - Today's Washington Post reports that a Jewish theater company in Washington allowed Elie Wiesel to put the kibosh on a play that treated his role in the Bernie Madoff scandal. Norman Finkelstein responds: What the Washington Post left out: Wiesel was reportedly miffed because the play... MIDEAST: Dreaming With Their Feet IPS GAZA CITY, May 18 (IPS) - Ahmed Ismail, 23, is leading a dance out of troubled times in Gaza. Breakdancing is his way to help the youth of Gaza begin dreaming and having fun again. Nakba Day observations span West Bank 5/16/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - The village of Al Ma'asara, near Bethlehem, held a Palestinian cultural festival on Friday to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Nakba. Palestinian music, dance and poetry were all on display, offering a timely reminder of Palestine's ancient history and vibrant culture. Above all, the event was an assertion of Palestinian identity, and of the.... My Jerusalem: Personal tales of capital YNet News - Former Knesset speaker isn't homesick, playwright longs for past, former.... From Shas to Hamas Maidhc O'Cathail, Antiwar.com 5/11/2010 A closer look at the group behind the South Park controversy Muslims just can’t seem to take a joke. Or at least that’s what some would have you believe. Like the contrived Danish cartoon controversy, the much-hyped Times Square car bomb incident provided an ideal opportunity for those who seek to make Islam look bad in the eyes of the world. Before the arrest of Faisal “The Fizzler” Shahzad tied this latest botched terror plot to the Pakistani Taliban, some initial news reports suggested that it might have been the work of an Islamist group with a poor sense of humor – and an even poorer sense of direction. The fact that the fertilizer-laden SUV was parked “about one block from” Viacom headquarters led the Washington Post’s pro-Israel staff writers Jerry Markon and Anne Kornblut to speculate that it may have been retribution for a satire on the Prophet Mohammed shown on one of Viacom’s TV networks. After Comedy Central aired an episode of the satirical cartoon South Park in April that depicted the prophet in a bear costume, its creators received veiled death threats from a New York-based group called Revolution Muslim. The threats were issued on the group’s Web site by Zachary Adam Chesser, who now goes by the name Abu Talhah al-Amrikee. Within days of the posting on the obscure Web site, Joshua Rhett Miller of FoxNews.com did a story on it, in which he interviewed Chesser. “They’re going to be basically on a list in the back of the minds of a large number of Muslims,” the recent convert told Fox. “It’s just the reality.” A few days later, Miller did a profile of Chesser, in which he described the 20-year-old as “the boy next door” with a “dark side.” Quoting an anonymous high school classmate, Miller informed Fox readers that Chesser – prior to his career as a humorless fundamentalist Muslim – was a “loner … who frequently drew pictures of Satanic figures in his notebooks.” more.. e-mail From the West Bank | Theatre review The Guardian 10 May 2010 - Tron, Glasgow After blanket coverage of the intricacies of the British political system, how refreshing to be reminded of the wider world. And how invigorating, in this opening salvo of Mayfesto, a two-week programme of politically... Police cannot ensure security for J'lem Day celebrators YNet News - Police commissioner says Lion's Gate, Herod's Gate dropped from Flag Dance.... DC celebrates Youm al-Ard with song and dance Palestine Note 6 May 2010 - By Sarah Harlan Washington - DC-area Palestinians and Arab culture enthusiasts gathered at a middle school outside Washington to celebrate Land Day April 18. The Palestinian flag whipping in the breeze [Photo: Perealbiac - Flickr] The... American dance ensemble performs in Bethlehem 5/6/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Aspiring dancers in the occupied West Bank took advantage of a unique opportunity over the weekend, when US officials brought a New York-based dance ensemble into Bethlehem for a workshop and performance. On tour in the region and participating in the ongoing Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival Related: TWIP: Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival and Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre Yaa Samar! Dance Theater Brings American Modern Dance to Bethlehem WAFA - BETHLEHEM, May 3, 2010 (WAFA)- The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem hosted Yaa Samar! Dance Theater, an American modern dance ensemble, for a one-day engagement at the Bethlehem Peace Center on U.K. comedian slams BBC over apology for anti-Israel skit Ha'aretz 1 May 2010 - In 2008 Frankie Boyle had said that the Mideast was a cake being punched to pieces by a very angry Jew. Frankie Boyle criticises 'cowardly' BBC for Israel joke apology The Guardian 30 Apr 2010 - BBC apologised for joke in which comedian compared Palestine to a cake being 'punched to pieces by a very angry Jew' Frankie Boyle has accused the BBC Trust of cowardly behaviour after it apologised for a... From hairy Jewish bedwetter to raunchy Jewish comedian, Sarah Silverman tells all (or most) Ha'aretz 29 Apr 2010 - Comedian Chelsea Handler has written three memoirs. Kathy Griffin wrote one, too. And now comes 'The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee' by the most subversive of stand-up comics, Sarah Silverman. Sri Lankan dancers perform in Ramallah 4/28/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Sri Lankan dancers thrilled Palestinians when they performed at the Grand Park Hotel in Ramallah last week, joining a Sri Lanka tourism road show organized by the country's diplomatic representative office in Palestine. A large number of travel agents from all parts of Palestine, hotel owners, media, and special guests were present, the Asian Tribune reported, including the Palestinian Authority's minister of tourism as well as its minister of culture and arts. [end] In photos: Palestinian Dabka competition 4/26/2010 - Young Palestinians perform the traditional Palestinian folk dance, Dabka, during a competition for students organized by the Injaz Palestine Foundation at the Cultural Palace in the West Bank city of Ramallah on 22 April 2010. MaanImages / Rami Swidan. [end] Ma'an photos: Dabke competition Palestine Note 26 Apr 2010 - Ma'an News Agency 's Rami Swidan captures dancers in a student competition organized by the the Injaz Palestine Foundation at the Ramallah Cultural Palace on April 22. Informal dabke Dabke is a traditional Palestinian folk dance... In ‘Greenberg,’ it’s the dick who plants trees in Israel Mondoweiss - Last night my father and I went out to a small theater in the Philadelphia suburbs to see Greenberg, the new film by Noah Baumbach. Because of the title and the lead actor, Ben Stiller, I was afraid that the film would be Jew-centric. I don’t... EU, Ma’an showcase Jerusalem theater 4/17/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The E'shtar Theater in Jerusalem has been at the center of a Palestinian cultural revival over the past year, producing plays on a variety of social and political issues affecting Jerusalemites. Touching on themes such as oppression, issues faced by Palestinians living in Jerusalem, the proliferation of drugs use among young men and many others, the E'shtar Theater aims at giving current events in the occupied Palestinian territories a voice on stage. Founded in 1991, the theater group has sought to portray the hardships endured by Palestinians living under occupation and has been funded and supported by the EU. The company has toured many West Bank cities with its latest production, a play by Sa'eed Al-Mas'ud on the dangers of drug addiction affecting Palestinian men, and has hosted delegations of artists and actors from more than five countries who gathered to learn of E'shtar's "theater of the oppressed. US Consul brings modern dance troupe from Washington 4/14/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - CityDance Ensemble, an American modern dance troupe from Washington, DC, performed for hundreds of school children and families in Jerusalem and Jericho as a part of a two-day cultural exchange program this week sponsored by the US Consulate General in Jerusalem, in cooperation with the Jericho Municipality and the American Corner in Jericho. The nine-person company is visiting the region for the second consecutive year. They utilize high energy, innovative modern dance techniques, original music and storytelling to highlight issues they care about -- including climate change and international engagement. The consulate invited CityDance to perform as a part of its month-long environmental awareness program, which includes cultural and educational events throughout April that bring Americans and Palestinians together to address our shared concerns about the environment. U.S. Consulate General Hosts American Dance Troupe CityDance Ensemble WAFA 14 Apr 2010 - JERUSALEM, April 14, 2010 (WAFA)- CityDance Ensemble, an American modern dance troupe from Washington, D.C., performed for hundreds of schoolchildren and families in Jerusalem and Jericho as a part An hilarious movie about hilarious Saudis (and other Arabs) Palestine Note 9 Apr 2010 - It is rare that anything related to the Middle East makes me laugh at loud. But the new film, Just Like Us, starring and directed by the Egyptian-American comedian and actor Ahmed Ahmed, had me laughing... Play shows that for Gaza women, everything is not fine Electronic Intifada: 9 Apr 2010 - It takes an Arab to live in the midst of political divisions, years of siege and occupation, and still say, "everything is fine." Specifically, it must be an Arab man. Ask any woman in Gaza and she will tell you the opposite. That is, at least, the main message that comes across so clearly in the latest play staged in the Gaza Strip bearing the name " Kull Shi Tamaam " (Everything is Fine), written by local playwright Atef Abu Seif -- a prolific author from Jabalia refugee camp. Sami Abu Salem reports from the occupied Gaza Strip. US dances around stance on democracy in Egypt The National 8 Apr 2010 - Mohammed ElBaradei, the former head of the IAEA and a possible presidential contender, is moved away from US envoy to Cairo during mass. Under national theater, Tel Aviv opens massive new bomb shelter Ha'aretz 7 Apr 2010 - Tel Aviv opens massive new bomb shelter ... Kusturica to set new film in Israel and West Bank Ha'aretz 1 Apr 2010 - Director's new film is a comedy about two Palestinian brothers trying to smuggle their father's body from Jerusalem to Ramallah. The Middle East Goes to Hollywood Palestine Chronicle: 1 Apr 2010 - By James Gundun - Washington D.C. From the beginning the White House's announcement of 'indirect talks' between Israel and the Palestinians felt like entering a theater rather than sitting down to a real negotiating table. The gap in perceptions was immediately noticeable. US and Israeli officials spoke of a breakthrough and returning to direct negotiations as quick as possible, political speak for continued disagreement on settlements and Jerusalem, among other issues. Meanwhile Palestinian and Arab League officials warned, whether they meant it or not, that this was America’s last chance to adopt an equal position to the conflict. But everyone shared a commonality - desperation - that drove them to act. As March transpired it became evident that people around the world had walked into a multiplex, not a singular theater. We aren’t watching one show, but a handful running simultaneously. One version plays the US-Israeli “crisis,” another the “fake...more US college debuts course on Palestinian culture 3/29/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - An American college in Chicopee, Mass. will soon kick off a spring-summer series for adults this April with a non-credit course on Palestinian culture, news reports said. The Springfield, Mass. -based publication The Republican reported Saturday that a course offered by the Elms College will be presented by visiting scholar Ghada Issa, a Fulbright scholar teaching two semesters. "I will act as an ambassador of my country," Issa told the newspaper. "I will give an introduction [to Palestinian culture] from my point of view as a Palestinian, and let others know about my culture and my people. " According to the report, the five-week course will cover social life, religion, language, music and traditional Palestinian embroidery. Issa said she will also teach students some basic moves to traditional Palestinian dance. Related: Elms College Ivor Dembina | Comedy review The Guardian 25 Mar 2010 - House of Commons, London Heckles are one thing, division bells quite another. Veteran standup Ivor Dembina has spent 20 years handling the former, but that's no preparation for when his show is interrupted by a ringing... Jerusalem cinema to remain closed on Shabbat YNet News 25 Mar 2010 - Secular councilors furious with Mayor Barkat after approval of weekday-only movie theater complex Palestinian organizer tortured in Israeli jail 3/23/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Popular Struggle Coordination Committee - Omar Alaaeddin from the village of alMa'asara was nabbed from the Container Checkpoint on Sunday the 14th. He was released yesterday with no charges pressed against him. Alaaeddin reports having been tortured in the Israeli Russian Compound Jail in Jerusalem. Omar Alaaeddin, who is involved in organizing demonstrations in the village of alMa'asra south of Bethlehem, was arrested a week ago on Sunday at the Container Checkpoint, as he was making his way back home from Ramallah, with a group of students and university professors. The groups was in Ramallah to see a theater play. Alaaeddin was beaten repeatedly, both by the soldiers who detained him, and later, in the Israeli Russian Compound jail in Jerusalem. He reports to have been kicked, punched and even electroshocked with a taser by the soldiers and his jailers. Related: Popular committee says organizer tortured art for art’s sake In Gaza: 20 Mar 2010 - “Mirror” –Salem Awad “The colors of sunset are wonderful but the sun is the most wonderful. When the black clouds with their golden warm colors play on the sound of a bird that dialogues with the leaves of trees that were eaten by the wind and dance with a beautiful golden dress coloured by the sunset appearing in the far horizon behind the clouds I try to touch the sun before it closes its eyes to mix my brush with its colour and my white painting is the mirror.” ‘Random’ is a word a friend uses to describe Gaza. For all the truths we know and see in Gaza, after years of full-closure siege, after the 23 day Israeli massacre of Gaza and the Israeli invasions and military aggressions before and after the massacre…there are certain norms one expects to see, and does: destroyed homes, businesses, factories, cars; devastated families... THE GAZA MUSIC SCHOOL Uruknet March 20, 2010 - On Tuesday 23 December 2008, in the theater of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Tal El-Hawa, in Gaza City, was given a concert to mark the first three months of teaching at the Gaza Music School. We listened to an orchestra, solo performances of mature musicians, as well as little girls and boys who tried... art for art’s sake In Gaza: 20 Mar 2010 - “Mirror” –Salem Awad “The colors of sunset are wonderful but the sun is the most wonderful. When the black clouds with their golden warm colors play on the sound of a bird that dialogues with the leaves of trees that were eaten by the wind and dance with a beautiful golden dress coloured by the sunset appearing in the far horizon behind the clouds I try to touch the sun before it closes its eyes to mix my brush with its colour and my white painting is the mirror.” ‘Random’ is a word a friend uses to describe Gaza. For all the truths we know and see in Gaza, after years of full-closure siege, after the 23 day Israeli massacre of Gaza and the Israeli invasions and military aggressions before and after the massacre…there are certain norms one expects to see, and does: destroyed homes, businesses, factories, cars; devastated families... Oslo Jewish community leader slams Israel 3/14/2010 - YNetNews - Jews in Norwegian capital shocked by Anne Sander's remark that Israelis benefit from settlements like Palestinians benefit from suicide bombings, her criticism against Chabad and Foreign Minister Lieberman - Many Jews in Oslo were shocked over the weekend by remarks made by the leader of the local Jewish community, who criticized haredi Judaism, the Chabad movement, the settlements and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Anne Sander made the remarks in an interview to the Dagbladet newspaper, on the backdrop of the complicated situation between Jews and Muslims in Norway. Only 1,100 Jews live in Norway today, most of them in Oslo, alongside more than 70,000 Muslims. Local Jews were surprised to read Sander's remarks, as the Scandinavian country is no stranger to anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic incidents from the past few years include harsh statements made by Norwegian comedian Otto Jespersen,. . . . Gaza: 1,000 candles mark 1,000 days of siege 3/13/2010 - Gaza - Ma'an - Hundreds gathered in Gaza City on Thursday night to mark the 1,000th day of siege on the coastal enclave, lighting candles representing the thousands dead since the Israeli-led blockade began in 2007. The Popular Committee Against the Siege organized the vigil, encouraging those who lost loved ones to carry their photos in the streets as the rally took place in the Square of the Unknown Fighter. Others carried candles and banners calling for an end to the siege and a return to a life of dignity. Children from the Baladna Cultural Theater presented performed skits illustrating the damage done to kids and families during the siege, demanding protection from injustice and violence. Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the popular committee, addressed those gathered. "We will never surrender," he said, stressing the strength of the people in the face of rights violations. VIDEO - Najla Said reads from her play of her teenage visit to Gaza 3/12/2010 - P U L S E - Najla Said, daughter of the late great Edward said, is not known for her father’s analytical acumen. She is all American sensibility and speech, and not as politically inclined as some of the rest of her family. But as an actress and playwright she gives a very human and compelling portrait of being an Arab-American, and specifically a Palestinian-American visiting Gaza as a teenager in this excerpt from her play. It was a trip that changed her, and coincided with highly personal events such as her father learning he had leukemia and her anorexia. And in this human portrait, Najla may well reach an audience which the best political analysis will miss. [end] From Jerusalem With Love… Naji WAFA 12 Mar 2010 - JERUSALEM, March 12, 2010 (WAFA)- The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem and the Palestinian National Theater “Al Hakawati” have joined forces on an innovative cultural exchange program that brings Second annual Ann Arbor Palestine film fest opens with "Pomegranates and Myrrh" Electronic Intifada: 11 Mar 2010 - The second annual Ann Arbor Palestine Film Festival opened on 10 March 2010 at the Michigan Theater with hundreds of attendees for Najwa Najjar's Pomegranates and Myrrh . The film festival showcases films about Palestine and by Palestinian directors. Educating through the screen arts, the film festival amplifies the voice of the Palestinian people as a nation and diaspora by bringing films to the fore that would not otherwise be seen. Weekly Protest Video Round-Up Palestine Monitor: 6 Mar 2010 - Palestinian, Israeli and international activists joined demonstrations in villages up and down the West Bank yesterday, marking the Global Week Against racism. A Palestinian boy was seriously wounded during An Nebi Saleh protest. Here is what happened. Bi'lin Once again, creativity distinguished Bi'lin protest. Activists dressed as figures representing Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela joined anti-Wall protesters in Bil'in, marching to commemorate their nonviolent struggle against occupation, oppression and colonialism. “ The struggles of Gandhi against oppression and occupation in India , Martin Luther King, Jr. against racism in the USA and Mandela against the apartheid in South Africa are all similar to Bili'n's ongoing struggle against occupation here” , a statement from the Popular Committee said. International and Israeli activists, delegations from the Freedom Theater in Jenin and the Palestinian People's Struggle Front also joined the rally. Protesters marched towards the separation barrier, chanting slogans and singing... Weekly Protest in Bi'lin Marks International Week Against Racism IMEMC - Friday March 05, 2010 - 16:13, This week’s protest in Bi’lin was joined by international and Israeli peace activists, and groups representing the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine political party and the Freedom Theatre in Jenin. Protests: Troops fire tear gas at journalists, ’Ghandi’ 3/5/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Delegations from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Freedom Theater in Jenin joined over 100 anti-wall ralliers in Bil'in on Friday, to mark Global Week Against racism. As the group finished Friday prayers and marched toward the site of the separation barrier, which cuts villagers off from their agricultural and village lands, the group was met with tear-gas canisters, organizers said. "The occupation forces fired tear gas towards the citizens of Bil'in, foreign peace activists and peace-loving Israelis," a statement from the popular committee said. First to be hit with the tear gas, organizers noted, were actors from the Jenin Theatre group dressed as figures from the anti-facism struggle around the world, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, jr. The statement alleged that Israeli troops "deliberately fired tear gas towards. . . " Oscar hopes high as 'Ajami' crew heads for Hollywood Ha'aretz 4 Mar 2010 - The Israeli filmmakers behind the Oscar-nominated picture "Ajami" arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday to attend this Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony at the Kodak Theater. ... Hopes high for an Oscar as'Ajami' crew heads for Hollywood Ha'aretz 4 Mar 2010 - The Israeli filmmakers behind the Oscar-nominated picture "Ajami" arrived in Los Angeles yesterday to attend this Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony at the Kodak Theater. ... Gaza: A Dark Comedy Curtis Doebbler, Ma’an News Agency 2/27/2010 When Israel attacked Gaza just over a year ago, the Israeli government undoubtedly believed it could get away with murder with little damage to its reputation. The way that this would happen, however, was probably not envisioned. Neither the Israeli generals who ordered the attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and whatever else was in sight, nor their most unyielding defenders could have foreseen the dark comedy into which they had stepped. While they might have assumed they could act with immunity, they probably did not expect that this immunity would come as much from Palestinian actions as their own. The one-year history of how the tragedy in Gaza has been handled at the UN today seems to have devolved to a dark comedy. The Israeli government, their supporters, much of the wider international community, and even the Palestinian authorities themselves have all contributed to the surreal compliance with which the ongoing, man-made disaster in Gaza has been handled. The most recent leading actor in this dark comedy is the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, who responded to a demand by the UN General Assembly that he report on progress being made to investigate the war crimes in Gaza by providing a one-and-a-half-page note essentially saying he wasn’t sure that any progress was being made. He cited the commitments of the single state involved, as well as those of actors the UN does not yet recognize as states, as indicating that they would undertake proper investigations of the allegations made in the Goldstone report. more.. e-mail Israeli forces commemorate Goldstein Massacre with tear gas and sound bombs 2/26/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - 25 February 2010 - On 25 February 2010 eight ISM volunteers gathered at the Hebron Municipality building alongside Hebron residents, Israeli activists and other international volunteer groups. Television crews were already interviewing local organizers and political leaders; Israeli activists scrambled to finish the last of their demonstration placards with phrases in Hebrew saying "Open Shuhada Street," "There is No Holiness in an Occupied City," and "Ibrahim's Mosque is a Bi-national holy Site;" Shebab (young Palestinian boys) danced a few steps of dabke, a traditional Palestinian dance, to a popular Arabic song playing from a cell phone projected through a megaphone. At 2pm, multiple buses appeared in the parking lot below the municipality and both international and Israeli activists were instructed towards a small white bus at the far end. Listen to the Heroes of Israel John Pilger, Antiwar.com 2/25/2010 "Our children," said Nurit at a rally last December to mark the anniversary of the Israeli assault on Gaza, "have learned this year that all the disgusting qualities which anti-Semites attribute to Jews are actually manifested among our leaders: deceit, greed, and the murder of children … " I phoned Rami Elhanan the other day. We had not spoken for six years and much has happened in Israel and Palestine. Rami is an Israeli graphic designer who lives with his family in Jerusalem. His father survived Auschwitz. His grandparents and six aunts and uncles perished in the Holocaust. Whenever I am asked about heroes, I say Rami and his wife Nurit without hesitation. Soon after when we met, Rami gave me a home videotape that was difficult to watch. It shows his daughter Smadar, aged 14, throwing her head back, laughing and playing the piano. "She loved to dance," he said. On the afternoon of 4 September, 1997, Smadar and her best friend, Sivane, had auditions for admission to a dance school. She had argued that morning with her mother, who was anxious about her going to the centre of Jerusalem. "I didn’t want to row," said Nurit, "so I let her go." Rami was in his car when he turned on the radio to catch the three o’clock news. There had been a suicide bombing in Ben Yehuda shopping precinct. More than 200 hundred people were injured and several were dead. Within minutes, his mobile phone rang. It was Nurit, crying. They searched the hospitals in vain, then the morgue; and so began, as Rami describes it, their "descent into darkness." Rami and Nurit are two of the founders of the Parents Circle, or Bereaved Families Forum, which brings together Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones. "It’s painful to acknowledge," he said. "but there is no basic moral difference between the [Israeli] soldier at the checkpoint who prevents a woman who is having a baby from going through, causing her to lose the baby, and the man who killed my daughter. And just as my daughter was a victim [of the occupation], so was he.".... more.. e-mail "The ground is shifting": An interview with comedian Ivor Dembina Electronic Intifada: 26 Feb 2010 - Ivor Dembina's one-man show This is Not a Subject for Comedy has been running, growing and developing for more than five year, dealing with Dembina's upbringing in a 1960s "mainstream Jewish household" broadly supporting the Zionist cause. Set to perform before the British House of Commons, Dembina was recently interviewed by The Electronic Intifada contributor Sarah Irving. No Tutu Is Big Enough To Cover Israel's War Crimes Palestine Monitor: 22 Feb 2010 - Last week, American and Israeli human rights activists interrupted a performance by the Israel Ballet at the Flynn Theater in Burlington, Vermont, holding banners which read "Sponsored by Apartheid Israel" and "No tutu is big enough to cover War Crimes". The Israel Ballet is currently touring the U.S. as part of "Brand Israel", a campaign launched in August 2009 by Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs as attempt to give the controversial state a new international image, in the wake of unanimous condemnation from the major human rights organizations and, most recently, the U.N. "Goldstone Report. Video of the action is currently being censored by Youtube who claim it violates a “terms of use” policy, however the video can be viewed at the following links: Israel ballet interrupted in Burlington, Vt. - No tutu is big enough to cover Israel's War Crimes from samayfield on Vimeo . The activists, who had purchased... Friday Night Lights: American and Israeli human rights activists disrupt ballet performance in Vermont 2/20/2010 - P U L S E - BURLINGTON, VT- Greetings from the Green Mountain State! I want to give a shout out to those who participated in a successful night of activism. Several activists leafleted 249 people attending last night’s Israeli Ballet performance at the Flynn Theater. The leaflet asked “Would you like some information about Don Quixote and the Israel Ballet? ” — which was an accurate presentation of last night’s performance. “Israel’s ‘Golden Helmet of Mambrino’ — which makes one invisible, thus capable of all actions — is slowly turning into Don Quixote’s version of it — a upside-down shaving bowl plopped on the head — incapable of nothing but making its wearer more obvious and actionable to the world. Brand Israel will continue to call forth increasing protests as audiences realize they are being used,” said author and activist Marc Estrin. In photos: US hip hop group HaviKoro perform in Nablus 2/19/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The US Consulate in Jerusalem sponsored local performances by The HaviKoro Crew, a hip hop group based in Houston, Texas, playing to capacity crowds in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, organizers said. The crew, whose next stop is Jordan, are part of an ongoing initiative by the US representatives officeto promote "mutual understanding and stronger ties between Palestinians and Americans," a statement said. The initiative has seen Jazz, rap and Swing groups perform across Palestine in recent years, in what was described as an effort to expose Palestinians to music and culture that is uniquely American, with a global influence. HaviKoro, like the bands that came before them, performed for audiences and conducted workshops across Palestine. Students in Ramallah, Nablus and East Jerusalem were treated to day-long dance classes as the crew shared their moves with eager children and young adults. Sunday 'Resisdance' Protest to Tell Israel Ballet It can’t Tip-Toe Around Apartheid 2/19/2010 - WAFA - Palestine News Agency - BROOKLYN, NY, February 21, 2010 (WAFA)- Human rights activists will call upon New Yorkers to boycott the Israel Ballet at their Sunday afternoon performance at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College. The protest will include contemporary and folk dance, anti-apartheid ballet-themed chants, and more. Organizers of the protest affirmed the boycott call by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel and stated that Israeli cultural and academic institutions that do not openly denounce Israeli crimes against Palestinians and dissociate themselves from Israeli policy should be subject to a popular boycott. Allison Brown of Adalah-NY comments, “Rather than distancing itself from the Israeli state’s cynical use of the arts to whitewash its apartheid and colonial policies, the Israel Ballet, which receives around $1 million annually from the Israeli government, has proudly embraced its ties with the state. Climbdown: Britain knew Mossad used fake passports for Dubai assassination Mondoweiss - 19 Feb 2010 - That’s the news from Haaretz . It’s all kabuki theater in the name of diplomatic cover. The matter will disappear from the headlines within days. Related posts: Were those Mossad assassins wearing tennis outfits in Dubai? Ripped from the headlines Will Dubai get Gaza to the ICC?... Gaza: A dark comedyAt first the Goldstone Report seemed a breakthrough. Now most hopes for justice have been dissipated Uruknet February 18, 2010 - When Israel attacked Gaza just over a year ago, the Israeli government undoubtedly believed it could get away with murder with little damage to its reputation. The way that this would happen, however, was probably not envisioned. Neither the Israeli generals who ordered the attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and whatever else was within sight, nor... Don’t let the Israel Ballet tip-toe around Apartheid! Adalah-NY 2/5/2010 Adalah-NY, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, the US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS Call from Within, and American Jews for a Just Peace call for a boycott of and protests against the performances of the Israel Ballet during their February, 2010 US tour, due to the Israel Ballet’s complicity in whitewashing Israeli apartheid. The Israel Ballet will perform from February 8 – 27, 2010 in Panama City (FL), Ft. Myers (FL), Sarasota (FL), Bunnel (FL), West Palm Beach (FL), Gainesville (FL), Newport News (VA), Burlington (VT), Worcester (MA), Brooklyn (NY), Morgantown (WV), Buffalo (NY), Elmira (NY) and Rockville (MD). We call on individuals and groups to mobilize to boycott and protest against these performances. The Israel Ballet comes to the United States as part of the ongoing effort to “re-brand” Israel’s image in the West as an enlightened center of arts and technology, to conceal the facts about its occupation, racial discrimination and grave violations of international law and fundamental Palestinian rights. The Israeli government-sponsored campaign to promote cultural performances is a result of the steady decline of Israel’s standing in international public opinion. Consistent reports by the UN and leading human rights organizations have revealed the extent of Israel’s colonial oppression, gradual ethnic cleansing and even war crimes against the Palestinian people, as pointedly revealed in the UN’s recently published Goldstone Report on Israel’s war of aggression on Gaza. The Israel Ballet, which receives around $1 million annually from the Israeli government, is being advertised as a cultural ambassador of the state by the Israeli Consulate in New York. The dance group also boasts holding “special performances” for Israeli soldiers. -- See also: Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel and US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel more.. e-mail Nuzha Nusseibeh named Knight of Jerusalem 2/14/2010 - Jerusalem - Ma'an - Nuzha Nusseibeh was named the Knight of Jerusalem during a ceremony celebrating her lifetime achievements in education, women and prisoners' rights, at the Dar At-Tifl school and orphanage in Jerusalem on Saturday evening, organized by the Jawwal Theatre Group. Nusseibeh was awarded the title for her pioneering role in establishing a number of Palestinian institutions dedicated to providing education to both young girls and orphans, most prominent of all being the Young Women's Islamic Association which hosts one of the most successful secondary schools for girls in Jerusalem. Under Nusseibeh's leadership, theYWIArecently opened a new school and community center on the Mount of Olives following a lengthy battle with the Israeli Jerusalem Municipality. Touring Israeli ballet company has no Palestinian dancers Mondoweiss - 7 Feb 2010 - Several BDS groups, including Adalah-NY here , have called for boycott of the Israel Ballet’s tour to Florida and the Northeast this month. The groups say that the ballet is part of the government’s rebranding campaign– The Israel Ballet, which receives around $1 million annually from the... Ban’s report pleases Israel 2/5/2010 - Jerusalem Post - But rights groups say UN chief failed to assess Israeli, Palestinian probes - “Israel is satisfied that the secretary general of the United Nations accurately reflected the Israeli document submitted this week,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published Friday afternoon. The ministry said Israel’s document “fully expresses Israel’s obligation to hold independent and reliable investigations, which would measure up to the yardstick of international law. ”“Despite the difficulties presented by the Gaza theater, Israel kept international norms and will continue to do so in the future, while primarily maintaining the security and well-being of its citizens,” the statement continued. A senior Israeli official said Israel has been in constant contact with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and other UN officials. The United States has also been a key advocate, deploying senior officials to convey a strong message on the issue. Video: Theatre in the shadow of the Palestinian Nakba The Guardian 5 Feb 2010 - Playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi on how growing up in Galilee after the 1948 conflict inspired his latest theatre piece, I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother Andrew Dickson Mustafa Khalili Laurence Topham "A different kind of occupation": an interview with Elia Suleiman Electronic Intifada: 1 Feb 2010 - Nazareth-born filmmaker Elia Suleiman is one of the darlings of Cannes and stands out from the pack of contemporary Palestinian filmmakers for his unique style of filmmaking based on sewing together a series vignettes, silence -- an emphasis on visual storytelling versus dialogue, and deadpan comedy found in often grim humor in the lives of everyday people living under the tyranny of what he calls a "pathetic occupation." Sabah Haider recently interviewed Suleiman for The Electronic Intifada. "A different kind of occupation": an interview with Elia Suleiman Uruknet February 1, 2010 - Nazareth-born filmmaker Elia Suleiman is one of the darlings of Cannes and stands out from the pack of contemporary Palestinian filmmakers for his unique style of filmmaking based on sewing together a series vignettes, silence -- an emphasis on visual storytelling versus dialogue, and deadpan comedy found in often grim humor in the lives of everyday... "A different kind of occupation": an interview with Elia Suleiman Electronic Intifada: 1 Feb 2010 - Nazareth-born filmmaker Elia Suleiman is one of the darlings of Cannes and stands out from the pack of contemporary Palestinian filmmakers for his unique style of filmmaking based on sewing together a series vignettes, silence -- an emphasis on visual storytelling versus dialogue, and deadpan comedy found in often grim humor in the lives of everyday people living under the tyranny of what he calls a "pathetic occupation." Sabah Haider recently interviewed Suleiman for The Electronic Intifada. I laughed and then it felt weird Mondoweiss - 27 Jan 2010 - Below is a skit from "A Wonderful Country," the Israeli TV comedy show that’s been applauded in the US , mocking Israel’s effort to resuscitate its image post-Gaza by helping Haiti. It’s funny and dark (and shows that our posts on this issue have been legit). The... Kendeda winner Tennis in Nablus' at the Alliance Theatre PNN 26 Jan 2010 - Theater preview “Tennis in Nablus” by Ishmail Khalidi Jan 29-Feb 21. $25-$30. Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., 404-733-5000, www.alliancetheatre.org (http://www.alliancetheatre.org/). By Pierre Ruhe Never mind attempts at witty conversation and flirting. Everyone knows there is just one measure of a successful first date: It leads to a second, and a third. So it is with the world premiere of... I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother: PNN 14 Jan 2010 - Palestinian story about Palestinians.In the war of 1948, thousands of Palestinians were uprooted from their homes never to return, and playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi is determined to tell their stories. It was six decades ago, but the fallout from the war continues. A few months ago, one fast-rising, rightwing Israeli party tried to introduce a bill that would ban Palestinians from commemorating... Fayyad unveils sculpture series dedicated to Palestinian women 1/13/2010 - Ramallah - Ma'an - Prime Minister Salam Fayyad unveiled a mural dedicated to Palestinian women on Tuesday in Ramallah, highlighting the role of women in Palestinian life, history and culture. The mural, funded by the European Union, was the outcome of the Celebration of Art and Culture of Palestinian Women project and was created by the Women's Affairs Association. The project was undertaken to highlight the role of Palestinian women in maintaining traditional Palestinian art. Part of the mural will be displayed at Al-Quds University in the Abu Diss campus and near the Ashtar Theatre in Ramallah. During his speech, Fayyad emphasized the value of the project, asserting not only that the mural reflected Palestinian women's work but their vigilance preserving Palestinian memory. The caretaker prime minister further underscored the need to encourage Palestinian women to participate. . . Making Contact Jeruslalem Post 12 Jan 2010 - Israel is the latest chapter in the travel log of dancer Sadira Smith. I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother: A Palestinian story about Palestinians The Guardian 11 Jan 2010 - In the war of 1948, thousands of Palestinians were uprooted from their homes never to return, and playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi is determined to tell their stories It was six decades ago, but the fallout from... Accountability Now! A Symposium on Human Rights and International Justice Alternative Information Center 9 Jan 2010 - Al-Quds University Al-Quds Human Rights Clinic Cordially invite you to: Accountability Now! A Symposium on Human Rights and International Justice Tuesday, 12th January 2010 2-4pm, Main Theater, Abu Dis Campus, Al-Quds University On occasion of the... Accountability Now! A Symposium on Human Rights and International Justice Alternative Information Center - 9 Jan 2010 - Al-Quds University Al-Quds Human Rights Clinic Cordially invite you to: Accountability Now! A Symposium on Human Rights and International Justice Tuesday, 12th January 2010 2-4pm, Main Theater, Abu Dis Campus, Al-Quds University On occasion of the one year anniversary of Israel’s 22-day-long offensive on the Gaza... Record numbers crowd Bethlehem for New Year’s 1/2/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Bethlehem's halls and restaurants were filled New Year's Eve with an estimated 10,000 out of town visitors from all parts of the West Bank, and the city's Manger Square was full of celebrators though no official event had been arranged. Tickets for private parties in dozens of Bethlehem hotels were sold out, celebrations in Beit Sahour and Beit Jala were also full. Parties had guests from Hebron in the south, Ramallah in the center, Nablus, Qalqiliya, and Jenin in the north as well as Nazareth, Haifa and Jerusalem. For the first time, Bethlehem residents saw street parties, concentrated in Manger Square, where locals and international tourists and pilgrims celebrated and danced to music spontaneously pumped out of car speakers and phones. Police were caught off guard by the large numbers in the street, and huge ammounts of traffic turning Bethlehem streets into parking lots in the hours around midnight. ’Just the beginning of an all-out war’ 12/27/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - During the first four minutes of Israel's devastating winter assault on the Gaza Strip, launched 11:25am local time one year ago today, over 60 warplanes struck 50 targets, ultimately killing and injuring hundreds by midnight. At least 228 Palestinians lost their lives during the opening hours of the offensive, including 25 women and children, making 27 December 2008 the deadliest day for the local population in the occupied territories since Israel first invaded in 1967. Medical officials say some 700 Palestinians were injured by nightfall, 140 of them seriously. Hospitals turned away patients as doctors performed multiple surgeries in the same operating theaters, as well as in ordinary examination rooms. "The situation - actually there was chaos, total chaos," according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Strip, Mahmoud Daher, who. . . Confluence of holiday and protest set stage for high drama in Iran LA Times 26 Dec 2009 - Celebrations of Ashura, always a dramatic street ritual among Shiites, are expected to include an element of political theater this weekend, fueled by Iran's postelection unrest. The haze of burning esfand, a Persian weed, and the scents of thick-brewed tea and rose water fill the black funeral tents that have bloomed over Tehran. Sweeping black banners of mourning and small green lights hang outside mosques. Manger Square celebrations a party for all 12/25/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - After Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal lead dozens of scouts through Bethlehem's Star Street and into Manger Square, families milled around the Old City, enjoying carols, hot corn, roasted nuts and cotton candy. Kids of all ages and visitors from all corners of the West Bank joined pilgrims and dignitaries for the live music under the glow of thousands of Christmas lights. Palestinians of every faith shared in the sounds of artists from around the world, preferring dance rhythms to the mournful songs, many penned in the honor of peace for Palestine. Khalid, selling hot cardamon coffee to revelers in the square, rolled his eyes at one artist, telling his customers to "make peace happen. ""We forget about the occupation today, it's a party; we are here to have fun," he said. Dancers took the break as songs for peace in Spanish rippled across the open air venue,. . . POMEGRANATES AND MYRRH PNN 17 Dec 2009 - International Narrative Feature FilmsPalestinianTerritories, 2008, 95 mins., color Director(s):Najwa Najjar Screenwriter(s): Najwa Najjar Producer: Hani E. Cort Coproducers: Robin Gutch, Thierry Lenouvel, Kamel Kacimi and Daniel Gobner Cinematographer: Valentina Caniglia Commissioning Editor: Meinolf Zuhorst Editors: Bettina Bohler, Sotira Kyriacou Dancer Kamar’s joyful wedding to Zaid is followed almost immediately by Zaid’s imprisonment in an Israeli jail for refusing to give up his... Yasmine Elmasri PNN 8 Dec 2009 - Yasmine Al Massri is a Palastinian French actress, Video artist, and a dancer, born in Lebanon, who graduated and lived in Paris, got her Diplome Nationale Superieure, from l'Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris. She got her first acting chance with a Lebanese movie called Caramel with director Nadine Labaki, that got her the red carpet in Cannes Film Festival, and four... Olive harvest concludes with festival, new report 12/6/2009 - Stop The Wall - Several weeks ago, the olive harvest concluded with a festival in the Nablus area village of Burin. Under the banner “our enemies are the settlements and our path is resistance”, the festival celebrated the end of the harvest with traditional dance and music from local groups and a number of speakers. Both party representatives as well as grassroots activists attended the festival, where they praised farmers and their steadfastness (sumud) in the face of the ongoing assault by soldiers and settlers. The settlers near Burin are especially infamous, meaning the village is attacked frequently; last month 1,200 trees were burned or cut by settlers, and 3,000 faced the same fate the month before. Speakers then turned to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), demanding that it take up its responsibility to protect and support the farmers. -- Link: Download the Olive Harvest 2009 report (PDF) Palestinian 'terrorist' takes aim at Sasha Baron Cohen Ha'aretz 7 Dec 2009 - A Palestinian grocer from Bethlehem filed suit against comedian Sasha Baron Cohen on Monday, for the sum total of $115 million in libel damages over his film Bruno , which is equal to half of the movie's gross box office earnings. ... Palestine theatre linked with Wales arts centre 12/5/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Palestine's The Freedom Theatre and the Aberystwyth Arts Centre have established ties, the news agency Wales Online reported on Saturday. The exchange scheme was being established between the two organizations to help develop the skills of the young people working for the Freedom Theatre, according to the news agency. In early 2010, two trainee technicians from Jenin were expected to travel to Aberystwyth for a two-month work placement. [end] Gaza Freedom March less than one month away 12/5/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Electronic Intifada, 4 December - The Gaza Freedom March that will take place in Gaza on 31 December is an historic initiative to break the siege that has imprisoned the 1. 5 million people who live there. Conceived in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and nonviolent resistance to injustice worldwide, the march will gather people from all over the world to march - hand in hand - with the people of Gaza to demand that the Israelis open the borders. Marking the one-year anniversary of the December 2008 Israeli invasion that left more than 1,400 dead, this is a grassroots global response to the inaction on the part of world leaders and institutions. More than 1,000 international delegates from 42 countries have already signed up and more are signing on every day. Participants include Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker, leading Syrian comedian Duraid Lahham, French Senator. . . . Haifa theater hit with lawsuit for allowing smoking on stage Ha'aretz 4 Dec 2009 - In what is believed to be the first legal action of its kind in the world, a Haifa Theater may be hit with a class-action lawsuit for allowing an actress to smoke on stage as part of her role. ... [uruknet.info] WE HAVE ONLY GOD Uruknet November 30, 2009 - In Gaza City I have seen 1948 in 2009. The same images: the images of the Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe. But now they were moving. It was not a film. It was not theater. It was real. On Saturday 27 December 2008, at precisely 11:25, Israeli Occupation Forces launched a ferocious offensive against the Gaza Strip... Standing up for Israel Jeruslalem Post 29 Nov 2009 - Butch Bradley isn't concerned about coming here on a comedy tour; NJ is 'more of a war zone,' he says. Syrian soap superstars tour Gaza 11/23/2009 - Syrian soap opera superstars were among a delegation of actors that entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday on a solidarity visit to the besieged enclave. The group of 12 included Wafa Mousselie and Salim Kallas, who play leading characters on the hugely popular soap opera Bab Al-Hara (Gate of the Neighborhood), which appears nightly during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Watched by tens of millions across the Arab world, Bab Al-Hara is popular among Palestinians, particularly for its depictions of Syrian resistance to French colonialism in the 1930s. The delegation included Duraid Lahham, a leading comedian and director, who was visiting Gaza for the second time this year. Jamal Suleiman of the show Ahla Raya was also on the delegation. Among the group were Assad Eid, Rafiq Sbeie, Assad Fadda, Susan Najem Ad-Din, Radwan Aqili, Talhat Hamdi, Hadi Baqdunes, Hesham Hasbani and TV cameraman Ayman Salameh. Palestinian schools mark Children’s Day; Israel boycotts 11/21/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - Sports and music events hosted by UNIFEC and Right to Play will mark the 20th anniversary of Palestine's adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Friday, the UN International Children's Day. Hundreds of children in Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin and Nablus will mark the occasion with concerts, road races, theater performances, football matches and kids games. In Israel, however, a decision by the Ministry of Education not to hold any special activities this year to mark Universal Children's Day, was pushed through earlier in the week, a Wednesday report from Haaretz noted. The Convention entered into force in Israel in November 1991, but Israel denies its applicability Palestinian areas, as with most other international treaties, according to Defense for Children International. The Israeli argument is that ratification of the treaty was intended for. . . Real Estate Shopping Is Used as Political Theater on Jerusalem’s Contested Ground New York Times 19 Nov 2009 - The conundrum of Jerusalem was fully in evidence as a Brooklyn lawmaker talked of buying into a Jewish apartment complex in a Palestinian neighborhood. Burin celebrates successful olive harvest, despite numerous settler attacks 11/19/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - 18 November 2009 - On Wednesday 18 November, the village of Burin (south of Nablus) celebrated the successful conclusion of its olive harvest. More than 400 villagers came together to hear speeches by locals and nationally renowned politicians (including member of Knesset Mohammed Baraka, general secretary of Hadash), as well as to see the young men of the village dance the Dabke, the traditional dance of Palestine. A large stage with sound system had been set up outside the local boys' school and the festivities commenced at around 11am. Braving weather that seemed to change every 5 minutes from pleasantly warm to freezing cold, the villagers listened to speeches and music in clear view from the illegal settlement of Yitzhar, one that has caused its fair share of problems for the village during the harvest. Only 6 days before the event, settlers from Yitzhar attacked the fields of Burin, cutting down 97 trees. Real Estate Shopping Is Used as Political Theater on Jerusalem’s Contested Ground New York Times 19 Nov 2009 - The conundrum of Jerusalem was fully in evidence as a Brooklyn lawmaker talked of buying into a Jewish apartment complex in a Palestinian neighborhood. Real Estate Shopping Is Used as Political Theater on Jerusalem’s Contested Ground 11/18/2009 - New York Times - JERUSALEM — Dov Hikind, a member of the New York State Assembly, was in this disputed city on Wednesday looking for property to buy. He said he was most excited about a new apartment complex overlooking the Old City called Nof Zion. At noon, Mr. Hikind led a group of about 50 American Jews in laying a cornerstone for the next phase of Nof Zion, with construction scheduled to start next spring. “I want to buy here,” Mr. Hikind said. “I might make a deal while I am here this time. ”More than a real estate deal, though, it would be a statement: Nof Zion, a private Jewish project, is in Jebel Mukaber, a Palestinian Arab neighborhood of East Jerusalem, in territory Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war. Israel claims sovereignty over all Jerusalem; the Palestinians demand the eastern part as the capital of a future state. London Christmas concert to highlight 'plight of the Holy Land' 11/17/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Voices of Bethlehem '09 Christmas concert in London will host a handful of literary celebrities in what hopes to be an event to raise awareness the "plight of the Holy Land,"ť organizers said. The event, where a full choir and brass band, with members of the Adhoc Humanitarians Orchestra, will perform Christmas and seasonal works, as Samira Hassassian, former lecturer at Bethlehem University gives audience members background on the occupation on the Holy Land. Also addressing concert goers will be British author Deborah Moggach, who recently took part in the Palestine Literature Festival, whose debut readings in Jerusalem were shut down by armed Israeli soldiers. Moggach will be joined by British playwright Caryl Churchill, whose short play "Seven Jewish Children - A Play for Gaza," released during the last days of Israel's war on Gaza, was distributed. . .
Is Caryl Churchill’s play Seven Jewish Children antisemitic? Charlotte Higgins, The Guardian 2/18/2009 The fast-response, eight-minute play that Churchill has written for the Royal Court in London has provoked a furore - First of all – I should say that I heartily recommend that you go and see Churchill’s Seven Jewish Children yourself, if you can get to the Royal Court theatre in London. It’s free to get in, it’s only eight minutes long, and it’s on until 21 January. The play did not strike me as antisemitic and I do not now believe it to be antisemitic. The work contains seven short scenes marking seven moments in Israeli history from the Holocaust via the first intifada to the present day. In those scenes Israeli adults discuss how they will explain those moments to an absent child. Here’s an example of a few lines from the last section of the play. " Tell her she can’t watch the news / Tell her she can watch cartoons / Tell her she can stay up late and watch Friends. / Tell her they’re attacking with rockets / Don’t frighten her / Tell her only a few of us have been killed. . . [etc]". . . more.. e-mail
Israeli comedy show satirises Gaza violence Ben Lynfield in Jerusalem, The Independent 1/10/2009 With nearly 800 Palestinians and 13 Israelis killed, four of the latter by so-called friendly fire, the Gaza war is no laughing matter, putting Israel’s most popular comedy show in a delicate position. Eretz Nehederet (Wonderful Country) -- the Israeli equivalent of the Daily Show -- has nonetheless been highlighting the lopsided fatality count of the war raging in the Gaza Strip. Last week’s episode featured a warmongering military correspondent, played by actor Tal Friedman, repeatedly breaking in to the newscasts with updates on the rising Palestinian death toll as if the war was a sports match. "It’s 500 for the visitors, four for the home team," the correpondent says. "The result is good but we can’t be complacent and we have to widen the lead. "A moment later he announces "a direct hit on a fashion studio, we are up to 501". more.. e-mail
News in Brief - 1000 march against Gaza offensive in Tel Aviv Ha’aretz 12/28/2008 Some 1,000 people marched in Tel Aviv last night to protest the military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators, including leftist and human rights activists, walked from the Cinematheque theater on Carlebach Street to the Defense Ministry. Police on horseback accompanied the protesters, one of whom became caught between a horse’s legs. The demonstrators argued that the operation in Gaza does not advance Israeli citizens’ security. "No one can tell us that a massacre against the people of Gaza is intended to protect the citizens of Sderot and Ashkelon," said Matan Kaminer, a student who participated in the procession. (Ofri Ilani) Labor and the new Meretz alignment announced yesterday they would be temporarily stopping their election campaigning due to the operation in Gaza. Yesterday afternoon, several hours after the offensive began, Labor announced that its leader, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, would stop his campaign activities. more.. e-mail
Doctors worry about Gazans’ reliance on sedative painkiller The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 12/14/2008 The new drug overtaking the Gaza Strip doesn’t stimulate hallucinations or boost endurance at the dance club. It merely chills you out, which is exactly what many Gazans say they need. Ruled by Islamic hard-liners from Hamas and locked in by Israel and Egypt, Gazans can’t travel outside the strip, have few places to go for fun and are faced with a failing economy. Thus the boom in the popularity of tramadol, a painkiller known here by a common brand name, Tramal. Growing numbers of Gazans have begun using the drug over the past year and a half to take the edge off life in the impoverished seaside strip, pharmacists and residents say. This worries medical personnel, who say the drug can cause dependence. It is a prescription drug in many countries, and the Hamas-run Health Ministry has made efforts to control it, but without much success in a society where medicines available only by prescription elsewhere are often sold over the counter. more.. e-mail
Clowns bring comic relief to streets of Beirut Middle East Online 12/9/2008 BEIRUT - Clowns and street performers danced in the rainy streets of Lebanon’s capital on Tuesday bringing holiday cheers to the traffic-jammed Hamra shopping district. Thirty performers from Germany, Italy, Morocco and Lebanon donned rainbow-coloured wigs and red plastic noses to put on a show, as frustrated drivers blasted their horns. Some clowns walked on stilts as others danced, juggled, blew balloons and took pictures with the crowd that gathered to watch the show under pouring rain in west Beirut. Tuesday’s performance, which fell on the second day of the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Adha and in the runup to Christmas, was the culmination of a week-long workshop in Beirut on street performances. "It is meant to introduce street performances and comic relief as a way to deal with tense situations and conflict," said Tonnie Selwood Choeiri, one of the organisers. more.. e-mail
In Gaza coffee shops, men and women break strict taboos Amira Hass, Ha’aretz 11/21/2008 GAZA CITY - A womens association celebrating the end of a management course, combined with a party for the 20th anniversary of the Palestinian declaration of independence is no big deal in itself. In Gaza, however, the combination of these events last Saturday, at a beachfront event hall, was more than the sum of its parts. It was an overt display of mixing between men and women, both at the tables and on the dance floor. During the holy month of Ramadan, a number of parties with mixed participation and singing took place at this restaurant, spurning police pressure on the owners to put a stop to them. The womens association is headed by a senior member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Many of the guests were members and supporters of the PFLP. The choice of this restaurant was a statement of their position, and a show of support for the owners. more.. e-mail
Tel Aviv residents fear ultra-Orthodox invasion Eli Senyor, YNetNews 10/15/2008 Residents of Ramat Aviv neighborhood urge Mayor Ron Huldai to act on growing haredi presence there. Chabad representative says in response, ’My suggestion to people who complain is to come talk to us’ - Is Ramat Aviv becoming ultra-Orthodox? It depends who you ask. The Tel Aviv neighborhood’s veteran inhabitants have recently taken notice of a few incidents causing them to fear for their secular lives. One of the local movie theaters turned into a "kollel" (an institute for advanced studies of Talmud and rabbinic literature for Jewish men), a Histardrut (labor federation) clubhouse on Reading Street turned into a haredi kindergarten, and previously, a Jewish Agency building was transformed into a mikveh (ritual bath). Moreover, the Ramat Aviv mall is closed on Shabbat. For all the abovementioned reasons, the suburb’s inhabitants turned to Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai in a request to act on the subject. more.. e-mail
’Not a time for celebrations,’ says Acre mayor, as theater festival is cancelled Tzipi Shochat, Ha’aretz 10/12/2008 The city of Acre announced over the weekend its intention to cancel the Fringe Theater Festival that was scheduled to take place there over the Sukkot holiday. The decision came following unrest in the mixed Jewish-Arab city during the Yom Kippur holiday that saw 30 people arrested, and some 40 stores and 100 cars damaged. The riots erupted around midnight Wednesday, hours after the start of the holiday (when traffic comes to a standstill in Jewish areas) when an Arab resident drove his car through a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, allegedly playing loud music, in what Jewish residents called a deliberate provocation. "This is not a time for celebrations," Acre mayor Shimon Lankri said over the weekend. It remains unclear when the festival will be held, if at all. Playwrights and actors expressed their disappointment at the cancellation. more.. e-mail
Rap music evokes feeling of national unity in Jenin Ali Samoudi, Palestine News Network 7/23/2008 more.. e-mail
Maori tribes to reinforce Jewish people? Itamar Eichner, YNetNews 6/29/2008 Dozens of indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand discover Judaism, study Kabbalah; one even converts to Judaism - Is Israel about to welcome new immigrants belonging to New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian people? Israel’s Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Yuval Rotem paid an unusual visit this week to the Maori community, which has recently drawn closer to Judaism and Kabbalah. The ambassador and the embassy workers were welcomed by the community members in a Maori ceremony, which included dances, greetings in the local language, songs and the traditional "hongi" (greeting guests by pressing noses with them). The meeting was initiated by the deputy president of Auckland’s reform synagogue, a Maori man who converted to Judaism several years ago. His English name is Steve and his Hebrew name is Shimshon. more.. e-mail
Going local Nehad Selaiha, Al-Ahram Weekly 6/26/2008 This year, I did not catch as much of the annual Modern Dance Theatre Festival as I would have liked to do. Out of the 15 performances which made up the festival, I watched only 9, and of those 2 I had already seen earlier this year. What follows therefore is not a thorough coverage or evaluation of this year’s edition, but rather a few impressions I thought I’d share with you. I missed the opening, but, fortunately, the same programme was repeated the following night. It | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
