• Demolition fears haunt Israeli neighborhoods

    Al Jazeera English, December 18, 2012 Israel’s Supreme Court ruled last week that the state cannot extend its separation barrier through the West Bank village of Batir, located next to the Green Line that divides Israel from the Palestinian territories. Petitioners argued the wall would destroy Batir’s ancient agricultural terraces and unique irrigation system, both …

  • Israeli settlers lured by subsidies

    Al Jazeera English, August 23, 2012 It is the stereotypical image of an Israeli settlement: a man with sidecurls and skullcap, and an assault rifle slung over his shoulder. A mob uproots olive trees and harasses Palestinian farmers. A mosque is set ablaze in a so-called “price tag attack”, retaliation for a slight – real …

  • Palestinians step again towards nationhood

    Inter Press Service, August 18, 2012 A year after their bid for statehood flopped in the United Nations’ Security Council, the Palestine Liberation Organisation is again planning to seek an upgrade in UN status. On Sep. 27, the PLO will approach the UN General Assembly in hopes of becoming a non-member observer state. If their …

  • Fwr Vwls 4 Futr Englsh?

    Tablet, June 19, 2012 I’m used to seeing abbreviations on Twitter, Gchat, and SMS. But I was surprised recently when an editor closed an email with “Rgds.” The “s” on the end helped me guess that it wasn’t short for “Rigid” or “Raged,” or so I hoped. Given the context, I assumed he meant “Regards.” But …