The Jerusalem Post, October 30, 2009 A Star-of-David-wearing Batman chased a Hebrew-speaking Spiderman. The pair wove their way through a crowd of dancing ghouls, singing witches, and smiling princesses—including a blonde Snow White. Orange balloons bobbed overhead and children toted pumpkin-shaped plastic buckets full of candy, reminding the partygoer that it wasn’t Purim, it was …
The Electronic Intifada, October 29, 2009 Recently, Israel announced that it would import palm fronds from the Gaza Strip for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The move came at the behest of Minister of Religious Services, Yakov Margi, who feared that a shortage of palm fronds and a local monopoly on the item would send …
The National, October 31, 2009 Hebrew translation: here. Every Friday, as midday prayers draw to a close, a few dozen protestors meet outside Bilin’s humble mosque. From there, they march though the village, calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. By the time they enter a thin, dusty grove of olive …
Mondoweiss, October 24, 2009 South Tel Aviv, home to foreign workers and African refugees, is in turmoil again after Interior Minister Eli Yishai recently indicated that children of illegal residents will be deported by the end of the school year. They won’t be going alone—their parents will be deported, too—but that’s beside the point. Many …
The National, October 23, 2009 Michael Trinanis is eight. Like most children born in Israel, he likes football, learns English in school and when he bickers with his older sister, he does so in Hebrew. But Michael is not a typical Israeli boy. As the son of illegal Filipino workers he is facing deportation back …
The Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2009 Over-sized Lego men aren’t something you normally see in an art gallery. But a new exhibition at Tel Aviv’s Kishon Gallery brings the work of street artist Ame72—known for playful Lego-inspired figures that decorate walls throughout the city—indoors. Not only is “Let’s Go!” Israel’s first solo show of a …
Israeli soldiers go unprosecuted Maan News Agency, October 21, 2009 News of the recent arrest of an Israeli soldier accused of beating Mohammaed Khatib, secretary of the Bil’in Village Council and a prominent member of Bil’in’s Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, was met with little enthusiasm in the Palestinian community. “While I was …
Welcome to Gaza The National, October 10, 2009 “Welcome to Gaza” isn’t a greeting you’d expect to hear in Israel. But a current tour is bringing the Strip to the sidewalks of Tel Aviv. You Are Not Here is offering a free audio visit to Gaza City in Tel Aviv. Tourists start by printing the …
A blockade that doesn’t apply to lulavim The Forward, October 7, 2009; print edition, October 16, 2009 When Israel recently opened a loophole in its blockade of Hamas-controlled Gaza, it wasn’t heeding international calls to loosen its closure for humanitarian reasons. Instead, Israeli officials were spurred to action by the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. On …
White city, black days The Jerusalem Post, October 2, 2009 Earlier this year, the festive pop and bright flash of fireworks marked the beginning of Tel Aviv’s centennial year. But the celebration was held at Rabin Square – a location that reminds Israelis that, amidst the excitement, there is a sober history to commemorate, as …