Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Orland Park Police Charge Son in Father’s Homicide On April 29, 2026, at approximately 6:31 p.m., Orland Park Police Officers responded to 14117 Concord Drive for an assist-ambulance call. Officers spoke with the 911 caller, who reported that a male subject was deceased inside the residence. Upon arrival, officers located Samir Kassem, 77, who was…
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Publisher discounts offered on “Arabs of Chicagoland” book Celebrate Arab American Heritage history month, April 2026, by learning about the history of Arab American settlement in Chicago. The book “Arabs of Chicagoland,” authored by award-winning Chicagoland journalist Ray Hanania, is available from the publisher at a special discounted rate The publishers of the book “Arabs…
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American Arab Chamber of Commerce hosts Iftar with regional officials and community leaders More than 250 people attended an Iftar that was co-hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta on Thursday evening at the Bolingbrook Community Center. An Iftar is the evening meal served at sunset that signifies the end…
Arab Center: The US-Israel War on Iran: Analyses and Perspectives Mar 2, 2026 Susan M. Akram, Charles W. Dunne, Amy Hawthorne, Patricia Karam, Khalil E. Jahshan, Annelle Sheline, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen The United States has joined Israel in an all-out war on the Islamic Republic of Iran. On February 28, 2026, a US armada of two aircraft carrier strike groups and scores…
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Washington Report on Middle East Affairs memorializes passing of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson In Memoriam: Rev. Jesse Jackson Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, died on Feb. 17, 2026. Corporate media reporting on his legacy will acknowledge his groundbreaking two runs for president and his civil rights work, but they are likely to leave out Jackson’s…
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Ruzevich slams Casten’s support of Genocide in Palestine How do you know an incumbent is worried about losing the primary election? He introduces a bill that attempts to cover up his complicity in an ongoing genocide, his disregard for his constituency, and his desire to maintain the status quo in Congress. Statement from candidate Joseph…
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Microsoft workers and allies mark start of Return to Office with protests and call to cut ties with Israel’s government REDMOND, WA – On Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, from 8:30AM to 10:30AM during morning rush hour, Microsoft workers and community members picketed at the company’s Redmond campus demanding that Microsoft cut ties with Israel. Workers…
Zakat Foundation of America launches annual Ramadan Humanitarian Campaign As Muslims around the world prepare to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA) has launched its annual Ramadan 2026 humanitarian campaign, prioritizing food security for the world’s most vulnerable communities. This year’s response focuses urgently on families facing catastrophic hunger in…
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Congress members rally behind Delia Ramirez “Block the Bombs” act proposal Congresswoman Delia Ramirez released this important report on the law she is sponsoring, called the “Block the Bombs” Act which would prohibit the delivery of bombs for use against civilians to foreign countries like Israel. From Congresswoman Delia Ramirez: “The Block the Bombs Act…
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Arab and Muslim Americans rally for 8th Illinois House District candidate John Harrell By Ray Hanania Arab and Muslim Americans gathered on Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 to host an “organizing fundraiser” for John Harrell, the Pastor and community leader running for the 8th Illinois House District race, a seat to be vacated by incumbent La…
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Adalah: Deportation Orders against Palestinian Citizens of Israel Violate Fundamental Human Rights, International Law Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 2026, announced that he has signed deportation orders against two Palestinian citizens of Israel. This marks the first time that the 2023 Law to Revoke Citizenship and Residency is being implemented to physically remove…
Senators Shaheen, Reed, Warner, Murray, Durbin, Schumer, Coons and Schatz Urge President Trump to Oppose Israeli Settlement Expansion in the West Bank WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice…
Arab Center of Washington DC to release survey on Arab Public Opinion and Implications for Trump’s Policies in the Region The Arab Center of Washington DC will host a panel discussion analyzing the results of the Arab Center’s 2025 Arab Opinion index on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at the National Press Club. The Arab Center…
Dark money super PAC dumps cash into TV ads to influence 2nd Congressional District Illinois PRESS RELEASE — A dark money super PAC dubbed “Affordable Chicago Now!” which filed a statement of organization just last week and is believed to be funded by the right-wing group AIPAC, but has yet to disclose a single donor, has…
American Arab Chamber of Commerce releases endorsements in key Illinois races Press Release/Chicago, IL – The American Arab Chamber of Commerce, the longest and largest Arab Chamber in Illinois, today released its list of endorsements for candidates running in key contests have been responsive to the community. In a statement, the AACCUSA Board said the…
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Akram Baker remembered, worked at Orient House in Jerusalem with the late Faisal Husseini Obituary, 1966 – 2025 By Hady Amr Akram Ahmad Baker, 58, my longtime friend and colleague, passed away on December 11, following a valiant battle with disease. Akram was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1966 to Palestinian-American parents from Bir Nabalah,…
The CMCC and the US-Israel Alliance: Collusion or Enforcement Mechanism? By Hanna Alshaikh The fastest route to Washington no longer runs through Tel Aviv, as the saying once went, but through Kiryat Gat, a small industrial city in southern Israel. On October 17, 2025, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) established the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) there…
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Standing Together brings Israelis, Palestinians, Iranians, Lebanese, Jews, Christians and Muslims together for peace By Ray Hanania The Illinois Chapter of the Israeli Arab-Jewish grassroots movement “Standing Together” hosted a gathering in Chicago on November 1 that brought Jews, Christians, and Muslims together for peace. The event, titled “Together in Sorrow, Together in Resolve, Holding…