Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Precarious times for Lebanon By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz The situation in Lebanon is worrisome. Since May, political impasse persists as the prime minister-designate fails to form a cabinet. The economy worsens; national debt soars: over 150 % of GDP; badly needed international aid is postponed due to instability. A more important threat to this weak…
UN criticizes Israel’s “Nation State Law” as “discriminatory” UN Special Rapporteurs give Israel 60 days to respond to ‘deep concerns’ regarding Jewish Nation-State Law. Four Special Rapporteurs express ‘deep concern’ that Nation-State Law is ‘discriminatory in nature and in practice against non-Jewish citizens and other minorities and does not apply the principle of equality between citizens,…
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Christian Zionism: an explosive interfaith formula In its one-sided support of Israel, Christian Zionism tramples on a universally accepted social welfare principle: do no harm in delivering assistance. Implication: in helping Israelis, do not hurt Palestinians. By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz In its one-sided support of Israel, Christian Zionism tramples on a universally accepted social welfare…
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Chicago Census office to hire Arabic partner for Census The U.S. Census through its Chicago Regional office is looking to hire an “Arabic partner” for the next two years as the agency begins preparations to conduct the 2020 Census. Although the U.S. Government has rejected adding the category of “Arab” or “Middle East or North Africa”…
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Taybeh Oktoberfest is Happening Right Now! Religious leaders offer blessings at the opening of the annual Taybeh OktoberFest which celebrates the Fall harvest and the local economy of the Palestinians living in one of Palestine’s few Christian hubs. The festival is popular among Christian Palestinians, and also many Muslims, to show support. By Maria C. Khoury, Ed. D. …
Christians should honor their close ties to Muslims this Ramadan Sadly, tensions have increased between Christians and Muslims but the truth is the two peoples and their religions could not be closer. Muslims and Christians have always gotten along and defended each other. And these days both need to stand together in the face of…
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Ashrawi: US is complicit in Israeli atrocities with Embassy move PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi: “Seventy years on, the Nakba continues.” Also, BDS activists decry embassy move “One the eve of the seventieth anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (“catastrophe”), a grave historical injustice that continues today, the U.S. will officially relocate its embassy…
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Promising Lebanese elections may have little impact on nation’s precarious system By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz The sole remarkable “result” of the parliamentary elections in troubled Lebanon is that it did happen- and it was competitive. A country of 4.5 million citizens hosting a million and a half Syrian and Palestinian refugees is nonetheless capable of…
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Saudi Crown Prince forges ahead against extremism Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is taking a realistic approach to the Middle East as he bolsters the voices of moderates, challenges the extremists and pushes for a realistic peace accord between Israel and Palestine. The tactic MBS is pursuing is one that few Arabs have…
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Christian Orthodox prepare for Easter celebrations Easter is a special holiday for Christians because more than Christmas, it brings Christians closer to their faith. Although both Easter and Christmas are commercialized by big business and greed, Easter resonates more. Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter after mainstream Christians, mainly because the Orthodox remain on the old Julian…
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New One-State Foundation launched in Netherlands Launch of The One State Foundation: a new Palestinian-Israeli initiative to grow debate and support for a one state solution After over 70 years of conflict, 50 years of occupation and close to 25 years of a detrimental and counterproductive peace process it is more urgent than ever to…
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65 Israeli Laws that target and discriminate against non-Jews in Israel Israel has 65 laws that directly discriminate against Christians and Muslims or that are used to justify discrimination in every level of life against non-Jewish citizens of Israel. Some of the laws were founded during the British Mandate and were denounced by Jews in…
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