[This is a bi-weekly roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Resistance and Subversion in the Arab world and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the DARS Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each bi-weekly roundup to DARS@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every second week.]
News & Commentary
After Victory, Palestinian Village Runs Into A Wall, by Ali Gharib
This month, the Palestinian village of Bil`in celebrated the eighth anniversary of unarmed protests against the separation barrier being constructed by Israel. After a 2007 Israeli Supreme Court ruling that the wall must be closer to the settlement itself, the sectioned concrete structure finally went up along a new path, which still swallowed up about a quarter of the villagers` land.
The Changing Face of Palestinian Resistance, by Creede Newton
Tens of thousands of Palestinians marched across blockaded Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and the diaspora in commemoration of Land Day. In addition to traditional protests such as this, Palestinians have been using creative protests such as creating a Palestinian “settlement” called Bab al-Shams on their own land and driving the Freedom Bus to villages to amplify the voices of the marginalized.
Israeli Conscientious Objector to Refuse IDF Service for 8th Time, by Amira Hass
Natan Blanc, who has spent over one hundred days in military prison, first refused to serve in the IDF in November, due to his opposition to Israeli occupation.
Thousands of Moroccans Protest to Topple Islamist-led Government, by Al Arabiya
Thousands of people on took to the streets on 31 March in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, to protest against the country’s unemployment rate, high cost of living, and the Islamist-led government.
Femen’s Topless Jihad Day: Bare-Breasted Activists Target Tunisia Embassies, by Middle East Online
Protesters from a women`s power group stage rallies in front of mosques and Tunisian embassies across Europe against protesting “Islamist crackdown on women`s rights.”
Muslim Women Against FEMEN, by Eline Gordts
FEMEN`s action on behalf of Muslim women was far from universally appreciated. The same day as the group`s demonstrations, a separate group of Muslim women created a Facebook page called Muslim Women Against FEMEN, to distance themselves from the "Topless Jihad Day."
Women Unionists of the Arab Spring Battle Two Foes: Sexism and Neoliberalism, by Michelle Chen
In the wake of the Arab uprisings, women in labor movements are resisting the traditional patriarchal governance of their communities and workplaces and pushing back against the "modernizing" forces of Western-style, pro-corporate neoliberal economic policy, and gradually opening new spaces for social emancipation.
Troubling Parallels, Hopeful Differences: Iran, Women, and the ‘Arab Spring,’ by Haideh Moghissi
Despite parallels with Iran after its 1979 revolution, there are more hopeful prospects for the future of women’s rights and democracy in post-Arab Spring regimes.
The Arab Spring Ain’t Over, by H.A. Hellyer
Two years after the Arab uprisings began, there has been much to be disappointed about. Yet, in the midst of all of these challenges, there are great signs to be optimistic about the future, as the revolutions are driving positive change in the region.
Tunisia and Egypt Need the Arab Revolutions to Spread, by Seumas Milne
From the first eruption of the Arab uprisings in Tunisia, it was clear that powerful forces would do everything possible to make sure they were brought to heel, or failed. So after Tunisia and Egypt had fallen in quick succession, later uprisings were hijacked, as in Libya, or crushed, as in Bahrain, while sectarian toxins were pumped throughout the region.
Egyptian Hashtag Takes on Homophobia, by Ahmed Awadalla
A Facebook event has been created by Egyptian activist Ramy Youssef in response to increasing homophobic attacks on social media.
Don’t Leave Iran’s Cyber Dissidents Unarmed, by Charles DeVito
Iran`s 2009 post-election dissidents made use of relatively new technologies to enable opposition organizing. Arming democrats and civil society activists with the tools they need to organize is one of the concrete ways that the United States and the European Union can help affect positive change in Iran.
Hackers in Arab Cities: Fab Lab and Tech in Egypt, by guest bloggers in Global Voices
In the West, hacking is more or less considered part of a geeky and rather privileged culture. On the other side of the Mediterranean, it is rather the product of revolution, giving a new impulse towards collaborative practices and innovations, spaces that are open to everyone.
Saudi Feminism in the Social Realm: In Defense of Personal Revolutions, by Nora Adbulkarim
“‘Cover up, you woman!,’ [they say]. But I won’t cover, and your trashy way of offering religious advice won’t work with me”, proclaimed a Saudi woman named Loujain al-Hathloul in a video posted that went viral on Twitter. The author analyses the reactions to this video and discusses the meaning of “personal revolutions.”
Campaigns
Take Action on Free Cone Day! In March, Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel (VTJP) launched a campaign urging Ben & Jerry’s to stop selling and catering to Jewish-only settlements in occupied Palestine. Part of this campaign is a series of protest actions planned for 9 April, when Ben & Jerry’s will host the annual “Free Cone Day” at Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops worldwide.
York Federation of Students Endorses Israel Boycott, by Melissa Sundardas
The York Federation of Students has endorsed the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign at York University, causing an uproar from those who disagree with its aims.
Art
Walls that Speak, by Al Jazeera World
The walls of Beirut talk volumes about the psyche of the city and its inhabitants. Many of the city`s bullet-scarred walls are covered in words, drawings, signs, slogans, and graffiti art, offering a glimpse both of a vibrant and emerging art culture as well as the abiding dark force of political sectarianism.
Tunisian Student Organizes Revolutionary Art Exhibit in US, by Asma Smadhi
An exhibit by Tunisian student Ikram Lakhdar that explores revolutionary art in Tunisia, China and South Africa opened 1 April at Connecticut College in the United States and will run until 15 May.
Egypt: Art and Revolution, by Pro Helvetia
The latest issue of Passages–the cultural magazine of Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council—is dedicated to the Egyptian Revolution. It reports on how the recent political change has impacted on the life and work of artists in Egypt, and provides insights into a range of positions taken by artists.
Conferences & Events
ARD Annual Conference: Building Bridges: Towards Viable Democracies in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, 28-29 March 2013, Sheraton Hotel, Tunis, Tunisia
“Women’s Quests for Rights in the Middle East and North Africa: Contestations, Complexities, Contradiction” conference 5-6 April, 2013, York University, Toronto, Canada
“The Reality and the Prospects of Gender Equality After “the Arab Spring,” 30-31 May 2013, Mohammed I University, Oujda, Morocco