Archive for November 26, 2007

Orientalist Numerology. There is this piece by Bernard Lewis in the Wall Street Journal. At least he spared us his numerological analysis about the end of time. But he is so clueless, so out of touch: “There are signs of change in some Arab circles, of a willingness to accept Israel and even to see [...]

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

This is the peace process: “As peace negotiators meet in Annapolis, sanctions mean doctors in Gaza remain without medicine or equipment and 85% of the population rely on UN food aid.”

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“A British teacher is facing 40 lashes in a Sudanese jail if convicted of insulting Islam’s prophet by letting children name a teddy bear Mohammed.”

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“His code name was “Carat,” and his working cover was as a cultural attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.” (thanks Ziad)

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

I read that the Czech Republic has agreed to contribute $50,000 toward the formation of Rafiq Hariri’s tribunal. I was just about to make a contribution of $1 to the tribunal, when I saw a vending machine–I was thirsty I must admit. So I did not alas make any contribution but may offer 50 cents [...]

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

George W. Bush has the utmost respect for Abu Mazen. (Reuters)

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

Islam in the service of tyrants.

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

You will not read in the New York Times that Israeli ships shot at Lebanese fishermen in South Lebanon, and Israeli occupation forces continued to kill Palestinians. This is part of the Slovenian-sponsored festivities in Annapolis.

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“First Israeli store to open in Dubai” (thanks Amina)

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“Prince Bandar, the former Saudi ambassador to the US, who says there was no impropriety about a £1bn payment he received for brokering arms deals with BAE, has hired a former head of the FBI and a retired British high court judge to defend his position.”

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“That was the last Mr. Falah’s family, friends, or colleagues would hear from him for the next 18 days. A gag order from an Israeli court forbade Mr. Falah to speak with his lawyer, his lawyer to speak with the press, and the Israeli press to cover his arrest.” (thanks Amina)

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“”The Afghanis and Iraqis shaved their beards so as not to appear to be Middle Easterners.””

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

Israelis are taking lessons from silly Lebanese nationalists now. But let me tell those Israelis who were behind this gimmick: it is not the size of the flag that counts. (thanks Emily)

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

I can’t stand the demagogue, Sa`ib `Urayqat (who tells members of his family that he will one day become president of Palestine–a member of that family told me). But he particularly annoys me when he refers to “President Bush’s vision.” This is like referring to the resistance efforts of Ahmad Fatfat.

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

“She was the messenger for Mr. Bush, who had adopted his hands-off policy in Middle East negotiations not only because of Mr. Clinton but because he was reluctant to make too many demands on Israel at that point in his term. So as Mr. Powell traveled from fruitless meetings with Ariel Sharon, then the prime [...]

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad

That is what I needed. Ignatieff, who supported the war on Iraq, now offers pearls of wisdom after a week in Israel: “After spending a week in Israel, listening to Condoleezza Rice, Tony Blair and U.S. and Israeli security chiefs at the Saban Forum in Jerusalem and touring Israel’s northern frontier with the Canada-Israel Committee, [...]

Posted on November 26, 2007 by As'ad