A group of Arab activists and human rights organizations have issued a statement about the Israeli-linked group GayMiddleEast.com. This organization was founded in 2003 by Shabi Assaf Gatenio, and has recently appeared in the media after the exposure of the Amina hoax presenting itself as the credible and authentic voice of LGBT Arabs. Read more about Arab activists question Israel-linked GayMiddleEast.com
When we broke the story last Sunday of who was really behind the “Amina” the “Gay Girl in Damascus” blog, revealing it to be Tom MacMaster, an American graduate student living in Scotland, we knew it would get a lot of attention. But even we did not anticipate quite how broad the interest would be. Read more about Reflecting on the Amina hoax - coverage, analysis and investigation
The International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization (IGLYO) announced this week that it will host its upcoming General Assembly in Israel with direct Israeli government financial sponsorship. Since March, activists have appealed to the IGLYO board of directors, but IGLYO clearly intend to violate the Palestinian civil society call for boycott, divestment and sanctions. Read more about Pinkwashing and the Gay International
The short film “Challenging Power” by TrickleUp Films documents a successful BDS campaign in Olympia, Washington. It premiered in February this year at the 8th Annual Mideast Film Festival and is now available on DVD. Read more about Film "Challenging Power" documents Olympia Food Co-op BDS campaign
Activists in Toronto and New York City are fighting and winning against attempts to shut them out of community events. Read more about A queer confrontation with the Israel lobby
Al Haq has produced a new documentary video on Settlement Activity in the Old City of Hebron. It features testimony from a Palestinian family who live near Israeli settlers. They describe the frequent attacks they suffer from settlers who throw stones and even buckets of urine on them as they go about their daily life. The Israeli soldiers do not protect the Palestinian civilians even when faced with video evidence of settler attacks. Read more about New Al-Haq video documents Palestinian life in occupied Hebron
NPR executive Andy Carvin has become prominent for his activities on Twitter during the recent revolts in the Middle East and North Africa. But what is his role? Is he a journalist or a participant? Read more about NPR's Andy Carvin, reporter or participant in Libya's war?