Former principal of Arabic language school loses case against NYC
WASHINGTON — An Arab American slated to serve as the principal of the first Arabic-language public school in New York was pressured to resign in 2007 over comments she made to the media. This month, a judge dismissed Deborah Almontaser's case against the city, saying her free speech and due process rights were not...
Swine flu: 10 things you need to know
September 5th, 20090 ATLANTA — Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. It's also spread around the world, infecting tens of thousands and killing nearly 2,000. This summer, the virus has been surprisingly tenacious in the U.S., refusing to fade away as flu viruses...Rosen accuses AIPAC of espionage
Steven J. Rosen's defamation lawsuit against the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is now entering a critical phase. A series of cross-filings stakes out the critical court terrain. Rosen intends to show that obtaining and leveraging classified U.S. government information in the service of Israel is common practice at...Arab Americans trapped in Gaza hope for way out
For the past six weeks, Hani Almadhoun has been trapped in Gaza. His attempts to return to his home in Washington, DC have ended in failure, and it is not clear when he will get out. Palestinians gather near a tunnel bombed by Israeli aircraft in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip August 25, 2009. Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel...VIDEO: Obama extends Ramadan greetings
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) issued a press release on August 21 calling for the U.S. Department of Treasury to ensure that American Muslim donors can fulfill their obligation to donate to Muslim charities without fear. The statement echoed President Barack Obama's call for the government to work with...Arab American rendition of Obama becomes right-wing icon
Earlier this summer, posters of President Barack Obama appearing as the ominous Joker from the most recent Batman movie, "The Dark Knight" began appearing around Los Angeles and other cities. The poster had sprawled on the bottom the word "Socialism." Conservatives regard Obama's domestic policies as importing socialism into the United...Court reins in terror finance policy
NEW YORK (IPS) — A federal court this week ruled for the first time that the U.S. government cannot freeze an organization's assets under a terror financing law without a warrant based upon probable cause and without telling the organization the basis for its action and giving it a meaningful opportunity to defend itself. If the...J Street’s Muslim funding for peace
WASHINGTON (IPS) — News reports and right-wing blogs have been repeating reports which claim that Muslims and Arabs are among the donors to the J Street political action committee (PAC) which lobbies American policymakers to work on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and helps raise campaign funds for candidates...
Rights group withdraws support of Cohen
August 22nd, 20090 The following press release was issued on 18 August 2009 by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel and the New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel: Author, poet, songwriter, musician and singer Leonard Cohen. Amnesty International has announced today that it will abstain from any involvement...
Senate approves ‘Clunkers’ extension
August 7th, 20090 The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to provide an extra $2 billion in funding to the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program. A vehicle sits in a dumpster on display in front of Bill Wink Chevrolet dealership to attract customers in for the "Cash For Clunkers' program in Dearborn, Michigan August 6, 2009. The U.S. Senate voted on...
Obama gives Arab American painting to Iraq
July 31st, 20090 WASHINGTON — During Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to the United States last week, President Barack Obama presented the leader with a gift, a painting by Arab American artist Helen Zughaib. Zughaib's art work is notable for its rich use of colors and for depicting scenes of Arab life in hopeful, healing and spiritual...Black scholar’s arrest raises profiling questions
BOSTON — Supporters of a prominent Harvard University black scholar who was arrested at his own home by police responding to a report of a break-in say he is the victim of racial profiling. Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. had forced his way through the front door of his home because it was...
The Byzantine world of immigration detention
July 25th, 20090 NEW YORK — Duarnis Perez, a native of the Dominican Republic, became a U.S. citizen at 15 when his mother was naturalized. But he didn't know that meant he was also a citizen. He thought he was an illegal immigrant, and so did the authorities. He was deported and subsequently arrested trying to sneak back into the U.S. from Canada....Arab American group supports Sotomayor confirmation
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) last week expressed its support for the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. U.S. Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, L, steps up to speak after U.S. President Barack Obama announced her as his choice of nomination in this May 26, 2009...Group to use Section 301 process to highlight U.S.-Israel relations
A non-profit group focused on U.S.-Middle East policy plans for the second time to use the petition process under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to call into question Israel's status as a U.S. ally, the group's director said this week. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative this month rejected the first petition by the......
Acquittal no guarantee of freedom
July 18th, 20090 NEW YORK (IPS) — Lawmakers and human rights advocates are questioning the assertion by the administration of President Barack Obama that Guantanamo terror suspects could be imprisoned indefinitely even if they are found not guilty by a U.S. court. A Guantánamo detainee, center, is escorted by U.S. military personnel in this...U.S. aid convoy reaches Gaza
A humanitarian convoy organized by American activists successfully reached the besieged Gaza Strip this week. The Viva Palestina U.S. convoy was the second such land convoy to successfully enter Gaza via the Egyptian border. Activists hope that such missions will break down the Israel-Egyptian embargo on Gaza, which has made the strip...Arab students debate U.S. domestic issues
Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Okla. was the host site for the finals of a debate contest involving the brightest and best high school students from across America and the world Thursday. From left, Mohammed Albustani, Faisel Altunaiji, General Tommy Franks, Dana Alaskar and Jeris Abuhouran. Four representatives from...Al Jazeera English launches in first major U.S. cable market
HOUSTON – The English-language cousin of the Qatar based news channel Al Jazeera launched this week in the Washington D.C. area after signing its first major U.S. cable deal with non-commercial MHz Networks last week. The MHz deal means 2.3 million subscribers will now have access to the channel, adding to the 140 million......
Obama discredits “green light” for Israeli attack on Iran
July 10th, 20090 WASHINGTON — Seeking to end speculation about whether his administration had eased its opposition to an Israeli military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday insisted that Washington's position remained unchanged. Biden speaks to George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week. Lauren Victoria...Some see extended olive branch for Israel in Ross appointment to NSC
WASHINGTON — The promotion of Middle East adviser Dennis Ross to a senior White House position may open the door to a more positive tone by the United States toward the Israeli government, experts believe. Dennis Ross Ross, a veteran peace negotiator known for his strong ties with Israel and his past work with a......
California imam killed in fire, Muslim group suspicious of hate crime
The Council on American-Islamic Relations' Greater Los Angeles office (CAIR-LA) called for an FBI investigation into the death of a Yermo, Calif. imam as a potential hate crime after the Muslim religious leader's body was discovered inside a burned-down residence this past weekend. California imam Ali Mohammed Ali...
For black America, Jackson was an icon who transcended race
July 4th, 20090 LOS ANGELES — Sitting alone in a corner coffee shop in the heart of black L.A., Elisa Gomez Taylor explains why the black community is so endeared to Michael Jackson and why that endearment will probably never stop. A fan holds a tattered photo Michael Jackson outside a public memorial at the Apollo Theater in New York June......
