Resistance, Subversion, and Mobilization Media Roundup (December 2021)

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Jan 10, 2022
People take part in a protest against the October military takeover and a subsequent deal that reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok but sidelined the movement in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) People take part in a protest against the October military takeover and a subsequent deal that reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok but sidelined the movement in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)

Resistance, Subversion, and Mobilization Media Roundup (December 2021)

By : Resistance, Subversion, and Mobilization Media Roundup Editors

[This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Resistance, Subversion, and Social Mobilization 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 monthly roundup to DARS@jadaliyya.com.]

News


“Jordan MPs walk out of session on Israel electricity-for-water deal”, Middle East Monitor (9 December 2021)

Yesterday, Jordanian MP Saleh Al-Armouti, along with a number of his peers, walked out of Parliament in protest against the signing of a water and energy deal with Israel. According to Jordan’s Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the deal could provide Jordan with 200 million cubic meters of water annually. In exchange for the water, illegal Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank would have access to Jordanian desert for solar power generation. Jordan is currently one of the world’s most water-poor countries. Just last month, the country signed an agreement with Israel to buy 50 million cubic meters of water from Tel Aviv. After Al-Armouti walked out, Parliament Speaker Abdel Karim Al-Daghmi was forced to adjourn the session for half an hour because it had lost quorum. During the parliament session, protesters held a sit-in outside of the government building. 

“Argentina: Hundreds apply for symbolic Palestine citizenship”, Middle East Monitor (11 December 2021)

The “I want to be a Palestinian” campaign propelled hundreds of Argentinians to submit applications for Palestinian citizenship at the Embassy of Palestine in Buenos Aires. The initiative was driven by the Argentine Committee of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in collaboration with the Argentine League for Human rights, among others, to symbolically request for Palestinian nationality. The Palestinian Embassy celebrated the initiative and act of solidarity, while reaffirming the importance to “Focus attention on the fact that the question of Palestine has not yet been resolved and the Palestinians are still deprived of exercising their inalienable rights, which are recognized by the General Assembly”. It has been eleven years since Argentina officially recognized the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders. Since then, the Palestinian community in Argentina commemorates this day on 6 December. 

“10 rights groups demand Egypt release political activist Ahmed Douma”, Middle East Monitor (15 December 2021)

Ten human rights organizations have called for the immediate release of activist and blogger Ahmed Douma. Douma was arrested in December 2013 for being around Abdeen Court during a demonstration against the Egyptian protest law. What started off as a three-year sentence, was then extended to life, and then reduced to 15 years. Since then, Douma has been held in the notorious Tora Prison, where his health has suffered as a result of being held in a small cell without a bed, exercise time, and adequate ventilation. According to the organizations, Douma is being denied educational human rights because of his political activities and persistence in pursuing democracy. He now suffers from osteoarthritis, chronic inflammation of the nerves, pain in his back and neck, depression and acute anxiety attacks, migraines, and blood pressure.

“Hundreds protest in Tunisia on anniversary of revolution”, Al Jazeera (17 December 2021)

On Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in central Tunis chanting “the people want the coup d’état to fall”, referring to President Kaid Saied’s power grab. In the beginning of the week, Saied extended his suspension of the parliament until elections in December 2022 and announced a nationwide public consultation to draw up a new constitution. Tension was later felt on the streets, as demonstrators both for and against President Saied rallied on the anniversary of the county’s revolution. Friday marked 11 years since street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire, sparking a revolt that would oust dictator Ben Ali and spark the Arab Springs. For many Tunisians, “the most pressing issue is the economy, which is creaking under the high inflation, debt close to 100 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 18 percent joblessness, all exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic,” the article states. 

“Mass anti-coup protests in Sudan mark uprising anniversary”, Associated Press (19 December 2021)

On Sunday, video footage circulating the web showed tens of thousands of Sudanese protesters marching in the streets of Khartoum and Omdurman against the October military takeover and subsequent deal that reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Footage showed protesters at one of the palace’s gates chanting a familiar slogan heard during the Arab Spring uprisings: “The people want the downfall of the regime”. Demonstrations mark the third anniversary of the revolution that overthrew Sudanese autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. After which Sudan pursued a fragile path towards democracy through a joint military-civilian government. The October 25 military coup has rattled that transition and has subsequently led to street protests. The pro-democracy movement continues to demand that power be handed over from the military to a civilian government to lead the transition. Their slogan is as follows: “No negotiations, no compromise, no power-sharing” with the military. 

“‘They won’t break us’: Sudanese protesters decry sexual attacks”, Al Jazeera (23 December 2021)

On Thursday, hundreds of women took to the streets in Khartoum to protest against sexual violence and harassment, including the incidences that took place during Sunday’s pro-democracy protest. The United Nations has reported that security forces were alleged to have raped or gang-raped at least 13 women and girls outside the presidential palace in Khartoum. As a response, protesters have delivered a memorandum to the Khartoum office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the signature of more than 40 rights organizations demanding an investigation into the cases of sexual and physical violence. Although there is mounting pressure from Western states to “carry out a full and independent investigation”, Sudanese authorities have not commented on this week’s allegations. Rights groups argue that rape and sexual violence have long been used as a weapon of war, such as in the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region and in the 2019 demonstrations. Despite the pressure and societal disapproval many women face, Sudanese women have made their mark in the recent demonstrations against the military coup. In addition to other slogans, protesters could be heard repeating the phrase, “They won’t break you.” 

Opinion


“Why Jordanian people are protesting pact with UAE, Israel”, The Electronic Intifada (1 December 2021) 

Jordan’s latest proposed deal with Israel will supposedly provide Jordan with water in exchange for soil to provide electricity to Israel. People across the country are protesting the deal and the kingdom’s close relations with Israel, which many see as a betrayal to the Palestinian cause. The article argues that the latest deal ropes Jordan into the Abraham Accords—the framework for the normalization agreements between Israel, the UAE and several other Arab regimes facilitated by the Trump administration. And although Jordan already has its own peace deal with Israel since 1994, many leaders in Amman fear that they will miss out on the benefits that come with these new waves of normalizations with Tel Aviv. For the U.S. administration, a new pact between the two countries works towards their goal to make Jordan even more dependent on Israel and Washington. On top of the political implications that come with this deal, there are also strong reasons to doubt the project’s technical feasibility and environmental sustainability. Yet, despite all the government’s effort to warm up its “cold peace” with Israel, the Jordanian public remains adamantly opposed to any normalization with Israel.

“Will Israeli wall around Gaza stop Palestinian resistance?”, Middle East Monitor (13 December 2021)

Last week, Israel announced the completion of their $1.1 billion security wall on its side of the occupied Gaza Strip. According to the occupation state, the wall is a countermeasure to prevent Palestinian resistance in Gaza from digging tunnels, which they have used in the past, to carry out resistance attacks against Israeli soldiers during wars. The highly technological wall consists of an above-ground fence and subterranean barricade, includes a naval barrier, radar systems, hundreds of cameras, sensors, remote-controlled weapons system and command and control rooms. However, instead of intimidating the resistance, the wall is a reflection of the State’s weakness. Palestinian writer Mustafa Al-Sawwaf commented, "The creativity of our resistance does not stand paralyzed in front of this Israeli barrier or any other Israeli measures aimed at paralyzing it.” Meron Zev, an Israeli journalist, commented, "The barrier will not solve any problem. I do not think it will stop Israel from attacking Gaza … I suppose it will not be easy to cross, but I do not think it will stop Palestinians from carrying out attacks against Israel."

“Arab Spring: Why western narratives still miss the point”, Middle East Eye (20 December 2021)

Ten years ago, the Middle East and North Africa shocked the world when it erupted in a wave of revolts against authoritarianism and oppressive socioeconomic conditions—demanding bread, justice and dignity.Now on its 10th anniversary, the Arab Spring provides a good opportunity to reflect on its achievements and shortcomings, all in the aim to move forward. However, it also presents an opportunity to debunk various misconceptions and distortions that were produced by mainstream media, western governments and international financial institutions. 1) The uprisings were solely revolts against authoritarianism. 2) The Egyptian and Tunisian uprisings were “Facebook and Twitter revolutions”. 3) The revolts were primarily youth uprisings against the older generation. Moreover, the narrative that we see today is one of despair and hopelessness: the failed revolutions were not worthwhile. However, in order to advance our analysis of the revolutionary process, we must keep in mind that, “Revolutionary dynamics are complex, coming with inevitable crises, shortcomings and failings. They are imbued with counter-revolutionary tendencies and encroached upon by reactionary forces”. The fact that we are still seeing continued protests across the region highlights this complexity.

“Why the Burhan-Hamdok deal will not stabilise Sudan”, Al Jazeera (20 December 2021)

People across Sudan have participated in a series of protests that have been held regularly since the Transitional Military Council (TMC) carried out a coup against the civilian government on October 25. Despite an attempt to appease the crowd, protests persisted even after the military struck a deal with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on November 21 to reinstate him and task him with forming a new “technocratic cabinet”. The problem with the Burhan-Hamdok deal is that it contains many of the same flaws as the 2019 Constitutional Declaration had. Important players within the international community must understand that this agreement, like the one before it, secures no checks on military power and no independence of the civilian government from military control. Instead, the new deal further solidifies military interference in political decision-making and protects military investments and commercial relations from public oversight. In order to have any meaningful discussions on achieving peace and stability in Sudan, we must put the military’s economic interests, power, and foreign intervention under the control of a civilian government. If the international community continues to support the same mistakes of 2019, it will not only threaten Sudan’s chances of a peaceful future, but it will also diminish the people’s faith in international organizations.

Art


“Can artistic freedom survive in Sudan? The writing’s on the wall…”, The Guardian (6 December 2021)

Artist and filmmaker, Suzannah Mirghani recalls the artistic freedom she enjoyed during the era between Sudan’s 2019 revolution and the recent military coup. “Nobody harassed us. Nobody told us what to do. Nobody asked us for the script. I call this time in the history of Sudan ‘the honeymoon’,” says Mirghani. Before the revolution, the artistic community had long been harassed, censored and forced into the shadows by the repressive government. Assil Diab, a street artist, says: “I painted Omar al-Bashir as the [face of] coronavirus in a stadium in Bahri during the daytime, which would have been just impossible; my whole family could have been killed two years ago.” After the recent military coup, however, many artists fear that they will be the first to be targeted if the military government continues in power. The coup, says Diab, left the creative community feeling “disappointed and just broken down … because we finally thought we were free and then this happened.” However, in the streets it is clear that the people have made up their minds, “No partnership, no negotiation, no legitimacy”. 

“Palestine hoping for economic, tourism revival through Expo 2020”, Al Jazeera (6 December 2021)

‘Past, present and future’, is the slogan of the Palestine pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai. The pavilion portrays Palestine through the five senses, taking visitors on a journey of the land via seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting what the state has to offer. Through their showcasing of Palestine’s cultural and heritage, the organizers hope to promote tourism and investment opportunities for the country. “We want to show we have touristy places, archaeological sites and it’s a place where people come for religious tourism,” said Raseel Amr, the Palestine pavilion’s media liaison officer. According to a report released by the United Nations, “the ‘dire’ economic and fiscal situation in Palestine required integrated response” and that “years of economic stagnation in the West Bank was followed by a sharp GDP per capita decline in 2020”. In promoting the state’s success and opportunities, organizers hope to show that, “The occupation doesn’t stop us from being successful and achieving a lot. We have a lot of success stories, despite the occupation, and that shows it hasn’t stopped us from exceeding and going beyond,” Amr adds.

“Palestinian lady tailor's reminiscences of First Intifada”, Middle East Monitor (7 December 2021)

With the anniversary of the beginning of the First Intifada approaching, Palestinian resistance fighter Hanan Karajeh recalls the events that shook the region 34-years ago. The First Intifada was a sustained series of Palestinian protests and riots that erupted in the West Bank and Gaza on 8 December 1987, against Israeli occupation that had begun twenty years prior, in 1967. During this time, Karajeh secretly made Palestinian flags for the protesting youth. “Holding the Palestinian flags at that time was a big deal. For the Israeli army, it was like having a bomb and they were acting very aggressively against anyone who possessed the flag," she states. In addition to making flags and other ways she participated in the movement, Karajeh also taught women living in her village how to sew and drape. This provided them with a way to earn a living during these dire times. She also recalls that the biggest hurdle her community faced was providing an education for the children when Israelis had closed all schools and universities. A challenge women like Karajeh played a pivotal role in overcoming.   

“Don't Leave: Reviving the folk songs of Palestinian women”, Middle East Eye (21 December 2021)

Folk songs have always been a quintessential part of Palestinian culture, whether in social occasions like weddings, circumcisions, home construction, harvest seasons, or political and momentous occasions. The period of the first Intifada especially witnessed a revival and documentation of folkloric songs, and a drive to preserve folk heritage that was largely forgotten, plundered, destroyed or lost over the years. One song that recently resurfaced to the public conscience took place during the historic escape of six Palestinian prisoners from the Gilboa prison in September. The song’s name is Tarweedeh Shmaali. While there is conflicting scholarship on whether the song originated in the Ottoman or British imperial era, Palestinians often ascribe an element of resistance to Tarweedeh Shmaali. What is often forgotten in the process of celebrating Palestinian folklore, however, is the momentous role women singers and storytellers play in preserving it. For centuries Palestinian women have been the guardians of knowledge and propellers of struggle through song. The article particularly presents how recent generation of women artists like Banna, Kelani, Sliman and Moussa, have worked to safeguard folklore for generations to come.

“Palestinian embroidery added to UNESCO cultural heritage list”, Al Jazeera (16 December 2021)

The United Nations Cultural Agency (UNESCO) has recently added the art of traditional Palestinian embroidery, or “tatreez”, to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Tatreez is an artistic tradition that involves hand-stitching patterns and motifs with brightly colored thread onto clothing. While the practice originated in rural areas of Palestine, the culture of stitching and wearing embroidered items also became common across cities and villages. Prime Minster of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mohammad Shtayyeh thanked UNESCO for its decision on Wednesday and added, “This step is important and timely, in order to protect our Palestinian identity, heritage and narrative, in the face of the occupation’s attempts to steal what it does not own”. According to Atef Abu Saif, the PA minister of culture, the ministry has worked for more than two years to get Palestinian embroidery on the list. “What our grandparents and forefathers created and left for us in heritage consisting of beauty, splendor and roots that are deeply fixed, is the best evidence that we are the people of this land,” he added in a statement.
Nov 4, 2021 Lebanon
Resistance, Subversion, and Mobilization Media Roundup Editors By :
Resistance, Subversion, and Mobilization Media Roundup Editors

Resistance, Subversion, and Mobilization Media Roundup (October 2021)

[This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Resistance, Subversion, and Social Mobilization 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 monthly roundup to DARS@jadaliyya.com.]

News


“Sudanese protesters demand civilian rule, want army out”, Associated Press (1 October 2021)

On Thursday of last week, thousands gathered in the capital of Khartoum to demand for an exclusively civilian transitional government. Since the toppling of autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudan has been ruled by a joint civilian-military government. Protesters claim that the generals in charge are hindering Sudan’s transition to democracy. They also accuse the military of protecting the remnants of al-Bashir’s regime and refusing to bring accountability towards those responsible for the killings of dozens of protesters in June 2019.

“Palestinian prisoners start week of protests against Israel prison restrictions”, Middle East Monitor (4 October 2021)

Yesterday, Palestinian prisoners started a protest against the punitive restrictions imposed on them by the Israeli prison authority. After last month’s prison escape from Gilboa Prison, occupation authorities have increased security on the remaining prisoners. Some of the punitive measures include, raiding cells, transfers, isolation, seperation, attacks on prisoners, and denial of other rights. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, dialogue between prisoners and the Israeli Prison Services has been unsuccessful. This Friday, prisoners will decide whether to escalate their protest.

“Lebanon: Anger as MPs refuse to discuss women’s quota proposal for 2022 elections”, Middle East Eye (8 October 2021)

MP for Lebanon’s Amal Party, Inaya Ezzedine, walks out of a joint parliamentary committee session after her colleagues refuse to address her proposal to introduce a women’s quota for next year’s general elections. The bill calls for 26 out of 128 parliamentary seats to be reserved for women, with at least 40 percent of both men and women on candidates lists. Lebanese women have long been excluded from the political sphere in Lebanon, with only three to six women ever being elected in Lebanon’s past five parliamentary elections. 

“Iraq elections 2021: Shia parties reject results as armed group threatens violence”, Middle East Eye (12 October 2021)

After the results of Sunday’s parliamentary elections were announced, various Shia parties claimed that the outcomes were “fabricated”. One armed militia faction appears to have gone as far as to threaten violence in response to the results. In Iraq’s lowest recorded election turnout, the Sairoun movement led by cleric Muqtada al-Sadr came out ahead with 72 of the parliament's 329 seats. Meanwhile, the Fatah coalition, previously the second-largest party in the parliament, lost a significant amount of their seats and the Huqoq party only gained one. On Monday, a meeting was held at the home of Nouri al-Maliki, former prime minister and leader of the State of Law bloc, where the leaders of the Shia political forces and the leaders of the Iran-backed armed factions discussed their next step.

On Thursday, hundreds of supporters of the Hezbollah and Amal party called for the removal of Tarek Bitar, the judge who is leading an investigation into the deadly explosion that happened at Beirut’s port last August. As protesters were marching towards the capital’s Palace of Justice, shots were fired at them by snipers on rooftops. Violence escalated even further when masked gunmen, apparently affiliated with the demonstrators, fired RPGs and AK-47s from the ground. According to the Lebanese Red Cross, six people were killed and more than 30 people were injured. Hezbollah and Amal have accused the right-wing Christian party The Lebanese Forces of the attacks. After denying the accusations, The Lebanese Forces blamed the violence on “widespread weapons”, an allusion to Hezbollah’s arms. 

“Tunisia’s #MeToo: Landmark sexual harassment case kicks off”, Al Jazeera (29 October 2021)

This week, a high-profile figure faced prosecution for alleged sexual wrongdoing for the first time in Tunisian history. In 2019, a schoolgirl captured and shared a photo of parliament member Zouhair Makhlouf, allegedly performing a sexual act in his car outside her high school. The case then became a catalyst that prompted thousands of Tunisians to share their personal experiences of sexual assault and harassment online in 2019. This week, feminist activists held a small protest outside the court in Nabuel, chanting and waving placards that read “My body is not a public space”. Moreover, the #EnaZeda Facebook page currently has more than 90,000 likes, and is updated daily. Makhlouf insists that the photo is a misunderstanding and that he is innocent of sexual harassment.

Opinion


“Rising resistance in the West Bank increases Israeli concerns”, Middle East Monitor (4 October 2021)

Recent armed attacks in the West Bank are increasingly concerning Israel with what they believe to be an awakening of Palestinan resistance cells. As a response to Hamas’ new military infrastructure in the West Bank, Israel has pushed to improve their intelligence work. This suggests that Israel’s campaign efforts to strike the long-standing infrastructure of resistance forces in Jerusalem and Jenin were not completely successful. Moreover, it has become clear that Hamas is seeking to establish an active armed infrastructure in the West Bank. They intend to “lure the army into intensive activity in the heart of the main localities in the territories, and thus embarrass the Palestinian Authority and its security apparatus as collaborators with Israel.”

Iraq’s early elections merly reshuffled the old ruling elite. Despite the fact that protesters called for substantial “change” within the government, low turnout at the polls resulted in electoral gains for the ruling parties that could mobilize their bases to vote. Old fractious power-sharing methods are expected to continue in the newly elected parliament, allowing party interests to prevail over national interest. In order to bolster trust and transparency in Iraq’s future elections, there needs to be technical improvements to the voting machines and the entry of new “outsiders” into the political game. Until the government can foster trust in Iraq’s voting system, young protesters will continue to favor street protests over voting.

“Beirut violence shows that Taif Agreement is dead”, Arab News (18 October 2021)

Last week’s violence that was allegedly initiated by Maronite Christian militia and then retaliated by armed supporters of Hezbollah and Amal, was a cold reminder of Lebanon’s sectarian fault lines. Central to the violence is the investigation into the Beirut blast, which has already resulted in the removal of judge Fadi Sawwan. Similarly, judge Tarik Bitar has been accused of bias, halting all proceedings and efforts to hold those responsible of the blast accountable. Lebanon’s 15-year civil war ended in the signing of the Taif Agreement, which secured “mutual coexistence” and power sharing amongst the country’s religious groups. However, the agreement inadvertently reinforced the separation between different communities, fostering separation instead of unity. And as last week’s violence shows, Lebanon is arguably just as divided and unstable as it was three decades ago. The escalation in itself is indicative of Lebanon’s weak government, absence of any form of social justice, and confessional militia who serve the interest of their community at the expense of the country.

“Hunger strikes from Gandhi to Al-Singace are the last resort in the struggle for freedom”, Middle East Monitor (26 October 2021) 

Hunger strikes are usually used as a last resort to claim rights, express opinions or as defense. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is well-known for using his hunger strike to demand for civil and human rights, and the independence of his country from British occupation. This phenomenon has been growing in prisons wherein detainees face injustices that impact their hygiene, health care, food, personal property, treatment, and space. The first Palestinian hunger strike took place in Nablus Prision in early 1968. Less than a year after the Israeli occupation of the West Bank began, prisoners went on a three-day hunger strike to protest against abuse, and to demand for an improvement in their living conditions. Much international attention has recently been shifted towards prominent political prisoner Dr Aduljalil Al-Singace, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 100 days in Bahrain. His demands include the return of his book about Bahraini dialects and their historical development. Many voices, including the European Parliament and several national parliaments in Europe have called for his release without success. 

“The Sudanese Coup”, Middle East Monitor (26 October 2021)

Yesturday, Sudan’s military seized power and arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Known for his stubbornness and principle, Hamdok refused to compromise and surrender to the military, leading to his arrest. However, this is not the first time, since Sudan’s independence, that the military overthrew civilians. Sudan has a long history of successful military coups led by Ibrahim Abboud, Jaafar Nimeiry, Omar Al-Bashir, and Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, and an even longer list of failed coups led by Ismail Kabeida, Hashem Al-Atta, Hassan Hussein, Mahmoud Nour Saad, Abdul-Kader al-Kadro and Mohammad Osman, Ahmed Khaled, and Hashem Abdel-Muttalib. Although it is clear the military is in control, it does not seem likely that matters will play to their favour.      

Art


“Iraqis vote for new parliament amid tight security”, Al Jazeera (10 October 2021)

Although authorities called for early elections in response to the uprisings that took place in late 2019, many of the demonstrators who took part in the protests boycotted the polls on Sunday. As a result of the death of more than 600 people during the protests and a series of kidnappings and targeted assassinations, many were discouraged from participating in the elections. Despite all this, the collection of pictures show Iraqis taking part in this year's elections as security forces stand guard outside the polling stations. This is the first year since the fall of Saddam to take place without a curfew. It is also the first time Iraq introduces biometric cards for voters, and a new election law that divides Iraq into smaller constituencies.

“Simsimiyya: Songs of resistance from Suez to Gaza”, Mondoweiss (11 October 2021)

During England’s occupation of the city of Suez and Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip and Sinai, music played a fundamental role in bolstering popular resistance. Songs of resistance, such as Simsimiyya, instilled feelings of hope and determination in the hearts of the displaced people of Suez. As part of his collection of resistance songs from around the Arab world, Haidar Eid performs Simsimiyya while giving it a Gazan flavor. The song “celebrates the ‘heroism of refugees, students, workers,’ and all other social strata of the population, promising to ‘replant the field of barley that were burnt by the bombs of the aggressors.’”

“Palestine underground: A new face for local radio”, Al Jazeera (20 October 2021)

Radio Alhara is a Palestine-based online radio station that has become one of the biggest voices for Palestinian liberation. Started by Yousef Anastas, his brother Elias, and a group of international friends, Radio Alhara was first set up in March 2020 as a way to broadcast the groups’ mood on a particular day of isolation. A few months later, the station turned its focus entirely to Palestinian liberation, with broadcasts such as “Fil Mishmish”—a sonic protest against proposed plans by Israel to annex parts of the West Bank last July. The station has a base of over 40,000 followers on social media, where they broadcast everything from historical photographs, to daily show schedules and artwork. Although online media is restrictive on content about Palestine, the station’s online visibility has flourished with the help of artistic support and presence of pro-palestinian DJs and musicians. 

“Thousands protest against arrests of civilian leaders in Sudan”, AlJazeera (25 October 2021)

According to Sudan’s information ministry, military forces have arrested Sudan’s acting prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, and senior government officials. Furthermore, they have disrupted internet access, blocked bridges in the capital, Khartoum, stormed the offices of Sudan’s state-run television in Omdurman and detained a number of their workers. In response to what the ministry describes as a military coup, thousands of Sudanese have flooded the streets of Khartoum and Omdurman. The apparent military takeover came after weeks of rising tension between Sudan's civilian and military leaders. In the pictures, protesters are seen flashing victory signs, holding national flags, and blocking streets with bricks and burning tyres.