oh now i get it.

watch this helpful map explainer of the history of the israel-palestine conflict.

the birth of venus

A Roman statue stands on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the southern city of Ashkelon on Dec. 14. The statue, which had been buried for centuries, was unearthed by the winter gales that have raked Israel's coast. The marble figure was found in the remains of a cliff that crumbled under the force of winds, waves and rain, the Israel Antiquities Authority said. via. source.

it's like...

...you have to wear fur for religious ceremonies, but you can't wear fur, because it's against your religion.

International animal-rights activists are campaigning for Israel to become the first country in the world to ban the sale of fur.

A bill to make Israel fur-free is being debated in the Knesset, pitting animal-rights campaigners against the lobbyists for the global fur industry and the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which says the fur ban is an affront to its religious identity. (via)

there's a reason the moon never shows it's backside...

21st century cultural warfare

im not using this post as an opportunity to soap box about the peace process in the middle east, just to mention this interesting article in the nytimes today about a shift in hamas policy.

generally regarded as freedom fighters or terrorists depending on your perspective, it has always been clear that palestinians were totally out classed and outgunned when it came to convential warfare. shooting off random rockets at israel will only get you so far, and doesnt really generate international goodwill.

realizing this, they have decided to put down the rocket launchers for the moment to focus on cultural warfare. theater, art exhibits, movies, and poems may prove to be more effective than bullets as Hamas attempts to build on whatever positive public opinion already exists.

interesting, no?