Valentine's Day Palestinian-Style: 'Love Under Apartheid'

Israeli apartheid may stand in the way of love geographically, but not in spirit; Lebanese February 14th memes; Palestinian refugees are not getting any more love from UNRWA this year; Demonstrations Jordanian-style; Kuwait implements public smoking ban- maybe.

Even Israeli apartheid will not put a damper on Valentine's Day in Palestine.

Sixteen Minutes to Palestine [3]

What it means to love under apartheid

If being single is your only problem this Valentine's Day, consider yourself lucky. For Palestinians, it is a day to be separated from loved ones, whether it is friends, family or a significant other. In light of Valentine's Day, a new project has been launched called "Love Under Apartheid", detailing the stories of Palestinians who have done the impossible to bridge daunting geographical obstacles. "So while you buy your mother a rose or send a box of chocolates to that awkward boy who sits behind you in class, think about the walls, the laws, and the checkpoints Palestinians are forced to deal with whenever they try to do the same."

A Separate State of Mind [4]

Lebanese Memes: February 14th for the Lebanese Population

Lebanese memes are becoming a big thing in Lebanon at the moment (check out the Facebook page for a laugh). So, here are a couple of memes courtesy of Elie which more less sum up February 14th for the complex denizens of Lebanon.

Occupied Palestine [5]

While Israel deprives humanrights: UNRWA halts distribution of cash assistance to refugees

"The UN Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) has announced that it would not be able to cash financial assistance to Palestinian refugees as of April this year."

Bibs, Babs, Bobs in Amman [6]

A demonstration in Amman

Jordanians always do things differently- even demonstrations. This expat in Amman witnessed a pro-monarchy demonstration, which had the consistency of a wedding march as opposed to a demo. One thing about Jordanians: They may not smile, but you can't say they're not cheerful.

2:48 AM [7]

Anti-smokers can rejoice- but with strings attached. The Kuwaiti public smoking ban is a go, including a ban on smoking cigarettes and sheesha in public. Yet, restaurants, cafes and hotels have given themselves the ok to have a smoking and non-smoking sections for sheehsas. As this Kuwaiti blogger put it: "Isn’t that basically how things are right now?"