'Those disguised as Arabs'
It's fairly common to see Israeli agents infiltrate the crowds of Palestinian stone throwers during demonstrations. I've witnessed this plenty of times in Jerusalem. The goal of these "mustarabiin” -- literally "those who disguise themselves as Arabs" -- is to stop the protesters. They usually take out their weapons without using them, or, more often, point them into the sky, as if they were about to shoot into the air.
But today, I filmed these undercover agents for the first time firing live bullets into a crowd of protesters.
Continue reading on AFP Correspondent
Urban growth: regenerate degenerate
As Istanbul continues to expand at breakneck pace, the gap between those struggling to make a living and the lucky minority speculating on a booming real estate sector has drastically increased. Thanks to a number of local artists, however, this issue is not passing unnoticed. Prominent Istanbul-based artists have taken a stance and are using their work to highlight the devastating effects of rapid urban growth on social fabric and the environment. Hatice Utkan spoke to Rıfat Şahiner, Ali Taptık and Tayfun Serttaş in Istanbul.
Continue reading on Mashallah News
In pictures: Amman's 'The Word is Yours' urban festival
This past October weekend saw Amman’s 7Hills Skatepark being taken over with artists, skateboarders, beatboxers, and rappers in the Jordan’s first urban festival. The Word Is Yours, produced by Malahi and Mektoub, brought together an eclectic mix of entertainers in a lively two-day event in Jabal Lweibdeh, with young Ammanis flocking to the scene. The crowd-funded initiative is the first of its kind in the region, and helped shine a spotlight on the growing hip-hop urban scene in Amman.
Continue reading on The Black Iris
