Self-Immolations Speak of Israel’s Economic Pains
July 28, 2012 by Kourosh Ziabari
Israeli housing protest in Tel Aviv. Gerrit De Vynck/Flickr
In the past weeks, the streets of Tel Aviv have been witness to desperate people setting themselves on fire in protest against the growing social and economic inequalities and the rising cost of living in Israel.
Almost one year after 400,000 Israelis filled Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard in protest at the increasing economic difficulties, a wave of civil unrest and upsurges is again encompassing the country. The latest victim of the protests was 57-year-old Moshe Silman, a disabled war veteran who sustained severe injuries after setting himself ablaze at a bus stop near Tel Aviv on July 14.
Let the Muddle Begin: Opening the London Olympics
July 28, 2012 by Binoy Kampmark
Tower Bridge with Olympic Rings. Katharine Hunter/Flickr
It has begun. Oscar-winning Danny Boyle is one of the artistic gatekeepers who was commissioned to deal with the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, and was given £27m to do it. There was Mary Poppins, the Red Arrows, there was the Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, decked in yellow jersey in front of the Olympic bell.
There was historical context thrown in, idiosyncratic twists and turns. If people find hope and happiness in such saccharine nonsense, well and good. There was certainly some bafflement to be had.
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