Free Republic

anti-Zionism, antisemitism, BDS, Conflict history, Media Bias, The I/P conflictThe colourful Twitter history of PalestineSocial media sites such as Twitter portray a wonderful history of a state called Palestine – but first let us quickly remember the truth.The historical facts:For the Islamic world, the area of 19th century Southern Syria was a sparsely populated forgotten backwater with rival clans and nomadic tribes presenting a hazardous obstacle for every trip. The weakening of the occupying power (the Ottoman Empire) and growing global trade – resurrected European interest. It was Christian travellers recognising this area as their ‘Holy Land’ that put an...

With the rumored move of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball coach David Blatt to the NBA, a whole new arena of activity can open up for outgoing President Shimon Peres. One can only imagine the press conference: “Maccabi Tel Aviv announces the signing of our new coach, the illustrious Shimon Peres. Mr Peres, please, explain your views on the world of sports". Coach Peres: "It is with great honor and happiness that I accept this new assignment. After all, to be welcomed by the Euroleague champion, perpetual winner of the Israel League Cup - and here am I, the perennial loser….....

A lot of people are worried - really worried - about Maccabi Tel Aviv's soccer match (they insist on calling it 'football') in the Istanbul suburb of Besiktas on Thursday evening. The players were met at the airport by 2,500 policemen, the team has hired an additional security company and has asked UEFA - the European Football Federation - to send a representative, and Israeli fans who insisted on violating the National Security Council directive by going to the game have been told not to wear the Maccabi yellow and blue to the stadium. Maccabi will be escorted by police...