08
Apr
2008
12 Comments
We are now blocked in Yemen
Walid al-Saqaf, the creator of YemenPortal.net, whose ban in Yemen we are actively campaigning against, informed us that we have just been banned there. This is because Walid launched a circumventing software that would allow people in Yemen to access the site despite the ban, and we have allowed him to use this website in order to host it.
As soon as this program (see below) was made available here (last night) we got banned (earlier today.)
http://mideastyouth.com/accessyp.xpi
I believe that this is our first official ban. I’m excited.
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A strange kind of honor, Esra’a. But in fact, I wonder this site could exist for so long without being banned. They’re usually quite strict against liberals and free thinking individuals, aren’t they?
Yes, but the fact that this site is in English significantly changes things, or we would have been banned much faster. Maybe in the future. We’re a rather easy target.
Quite an honor I’d say, being banned is a sign of relevance. The fact that the site is in english and has been banned is very interesting, generally Arab governments target sites in Arabic. They are extra paranoid which means they have something to hide, they are fearful of any outside eyes especially those of the western (english speaking) world.
If a society cannot stand up to scrutiny, there is something hollow at its core. Sooner or later, the Arab world will have to allow the light of day to shine in. There is too much sunshine pointing in its direction. And once the truth comes out, there will at least be a chance to right the wrongs of the past, and to make things better.
Nissim Dahan,
This problem exists in the United States, but it involves the censorship of those who criticize Israel, in the mainstream media at least.
You can count on half of a hand the number of Senators and Congress persons who criticize Israel. Even local politicians who have nothing to do with foreign politics, go out of their way to announce their unconditional support for Israel.
Esra’a,
Even though your website has been banned, we should not lose hope, there are probably many small blogs out there where the Yemenese are free expressing their thoughts.
Randall Jones, there are many instances when Israel is worthy of criticism. For example, they could be doing a lot more to move the peace process forward, as could Palestinians.
However, I would not attribute the U.S. support of Israel to some vast conspiracy. U.S. support is due to some very understandable factors: shared values, strategic interests, a strong lobby on behalf of Israel, etc.
And certainly, even though you don’t see extensive criticsm in Congress, you do see a lot of criticsm in the media, and it can well be argued that certain media outlets not only criticize Israel, but are biased against it.
The solution, in my opinion, for the Middle East, is not to demonize Israel, although balanced criticsm is sometimes warranted. The solution is to sell a Vision of Hope, and to take concrete steps to give substance to that vision. These steps will include five in particular: a new ideological framework based on common sense, investments in projects which create jobs and which protect the environment, using ideology and investment to sell people on a Vision of Hope, sustaining the hope with public diplomacy that amounts to more than just some soundbites, and the willingness to fight the extremists but to position that fight within a Vision of Hope.
You are welcome to visit my website at http://www.sellingavisionofhope.org If you register and comment, that would be greatly appreciated.
So, you got banned for trying to help another site get around a ban? Nice…
We really don’t hear much about this kind of state censorship in the West, other than the occaisional blurb about some unfortunate journalist being arrested for “insulting” something. Another irony is that this general attitude of entrenched censorship remains towards the Arab world, without the realization that such a feeling exists because of continuous incidents targeting the growing progressive, free expression and human rights oriented movements in said region.
It’s irritating that more attention is paid to attempts to muzzle groups like this than to the positive condition of their very existence.
The reason that the bulk of the political machine in the US is very supportive of Israel is that the pro-Israel lobbies quietly bring massive, consistent fundraising into the basic organizations of both the Democrats and the Republicans, in addition to individual campaigns, and thus most partisan incumbents are somewhat reluctant to alienate them.
P.S. Screw the Yemeni authorities. Their loss.
Nissim Dahan wrote, “However, I would not attribute the U.S. support of Israel to some vast conspiracy. U.S. support is due to some very understandable factors: shared values, strategic interests…”
Shared values? what kind is it, that is different from Arab values
Strategic interests? You mean like 9/11? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LecYbWM5Oao&feature=related
Randall, shared values would include things like: a vibrant democracy which protects the rights of minorities, a strong commitment to a capitalistic economic system, strong emphasis on education and innovation, religious tolerance, freedom of movement, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and all the other freedoms you could think of, an apprecation of the arts, and a shared dream of peace, etc.
In terms of strategic interests, 9/11 was not a strategic interest, it was an event that pointed to the need for strategic planning. There is no nation in the Middle East that is more protective of U.S. strategic interests than Israel. Israel develops and shares intelligence information, and information on military matters, including weapon systems, etc. In many instances, U.S. weapon systems are tested and proved in real life battles in Israel. Israel shares information about security threats, including the threats of terrorism. When a U.S. ship needs a port, Israel is at the ready. Israel has helped launch a whole host of products in the U.S. which help keep the U.S. technologically on top. For example, my mother needed a special medical test to be done, so she swollowed a pill size camera which took videos of her digestive system. That pill was made in Israel, as were hundreds of innovative products which help humanity. When there is a crisis anywhere in the world, like an earthquake, Israel is usually one of the first there to help.
Randall, given the current situation, it is easy to become cynical, and there is some basis for cynicism. However, let me assure you of one thing: If there will ever be peace in the Middle East, it will be due in good measure to Israel. Israel is in the best position to create and sustain realities on the ground which will point to the possibility of peace. If Israel were no longer to exist, the prospects for peace would probably die with her.
Nissim Dahan wrote, “Randall, shared values would include things like: a vibrant democracy which protects the rights of minorities, a strong commitment to a capitalistic economic system, strong emphasis on education and innovation, religious tolerance, freedom of movement, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and all the other freedoms you could think of, an apprecation of the arts, and a shared dream of peace, etc.”
Tell that to the Iranians who were alive when the U.S. toppled their democratically elected government. Tell that to the Iraqis. Tell that to the Congolese. Tell that to the Chileans. Tell that to the Afghanis.
The United States and Israel want democracy for their own people, but for any country that they have financial interests in, have no right to democracy and freedom.
Funny that for a post about Yemen the thread is nowhere near relevant to the issue I had brought up.
Thanks Randall for destroying yet another discussion.
Esra’a,
Actually, you need to thank D.B. Shobrawy since he was the first to change from discussing Yeman to making a comment generalizing Arab states.
I’ll bring it full circle and return to discussing Yemen by quoting this article
http://www.fff.org/comment/com0309q.asp