Category: The Middle East

I will remain

In War-Torn West Beirut American James Ragland Stands By His Troubled School By Mary Davis Suro, People Magazine, July 1982     In the Palestinian stronghold of West Beirut, the streets of the Mouseitbe neighborhood were cratered by shells and littered with garbage. Rifle-toting men stood at the corners, their uniforms changing, street by street, …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2020/04/16/i-will-remain/

Børre Ludvigsen

I first read Alice’s short statement Monday evening, around 7 PM: “Many of you have already heard this very sad news that I now choose to share here. My brother, Børre Ludvigsen, passed away early this morning. He died peacefully in his sleep, at home; to our complete shock and disbelief. We will miss him …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2020/04/01/borre-ludvigsen/

Serendipity soup du jour

Moroccan Chicken Soup As of 3/15/2020 (and subject to change without notice)   8 cups of water 2 cans (13 oz) ounces of white chicken meat, drained (or equivalent leftover rotisserie chicken, white or dark) 2 cans diced tomatoes, drained 2 cans garbanzo beans, drained 2 cans (4 oz) mushrooms, drained 8 artichoke hearts, halved …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2020/03/15/serendipity-soup-du-jour/

Uncle Bernie

Why Muslim Voters Love Bernie Sanders By Steve Friess, 2/26/20 at 10:53 AM EST   At last night’s messy Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the messiest moments came when Bernie Sanders was asked to address the concerns of American Jews over his Mideast policies. The Vermont senator firmly voiced his commitment to …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2020/02/29/uncle-bernie/

May new joy wait on you

  COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS (page 1) Delivered by William Blakemore at the graduation ceremonies of the class of 1974 of the American Community School of Beirut, Lebanon, held in the American University of Beirut Assembly Hall/Chapel, Friday, June 21, 1974 at 9:00 A.M.   Thank you Mr. Usellis. Parents, teachers, friends and guests, and especially graduating …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2019/10/12/may-new-joy-wait-on-you/

One more time

  A concise defense of Palestinians   Dear editor, Cherry-picking Torah is a [favorite] hobby of fundamentalist Christians, but Israel is not America’s [magical] lucky charm. Rather, Israel is a festering injustice that only incubates fanaticism and terrorism [around the world]. On the [assumption biblical presumption] that truth will set you free, consider this alternative …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2019/04/08/one-more-time/

Full response

What Did Ilhan Omar Say? Here’s the Full Transcript of Her Response to a Question about Anti-Semitism Institute for Policy Studies, March 6, 2019   This is the transcript of the Rep. Ilhan Omar’s full response to the question about anti-Semitism from the Busboys & Poets event. Her response begins around 1:00:00: Andy Shallal: [ …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://levantium.com/2019/03/12/full-response/