Phyllis Chesler's Blog, page 21
June 24, 2014
Sudanese Christian Mother Jailed for Apostasy in More Danger than Ever After Rearrest
Meriam Yahya Ibrahim, the Sudanese Christian woman whom an Appeal Court freed yesterday, has just been re-arrested at the airport trying to leave Khartoum. She is now in more danger than ever before. Here's why. A man, Al-Samani Al-Hadi, has come forward
Women and Children Bear the Brunt of Iran's Grim Public Executions
They rape and torture women in Iran: First, at home, as a family matter; then in prison, as a state matter. They publicly execute women for daring to kill their attackers in self-defense. It is public in order to terrify and sicken others, shame them,
June 23, 2014
The West Must Stand with Muslim Feminists Against Sexual Violence
I was recently asked to advise a young Arab Muslim woman on her doctoral dissertation. Her work concerned violence against women—honor killings in particular. I said it would be my "honor" to do so. However, this feminist, from a wealthy family, made
International Pressure Reverses Shariah Court Death Sentence for Sudanese Christian Mother
Earlier today, an appeal court in Sudan overturned Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag's death penalty and released her from jail. Ibrahim is the woman who had never embraced her absent father's Muslim faith and whose mother brought her up as a God-fearing
June 19, 2014
No Rest for Israel on Seventh Day Since Teen Abductions
On the seventh day, the Lord rested—but that is a luxury that the Israeli Defense Forces can ill afford. This is the seventh day of captivity for the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers. Some well-meaning Jews have already compared them to the mainly
June 17, 2014
IDF Works to Dismantle Hamas Infrastructure in 5th Day Since Kidnapping
First, some facts on the ground. Then, a brief Talmudic discussion of how civilized peoples are supposed to deal with someone who is "coming to kill you." Here's what Israel just did: Last night, the IDF went door to door in cities in the West Bank and
June 16, 2014
Israel Spares No Expense to Rescue Kidnapped Nationals
Day Four--and the three kidnapped Israeli boys are still missing. Everything is happening all at once: The IDF has launched a massive manhunt on the West Bank. They have also asked journalists to use the hashtag #EyalGiladNaftali and to include photos
June 14, 2014
Jihad and the Culture of Hostagetaking
The disappearance and presumed kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers took place on Thursday evening, Israel time. By Friday evening, Israel time, the IDF had released their names and photos. They are: Gil-ad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrach. It
June 13, 2014
American Leaders Must Free Meriam Yahya Ibrahim
Free Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Now. I demand that my government, and especially President Obama, take visible and immediate steps to open her cell door and bring her here. Her husband is an American citizen as are their two children. If this were not enough,
ISRAEL: THREE TEENS, ONE AMERICAN, LIKELY KIDNAPPED BY PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
Early Friday, three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped south of Jerusalem in the West Bank, possibly to be used as hostages in exchange for Palestinian terrorists. It is believed the victims are Yeshiva (Jewish study) students. One of the kidnapped
