Pressure for arts boycott of Israel condemnedFrom Yoel:
The Irish government's #2 man (and FM) criticized the IPSC's bullying of Irish artists who want to visit Israel.
Why the cultural boycott of Israel is a blunt and backward instrument
This author is plainly not a friend of Israel. I suggest reading this mostly because this is a non-friend who seems to have realized that the "cultural boycott" of Israel is not only disingenuous but cruel and completely unfair.
Israeli kibbutz takes bite out of Iran's caviar exports
Algerian author sparks uproar with Israel visit
South Sudan, world’s youngest nation, develops unlikely friendship with Israel
"JUBA, South Sudan (JTA) – This city in the world’s newest country is not your typical Arabic-speaking capital. For one thing, most of the city’s inhabitants are Christian. For another, the Israeli flag is ubiquitous here."
Israel attracting Chinese students
"When Zhong Weichao, a doctoral student at Harbin Institute of Technology in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, started a yearlong exchange in Israel five months ago, he soon thought you can never judge a country by its size.
...
"The coolest thing here is that the environment is very open. You can challenge the teacher by asking whatever questions interest you, and they are capable of and willing to answer them all. And the technology you are engaged in is world-class," he said."
N.Y. mural contrasts gay rights in Israel with neighboring countries
A mural created by gay Birthright alumni contrasts gay rights in Israel with repression in the Arab countries.
And finally, a satirical look at the way the media report on Israel:
How to Write About Israel
Tantawi (in hint to Israel?): we'll cut off the tongue of whoever turns against us...we're ready to fight (Hebrew)
Nasrallah: we can hit Tel Aviv, Israel will be annihilated
Iran to Hezbollah (in response to above?): Don't strike Israel
Israeli detention was ‘five-star’ compared to Syrian jail — freed Turkish journalist who was on Marmara
Egyptian paper: Egyptian nuclear scientist defected to Israel (Hebrew)
Palestinian, African migrants brutally rape two Israeli girls
Archaeologists discover ancient olive press in Modiin
Israeli may become next world chess champion
Also, Report: Israel to deploy 20,000 commandos in Greek Cyprus (h/t Dan)
Jacob responds to my Hasbara Challenge from yesterday
How Bedouins are systematically stealing land in Area C (series translated from Makor Rishon) (h/t zozosophie)