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Subscribe to RSSAn international rights group called Monday for Tunisian prosecutors to drop charges against two sculptors for artworks deemed harmful to public order and good morals, a legal action seen as part of a clampdown on free speech in the country where the Arab Spring began.
Human Rights Watch said that the prosecution of artists Nadia Jelassi and Mohamed Ben Salem in Tunisia, the country whose protests against its longtime dictator helped set off similar uprisings across the Arab world, violated the right to freedom of expression because the works did not incite or discriminate.
"Time and again, prosecutors are using criminal legislation to stifle critical or artistic expression," Eric Goldstein, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
"Bloggers, journalists and now artists are being prosecuted for exercising their right to free speech," he added.
Protests
The works by Jelassi and Ben Salem were exhibited in a show in La Marsa in June, according to Human Rights Watch. The two, whose mixed-media work provoked protests during the exhibition, face up to five years in prison if convicted, the rights group said.
La Marsa is a coastal town north of the capital Tunis.
Jelassi's contribution was a work titled "Celui qui n'a pas …" ("He who hasn't …"). It includes sculptures of veiled women amid a pile of stones. Ben Salem’s work showed ants coming out of a child's schoolbag to spell the word "Allah," or God, according to Human Rights Watch.
Mother of Tunisian fruit vendor who sparked Arab Spring is arrested
In addition to protests outside the center, several works of art in the exhibition reportedly were damaged.
The two artists were informed by the investigative judge of the First Degree Court of Tunis in August that they face charges, Human Rights Watch said.
Veiled female news anchor marks wane of secular Egypt
The article of the penal code under which the two artists were charged make it an offense to "distribute, offer for sale, publicly display, or possess, with the intent to distribute, sell, display for the purpose of propaganda, tracts, bulletins, and fliers, whether of foreign origin or not, that are liable to cause harm to the public order or public morals," according to Human Rights Watch.
NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin recaps Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's two-week overseas tour.
"Many Tunisians expected that repressive laws ... would not long outlast the dictator who adopted [them]," Goldstein of Human Rights Watch said.
Voice of Tunisian spring calls for justice, equality
"We now see that as long as the transitional government does not make it a priority to get rid of these laws, the temptation to use them to silence those who dissent or think differently is irresistible," he added.
More coverage of the Middle East and North Africa on NBCNews.com
Clampdown on freedom of expression
Amnesty International has also contended that freedom of expression has increasingly been under threat in Tunisia in recent months. A number of journalists, cinemas and TV stations have been fined, shut down or arrested, according to Amnesty.
Zohra Bensemra / Reuters
Click for more photos from the 2011 demonstrations against the Tunisian government.
The Arab Spring is widely considered to have begun in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid, where a fruit seller's self-immolation triggered the popular uprisings against autocratic rule there and other countries in the region.
Complete World News coverage on NBCNews.com
The Tunisian uprising forced out dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011. Elections that followed brought to power Ennahda, a moderate Islamist party that had been banned under Ben Ali’s rule.
NBC News' staff and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Is this a foreshadowing of events to come in Libya, Egypt and ultimately Syria? You bet your a$$ it is.
what is it about our leaders, media that they do not understand that the Arab spring is really a radical Muslim movement taking over the middle east; today in Egypt, female TV reporters must wear a veil on TV, women in public must now be veiled, male physicians can no longer treat female patients, schools must be segregated as to sex of students, are all our media personnel just plain dumb as to what is really happening.
saxon, Obama understands that but the radical muslims are his friends.
I love where the article refers to a political party as being "moderate Islamist." This is an oxymoron if ever I heard one. There is no such thing as a moderate Islamist. Islamists have one thing in common, they want the extermination of anyone who does not follow their particular brand of Islam. The "Arab Spring" was not this great awakening of freedom that the media has tried to make it out to be, it is a shift from what were fairly reasonable secular dictators to completely fanatical Islamist control. The only people that were being repressed by these secular dictators were the radical Islamists. Now that the west has helped to overthrow these secular dictators, the radical Islamists are free to take over and impose their version of Islam and sharia law on everyone. This is far from an improvement and more akin to the the start of a deep dark winter than a spring.
JS in SD.......
Yep, since when has there been "moderate Islamists" ? That is almost like saying the Arab Spring chant for "Democracy" is real.
And, Mr. Obama seems to support the Muslim Brotherhood initiative(s) in the Middle East:
Then, there is Hillary Clinton's Muslim Brotherhood connection via her Chief of Staff:
I don't always agree with you JD, but this one you got spot on. Nice post.
The only good Islamist is a dead Islamist, huh? Now where have I heard that one before....
And Ronald Reagan hosted Communists. Bush Senior hosted friends of Saddam Hussein.
Almost everyone who has any power visits the White House at one time or the other. What's your point?
goodness... all of you above me... awesome. I didn't expect it! This goes beyond the terms "Democrat" or "Republican." Nothing in the Islamic Qur'an is remotely democratic in the philosophical sense, yet that is the buzz word our president uses?
I've been objecting to our interference with the Theocracies composing all of the Middle East, with the important exception of Israel. Anti-Israelis notwithstanding, this is one time to acknowledge that their country and ours speak a common philosophy regarding human rights. Perhaps I should not state that because here, too, I think what is going on in the Middle East must rise above not just politics for us, but above any debate of religion, also. We are talking our survival, not just Israel's.
I suspect there will be a plethora of outraged comments by Islamic sympathizers but it is unlikely even one of them could even spell "democracy" let alone define it. (Figuratively speaking, there)
What bothers me the most, though, is seeing that our president either does not understand the concept of Theocracy, or, worse, supports it whole-heartedly. When he speaks of "democracy" over there he is spittin' on the wind.
My original objection, when he sent bombers to "help" the rebels of Libya in March, 2011, was first, because we were not minding our own business and second, we should be bringing our boys home from overseas, not starting another war. And don't doubt it. He attacked Libya and those bombers killed citizens, not just Qaddafi's Royalists.
Now he wants to ... convert? ... the Theocracies of the Middle East to Democracies? Is he kidding? Hasn't he done his homework? The Middle East is Islamic. Allah rules those countries and the head honchos simply (presumably) convey Allah's wishes to the population. I notice there seems to be some disagreement within these countries as to which honcho is the one with the inside track to Allah.
Democracy could not be more opposite. We really are a Democracy here in the United States, via the structure of a Republic per Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Now, are we turning ourselves into Missionaries? Because that is what we are when we go into someone else's religion and point a finger and say "You are wrong"!
The least we can do is to respect the Muslims. Inflicting "democracy" on them is an insult to them. We do NOT need our soldiers getting killed by the Islamics over there and for this alone I have changed my vote. At the same time, I voice a much less favored opinion, but this Irish gal hasn't lost the use of my (verbal?) fists as a third generation American.
We have one ally over in the Middle East and I have also researched their right to be there. I won't bore you, but there has been a lot of pro-Islamics in these different sets of comments *itching any support we may give them.
While I strenuously object to our involving ourselves with the Islamic countries from afar (of course let them even try to attack our Homeland... they are dead meat if they do) ... at the same time justice and fair play is on the side historically with Israel. I won't bore you with all the why's and wherefore's :) unless you insist... but, one short sentence might show you where I might start.....
Moses brought his followers peacefully into what was then called Canaan a half-dozen millennia or so before Mohammed was even a gleam in his daddy's eyes.
In other words, the Israelis were there first, and abided there in settlements for about 6,000 years. The Islamics trotted into Mecca in the 7th Century A.D. and followed a very war-like Mohammed northwards, cutting and chopping their way and killing all they encountered ...
But, today, Mr. Obama, we don't vote to go that way. Mind our own business; we are not Missionaries. Save our boys who are still over there... bring them home. Support the most important Ally we have.
If we are going to let our guys fight (and I am prayin' a lot this will never be needed!) ... fight for our Ally, not our Enemy.
~~~~ ooops I was interrupted and should have read above... I except Byrarm and Dreams, of course.. I am sure they do not agree with me...
Here is my suprised look.
Arab Spring=Nuclear Winter
Occupy Wall Street inspired by the Arab Spring?..Let's see how long you'll hear that at the next gathering of pizza lovers at the Democratic Convention appears the conquistadors will once again hijack the movement for the illegals and the greedy hispanic marketers and hispandering corporates..,nachos for everyone
ditto...:o)
Per Hearts...."But, today, Mr. Obama, we don't vote to go that way. Mind our own business; we are not Missionaries. Save our boys who are still over there... bring them home. Support the most important Ally we have.".... Romney already announced he'll have us over in Iran - last guy in hell I'd vote for.
Obama 2012
These kinds of articles always illicit the same responses. It's either people who are prejudiced against islam or people who like to rant about which political party is to blame. When will we grow up as a nation and stop trying to see everything as either black or white. The world has many other colors, you know.
Don't care about islam - as long it stays the beep away from me. Don't care about colors - my family is a rainbow already, not an issue.
America needs to stay home and quit with the pointless warring. Some things will never change - like Russia being stuck in a 10 year pointless occupation of Afghanistan, of which the only thing DUMBER than that is the US being stuck there going on 10 years. All the smart Afghanis left a generation ago, leaving only the lowest to muck through life in a pitiful manner. Just stop.
Always right...
I like both pizza and nachos. I also like senoritas, latin or italian.
The march from dictatorship and oppression to freedom and democracy is rarely a straight one way path nor does it proceed at a smooth even pace. Some Arab Spring countries may achieve what the West calls democracy and some may not. Just like the breakup of the Soviet Union. Some former Soviet Republics like the Baltic States have been successful and some like Belarus and some of the Muslim Republics have not.
reply to Heartsquest,
Why do you assume Israel is the USA's ally? I would have thought that a ally would have been willing to concede the lands from the 1967 wars and would not have furthered tensions and hate for their supportive friend and ally in the USA particulary after 9/11..what we saw was further expansion of the settlements and a unwillingness to negotiate in good faith considering the USA contributes millions of dollars to the military assets in Israel and is a pipeline for revenue to Israel.
I can't see a ally with millions of supporters in this country many either as heads or positions of power and authority in the media,publishing goverment,politics, and NGO's, and human rights organizations support for reasons of market expansions to not contribute to it's ally's nation state's erasement of it's borders and cultural displacement and replacement of the English language. Political represenative demographics are insured by legal immigration quota's. I cannot see supporting an Ally that wants for it's country what it will not contribute and has the influence to affect to make it a truely mutual beneficial alliance.
American sometimes 2051576
Don't forget to tip amigo...
I would like to know where you got that. A quick search only has Biden saying Romney is ready to go to war with Iran.
From Huffington:
So even if Romney did say anything like you are claiming, how is Obama any different on the subject, hmm?
wow.... for all the Libs who compare Christianity to Islam... lets see who is "stifling" free speech? Oh yeah I can see the similarities.... (I'm sure some one will mention the Crusades... as if that is happening today...) Left up to the Libs like Biden... "We's Black Folk still be in tha chains."
Sorry to go there folks but I do get tired of the viners attacking America when we have the only true freedom (try blogging like this in China, Russia or Iran) and the incessant comparison to Christianity to Islam. Are we perfect.... No.. do we still have racial/class barriers... yes but it is far better than ANY thing overseas.... USA USA USA Oh yea.... The pic is photo-shopped.... (kudos to who noticed) and I echo the question Why did they do that? Could be NBC up to ginning up news.... naa.
While this may be the last you hear, due to bias reporting, it is just the beginning of 'islamic democratic repression' brought to you once again by Joe and his islamic group's once outlawed, for good reason, by a now overthrown governing ruler.
I know there are still many out there blind to the fact our fearless leader has succeded, in less than 4 year's, of undoing 60 or so modern year's of radical islamic containment in the middle east.
All because, and this is just my guess, Joe Biden.
It must have been Joe because no one else in that cabinet could be as out of touch as him. Not to see those mainly being repressed in the overthrown countries needed repressing. Biden must have went to our CIC (aka CIC, Commander In Chief, for the Biden's out there) and demanded the US help in overthrowing those leader's. Leader's who were repressing and standing in the way of democracy by outlawing any islamic group's from spreading freedom and democracy in the middle east.
It must have been Joe because no one else could have possibly been fooled or misled into thinking that all those involved in the Arab spring wanted only freedom and justice for jew, muslim, and christian a like in all of the middle east.
It had to be Joe thinking a handful of power greedy leader's were keeping the middle east from being the quaint, peaceful get away and relax in safety, place that these repressed group's had alway's worked so tirelessly toward. Without the slightest mention of a thank you from all of the segregated group's they worked to unite in peaceful understanding and respect of their indifference.
It had to be Joe because otherwise the CIC would have seen right through all the islamic lie's of democracy for all if he had not placed so much just in what Joe Biden knew of islam.
And lucky for them they were still able to use our long time political motivated blind hate for a (lybian) leader to get congress to support the rebellion's. With their short sighted vision of getting rid of a thorn in the US side they jumped right on the Biden wagon of islamic democracy. Despite the consequence's of supporting a bigger enemy just to finally get rid of a contained mouthpiece of little concern. They were able to get support before anyone realised what they were supporting, except of course Joe. Who it must have been that just kept going full steam ahead in support of Arab spring.
So it had to be Joe because there's no way anyone in that cabinet would openly support so many countries being ruled by islamic law. Without having been fooled and that leave's, well, only Joe. Who could have fallen for such obvious tactic's and so convince the CIC who would have been to smart to fall for such muslim tactic's. Of getting him to place them in power and once there support them and welcome them as the new islamic democratic party of the middle east, unless fooled by, Joe.
Gee I wonder, after what Joe helped pull off in four, what Joe could help the CIC accomplish in the projected eight he is so looking forward to. Perhap's an independant islamic democratic party line with christian and jewish lobbyist, since they'll be getting along so nicely without all those greedy repressive leader's stirring up so much trouble between them and, well, Joe of course.
Commmon...
The Arabs don't realy think the Arab Spring is going to be about FREEDOM...It would be nice if it was and they were allowed to speak and act freely to practice the RELIGIONS of there choice or none at all..No this so called Arab spring is about replacing one set of Dictators with another set....A Religious set.. They will find there hard won FREEDOMS vanish and in the end long for the dictators of the past...Because there new BOSS will be far far worse than the old Boss...
There Freedoms will become so much sand ...They will be taunted by them ..allowed for a short time to practice these freedoms then total darkness will..Consume them as there new MASTERS take the helm .....The light will be dowsed...the hope the dream of freedom...taken and replaced by...Sharia...The law of Darkness and death....
Show the allegedly offensive art. Enquiring minds . . .
"repressive" and "crackdown" Who are you kidding? Anybody who can read and understand Arabic and looks at the Tunisian media knows that this is journalistic BS. Can't you be fair to a country that has taught the world a lesson of peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy? Tunisians are happy about freedom of speech in their country, and that's what matters.
It's pretty funny reading this from someone calling himself "Tunisian." A "WTF are you talking about" comment in the middle of a sea of hatred.
Sorry Tunisian.. I think you have your facts bass-akwards.
tunisian... Based solely on the article, isn't it a little early to be crowing about freedom of speech in tunisia
Byrum and heartsquest...
How nice of you to believe in selective reports of "everything is fine" about the arab spring. As if either of you actually live in tunisia, libya, egypt or syria. I sure hope the democrats bring up obamas foriegn policies during the convention this week. It would be interesting on how he spins his rhetoric of " ....... must go".
Of course he can always fall back on "I gave the order to invade another sovereign nation to assassinate a despicable character" All without due process. And him having a law degree. Let's not forget the 2008 SOFA where it was bush2 that defined the iraq US troop withdrawal timeline. Hmmmm, I wonder if obama voted for or against it?
Regardless of whether tunisian is in reality from tunisia, you both show the propensity of foreigners wanting to dictate what actions are acceptable for another nation to follow. What is the old saying... you made your bed, now sleep in it.
These countries all elected Islamic Groups as their leaders, they did this with no concern for the Non Muslims in their countries. They are now all passing laws that allow them to throw Non Muslims in jail ,kill them and drive them out, this was and is their plan. This will all happen while the world does nothing. This is the "Hope And Change" Obama was talking about. Are your eyes open now people ,or do you still need to see more? No problem , there is allot more to come.
"They are now all passing laws that allow them to throw Non Muslims in jail ,kill them and drive them out, this was and is their plan" Really!!!??? Can you give some examples of these laws.
Just read the article Tunisian LOL at least two were named and described copiously.
Tunisian ------------ As you know, the laws allowing discrimination against anyone not a Muslim are already in the Koran and the Hadith. As you know, non-Muslims are considered by you and all Muslims as inferior to Muslims. The laws prevent the construction of churches or any houses of worship of any other religions. The laws do not allow the free and equal exercise of any and all religions. The laws deny freedom to criticize Islam but allow freedom to criticize any other religion. The laws call for the murder of anyone who dares to leave Islam.
Denial of fundamental human rights is not freedom nor democracy.
Here comes the new boss, same as the old boss.
No, that would be good. The new boss is going to be much worse; kind of like the corporate takeover kinda boss.
...Elections do not a Democracy make. It is very hard for countries without a long history of representative government to suddenly make the change. Freedom of speech, religion, and so on are alien to many cultures... One of the hardest concepts for some countries to grasp is the one of "leader of the loyal oppostition..."
...But even realatively democratic governments are prone to have repressive ideas... Samuel Adams, who was just about the biggest rabble rouser before the Revolution called for the members of Shay's Rebellion after the Revolution to be hanged... and in India where Gandhi had led millions in passive resistance against the British... the first thing that the newly independent Indian government did was to make passive resistance a felony...
"burn a Koran, and insult Allah" Wow! is that what freedom of speech means to you? You're right I think Tunisians are sane enough to ever burn the Bible or the Quran or insult anybody's god.
Tunisian... tell me, where do you really live? hmmmm?
Tunisian========= Freedom of speech means the freedom to say things which which you disagree without you having the right to attach or kill or censor the speaker.
It is none of America's business what they do. We have enough problems. Does anyone think they are concerned with our high unemployment rate. I think you should all worry about those arabs staying in their own lands and out of ours.
I totally agree with you both. (Scots and Wilbert1) :)
arab spring my ass.this whole scheme orchestrated by cia to destabilize mid-east in order to gain legitimacy when the time comes to bring ''democracy' to another oil rich country.U.S goverment is the most evil thing on this planet, mullahs in iran can learn a thing or two from them.
Critical times hard to deal with, will be here.
They got their freedom to become the Islamic theocracy they wanted to be. If they wish to devolve to the stone age, with repression and misery for the glory of Allah, let them. I'll gladly turn a blind eye to the injustices they demand. We must allow primitives to be the savages they wish to be. We must respect it.
The words "Arab" and "Spring" do not belong in the same sentence.
Was wondering when the crackdown would start. Not bad for arabs.
Not at all surprised. Guess it wasn't such a good thing after all was it?
Humans love to control other humans------if it isn't religion then it is done on a social level!!-it is in the 'nature of the human animal."------------as a good example--it can be seen in some families, and other relationships!
But, Heaveto... that's inevitable cuz humans (and all "living" things) simply do not clone. Control is not a matter of loving to do it... control is done in infinite ways and is a basic tool to deal with primal fear.. which we humans all have (the number one survival skill).
And you know as well as I do that "control" has countless faces... (behaviors, techniques...) Our job, as humans, is to control ourselves first. It's the only way we can prevail.
What the left wing media like NBC and left wing NGOs like HRW refuse to acknowledge is the nature of the so-called Arab Spring. The battles of the Arab Spring in the Arab/ Moslem dominated countries were not about the quest for freedom and democracy. There are certainly some folks in the Arab/ Moslem controlled countries who yearn for freedom and democracy. But they were crushed and continue to be violently oppressed by the forces of radical Islam who are much better funded and armed. So when the shooting ends and the bodies are buried the autocratic, pro-Western dictatorships will be replaced by Islamic supremist dictatorships. The so-called Arab Spring is the launch of the Arab/Moslem global war of aggression to impose Moslem world domination and put an end to all religions other than Islam. The Arab Spring is the cold, dark winter of civilization.
I think you are absolutely right ... but I think a rather skillful writer of that article meant for us to see that. I am amazed by how many of us agree with each other! O we express ourselves differently, that's natural. We have different reasons for coming to the same conclusions. That, I think, is unusual to see in Newsvine.
And I am so moved by knowing that, bottom line... when push comes to shove, we who can argue up a storm have an important commonality on what is most vital.
The results even of our diversified upbringing over here just isn't too shabby!!!!
I was and am skeptical of the Arab Spring and agree with all of you, but I wonder how some guy named Goldstein, in another part of the world can be so specific as to what freedom of speech (and art, et al) is, with such a specific list and dictate it to another country. I am also sick of "artists" being put on pedestals and be allowed to say and do any offense thing (not necessarally in this case) they want in the name of art. Otherwise 'freedoms' are being lost. It happens this way in this country all the time.
We need to just put a wall around the entire Middle East and don't let any of them out. Given time, between the Sunnis and the Shiites and all the other tribal rivalries and thousand year old vendettas and feuds there shouldn't be that many of them left since the Muslim answer to any problem or person is to kill it.
Unfortunately they breed like rabbits.
gemini & unbelievable... you are right. I live in one of the Northern states of the U.S. and had some surgery about six months ago followed by another five in a rehab facility. I received good care basically but was anxious to get back on my own two feet, so took the initiative as much as possible.
The staff was good, but one thing is worth mentioning. The aides, almost to a person were two things: 1) all but a few were in last stages of pregnancy; and 2) we had communication problems big time. I couldn't understand their accents they were so heavy and mixed predominantly with their own language, and they couldn't understand me if I needed something. Since all the patients themselves were obvious Americans, it was not, to my way of thinking, an appropriate group to hire especially without checking their citizenship.
It probably was good for me, actually, as I got myself outta bed and ... waiting not only on myself, but also my roommates (each was very, seriously ill... in fact, the first one passed away).
All but two or three of the aides just could not speak English. I was interested in why not so did some research. Most were from Ethiopia. In three of the larger areas there, Islamics significantly outnumbered Christians. In the country as a whole, they were the second largest group, with Christians first largest but lessening in that comparison.
This bounces off the Illegal Alien controversy, I know. But what surprised me is that this wasn't even close to our Mexican borders. I have also researched the Immigration and Citizenship federal laws, and with their inability to speak understandable English I was surprised they were even there. (Naturalization requires that applicants are able to speak, read, and write English which I am glad about.)
Thus we cannot totally "blame" those coming over the borders of our four Southern states adjacent to Mexico, and it is time we quit with the tag "racial profiling." The word "race" simply does not exist anywhere in our globe today.
I hope those reading this will think that being able ... or not being able ... to speak our language is an imperative. It's our Federal law required for Naturalization. That is a profile that is not only legal but cannot in any way shape or form be considered bigoted. English is still the primary language utilized by the world and has been since before the 17th Century.
OK... what does this have to do with Arab Spring. Well, I have to agree we must send the non-English speakers back and let them live in their own country which is actually affected by the Arab Spring. And make it better, instead of impacting our population explosion which, in my book, is the main problem affecting our economy.
Whew many subjects ... if you stopped reading me I don't blame you. It just fascinates me how they interrelate.
It's a little scary that the sick and/or old are totally dependant on them too.
Foreign nurses can get special work permits in US areas that are under served.
Gee, you mean a religious uprising to fight off fascism would result in different rights being denied? Wow! Historical events could NEVER foretell this, eh?
Just wait until Romney and Ryan get in! You will have religious fanaticism AND fascism in the same place, at the same time.
Another pathetic liberal lie. It is liberals that are fascist, they want to control every facet of our lives, what we eat, what we drink, what we drive, where we live, what we learn, etc. Conservatives are, by definition, anti fascist because they believe in LIMITED central government. A limited government cannot be fascist.
Fascist regimes are noted by a large overreaching government, gun confiscation, and total media control. Those are liberal goals, not conservative.
Facts trump liberal lies every time.
And don't forget Phil, they also want to control what we think and how we feel.
Right, and they want to control our lady parts....OH wait a minute, those are the conservatives!!
FYI, As a child I lived under a Fascist regime and it more resembles the philosophy of the current conservatives (previous conservatives in the US didn't resemble fascists) and in no way resemble the liberals of our nation.
See? Those who aren't con sheeple, and have experience know how dangerous the GOP Party of Fascism is. The rest of you are just idiots yammering.
Don't call people idiots. What happened to the enlightened "educated" liberal?
I calls 'em as I sees 'em! Dey's idiots!
The elected leaders of Gaza and the West Bank have overstayed their terms by several years now. Authoritarian regimes often use the trappings of democracy to achieve power, then dismiss the vocal few who challenge their anti-democratic methods. So it is with much of the Arab Spring.
Arab spring was just a phrase to manipulate the masses into thinking that soon women would have equal rights in the Middle East. Atheists and gays would have equal rights eventually. It was a revolution for human rights...yeah right. When some who do truly have those ideals in mind when rebelling and trying to overthrow the mind-controlling sharia law group, there isn't any help from U.S. , France, Germany, etc. The only ones who have kept the Sharia law group down has been non-religious, ruthless, harsh dictators such as Saddam Hussein and Momara Qaddafi. Bottom line is it is all manipulation in the name of oil and other resources.
Another fine example of Obama's empty chair presidency. He supported the Arab Spring ... kinda ... but not enough to deny responsibility for it in case anything went wrong - like this.
muslims as well as the jew, catholics, protestins etc in other words are all man made religion. you think you have spirituality and by the mear fact you persecute anyone that dares to question the crap that coming out of your mouths should crawl back into the hole they came from. do you honestly think this devine creator you all believe in wanted you to go around perscuting people, causing war and death, starvation etc because of the way you want everyone to believe that your god is the only god. your all turning out to be scum. so burn all the bibles, korans, and anything else that gets in the way of enjoying this beautiful world because your only here a very short time. better start enjoying it now... all you fanatitic religious scum