On March 12, 2015, Palestinian American community organizer and women's leader Rasmea Odeh was sentenced to 18 months in prison after an unjust conviction last November, but she is challenging that conviction, and her many supporters have helped her remain free on bond, pending the outcome of her appeal. She is back home to her community in Chicago, and back to her work with the Arab Women's Committee.

Newt Gingrich, the leading republican nominee for president, received $10 million towards his campaign from wealthy, hard-line Israel supporters. In the wake of these generous contributions, Gingrich’s commentary regarding Palestine has caused a legitimate concern amongst many who are aware of the realities regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director Christina Abraham discusses veteran reporter Helen Thomas' criticism of Israel, and deputy managing editor of the Jerusalem Post, Caroline Glick's offensive spoof of the Gaza Flotilla massacre entitled “We Con the World.”

"There is more outrage in this country over some bumbling comments recently made by Helen Thomas than over the murder of a US citizen and eight others by our ally, Israel, on the high seas. Never mind the fact that she has apologized while Israel still refuses to apologize," writes Ahmed Rehab. "Helen Thomas epitomized the role of the people's reporter, a woman who was not afraid to ask tough questions that other reporters were too meek or politically correct to ask."

A Palestinian Muslim instructor fired from a Chicago college sued for discrimination. Suriya Smiley sued Columbia College Chicago Monday in federal court after she was fired in January when a student accused her of making anti-Semitic remarks in class.

The suit [filed by CAIR-Chicago] alleges Smiley was treated less favorably than similarly situated employees who were not Palestinian or Arab when accused of "false allegations of misconduct."

The suit [filed by CAIR-Chicago] alleges Smiley was treated less favorably than similarly situated employees who were not Palestinian or Arab when accused of "false allegations of misconduct."

"The unsubstantiated allegation against, and subsequent firing of, Sue Smiley reeks of racism," said Kevin Vodak, an attorney for the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which filed the suit on Smiley's behalf.

"According to the suit [filed by CAIR-Chicago], a teacher's assistant and eight other students were present in class at the time and confirmed that Smiley never made the remark or any anti-Semitic statements. Despite no evidence, the college refused to conduct an investigation into the allegations and swiftly fired Smiley, the suit said. No witnesses were contacted or questioned." Also see related stories in the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times

"The three-count federal suit (filed by CAIR-Chicago) -- which claims one count of national origin discrimination and two counts of race discrimination -- seeks all wages and benefits she would have received, in addition to compensatory and punitive damages. It also seeks an order mandating Smiley be returned to her former position or receive pay in lieu of reinstatement."

Steve Huntley’s July 14th article entitled “Obama handed Abbas excuse to foil progress” is biased and promotes misconceptions of Obama’s foreign policy and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Israel declared a cease-fire Saturday, temporarily ending its 22-day offensive against Gaza, which began Dec. 27 when Israel initiated a military campaign against Hamas’ infrastructure.

Right-wing pundits would sooner choke Rachael Ray with a keffiyeh scarf than leave her alone to drown herself in all that extra virgin olive oil she likes to splash on her so-called 30-minute TV meals. Ray, the affable, pleasantly ordinary-looking TV chef and eponymous magazine maven, was blasted recently when she showed up in a Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee ad wearing what looked like a keffiyeh, a traditional Arab headdress.

How could a chirpy TV host with such edible title credits as "30 Minute Meals" and "Tasty Travels" one day awaken to find herself in the middle of a terrorism-related media blitz -- all because of a Dunkin' Donuts ad, no less? It's a tough recipe to cook up, but here are the ingredients: