The Mother of All Opportunities
Despite its horrors, the Israel-Hamas war provides a new opportunity for diplomatic solutions; but that won’t happen if Netanyahu remains in power.
February 29, 2024
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Category: Blog
Antisemitism’s a Recurring Virus; Israel Triggers Fresh Outbreaks
Global eruptions of antisemitism precipitated two conferences at the same venue, over 20 years apart. Although Israel is not to blame for the hatred of Jews, its policies and military actions often trigger it.
February 17, 2024
Israel, Hamas and ‘Genocide’
I analyze the nature of Hamas and explain why Israel is not guilty of genocide yet has apparently violated the rule of proportionality in its war against Hamas. I also advocate an endgame strategy that reintroduces the prospect of a 2 state solution.
February 1, 2024
The Campus Battle Over Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism
Most Jewish students at Occidental were already quite critical of Israel’s policies . . . . But most were unwilling to join a protest that failed to acknowledge Hamas’s responsibility for its massacre of Israeli Jews.
January 23, 2024
‘Gaza War Blues’: For a Ceasefire in Place
If Qatar is able to arrange a ceasefire in place, releasing all surviving hostages in exchange for some number of Palestinian prisoners, Israel should take it.
January 8, 2024
Ignorance & Acrimony in Debating the Z Word
“Zionism” has become more of an ideological football being kicked around by the pro’s and the anti’s who want to score against each other rather than to reasonably settle this longstanding and increasingly violent conflict. It’s the extremes who are the most vociferous in their Zionism or their anti-Zionism.
January 5, 2024
Israelis & Palestinians Disregard Each Others’ Suffering
Each side has strikingly different perspectives on the deaths and victimization of the other side’s civilians.
December 26, 2023
Under Cover of Gaza War, Depredations in West Bank
To secure a peaceful future, not just Hamas, but also Smotrich, Ben-Gvir and their Israeli allies must be removed from power.
December 20, 2023
What Hamas Wants: Insights From An Insider
The aspirations of Hamas and its allies … are irreconcilable with any negotiation that Israelis will ever entertain. . . . Still, the rejectionism of the anti-Zionist movement does not preclude crafting a future that a majority of Palestinians and Israelis can live with.
December 19, 2023
My Heart Struggles with My Head
I, for one, wish a sustained ceasefire was the answer. My heart tells me the violence should stop. But my head tells me an extended ceasefire would enable Hamas leaders to remain in power, retain their current arsenal, recruit combatants to replace those who were killed and continue to threaten Israel.
November 13, 2023