Israel's Shabak domestic spy agency arrested a UN official based in Gaza three weeks ago, who was responsible for providing security there for UN-affiliated institutions. Hamdan Temraz was on his way to meet with his UN colleagues in Jerusalem, when he was arrested by the Shabak at the Erez border crossing. I reported this story when it happened (it was … [Read more...]
Hillel International: Who’s Afraid of Breaking the Silence?
At one time, campus Hillels were home to college students exploring their Jewish identity in all its diversity. There were Orthodox Jews, atheists, socialist, Bundists, Zionists--and everything in between. Hillel was a welcoming place, a big tent for Jewish inquiry. They were intellectually engaging, full of spiritual inquiry, and encouraging passion in … [Read more...]
BDS, Joe McCarthy, and the New Communist Menace
Over the past few years, I've watched with growing alarm as the far-right Likud government develops ever newer threats promoting fear among its voters. Bibi Netanyahu has played the Iran menace like a Stradivarius in order to serve as a pressure valve, releasing air from the international campaign on behalf of Israel-Palestine. He's raised billions to … [Read more...]
Shin Bet Detains New Israel Fund Official as Security Threat at Ben Gurion Airport
Israel is rapidly turning into a police state. One in which even liberal civil society NGOs are no longer tolerated. A state like Russia or China or North Korea in which strongmen rule and dissenting voices are suppressed through legalism, violence or even murder. The first two have happened in Israel, but not yet the third (but it will … [Read more...]