Month: March 2023

There is a certain afterglow to mass protest. It’s a feeling strongest when the slogans have just ceased to echo in the streets, when the barricades have just come down, the banners rolled back up and the flags folded and put back in their place. It is also a dangerous moment, when what looks like… Continue reading Israel hasn’t been a democracy for a long time. Now, Israelis need to face this fact

By Jonathan Kuttab It seems the announcement by Netanyahu that he is “pausing” the “Judicial reforms,” in order to give a chance for talks and negotiations, is hardly the end of the crisis that has rocked Israeli society to the core and brought hundreds of thousands into the streets to protest. For one thing, Netanyahu… Continue reading Ben-Gvir’s Militia

Illegal Jewish settlers set a Palestinian house on fire early Sunday in the town of Sinjil, near Ramallah in the central West Bank, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Eyewitnesses told WAFA that the house owner, Ahmad Maher Awashreh, 35, and his family, including children, were luckily pulled out alive after four Jewish settlers… Continue reading Jewish Settlers Set Palestinian House on Fire in West Bank

ANU has formally rejected the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and stood firmly on the side of academic freedom and right to legitimate criticism of Israel.  The Guardian’s Higher Education reporter Caitlin Cassidy reports: The Australian National University (ANU) has rejected growing pressure from parliamentary MPs to adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism. The International Holocaust… Continue reading Australian National University has told the National Tertiary Education Union and ANU’s students association it won’t take up a controversial definition of antisemitism

Israeli prime minister looks out of touch in his handling of response to the country’s latest political crisisTue 28 Mar 2023 13.55 BST The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, kept the country waiting all day, but in the end, when he finally announced a suspension to the government’s proposed judicial overhaul, it was a theatrical speech.… Continue reading Netanyahu’s failure to grasp anger over Israel judicial overhaul exposes weaknesses

Israeli politics has descended into disarray with questions over whether a fired defence minister is refusing to step down and concerns Benjamin Netanyahu may have promised too much to far-right politicians in exchange for a deal aimed at quelling nationwide demonstrations. Facing a climax in the 12-week protest movement against his plans to weaken the power of… Continue reading Israeli crisis continues as fired minister apparently refuses to quit

The Australian government has raised concerns with the Israeli government over a minister’s “inflammatory” remarks about the Palestinian people, Guardian Australia can reveal. Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has provoked outrage by saying there was “no such thing as a Palestinian people”, just weeks after he said the Palestinian town of Huwara in the West Bank should… Continue reading Australia raises concerns with Israel about minister’s remarks on Palestinians

Proposal of legislation comes amid an increase in attacks against clergymen and church-goers by far-right Israelis Palestinian Christians attend an Orthodox service during Easter night at the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, on 23 April 2022 (AFP) By  Azad Essa Published date: 24 March 2023 17:06 UTC | Last update: 7 hours 47 mins ago Palestinian Christians say they… Continue reading Palestinian Christians say anti-missionary bill is Israel’s latest attempt to squeeze them out

Jerusalem:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition was plunged into chaos last night, after mass protests over the sacking of his defence chief piled pressure on the government to halt its bitterly contested plans to overhaul the judiciary. Netanyahu had been expected to make a televised address announcing the suspension of the plans. But, amid reports… Continue reading Netanyahu’s coalition plunged into chaos as protests widen

Jean Shaoul24 March 2023 The visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak saw protests by Palestinians and their supporters, and by British Jews and expat Israelis outside the British prime minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street. Amid an escalating offensive by settlers and the Israel Defense… Continue reading Netanyahu given UK backing amid deepening Israeli crisis and repression of Palestinians