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Tom Segev at 80: Why One of Israel’s Leading Historians Now Calls Zionism a Mistake. Haaretz. Analysis and Summary. Haaretz

                Tom Segev. Looking Back, Israeli Historian Tom Segev Thinks Zionism Was a Mistake April 4, 2025 — By Ofer Aderet (Analysis and Summary) Haaretz  Israeli historian Tom Segev , long known for his critical lens on the history of Israel and Zionism , has made perhaps his boldest statement yet. At the age of 80, Segev reflects on his personal journey and the historical myths that shaped both his family narrative and the nation’s identity. His revelations , detailed in an in-depth Haaretz article, offer not just a personal reckoning but a broader challenge to Zionism’s moral and historical foundation . Key Themes and Analysis 1. Personal Revelation and Historical Reckoning Segev opens his reflection by confronting a deeply personal myth : the circumstances of his father’s death during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. For decades, he believed the official narrative that his father, Heinz Schwerin, was killed heroically...
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Turning Lifelines into Leverage: Israel’s Plan to Control Aid in Gaza Sparks Global Outcry

For over two months, Israel has restricted aid access into Gaza —a territory already reeling from massive displacement, bombings, and near-famine conditions. Now, a new plan by Israeli authorities to control aid delivery has sparked outrage from the United Nations and international NGOs. 1. What Is Israel Proposing? Israel wants to create military-controlled “hubs” within Gaza where international aid can be distributed. Under this plan, private contractors would manage the flow of food, medicine, and water—under supervision of Israeli forces. 2. Why Are Aid Groups Refusing? Humanitarian organizations argue that this proposal violates principles of neutrality. They believe it turns life-saving aid into a political tool, essentially using humanitarian support to pressure Hamas and control civilians. “It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles,” said the United Nations in a joint statement with aid groups. 3. Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Zones As part of its comi...
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Marianne Hirsch: The Erosion of Academic Freedom and the Authoritarian Threat to American Universities.

Marianne Hirsch on Free Speech, Authoritarian Tactics, and the Crisis in American Universities Marianne Hirsch , a renowned scholar of comparative literature and gender studies at Columbia University , is widely respected for her work on cultural memory, trauma , and post-memory (the relationship of second-generation survivors to historical trauma). As a leading academic voice , she has long defended the role of the university as a place of intellectual freedom and ethical responsibility. Now, in light of recent crackdowns on campus activism and freedom of expression , Hirsch raises urgent concerns about the future of academic institutions in the United States .               Marianne Hirsch. 1. Suppressing Speech: A Classic Authoritarian Tactic Across history, authoritarian regimes have attacked universities and stifled free expression. Examples include: Nazi Germany Latin American dictatorships Current regimes in Russia, Hungary, and ...
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From “Hamas Looked at Me Wrong” to “An Israeli Raped Me”: The Curious Case of Mia Schem’s Shifting Headlines

Ah, Mia Schem . The face of hostage survival , the darling of Israeli media, and, apparently, the victim of just about everyone — depending on which week it is. Let’s rewind . Back in late 2023, Mia was abducted by Hamas during the infamous October 7 Nova music festival attack . Tragic? Absolutely. No one in their right mind would wish such trauma on another human being . She was held for 54 days , wounded, and later released as part of a hostage exchange . S he became a symbol — paraded across global media as proof of Hamas’s inhumanity. In one bizarre interview with Western outlets, she suggested that while in captivity, Hamas fighters “raped her with their eyes.” That’s right. No physical assault reported , no formal accusation — just a poetic kind of violation . A stretch? Many thought so. But hey, nuance was out, and propaganda was in . Fast forward to March 2025. In a surprising twist of narrative, Mia filed a police complaint — not against Hamas , not against some lurking ter...
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Zionism and Post-Holocaust Christian Theology: A Jewish Perspective. Mark Braverman

     Introduction of Mark Braverman: Mark Braverman is a Jewish-American psychologist, theologian , and prominent voice in the interfaith justice movement for Palestine . Raised in a strong Zionist tradition , Braverman underwent a personal and moral transformation after witnessing the realities of the Israeli occupation . He is the Executive Director of Kairos USA , an organization that mobilizes American Christians to support Palestinian rights. Braverman focuses on the intersection of theology, justice, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His work critiques both Jewish and Christian theological frameworks that support Zionism and calls for a prophetic response rooted in human rights and reconciliation. His major works include Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land and numerous essays on interfaith theology and justice. Mark Braverman. Opening Note: In the wake of the Holocaust , Christian theology took a new direction — see...
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