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Article by Dahlia Scheindlin -- Title : "There's Only One Way to Deal With Power-hungry Bullies Like Netanyahu and His Fundamentalist Partners"  Published : March 28, 2025 , in Haaretz .   --- Detailed Overview of the Article  1. Core Argument : Netanyahu’s Authoritarian Power Grab .  - Scheindlin critiques   Netanyahu’s latest move  to control Israel’s judiciary through a Knesset amendment  to a Basic Law, effectively politicizing judicial appointments  - She compares Netanyahu’s tactics to bullying , arguing that his government rejects compromise  and seeks total dominance  over democratic institutions .   2. Key Points :   - Judicial Takeover : The amendment bypasses checks and balances , allowing Netanyahu’s coalition to handpick judges —a step toward autocratic rule  .   - Failed Dialogue : Scheindlin recounts a failed attempt at negotiation , illustrating how Netanyahu’s government dismi...

  Detailed overview of Gideon Levy's latest article  on Gaza and Palestine.  --- Article Title: " Accepting Hamas’ Survival is Only Path Forward for Gaza" Published : March 14, 2025, in Haaretz (republished in The Palestine Chronicle) .   --- Key Arguments & Overview   1. Hamas Cannot Be Eliminated Militarily  - Levy argues that despite 17 months of brutal war, Israel has failed to destroy Hamas.   - Casualties & Destruction :  Over tens of thousands of Gazans killed , yet Hamas remains politically entrenched.   - Quote:    > " After the deaths of hundreds of Israeli soldiers and tens of thousands of Gazans, Hamas remains . After destruction on the scale of Dresden , Hamas remains ." .   2. Political Reality: Hamas is Gaza’s Only Governing Force   - Levy dismisses proposals to replace Hamas with the Palestinian Authority (PA) or an international administration  as unrealistic . ...

Here are the key points from The Chris Hedges Report interview with Jason Stanley on Erasing History: How Fascism Works: Defining Fascism & Its Contemporary Relevance Jason Stanley discusses the misuse of the term “fascism” in political discourse. He argues that Trump's potential second term could solidify an American fascist state. Fascism & Education Fascist regimes manipulate education to erase historical truths. The suppression of critical race theory and Black history is part of this agenda. A true education system should empower individuals to change history, but authoritarian systems aim to remove this agency. Psychological Manipulation & Control Fascist regimes distort history to maintain absolute power. They create myths that support ruling ideologies while suppressing alternative narratives. This aligns with the tactics used in authoritarian regimes, such as Nazi Germany. Historical Parallels & Targeting Dissenters The crackdow...

  Year-by-year breakdown of documented " Price Tag" attacks in the West Bank and Israel , based on reports from UN OCHA , B’Tselem , Yesh Din , and Israeli media (Haaretz, Times of Israel). Introduction to "Price Tag" Attackers  "Price Tag" attackers are extremist Israeli settlers , primarily affiliated with radical right-wing groups, who carry out violent acts agains Palestinians, Israeli security forces, and left-wing activists  in retaliation for perceived threats to Jewish settlements in the West Bank . The term refers to the " price " they seek to impose for actions like outpost demolitions or Palestinian attacks on Israelis.   - Vandalism, arson, or violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians, Israeli security forces, or left-wing activists.      - Often involves graffiti (e.g., "Price Tag," "Revenge," or "Arabs Out").     - Retaliation for Palestinian attacks, outpost demolitions, or Israeli gover...

Key Points & Further Details on Columbia University Leadership Change 1. Presidential Change at Columbia University Katrina Armstrong stepped down as interim president of Columbia University. Claire Shipman , a journalist and Columbia alumna, was named acting president . Armstrong’s departure marks Columbia’s third leadership change since August 2024. 2. Trigger for Leadership Change The Trump administration threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funding from Columbia. This funding is roughly 20% of the university’s operating revenue . The university ultimately complied with government demands , causing internal and external backlash . 3. Government Demands & Columbia’s Compliance Columbia agreed to: Employ 36 campus safety officers with arrest powers . Adopt a formal definition of antisemitism . Review admissions policies . Increase oversight of its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department . These changes sparked faculty and...

  The Dutch government's opposition to the renewal of Francesca Albanese's mandate as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories has drawn significant attention , particularly from human rights advocates and pro-Palestinian groups .  Below is a detailed overview of the situation: 1. Background on Francesca Albanese and Her Role - Francesca Albanese is an Italian international lawyer and scholar appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine in 2022. - Her mandate involves monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories ( West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem). - She has been vocal about Israel’s violations of international law, including settlement expansions, collective punishment, and apartheid policies. - Her reports often highlight accountability gaps and call for international action against Israeli policies . 2. Dutch Government’s Opposition - The Netherlands , unde...

  Dahlia Scheindlin's analysis in Haaretz critiques Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners, framing their judicial overhaul as an authoritarian power grab rather than genuine governance . Here’s a detailed overview of her argument: Key Themes and Arguments 1. Netanyahu as a Power-Hungry Bully      - Scheindlin portrays Netanyahu and his allies (particularly ultra-nationalist and religious fundamentalist parties) as prioritizing power consolidation over democratic norms.    - The judicial overhaul, which seeks to weaken Israel’s Supreme Court, is framed as a tactic to eliminate checks on government authority.    2. Failed Attempts at Dialogue      - The article references a behind-the-scenes effort to engage Netanyahu’s government in negotiations over the judicial changes.      - These efforts failed because, according to Scheindlin , the government was never inter...

  There are several extremist Israeli settler groups and NGOs operating in the West Bank and Israel , some of which engage in violent or aggressive actions against Palestinians , advocate for settlement expansion, and resist government restrictions on outposts .  Below is a detailed list of the most active and notable groups:   --- 1. Violent Extremist Settler Groups   These groups are known for attacks on Palestinians, " price tag" attacks , and unauthorized outpost expansions .   A. Hilltop Youth (הנוער הגבעות)  - Nature: A loose, radical network of young settlers (often teens/early 20s).   - Activities:   - Establishing illegal outposts .     - Clashes with IDF over outpost demolitions.     - Arson attacks on Palestinian property, mosques, and olive groves.   - Ideology: Ultra-nationalist , religious , anti-state (reject Israeli government authority).   - Notable Incide...

  Food Security 91% of the analyzed population ( 1.95 million people ) is projected to experience acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) , including: 876,000 people in Emergency levels (IPC Phase 4). 345,000 people in Catastrophic levels (IPC Phase 5). 82% of croplands, 55% of on-farm irrigation systems, and 78% of greenhouses have been damaged (Source: IRDNA, February 2025). 72% of the fishing fleet has been destroyed (Source: Food Security Sector, December 2024). 95% (~15,000) of Gaza’s cattle have died, nearly all calves slaughtered, with 43% (<25,000) of sheep, 37% (~3,000) of goats, and 1% (34,000) of birds remaining alive Source: FAO, December 2024). ~68% of agricultural wells have been damaged (Source: FAO, December 31, 2024). Protection 1 million children require mental health and psycho-social support (Source: UNICEF). 62% of people lack access to legal documents proving property ownership (Source: IRDNA, February 2025). At leas...

  The bill is a key part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial judicial overhaul plan, which has sparked massive protests and deep political divisions in Israel. Here’s a detailed overview of its provisions, implications, and context: Key Provisions of the Bill The legislation alters the composition and functioning of the Judicial Appointments Committee , the body responsible for selecting judges in Israel , including Supreme Court justices .   1. Politicization of Judicial Appointments:      - Previously, the nine-member committee included a mix of politicians, judges, and legal professionals , requiring broad consensus for appointments.       - The new law changes the balance , giving the governing coalition a de facto majority (7 out of 13 members, after a future expansion) in selecting judges.       - The committee will now include:         - 3 government minis...