March 2025 ~ Elder Of Ziyon

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

The PLO's Human Rights Department ignores any human rights violations by the Palestinians - it is only about Israel

The Department of Human Rights and Civil Society in the Palestine Liberation Organization issued its annual report to the UN today, on "the human rights situation in Palestine under occupation for the year 2024."

It handed the report over to the United Nations office in Ramallah.

The mandate of the department is "to protect and promote individual and collective Palestinian human rights, and to protect and defend these rights in all their forms inside Palestine and in the diaspora in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law and to promote the system of relevant Palestinian laws."

It sounds like it is concerned about human rights under Palestinian rule, doesn't it?

So it is funny that all of its published reports only talk about Israel. Its webpage only talks about alleged Israeli violations.

Not one word is written about Palestinian suppression of freedom of expression or unlawful imprisonment or torture in PA jails. Not in its 2021 annual report, nor 2022, nor the one released today.

This is yet more proof that the entire purpose of Palestinian nationalism is not to build an Arab state nation but to destroy the Jewish state.

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"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

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The ICRC is not neutral in any sense. It is pro-Hamas.

Daniel Pomerantz, former CEO of Honest Reporting and now head of RealityCheck, published a report on how the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has violated its neutrality mandate multiple times in Gaza.

Here is a photo he found of the head of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, smiling as he shakes hands with the arch-terrorist Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, in 2017.

Some examples:

The ICRC has met with Islamic Jihad terrorists, to discuss (according to IJ) “the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in pressuring the Israeli occupation” and “efforts to expose the crimes of the Israeli occupation.” This goes way beyond the ICRC position that it only meets with terror groups to visit captives and providing aid to civilians.

Even worse:

ICRC spokesperson Hisham Mhanna states that the ICRC’s “top priority” in Gaza is to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Mhanna’s statement indicates that the return of Israeli hostages from captivity is a lower priority (if at all), as is the safety of Israelis from terror attacks.

Surouq Hijawi, who holds the position of “security official” for the ICRC, praised terrorism against Israelis on Facebook. Specifically, on July 20, 2023 Hiawi posted a photo of several Palestinian terrorists who had died while carrying out attacks against Israelis, along with the caption, “May God have mercy on the martyrs #Congratulations on your martyrdom in heaven.”

In the past, I have detailed how the ICRC has different standards for the definition of "occupation" for Israel and for everyone else. The bias is undeniable. But here, Pomerantz has shown how the rot goes throughout the ICRC from the very top to the Hamas fanboys in the rank and file.

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"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

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Hezbollah's leader says he has no intention to listen to Lebanon's desire for it to disarm

On March 4, after a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the Lebanese state-run news agency wrote:

Saudi Arabia and Lebanon on Tuesday underscored the importance of strengthening Arab cooperation and coordinating positions on key regional and international issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Taif Agreement, the enforcement of relevant international resolutions, the extension of state sovereignty across all Lebanese territory, and the exclusive possession of weapons by the Lebanese state.

This is a clear reference to disarming Hezbollah.

Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem had a long interview with Al Manar about how Hezbollah has adapted to the new reality after it was defeated by Israel (which, of course, he does not admit.) In that interview, he simply denies that Lebanon meant what it explicitly said:

“We also say that weapons should be exclusive to the internal security forces and the army in Lebanon, and we reject the logic of the militias,” Sheikh Qassem said. “Therefore, we have nothing to do with this matter. We are a resistance that considers Israel a threat to Lebanon, and there is no objection to the army and the state defending Lebanon. The resistance has the right to continue to protect Lebanon,” he added. “Therefore, we do not consider the President’s words about the exclusivity of weapons to be directed at us,” he said, noting that “all wars were started by the Israeli enemy, so if they [the army] were able to prevent Israel from waging wars, this would be a good thing.”

He added, “If some believe that the president’s remarks are targeted against us, we do not consider them as so.”

He is drawing a completely random distinction between militias, which he agrees should be disarmed, and the "resistance" - Hezbollah - which must maintain a huge weapons arsenal to supposedly deter Israel. (See how well that worked out.)

Of course, if there is another war, he hopes the Lebanese army will be the one to fight Israel so it can be the one to suffer losses, not Hezbollah.

Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah hasn't changed, it is just changing tactics.

“Yes, we are in a new phase, but the principles do not change. Rather, the methods may change, but the resistance work does not cease and cannot, because Lebanon will cease to exist. What is happening in Syria is the best evidence of that. The resistance deterred the enemy and prevented it from advancing and remaining in our land. Even in the areas it occupies, the time for resistance will come. Today, we are patient.” He called on “the people to calm down and be reassured, because their leadership and youth have the ability, mind, and faith, and they will act in the appropriate manner and at the appropriate time.” He stressed that "the resistance today, and with it the people, is more heroic than when we were fighting, because we are patient, and no one thinks that it is a defeat, but rather it is a decision, because our presence is there and our capabilities are with us, and the people are present. Even if some people think that Hezbollah is acting pragmatically, this is a positive thing."

Lebanese media has been critical of Qassem's statements, which itself is notable because it was difficult to find public criticism of Hezbollah until recently - the fear from the terror group was pervasive. Still, the government remains frightened of Hezbollah and is unwilling to challenge it.

Although a new-appointed government has said the state should from now on be the sole bearer of arms after a 13-months-long war between Hezbollah and Israel, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said the government would in no way disarm Hezbollah by force.

"It is not the time to take reckless risks that might take Lebanon backward, to many years ago," Metri said Monday in a televised interview.

The Lebanese government should say, clearly, that Qassem is wrong and Hezbollah must disarm. That would undercut Qassem's fantasy interpretation of the government's clear statement and put political pressure on Hezbollah without any civil war. Hezbollah's entire legitimacy is based on the lie that it is defending Lebanon; this is the exact time that the Lebanese leaders must say that they will make their own decisions on how to defend themselves.

Unfortunately, Mitri's comments appear to be the beginning of a slide back to what Lebanon was, not to what it could be.

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"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

On Sunday night I gave a Zoom session to the Massachusetts Antisemitism Synagogue Task Force on the topic of "Fighting Antisemitism Online."

Due to a technical glitch, only about 100 of the 300 that signed up for the session were able to make it, so here is the full session, which is about 70 minutes long including about 20 minutes of Q&A.

Buy EoZ's books on Amazon!

"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

03/10 Links Pt2: The anti-Trump resistance rushes to defend campus antisemites; How did this Hamas fanboy get into the UK?; Israels entry for 2025 Eurovision: ‘New Day Will Rise’

From Ian:

Trump’s young confidante on why he ‘supports the people of Israel’

For 29-year-old Elizabeth Pipko, Donald Trump has been much more than a boss. In her incredible life story, the American president constitutes a defining event, no less.

A person who changed the course of her life from the moment she became aware of his political work. An almost divine factor who taught her no less than any rabbi she met in the synagogues she attended. A mentor, a spiritual teacher.

“Trump completely changed my life,” she says. “So, my entire life has focused around Donald Trump for about eight years, a little bit longer. So, I don’t think my brain has realized yet what it means to not be in a campaign and not be fighting for Donald Trump, because that’s all we know.

“My husband [Darren Centinello, who was the campaign’s digital director] and I used to joke that we’d get divorced after the election was over because we didn’t know if we had anything else to talk about. After all, all we talked about was Donald Trump. … I met my husband through the campaign.”

Considering that joining his team was the moment that helped Pipko emerge from the lowest point of her life, it’s understandable.

Today, she is one of the women closest to the president’s ear. After working with him for eight years, and being a spokesperson for the Republican Party, coordinating campaign fundraising and helping him reach the White House twice, Pipko is one of Donald’s confidantes, and to a large extent, this involves explaining the Jewish and Israeli views to him on the current war in Gaza.

She regularly appears in studios and gives interviews, makes regular television appearances, and defends Israel passionately. She condemns progressive nonsense, points out woke hypocrisy, and raises awareness of problematic-to-outrageous statements by people in positions of power in higher education institutions in the U.S.

Daniel Pipes: Review: The Only Jew in the Room Searching for Understanding in an Arab Islamic College

After 24 years in the Israel Defense Forces, much of it focused on the West Bank and Gaza, Lt. Col. (ret.) Avi Shalev, a Jew, made the unique decision in his late 40s to devote two-day weekends for the next 1½ years to acquiring a graduate-level teaching certificate from the Al-Qasimi Academic College of Education in the Israeli Muslim-majority town of Baqa al-Gharbiya. Founded in 1989 with a distinctly Islamic orientation, the college offers B.A.s and M.A.s. The Only Jew builds on his real-time notes to present a sometimes boisterous, sometimes anguished account of his unusual experience.

Shalev keeps it personal and stays away from politics but he always remains aware of the topsy-turvy situation whereby he, a former member of Israel's power elite, voluntarily subjects himself to linguistic, religious, and social marginality at Al-Qasimi.

The Only Jew contains many observations of value. On Jerusalem: "In Arab and Islamic public consciousness there has never been a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem." When he disagreed with this consensus, he met with frank disbelief: "A Jewish temple in Jerusalem? Come on, ya Avi. Who told you this lie? There was always a mosque there, it's a well-known fact."

Fake plan to attack Australia synagogue fabricated by organized crime, police say

A wave of serious arson and vandalism attacks against Jewish New South Wales (NSW) targets, including the Dural caravan faux terrorism plot, was part of an organized crime ring’s plan to distract law enforcement and obtain reduced prison sentences in exchange for aiding in the police’s investigation, Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Security Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett and Deputy Police Commissioner for the state of New South Wales David Hudson said Monday in a joint press briefing – following the mass arrest of 11 suspects.

Organized domestic and foreign criminal elements, some of them indicated by Barrett to be in prison, were hiring petty criminals to target the Sydney area Jewish community.

Hudson said that there were many motivations for the crime, but as of yet, the investigations had not uncovered any antisemitic animus. Instead, it appeared that organized crime had decided to exploit escalating antisemitism in Australia since October 7, which included a wave of lesser anti-Jewish criminal acts, to sow confusion and disorder with fourteen different attacks in addition to the Dural incident.

Criminals had been submitting false terrorism tips ever since the Dural ruse in which a caravan laden with mining explosives was discovered in a rural property with a note indicating that a synagogue was a target.

In the Dural case, the plan was to divert law enforcement resources so that criminals could carry out other actions, but more so, Hudson and Barrett explained that the mastermind behind the scheme hoped to provide information about fake plots in return for reduced sentences and other benefits.

In one example given by Barrett, criminals fabricated a terrorist plot involving obtaining high-powered firearms, which a criminal offered to provide information for in exchange for reduced drug trafficking charges.

“Too many criminals are accused of paying others to carry out antisemitic or terrorism incidents to get our attention or divert our resources,” said Barrett. “And too many offenders working in the criminal gig economy are accepting these tasks for money.”

03/10 Links Pt1: Blame Hamas for Israel Halting Aid to Gaza; Like a Boehler in a China Shop; Who is the real al-Julani? West still preplexed; Gad Saad & Erin Molan: 'The Parasitic Mind' Exposed

From Ian:

Arsen Ostrovsky: Blame Hamas for Israel Halting Aid to Gaza

On March 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would halt the entry of all goods and supplies to Gaza. This decision came after Hamas rejected a framework proposed by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff intended to continue the hostage-ceasefire talks—a framework Israel had already agreed to.

Of course, it was not long until the usual politicians, pundits and armchair quarterbacks playing lawyer started accusing Israel of the war crime of starvation. And, as usual, they did so with vague references to unspecified provisions of "international law."

For the record, international law is very clear on this point: Israel is not obligated to provide aid that will be used by an enemy in a time of war, and anyone who argues differently is either illiterate or willfully ignorant.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt certainly were not expected to provide aid to Nazi Germany during WWII, yet there is a systematic double standard and misapplication of the law against the Jewish state.

To begin, those who ignorantly claim that all blockades are automatically a war crime, are simply wrong. Blockades, which are a lawful military tactic in the course of war, are regulated by international humanitarian law, but are not prohibited by it, as long as it is not used to intentionally starve the local civilian population. To that end, siege law does have humanitarian aspects, namely the requirement of facilitating the passage of food and medicine by third parties, which is governed by Article 23 of the 4th Geneva Convention.

Article 23 is very explicit in outlining that a High Contracting Party, such as Israel, shall allow the free passage of humanitarian supplies, but that is if, and only if, there are no serious reasons to believe these supplies are being diverted from their destination or used for military purposes.

Nor are these points controversial; for example, both the U.S. Defense Department Law of War Manual and the UK Joint Service Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict reiterate and mirror Article 23 of 4th Geneva Convention. So where does that leave Israel?

There has been indisputable and overwhelming evidence that Hamas systematically steals the aid, and uses it to advance their military goals, including the ongoing captivity of hostages. Everyone from The New York Times to the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations has reported on this fact for years. And if that's not enough, even Hamas themselves has admitted it.

It is also imperative to dismiss the libelous charge that by halting the aid, Israel is committing the war crime of starving the civilian population of Gaza, which is patently untrue here.

Seth Mandel (Jan 2025): Hamas’s War on Gaza’s Electric Grid

Here’s how the electricity in Gaza works. Israel provides 50 percent of the enclave’s power—and I do mean “provides.” Technically, Israel is selling electricity to Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority is supposed to pick up the tab. But they very often don’t, and certainly Hamas doesn’t pay, and every so often Israel threatens to cut off electricity for lack of payment—the debt is usually somewhere in the neighborhood of half a billion dollars. But Israel always backs down or accepts low partial payments.

How much does Hamas value that electricity? Well, it is not uncommon for their own rockets to hit the power lines and cut off parts of the grid. Usually, Israel just fixes the lines when Hamas destroys them. (Israel is terrible at doing genocide.) But on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas knocked down more than half of their own power lines and Israel did not fix them; it had, if you remember, a few other priorities.

The other half of Gaza’s electricity is split into two main categories: 25 percent comes from Gaza’s diesel-run power plant and the other 25 percent comes from the sun. Gaza has a high concentration of solar cells, because there are lots and lots of roofs and lots of sun. Some of the solar power comes from Israeli companies, much of it from EU and UN projects (meaning, in part, the American taxpayer).

Some Gazans with solar-power systems sell electricity to their neighbors. Some who have their own diesel generators do the same. And the hospitals have been known to set up diesel generators in their bottom floors for public use.

What this means is that about a quarter of Gazan power doesn’t, in general, require the main grid. There’s a problem, however: in addition to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad rockets knocking down power lines, the fact that these groups operate from private homes means that the return fire from Israel knocks out solar roof panels. Hamas fires from civilian homes with the intent of getting those civilians killed, but doing so also kills the lights. Hamas is indescribably evil.

It should go without saying that Hamas does not have much trouble accessing electricity. Hundreds of miles of tunnels used only by Hamas are outfitted with electrical and communication wires. Which means the terror group simply built a second Gaza and sabotaged the first Gaza’s power grid—the one used by civilians.

Everyone could have power in Gaza, and it would not be particularly difficult, as Hamas has proved. In fact, the money spent on the Hamas tunnels just shows the wide range of services that everyone in Gaza could have access to, if Hamas wanted them to. For over 15 years, Hamas has governed the strip with an iron fist and built absolutely nothing for ordinary Gazans while destroying nearly everything for ordinary Gazans.

When one realizes all that Hamas is preventing, one should be furious at them—so long as one actually cares about Palestinian life.

Seth Mandel: Like a Boehler in a China Shop

The Trump administration has gone from carrot-and-stick diplomacy to selfie-stick diplomacy.

A heretofore unknown envoy named Adam Boehler has been conducting back-channel talks with Hamas on behalf of the White House, and his inexperience is on full display. Boehler spent the weekend doing TV interviews, and in each one he sounds like an overexcited tourist who thinks the past few weeks in his life have been just so cool. It isn’t entirely clear why Boehler is even here, given the previous inexperienced envoy Steve Witkoff’s very public role in the first month of the administration as Washington’s man at the table.

So let’s back up: Last week it was revealed that Boehler, on behalf of the Trump administration, has been negotiating for the return of the one living American hostage remaining in Gaza and the bodies of other American hostages who were killed by Hamas in captivity. Boehler appears to have offered Hamas a pathway to remaining in Gaza after the war without releasing the remaining Israeli hostages…though he insists that isn’t his goal.

Still, whatever Boehler thinks he might have done is irrelevant because what he has actually done is offer Hamas the option of restoring the pre-October 7 status quo with minor adjustments. Or at least, he has given Hamas reason to believe that option is on the table. In so doing, this Donald Trump “apprentice” has already done damage to the cause of bringing the hostages home as soon as is humanly possible. He would have been the first one fired at the end of the first episode of his season of The Apprentice for what he’s done.

Let’s examine what Boehler said during his disastrous Sunday talk show tour. Hamas, he said, offered a hostage exchange “and a five-year to ten-year truce where Hamas would lay down all weapons and where the US, as well as other countries, would ensure that there are no tunnels, there’s nothing taken on the military side, and that Hamas is not involved in politics going forward.” This, said Boehler, was “not a bad first offer.”

Sorry, first offer? Talks have been ongoing since well before Boehler got in the game. Indeed, the first hostage release was negotiated in November 2023, nearly 16 months ago. Apparently Boehler was busy at the time with his Nashville investment firm and wasn’t reading the newspaper.

And: It is a bad offer. The hudna play, in which Hamas offers a temporary truce so it can draw up an Oct. 7-style truce-breaking extravaganza, is quite literally the oldest trick in Hamas’s playbook. It’s the Mideast version of a strange man rolling up in a windowless van and offering a lollipop. That’s not an opening bid; it’s the opening scene to a paint-by-numbers horror flick.

Asked about the experience of negotiating with bloodthirsty monsters, Boehler said that rather than focus on how evil Hamas is, it’s better “to realize that every piece of a person is a human and to identify with the human elements of those people and then build from there.” Just what we needed: Barney the Dinosaur negotiating with modern-day Nazis.

I have been proposing a plan for the UAE to take over Gaza to solve the problem in a way that is far superior to every other plan I have seen proposed.

I have modified it somewhat, with the goal to be a UAE-run protectorate rather than a full emirate. This gives the UAE the benefits with fewer headaches.

I have been refining it, and here is a formal proposal for the future of Gaza that I encourage you to send to your representatives, journalist contacts, Trump confidantes - anyone who could help bring this along. Because it is a truly win-win proposal whose only loser is Hamas and its allies.

Policy Proposal: A UAE-Led Peace & Development Initiative for Gaza

Objective: To establish a UAE-backed governance and economic development model in Gaza, gradually transitioning it into a de facto protectorate under UAE influence through humanitarian aid, infrastructure development, and economic incentives. This approach bypasses immediate political confrontation and offers a long-term stabilization strategy that turns Gaza into a thriving hub rather than merely a managed crisis zone.

Phase 1: Humanitarian & Infrastructure Development

1. Large-Scale Humanitarian Assistance

The UAE to launch a $10-15 billion humanitarian investment plan, focusing on essential services like housing, healthcare, water supply, and education.
UAE-backed NGOs and businesses to deliver aid directly to Gaza’s population, avoiding Hamas-controlled distribution networks.
Diplomatic coordination with Israel and Egypt to ensure uninterrupted access to construction materials and medical supplies.

2. Construction of UAE-Sponsored Villages

Establish secure worker villages for Gazan laborers engaged in rebuilding efforts.
These villages will feature:
- Modern housing and utilities
- UAE-trained security personnel to ensure safety and prevent militant infiltration
- Schools, hospitals, and commercial hubs to create self-sustaining communities
Workers must be vetted for non-affiliation with terrorist organizations to ensure a moderate, productive workforce.

3. Establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

UAE investors to create industrial and trade zones, providing stable employment.
Gazan businesses to be integrated into Gulf-based trade networks, reducing economic reliance on Hamas.
UAE security forces to oversee SEZ logistics and protection.

Phase 2: Expansion of UAE Influence & Parallel Governance

4. Expansion of UAE-Controlled Living Zones

As UAE villages flourish, more Gazans will seek to relocate for better living conditions.
Expansion of UAE-managed towns, gradually covering a large segment of Gaza’s population.
Introduction of Emirati-style governance, including local councils funded and trained by the UAE.

5. Establishment of UAE-Controlled Security Forces

UAE security personnel to protect UAE projects and prevent interference from Hamas.
Recruitment of vetted private security, with potential for adding moderate Palestinian officers and local forces to form a UAE-trained and run Gaza security division.
Coordination with Egypt and (quietly with) Israel on border security and counterterrorism efforts.

6. Integration of Gazan Economy into UAE Financial System

UAE-backed banks and businesses to facilitate direct payments to workers and vendors.
Emirati financial institutions to provide loans and investment capital for Gazan entrepreneurs.
UAE to lobby for reduction of Israeli trade restrictions on Gazan goods, further integrating Gaza into the regional economy.

Phase 3: Political Transition & Diplomatic Recognition

7. Shifting Gazan Public Loyalty

With superior living conditions under UAE governance, Gazans will increasingly rely on UAE services.
UAE can offer residency permits, work opportunities in the Gulf, and economic incentives to Gazans aligned with the new system.
UAE-aligned governance structures will gradually replace Hamas-controlled institutions.

8. Diplomatic Framework for Recognition of UAE Role in Gaza

UAE to negotiate with Israel, Egypt, the U.S., and the Arab League for formal recognition of its governance role.
Israel and Egypt to endorse UAE-led security arrangements, ensuring regional stability.
UN involvement to legitimize UAE’s role as a peacekeeping and development partner.

9. Neutralizing Hamas’s Political & Military Influence

By providing a superior alternative, UAE governance will undercut Hamas’s legitimacy.
UAE-aligned forces will gain local support, marginalizing Hamas’s armed factions.
Diplomatic pressure on Qatar and Turkey to halt financial and military aid to Hamas.

Strategic Benefits for Key Stakeholders

For the UAE:

A Port on the Mediterranean: Access to a Mediterranean trade hub, increasing Gulf connectivity with Europe.
Access to Natural Gas & Fossil Fuels: The UAE could benefit from offshore gas reserves, ensuring energy diversification.
Overland Trade Routes: Direct overland shipping routes connecting the Gulf to the Mediterranean, facilitating imports and exports.
A Gaza-Based Airport: Establishing an air bridge would enhance trade and tourism and solidify UAE regional influence.
Increased Influence in the Region: Solidifies the UAE’s role as a power broker in Middle Eastern politics.
Gaza as a Tourist & Business Hub: The UAE could transform Gaza into a coastal tourist destination and a conference center for European and Arab leaders.
Access to an Educated Arab Workforce: Gaza’s young, educated population could replace South Asian laborers in the UAE, fostering regional Arab economic integration.

For Israel:

Achieves long-term security without direct military involvement.
Reduces the threat of rocket attacks and militant activity.
Encourages economic stability in Gaza, reducing incentives for extremism.

For Egypt:

Prevents Gaza from becoming a regional security threat.
Boosts economic ties with the UAE through cross-border trade.
Strengthens its role as a mediator in Middle Eastern affairs.

For the Palestinian People:

Provides stable jobs, better living conditions, and improved security.
Reduces dependence on militant organizations for governance.
Opens pathways for regional integration and future statehood.

Conclusion: A Positive Vision for Gaza

Unlike past plans, which have focused only on minimizing Gaza’s problems, this initiative is about transforming Gaza into a success story. By offering positive incentives to all key players—except Hamas and its allies in Qatar and Turkey—this plan ensures broad regional support. Gaza would shift from a conflict zone to a thriving economic hub, paving the way for long-term peace and stability.

This initiative offers a realistic, phased approach to resolving the Gaza conflict by leveraging economic incentives and soft power rather than military force.

Buy EoZ's books on Amazon!

"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

The elections for the US representatives to the World Zionist Congress start today.

There are 21 slates, and it is quite a lot to read. Here, with the help of AI, is a summary of each slate's positions:

Slate 1: Shas Olami

The slate aims to become a major force in the World Zionist Organization and the 39th World Zionist Congress by promoting programs that support traditional Jewish education and strengthen community ties with Israel. They emphasize the transmission of strong Torah values, the preservation of Sephardic heritage, and ensuring Sephardic representation within the Zionist movement. Their campaign urges voters to take responsibility in shaping the future of Jewish identity and community leadership.

Slate 2: Vision

Vision is a youth-led Zionist movement advocating for Jewish liberation, identity, and empowerment. It promotes grassroots activism, rejects the two-state solution as ineffective, and emphasizes mutual respect between Jews and Palestinians. The slate also focuses on Jewish peoplehood, inclusivity, and the indivisibility of Israel as the Jewish homeland while ensuring justice and dignity for all inhabitants.

Slate 3: Vote Reform

The "Vote Reform" slate represents the U.S. Reform Movement, advocating for a democratic, secure, and Jewish Israel based on religious pluralism, equality, and justice. It pledges to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism, support a Two-State solution, fight for full government recognition of Reform Judaism, and ensure equal rights for all Israelis, including minorities and LGBTQ+ people. The movement is committed to strengthening Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora while working toward peace.

Slate 4: Kol Israel

Kol Israel is a diverse coalition of Jewish leaders and activists dedicated to strengthening Zionist identity and innovation. It aims to combat antisemitism on campuses, empower younger Jewish voices, strengthen U.S.-Israel ties through youth programs, and promote bold new Zionist ideas, such as bringing the Olympics to Israel in 2048. The slate emphasizes unity and action in shaping the future of Zionism and the Jewish people.

Slate 5: Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC-Mizrachi)

The Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC-Mizrachi) represents Religious Zionists and has been active in the World Zionist Congress for over 120 years. The slate emphasizes Torah values, Jewish unity, and the defense of Israel, particularly by supporting IDF soldiers and educational initiatives. They focus on strengthening Jewish identity, building communities in Israel’s border regions, and combating antisemitism globally. Their work also includes promoting Jewish education, supporting yeshivot and seminaries, and sending emissaries (Shlichim) to Jewish communities worldwide.

Slate 6: A New Union

"A New Union" promotes pluralistic Zionism, coalition-building, and a secure, democratic Israel. They advocate for an inclusive interpretation of Jewish life, fostering closer U.S.-Israel ties, and advancing a Two-State solution for peaceful coexistence. Their platform emphasizes education, civic dialogue, and ensuring Israel’s independence through a strong judiciary. The slate represents a diverse, modern mosaic of Jewish voices, working toward regional peace and the global acceptance of Israel.

Slate 7: Israel365 Action

Israel365 Action aims to prevent future threats to Israel, particularly in response to October 7th. They strongly oppose a Palestinian state, advocating instead for strengthening Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The slate prioritizes building alliances with Christian Zionists, arguing that they are Israel’s most reliable allies, and seeks to reform Jewish leadership to create a generation of unapologetic Zionist advocates. Their focus is on defending Israel's biblical heartland and rejecting policies of appeasement.

Slate 8: Achdut Israel

Achdut Israel was founded in response to the October 7, 2023 attacks with a mission to strengthen the bond between Jews and Israel while supporting those who protect it. The slate promotes Zionist education, Jewish pride, and self-defense training, ensuring Jewish communities worldwide remain resilient and connected to Israel. Their platform focuses on strengthening Jewish bonds, empowering communities, supporting soldiers and their families, and building a thriving Jewish homeland. Achdut Israel advocates for Zionist settlement and affordable housing expansion to ensure truly defensible borders for Israel.

Slate 9: Am Yisrael Chai

Am Yisrael Chai focuses on empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders by investing in education, mentorship, and Jewish identity programs. Their mission is to ensure young Jews are knowledgeable, passionate, and resilient, prepared to advocate for Israel and Jewish values.Their platform includes fostering Jewish pride, educating about Jewish history, combating antisemitism on college campuses, and promoting Israel in the diaspora. The slate encourages young adults to become strong voices for Israel and Zionism, ensuring a thriving Jewish future.

Slate 10: Aish Ha’am

Aish Ha’am is dedicated to Jewish education, unity, and combating antisemitism by fostering a deep connection to Jewish identity and heritage. Their platform focuses on fighting antisemitism through education and advocacy, strengthening Jewish pride, and supporting Israel as a homeland. They believe in using digital tools and modern engagement strategies to ensure Jewish values and teachings are widely available and impactful.

Slate 11: Eretz HaKodesh

Eretz HaKodesh is committed to a strong Israel rooted in Torah values, emphasizing the centrality of Jewish tradition and education in shaping the nation's future. Their platform includes promoting Torah-based leadership, fostering economic opportunities for all Jews, enhancing security policies to protect Israel, and strengthening the connection between Diaspora Jews and Israel. They strive to integrate Jewish values into all aspects of Israeli life while safeguarding its religious and historical heritage.

Slate 12: Beyachad

Beyachad represents the Russian-speaking Jewish community in the U.S., uniting around a love for Israel, Jewish education, and Jewish values. Their platform prioritizes Jewish unity, unwavering support for Israel’s security, strengthening ties between American Jewry and Israel, promoting Jewish education as a key to continuity, and combating antisemitism worldwide. They emphasize Ahavat Yisrael, fostering unconditional love and support for all Jews.

Slate 14: AID Coalition (America-Israel Democracy)

The AID Coalition represents the Israeli-American community, advocating for a strong democratic Israel and deepening U.S.-Israel ties. Their platform includes supporting sustainable infrastructure in Israel, promoting interfaith dialogue, and advocating for policies that strengthen Israel’s future. They aim to ensure Israeli-Americans have a proportional voice in the World Zionist Congress, representing their unique perspectives and contributions.

Slate 15: ZOA Coalition

The ZOA Coalition is a broad alliance of over 30 pro-Israel organizations that have a proven track record of fighting for Israel, Jewish safety, and Jewish rights globally. They focus on supporting Israel’s sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, combating antisemitism on campuses, and opposing a Palestinian state. Their platform includes promoting Jewish safety and aliyah, defending Israel from delegitimization efforts (e.g., BDS), confronting anti-Israel bias in global institutions, and ensuring Jewish heritage is preserved.

Slate 16: Hatikvah

Hatikvah is a progressive Zionist coalition that supports democracy, equality, and peace while opposing occupation and discrimination. They emphasize pluralism, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and protecting civil rights within Israel. Their platform advocates for an end to the occupation, Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, gender equality, and stronger environmental protections. They align with pro-democracy movements in Israel and fight against ultra-Orthodox efforts to impose religious restrictions on Israeli society.

Slate 17: MERCAZ USA

MERCAZ USA represents the Conservative/Masorti Jewish Movement, advocating for a strong, democratic Israel rooted in Jewish values and civil rights. They focus on religious pluralism, combating antisemitism, and strengthening the bond between American Jews and Israel. Their platform includes securing funding for Jewish education, supporting synagogue programs, promoting Zionist education, and achieving regional peace. They oppose restrictions on the Law of Return and advocate for government recognition of all streams of Judaism.

Slate 18: Dorshei Torah V'Tzion (DTT)

Dorshei Torah V'Tzion (DTT) is committed to bridging ideological divides within the Zionist movement while promoting religious pluralism, women’s empowerment, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals. They emphasize expanding conversion paths, increasing opportunities for women in Jewish leadership, and strengthening Diaspora-Israel ties. Their platform also includes combatting antisemitism on campuses, promoting security and social justice, and expanding pastoral care for Israeli soldiers and global Jewish communities.

Slate 20: The Jewish Future

The Jewish Future is a movement of centrist liberal Zionists committed to rebuilding and renewing Jewish and democratic values. Their platform focuses on engaging the next generation in Zionism, promoting Jewish education and pride, combating antisemitism, defending Israel’s right to exist, and ensuring inclusivity and pluralism within the Jewish world. They oppose extremism and advocate for transparency and accountability in Zionist institutions.

Slate 21: American Forum for Israel (AFI)

The American Forum for Israel is dedicated to advocating for Israel’s security and strengthening the representation of American Jews in the World Zionist Congress. Their core initiatives include funding security infrastructure in Israel, supporting the IDF, running Zionist educational campaigns, combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish communities, and ensuring Jewish leadership in synagogues and institutions. They see settlement expansion as vital to Israel’s growth and resilience.

Slate 22: Israeli American Council (IAC)

The Israeli American Council (IAC) works to unite Israeli-Americans and Jewish-Americans as one global Jewish family while ensuring U.S. support for Israel remains strong. They focus on educational programs that promote Jewish identity, Zionism, Hebrew, and Israeli culture.Their platform includes combating antisemitism, promoting pro-Israel policies, engaging the next generation in Jewish identity, and ensuring that Israel remains central in American Jewish life. They advocate for legislation that fights BDS and anti-Israel sentiment in the U.S.

Slate 23: Herut North America (Jabotinsky Movement)

Herut North America follows the ideology of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, emphasizing unapologetic Zionism and Jewish nationalism. They advocate for Jewish indigenous rights to Israel, combatting antisemitism, and supporting IDF soldiers and veterans. Their platform includes facilitating Aliyah, providing emotional and financial support for Israelis affected by war, promoting Jewish education and community engagement, and strengthening Jewish unity. They reject compromising on Israel’s territorial integrity and emphasize proud, nationalist Zionism.

Here are the rules:

To be eligible to vote in the U.S. election to the 39th World Zionist Congress, you must:

Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion)
Be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S.
Maintain your primary residence in the U.S.
Accept the Jerusalem Program (the Zionist movement platform)
Have not voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future Knesset election which may be held prior to July 28, 2025)
Registration and voting will open on March 10, 2025, Voting will be online and paper ballots will be available on request. The fee to register and vote is $5, which goes to cover the operating costs of the election. 

The WZC itself influences allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars, both from he WZO and from other organizations like the JNF. While it doesn't affect Israeli policy directly it definitely is an influence, and voting is therefore the best way for diaspora Jews to have a say in Israel.

I have not yet decided which one to vote for. Many organizations that I admire support competing slates. I hope this summary is accurate and makes it a bit easier for the American Jews who follow this site to decide which slate to support.

Buy EoZ's books on Amazon!

"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

When you read the relevant US codes, the case to deport Mahmoud Khalil is unassailable.

U.S. immigration agents arrested Khalil, Palestinian graduate student who acted as a leader of the Columbia University group that led pro-Hamas protests.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Khalil was apprehended "in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism," alleging his involvement in "activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization."

What are the legal grounds for the arrest?

Khalil a US permanent resident with a green card.

According to 8 U.S. Code § 1227 - Deportable aliens, "Any alien who is described in subparagraph (B) or (F) of section 1182(a)(3) of this title is deportable."

The relevant part of those subparagraphs say:

(B)Terrorist activities
(i)In generalAny alien who—
(IV)is a representative (as defined in clause (v)) of—
(bb)
a political, social, or other group that endorses or espouses terrorist activity;

There is no question that Khalil is a representative of Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD.) He represented CUAD in negotiations with Columbia a number of times; he was interviewed on TV numerous times as its lead negotiator, he is described as one of CUAD's leaders.

There is also no question that CUAD endorses and espouses terrorist activity. For example, on the one year anniversary of October 7, it handed out newspapers on campus called "The New York War Crimes" that included this full page "ad:"

Besides that, CUAD chants include explicit support for Hamas (“Yes, we’re all Hamas, pig!” and “Al-Qassam, you make us proud, kill another soldier now.”) Yet even without explicit support for Hamas, CUAD has praised "resistance' over and over again, and that "resistance" is terrorism. One example is that they praised the October 1 shooting attack in Tel Aviv that murdered seven civilians, saying “On October 1, in a significant act of resistance, a shooting took place in Tel Aviv, targeting Israeli security forces and settlers. This bold attack comes amid the ongoing escalation of violence in the region and highlights the growing resolve of those resisting Israeli occupation.”

Apologists for Palestinian terror are pretending that this is a free speech issue. The New York Civil Liberties Union condemned his detainment: “The Trump administration’s detention of Mahmoud Khalil – a green card holder studying in this country legally – is targeted, retaliatory, and an extreme attack on his First Amendment rights.”

The First Amendment is irrelevant to this case.

In the context of the legal codes I referenced, CUAD may or may not have the right to praise terrorism as free speech, but the fact that they do praise terrorism and terrorist acts, and Khalil's position as their representative, are the only issues that are relevant. In other words, the very First Amendment that might allow CUAD to publicly praise Hamas terror is what proves Khalil violated the law.

Even if Khalil claims that he is personally against the pro-terrorism stance of CUAD and only acted as their liaison, even if he claims that he never uttered a word of support for terror, he is CUAD's representative by the legal definition and CUAD unambiguously endorses or espouses terrorist activity, making him subject to deportation. Free speech is a red herring.

Under US law, Mahmoud Khalil should be deported.

Buy EoZ's books on Amazon!

"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

Is the Talmudic Rabbi Ashi's tomb in Lebanon? Is it even Rav Ashi's tomb?

The Jerusalem Post reports:

Israeli security forces approved and secured the pilgrimage of hundreds of ultra-Orthodox hassidic Jews to the tomb of Rav Ashi, located along the northern Lebanese border, Army Radio and the Lebanese National News Agency reported on Friday morning.

The pilgrims were reportedly escorted by IDF soldiers early on Friday morning to hold the Shacharit prayer at the site of the tomb, located along the Blue Line.

Arab media is aghast at this supposed encroachment of Lebanese land. Lebanon24 report headline says, "Visiting Rabbi Ashi's grave is a religious pretext that leads extremists to enter the Lebanese interior."

According to a YNet report in 2000, the site was one of the last disputed sites when the UN drew its Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon. It was decided to split the site, King Solomon-style.

Google Maps seems to place the entire site on the Israeli side.

Does the Blue Line really cross the street, bisect the building and then return to the road? Apparently, according to the story.

At any rate, there is no indication that the Hasidim crossed the Blue Line. If they did, it is the most minor infraction one can imagine. No one can seriously call this a land grab.

The history is a little more interesting. As far as I can tell, no one claimed that this was the site of Rav Ashi's grave until at least the 17th or 18th centuries.

Rav Ashi lived his whole life in Babylonia, near Sura, where he was the head of a venerated academy. The Sura academy was a center of learning from 225 to 1033 CE. That's about as long as Cambridge University has existed.

Other heads of the Sura academy are assumed to have been buried in Babylonia, today's southern Iraq. There was no tradition I can find at the time to transport even major rabbi's bodies from Babylonia to the Land of Israel, which would be a lengthy process at odds with Jewish tradition to bury people immediately. Sura is about 850 kilometers from the site in a straight line.

There is no source for Rav Ashi's re-internment. It is unclear where the Breslovers got this tradition from.

However, centuries of prayer at a place gives it some level of sanctity, due to the prayers themselves. The emotional attachment to the place is quite real even if it is found to be incorrect.

Buy EoZ's books on Amazon!

"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

03/09 Links: The Global Feminist Betrayal of Israeli Victims; Time to talk about Ramadan's violent roots; Qatar, The ATM of Global Jihad; U.S. Backs Gaza Aid Freeze

From Ian:

The man who called for action before Oct. 7 explains how to solve Gaza, Iran

In July 2023, former IDF intelligence analysis chief Yossi Kuperwasser called to invade Gaza and said Hamas was being given far too much space to threaten Israel.

Nearly the entire defense establishment believed that Hamas was deterred, and many viewed Kuperwasser as an alarmist, a warmonger, or as detached from the far more limited practical security options under consideration.

It turns out that Kuperwasser was one of the only officials who saw Gaza and Hamas clear through the fog, with all of the military probes essentially acknowledging that he was right (though they did not mention him by name). In recent weeks, he took over as head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS).

Given that he got so many things right on issues that many other smart intelligence officers wildly missed, how would he assess the current challenges relating to Gaza and Iran?

Regarding Gaza, he told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that his starting point would be: “We want to get the hostages back without paying too large a price.Enlrage image

“It is hard to deal with the challenges, but we can use our achievements and assets, given that we have weakened Hamas, to try to obtain the new reality we want,” he argued, saying that Israel has five new advantages.

“It is hard to deal with the challenges, but we can use our achievements and assets, given that we have weakened Hamas, to try to obtain the new reality we want.” Israel has five new advantages, he said.

“We have many cards to play and they only have the hostages. Reality has changed. There were so many parties in the Middle East who tried to help Hamas to demand a large price and to stay in control of Gaza,” he said.

“Now, most parties are not actively standing up for Hamas. Not Iran, not Hezbollah, not Iraq, not the Palestinians in the West Bank, and not Israeli-Arabs,” he said.

The Israeli Disillusionment with Palestinians

In the three decades since the Oslo process began, Jewish-Israeli society has undergone a disillusionment regarding Palestinians. Disillusionment began in the early 2000s with the outbreak of the Second Intifada, when it became clear that the Oslo process had not brought hoped-for peace. The Palestinian refusal at the Camp David summit to accept Israeli proposals that promised Palestinians a state in almost all areas of the West Bank and Gaza, and the outbreak of the violent campaign that Palestinians launched against the Jewish state, made it clear to Jewish society in Israel that peace would not come.

Following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, it became clear to the Jewish public in Israel that the conflict with the Palestinians could no longer be managed and that they could not be allowed to establish a semi-state terrorist entity. As of late 2024, only 35% of Jews in Israel express support for a diplomatic process with the PA, while 88% do not believe negotiations will lead to a peace agreement. Only 25% support the two-state idea.

American Jewry's Moment of Reckoning and Renewal

Since Oct. 7, the Jewish people has faced an unprecedented reckoning. The barbaric attack by Hamas, which took the lives of 1,200 innocents and led to the kidnapping of more than 250 into Gaza, shook us to our core. The reverberations continue, along with a surge of antisemitism worldwide.

Yet, amid this darkness, extraordinary resilience has emerged. The Jewish people - across Israel and the Diaspora - has united in unprecedented ways. American Jewry stands unwavering in its commitment to Israel's security and sovereignty. The U.S. and Israel share a moral foundation built on democracy, freedom, and the pursuit of peace.

Today, the threats to Israel remain existential. The war in Gaza extends beyond Hamas; it seeks to ensure that Israel's children do not grow up under the constant threat of rocket fire. It aims to prevent Iran's proxies from tightening their stranglehold on the region. It reinforces the principle that no nation should be forced to tolerate the kind of terror inflicted on Israel on Oct. 7. When it comes to Israel's right to defend itself, there can be no equivocation.

When Documentaries Become Propaganda: The Case for Rescinding the ‘No Other Land’ Oscar

This kind of selective storytelling isn’t just dishonest; it’s dangerous. By omitting key facts and context, the filmmakers have crossed the line from advocacy into outright deception and demonization. The Academy’s willingness to reward such a film raises a disturbing question: is the goal of the Best Documentary award to honor truth, or merely to signal political virtue?

The documentary branch of the Academy has faced scandals before—infamously awarding “Bowling for Columbine” despite clear evidence of manipulative editing and deceptive statistics. But this is different. This is not about a filmmaker stretching the truth to make a point; this is about outright fabrications being rewarded with the industry’s highest honor. If the Academy refuses to act, it sends a clear message: that as long as the politics are correct, the facts don’t matter.

For further evidence of the rot, look no further than the recent scandal of the BBC pulling “Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone” due to revelations that the film was rife with inaccuracies and unverified claims. Or the disgraceful Emmy handed to Bisan Owda for “reporting” that was little more than a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda. That the Academy could watch “No Other Land”—a film that shares the same DNA of deception—and respond with applause rather than outrage is a scandal in itself.

Some might argue that rescinding an Oscar would set a dangerous precedent. Nonsense. If anything, it would set exactly the right precedent: that documentary filmmakers are not free to manufacture facts without consequence. The Academy has done it before, quietly revoking the Oscar for 1969’s “Young Americans” when it was discovered the film had been released in a previous year. This situation is far worse; it’s not a matter of timing but of truth. To do nothing now would not only call the Academy’s integrity into question but risk turning the Best Documentary award into a punchline.

The problem runs deeper than one film. By awarding an Oscar to “No Other Land,” the Academy has aligned itself with a growing trend of documentaries that present one-sided narratives as gospel truth, leveraging emotional manipulation and selective editing to push political agendas. The consequences of this are dire. Documentaries, once a vital tool for uncovering uncomfortable truths, are fast becoming instruments of propaganda, eroding public trust not just in the filmmakers but in the entire journalistic enterprise.

It is not too late for the Academy to do the right thing. A full investigation into the film’s claims and its eligibility under the Documentary Branch’s bylaws is the bare minimum required. If, as the evidence suggests, the film was indeed a grotesque distortion of reality, the Oscar should be revoked publicly and unapologetically.

This article is not meant to be a direct and detailed refutation of the documentary, though should the Academy launch such an investigation into the film’s veracity, we are available to provide evidence and documentation to back up these claims.

Failing to act would not only embolden more filmmakers to abandon journalistic standards in favor of propaganda but would make the Academy complicit, cementing its reputation as a partisan echo chamber. At a time when public trust in media is at an all-time low, that’s a risk they cannot afford to take.

There was a time when the Oscar for Best Documentary was more than a political statement; it was a recognition of the courage to tell uncomfortable truths. If the Academy wants to reclaim that legacy, it must start by sending a clear message: propaganda has no place at the Oscars, and those who indulge in it should not be rewarded but exposed.