Palestinians
Justice in a Gray WorldMonday, December 31, 2012 by Robert Nicholson | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
The Law In These Parts, a new documentary that places the blame for Palestinian woes on Israel's military lawyers, exhibits scant awareness of history—and limited knowledge of law.
Partition, Then and NowTuesday, December 11, 2012 by Allan Arkush | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
Since the beginning of the Zionist project, the partition of the land into two states has never found enthusiastic support among either Jews or Arabs.
A World Without EnemiesMonday, December 3, 2012 by Aryeh Tepper | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
In Isaac Babel’s 1931 short story "Argamak," a Jewish intellectual "thirsting for peace and happiness" joins a Red cavalry division made up of Jew-hating Cossacks. The division commander understands the Jew’s strange choice—and has contempt for it.
Israel’s Friends in GazaThursday, November 29, 2012 by Alex Joffe | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
Hamas was quick to declare victory in the latest conflict with Israel. A closer look at the price it paid in terms of personnel and equipment shows that its bravado was false.
What are Israel’s Rights in Judea and Samaria? Two ViewsThursday, August 9, 2012 by JHH Weiler, Yaffa Zilbershats, and Avi Bell | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
Two differing views of a controversial report on the legality of Jewish settlements in territories seized in the Six-Day War.
UNESCO and the World Heritage GameMonday, July 16, 2012 by Alex Joffe | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, better known as UNESCO, claims to safeguard the shared patrimony of the entire human race.
Peter Beinart, I Quit.Monday, April 2, 2012 by Yoel Finkelman | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
Peter Beinart's new blog on the Daily Beast titled Open Zion (formerly Zion Square) is dedicated to an "open and unafraid conversation about Israel, Palestine, and the Jewish future." But after several weeks of Open Zion, one writer has concluded that its conversation is not, in fact, open—and is not one in which he can continue to take part. Here, he resigns his position.
Frail Reeds?Wednesday, February 2, 2011 by Elliot Jager | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
Observing Egypt's current upheaval, a writer for the Hebrew daily Makor Rishon has ventured the thought that whatever happens there, and no matter who takes power, "the lesson for Israel is clear: Arab regimes cannot be trusted."
Who’s Against a Two-State Solution?Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by Efraim Karsh | Jewish Ideas Daily » Daily Features
"Two states, living side by side in peace and security." This, in the words of President Barack Obama, is the solution to the century-long conflict between Jews and Palestinian Arabs in the Middle East. Washington is fully and determinedly on board. So are the Europeans. The UN and the "international community" vociferously agree. Successive governments of the state of Israel have shown their support for the idea. So far, there is—just as there has always been—only one holdout.
Editors' Picks
Defying the Demographers Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom. Demographers have long projected an Arab majority west of the Jordan River. But, today, Jewish fertility is surging as Arab birth rates collapse.
Americans for Israel Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom. As President Obama prepares for his first official visit to Israel, a new poll reveals that Israel has the support of the vast majority of Americans. But will Obama listen to the people?
Palestinians against Peace Khaled Abu Toameh, Gatestone Institute. A peace deal negotiated between Israel and Mahmoud Abbas would be opposed by Hamas, the Palestinian people, and even parts of the Palestinian Authority.
Reassessing Iron Dome Avi Kober, Begin-Sadat Center. Iron Dome has been praised for its role in protecting civilians during the recent war in Gaza, but it cannot shield those closest to the border—and it has proven ineffective as a deterrent.
Arafat's Intifada Jonathan D. Halevi, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. A recent Israeli documentary argued that the Second Intifada was a spontaneous uprising, not instigated by the Palestinian Authority. But substantial testimony from the PA at the time shows otherwise.
Misuses of the Holocaust Peter Berger, American Interest. "Is the Holocaust of European Jewry during World War II an absolutely unique event? Or may it properly be used to refer to other events of mass massacres?"
Obama Goes to Israel, Finally Elliott Abrams, Weekly Standard. It is a good thing that President Obama is planning his first visit to Israel. But will he arrive with a European peace plan aimed at forcing Israeli concessions?
Something In the Water David Newman, Jerusalem Post. This winter's heavy rains gave Israel a brief respite from water scarcity, but the country's water conservation policy is overdue for reform.
Levittown on the Jordan? Armin Rosen, Atlantic. Rawabi on the West Bank will be the first Palestinian planned community. If it succeeds, it will show that Palestinians already have considerable power to shape their own future.
Asking Hagel the Real Questions Jeffrey Goldberg, Bloomberg. Chuck Hagel seems to believe that without the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Middle East would be a "placid lake"—a view "utterly discredited by events."