May 9, 2012 - News & Politics - 
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Peace can only come between two democracies. The Palestinian Authority has to get its house in order or else everyday Israelis simply won’t trust them. They’ve made great advancements since the Arafat years, but it’s still a long way to go.
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April 19, 2012 - News & Politics, Published - 4
Peter Beinart’s book — “The Crisis of Zionism” — is a book that has to be read. It outlines the major ills that befall Israel and the Jewish world today: an Israel that is unethically embedded in the Palestinian territories, and a Jewish world that is complicit in the status quo. How do we find the way out? Just how bad is it? This is an analysis of his book, but most importantly, takes out his prescriptions for how we, and Israel, can change. These are uncomfortable things to talk about, but they’re necessary for the future of Jewish-democracy in Israel.
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February 21, 2012 - News & Politics - 0
A month ago it seems that Bibi’s peace envoy presented the Palestinians with an actual proposal on borders. The proposal isn’t exactly the ideal one, and the Palestinians would (and should) never accept what was put in front of them. But it is a good first start. I don’t expect Bibi — or Abbas, for that matter — to show all his cards in the first round. This is a starting point, presumably. It takes strong leadership, a la President Clinton, to bring the sides closer together. A number of issues, including Jerusalem, were never discussed, it seems. But I still think this is a step in the right direction. The Quartet just needs to bring everyone back together now and continue to nut everything out.
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February 13, 2012 - News & Politics - 0
Hamas’s leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh, in a speech in Tehran, pledged to never stop resistance or acknowledge Israel. Of course, eight weeks ago, formerly Damascus based Khaled Mashal said Hamas would be giving up weapons-based resistance and would agree to a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
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February 5, 2012 - News & Politics - 0
The New York Times reports that on his visit to Gaza, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s car was pelted with shoes by Gazans angry at his and the UN’s pro-Israel-ness.
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January 23, 2012 - News & Politics - 0
There is a construction boom in Gaza, with roughly 90% of materials to re-build structures destroyed during Cast Lead coming in through the tunnels, which is filtering through to reduce unemployment. But, with Israel still controlling (and prohibiting) virtually all exports, it’s still a dire situation for almost all Palestinians.
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December 30, 2011 - News & Politics - 0
Ha’aretz reports that Hamas has moderated, has ordered its forces in Gaza not to fire rockets, and is ready to accept a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. Seems that the fruits of the reconciliation talks with Fatah have gone to plan, then, despite what the predictions of the naysayers. Surely soon we say, “these guys are serious,” and we start negotiating with them.
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December 24, 2011 - News & Politics - 0
Hamas looks like it wants to join the Palestine Liberation Organization, something the current Israeli government isn’t crazy about, but will inevitably lead to a more productive peace process.
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December 19, 2011 - News & Politics - 0
Ynet reports: “Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that he has met with Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal and the two agreed that the “resistance” against Israel “must be population-based and not with weapons.”" Can we get on with the business of making peace now, please?
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December 12, 2011 - News & Politics - 0
An Australian man has pled guilty to various charges in Israel including spying for Hamas. While he provided services to Hamas, his lawyer was clear is saying that he hasn’t admitted to being a terrorist. That’s quite a grey-area, isn’t it?
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