israel
The Director of 'The Gatekeepers' Talks About Israel's Terrifying Security State
'The Gatekeepers' was shown in festivals to widespread acclaim last year but hasn’t been widely available in the US until this month, so I thought it would be a good time to talk to Dror Moreh about his film, the settlers, and Israel’s best hopes for...
Dov Hikind Hates Judith Butler and Loves Israel
Dov Hikind was in his element in front of Brooklyn College, the idyllic school that is now ground zero for a raging controversy over academic freedom. Brooklyn's state assemblyman, an alumnus of the school, was sputtering mad at Brooklyn College for...
I Couchsurfed with Settlers in the Holy Land
A couple of months ago, my friend was on a rant (albeit, a very coherent one) about how CouchSurfing's website supports Zionism by allowing settlers in the West Bank to list their location as "Judea and Samaria"—the Israeli name for most of the...
Israel Attacked Syria Yesterday, and Shit's Probably Going to Hit the Fan Now
Yesterday, Israel blew up a convoy of trucks in Syria. The attack, which killed at least two people, apparently was aimed at stopping weapons from falling into the hands of Israel’s enemies. Israeli officials are saying this attack is part of larger...
The Israeli Election: Settlers Are Here to Stay
All the Israelis I spoke to wanted more of the West Bank for themselves, weirdly.
Living the American Dream in the West Bank
Prospective settlers of Hashmonaim receive a handy FAQ sheet: “Is this area over the ‘Green Line?’ ” reads one question. “Geographically and tax-wise, yes,” the sheet explains. But because it’s guarded by armed men and the Israeli government sanctions...
Bab al-Shams: The Short Life of a Palestinian Settlement
On Friday morning, a small group of Palestinians drove up into the hills between Jerusalem and the large Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim. By Friday around lunchtime, they had announced to the world that the village of Bab al-Shams had been...
Global Fear League 2013
It's time yet again for our annual Global Fear League, your guide to which countries will be held up by our media as bastions of terror this year—the year the world finally gives in and surrenders itself to the delicious prospect of all-out war.
Christmas in Palestine
I spent Christmas in Bethlehem, Christ's birthplace, first in the international tourist hotspot of Manger Square, then in the hills surrounding it where there's fewer Nativity scenes and more posters honoring Palestinian martyrs and Fatah graffiti.
World Peace Update
This week, milk was used as a weapon. I'm not sure we've ever been further from planetary harmony.
World Peace Update
Oh hai, Israel! Nice of you to join us. Ever since one of your drones took out Hamas' military leader, Ahmed Jabari, in a missile strike last Wednesday, you've been bombing the crap out of the Gaza Strip. Bravo on your maiden appearance in World Peace...