(The Al Chet prayer is a litany of offenses read during the Yom Kippur services. It has become common for people to customize the prayer to express their own sins and repentance. This is mine.) Through writing I have committed many a wrong, but unlike those whose faces I see, I will likely never know [...]
Archive for September, 2009
Today was going really well
Until the UN’s Goldstone commission released their report on Israel and Hamas’ respective war crimes. Read it here (PDF), NY Times summary here. Somedays I want to build a big wall around Israel and the territories, a mile high. Then fill it to the brim with water. Today is not one of those days. But [...]
Sep 15th, 2009 General 0 Comments
We have 12 to 18 months to make peace
Several factors give us a set of ideal conditions before peacemaking in Israel-Palestine becomes really difficult. Most importantly, Obama has the first two years of his administration before Israel will become a political football as he warms up for reelection. The closer to reelection, the less forceful he can be about concessions from Israelis, Palestinians [...]
Sep 15th, 2009 Israel 0 Comments
Brit Tzedek + J Street = Awesomeness
My thoughts on the emerging J Street and Brit Tzedek partnership here. Psst: The NYC Chapter of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom will comp your $140 registration fee, reimburse your travel, and lodge with a local DC activist to attend J Street’s “Driving Change, Securing Peace” conference. Scholarship recipients are obliged to participate in the advocacy visits [...]
Sep 14th, 2009 General 0 Comments
The 1967 borders with minor adjustments: a visual primer
For all those who ask me from time to time what my solution is, this is it: the 1967 borders, with 1-for-1 land swaps to bring the bulk of major settlements within Israel, territorial contiguity for the Palestinians, and a shared Jerusalem. Palestine might be demilitarized to a small extent, but not without control over [...]
Sep 8th, 2009 Israel 1 Comment
My feelings on being an proud intermarried Jew
If you’ve missed the post I wrote yesterday about the offensive Masa commercial on Israeli TV, then you’re missing out on all the interesting stuff! It’s over on Jewschool, and don’t miss my follow up comment on love. I also got quoted by J.J. Goldberg’s blog at the The Forward. (The “fuck you very much” [...]
Sep 7th, 2009 General 5 Comments
Come and meet my former employers: Breaking the Silence
Soldiers’ Testimonies from Operation Cast Lead, Gaza 2009 a presentation by Mikhael Manekin Co-Director, Breaking the Silence Monday, September 14, 12:00-2:00 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Second Floor, Root Room 1779 Massachusetts Avenue Washington, D.C. A light lunch will be served. Breaking the Silence is a group of veteran Israeli soldiers whose mission is to [...]
Sep 2nd, 2009 General 0 Comments