Archive for September, 2009

A Blogger’s “Al Chet”


(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 the [...]


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 tomorrow [...]


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 and [...]


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 to [...]


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 [...]


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” [...]


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 give public witness to their experiences of military service in [...]