Israel’s Conscientious Objectors Stand on the Shoulders of Giants

According to legend, the organization I lead, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, was founded in August 1914 when a British Quaker and a German Lutheran shook hands at a railway station in Cologne. With England on the cusp of joining World War I, they pledged, “We are one in Christ and can never be at war.” … Continue reading “Israel’s Conscientious Objectors Stand on the Shoulders of Giants”

Where Are the Tears?

When Benjamin Netanyahu boasts of “hellfire” being rained down on Gaza, he is correct. “Hellfire” has rained down on Gaza creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory. But what Israel’s prime minister gets wrong is that this crisis dates back long before Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. Hell on earth has been the … Continue reading “Where Are the Tears?”

Who Deserves a Nobel Peace Prize in Ukraine?

In what was described as a harsh rebuke of Russia, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties, along with Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski and the Russian human rights organization Memorial. While at first glance, the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties might sound like … Continue reading “Who Deserves a Nobel Peace Prize in Ukraine?”

New Israeli Government, Same Israeli Apartheid

After 12 years, Israel finally inaugurated a new prime minister. While being hailed by many as the opportunity for a fresh start, Naftali Bennett is at best a continuer of Netanyahu’s policies and at worst an ideologue whose positions are to the right of Netanyahu’s. In 2013, as Middle East peace talks were set to … Continue reading “New Israeli Government, Same Israeli Apartheid”

The Hawks Who Want War With Iran Are Working Overtime

Just as talks between the United States and Iran were taking place last week in Vienna, a cyberattack was carried out on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. Reports are that the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, was behind the attack that blacked out the facility just one day after Tehran launched new advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges, and … Continue reading “The Hawks Who Want War With Iran Are Working Overtime”

Biden Should Stop Payment on US Funds to Sisi’s Egypt

Under Donald Trump’s presidency, Egypt, as well as Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, and other repressive regimes, had virtually free reign to commit unchecked human rights abuses without worry that they might be chastised or lose U.S. diplomatic and financial support. But when Joe Biden won the 2020 election, President Sisi of Egypt started to … Continue reading “Biden Should Stop Payment on US Funds to Sisi’s Egypt”

Rob Malley for Iran Envoy: A Test Case for Biden’s Commitment to Diplomacy

President Biden’s commitment to re-entering the Iran nuclear deal – formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA – is already facing backlash from a motley crew of warhawks both domestic and foreign. Right now, opponents of reentering the deal are centering their vitriol on one of the nation’s foremost experts on … Continue reading “Rob Malley for Iran Envoy: A Test Case for Biden’s Commitment to Diplomacy”

Vaccine Leadership or Medical Apartheid?

The media is abuzz these days with headlines such as "How Israel Became a World Leader in Vaccinating Against Covid-19." While the U.S. has so far vaccinated only 1.3% of its population against COVID-19, Israel has already given the vaccine to over 14% of its citizens. In explaining this, the media cites Israel’s socialized medicine, … Continue reading “Vaccine Leadership or Medical Apartheid?”

Peace Through Weapons Sales to the UAE

Next week, on September 15, Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan for a ceremonial signing of the Israel-United Arab Emirates deal to normalize relations between the two countries. Termed the Abraham Accord, the deal has been condemned by many for failing to secure … Continue reading “Peace Through Weapons Sales to the UAE”

Don’t Be Hoodwinked by Trump’s UAE-Israel ‘Peace Deal’

"HUGE breakthrough today," crowed Donald Trump on twitter as he announced the new peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The deal makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to have diplomatic ties with Israel. But the new Israel-UAE partnership should fool … Continue reading “Don’t Be Hoodwinked by Trump’s UAE-Israel ‘Peace Deal’”