Ran HaCohen

Dr. Ran HaCohen was born in the Netherlands in 1964 and grew up in Israel. He has a B.A. in computer science, an M.A. in comparative literature, and a Ph.D. in Jewish studies. He is a university teacher in Israel. He also works as a literary translator (from German, English, and Dutch). HaCohen's work has been published widely in Israel. "Letter From Israel" appears occasionally at Antiwar.com.

What Happened to Hassan

Hassan, an 8-year-old Gazan boy, could consider himself lucky. Last year, thanks to his serious illness, Israel let him in to be treated in a Tel Aviv hospital. Israel boasts of its generosity: after four decades of occupation, which has left Gaza’s hospitals on a Third World level, followed by years of siege, which has … Continue reading “What Happened to Hassan”

Pacifying Gaza

Defense Minister Ehud Barak (the Hebrew surname means “lightning," German “Blitz”) did it again: a historic record of over 200 Palestinians killed in a single Sabbath’s blitz (Dec. 27). Polls now predict five additional Knesset seats for his Labor Party in the coming February general election. That’s 40 Palestinian corpses per seat. No wonder he … Continue reading “Pacifying Gaza”

Black Israeli Voices on Obama’s Victory

The tag “extremist” is best to be avoided; being essentially relative, its main function is defamatory. “Extremists” are those who are on the farthest margin; but margins are relative and volatile. Many Israelis would say a person supporting full Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines is an “extremist," just because this position – shared, in … Continue reading “Black Israeli Voices on Obama’s Victory”

Occupation by Another Name

Meron Benvenisti in an excellent article mentions the “success of the propaganda campaign known as ‘negotiations with the Palestinians,’ which convinces many that the status quo is temporary." There’s indeed no better way to describe the ongoing talks between the two politicians living on borrowed time – Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas – than as … Continue reading “Occupation by Another Name”

Israel at Sixty

Christians – the ancient self-designated heirs to the Jews – commemorate Christ’s tormented way to resurrection and redemption in the weeks leading to Easter. Zionists – the modern self-designated heirs to the Jews – have their Lent after Passover, commemorating what they construct as their via dolorosa leading to the “Jewish State." In the weeks … Continue reading “Israel at Sixty”

Israel Says ‘No’

On Jan. 23 Ha’aretz readers were utterly embarrassed. Just as the quality paper was printing its top headline, based on Israel’s omniscient “security sources” – “New Israeli Policy in Gaza: Border Crossings Will Stay Closed” – the border crossings between Gaza and Egypt were being opened; a few hours later, they didn’t exist anymore. Once … Continue reading “Israel Says ‘No’”

Beware of Barak

Israeli “Defense” Minister Ehud Barak is definitely the most dangerous politician in the Middle East. Ahmadinejad can only dream of having the powers – political and military, conventional and non-conventional – that Barak already possesses. Netanyahu and other far-right Israeli politicians say what they think and are earmarked as extremists, so they are under permanent … Continue reading “Beware of Barak”

The Israeli Right Has a Peace Plan

While the world holds its breath in anticipation of the Mideast Summit in Annapolis – which, no doubt, will constitute a historic landmark, giving a most significant boost to the economy of that small town in Maryland – the Israeli right wing comes up with a new peace initiative, launched by MK Benny Elon, chairman … Continue reading “The Israeli Right Has a Peace Plan”

Palestine: Blood Is in the Air

Five years after His Highness G.W. Bush – president of the United States of America, czar of Afghanistan, emperor of Iraq, democratizer of the Middle East, etc., etc. – launched his “Road Map for Peace in the Middle East," announcing a Palestinian state by 2005, the Israeli public has a new pastime. The public discussion … Continue reading “Palestine: Blood Is in the Air”

The Legend of the
Removed Checkpoints

Monday’s paper gave us a small reason to be happy. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas for the second time in just a few weeks. Reporting the meeting – described by Palestinian sources as “fruitless” – Ha’aretz noted: "An IDF lieutenant-colonel also attended the meeting. The officer briefed the Palestinians … Continue reading “The Legend of the
Removed Checkpoints”