Middle East Press On: Gaza, Israel, Palestinians, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Netanyahu, and California: New Age Islam's Selection, 21 March 2025
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
21 Mar. 25
· How do we write our history in support of Gaza?
· Israel declares war on its own Palestinian citizens
· Palestinians cannot be uprooted: Palestine is theirs, and no power on earth can sever that bond
· Hezbollah must not be allowed to destroy Lebanon
· Netanyahu’s government is under fire as Qatargate unfolds
· ‘Israelis are exhausted’: The country demands changes
· Anti-Israel ethnic studies unfunded in California - Is the fight over?
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How Do We Write Our History In Support Of Gaza?
March 20, 2025
By Adnan Hmidan
Gaza is not just a place that gets bombed frequently, the images of which we might see on the news and social media. Today, Gaza is also a trial of conscience for every individual, a history being written by all those who choose to be part of the struggle for justice against oppression. With every home demolished, tragic lines are written, and with every child martyred, acts of heroism are etched into our memories. So how do we write our history in support of Gaza?
Will we be mere spectators of the massacres? Will we allow ourselves to grieve for a while, only to forget later, as many do? Or will we be among those who do not stop at words but stand firm for what is right, with all the strength they possess, and write their names in bold letters in the pages of history books as those who chose to be part of the change for good?
Some may think that their role is insignificant, that they have no power to make an impact, but it is no cliché to say that injustice only persists when good people remain silent. The truth can be stronger than any weapon. What’s more, staying silent does not mean being neutral. And, in the words of the late anti-apartheid campaigner Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” You are complicit in the injustice.
If we are unable to be part of the solution, let us at least refrain from spreading lies or justifying the oppression. If we cannot physically support the oppressed, then we should at least be a means of ending the injustice through our words.
Let us not be the ones who propagate misleading narratives that portray the aggressor as the victim and the victim as the aggressor. Let us not be the ones who spread lies that distort the truth. Let us stand with the oppressed, even if the only thing we have to give is the truth.
The war against the Palestinians in Gaza is not just a military conflict; it is a war on awareness, memory and truth itself. The ultimate goal of the aggressor is to erase all three. What is being targeted today is not only the land, but also the right to life and dignity. The battle is not confined to the battlefield, but extends to the realm of ideas, conscience and stances.
Writing our history in support of Gaza does not mean that we only feel sorry for the victims of Israel’s genocide while we wait for the inevitable moments of more grief. It means taking responsibility for telling the truth, being a voice for the oppressed, and not allowing false narratives to pass unchecked.
To support Gaza means to speak the truth, even if it costs us greatly, because truth needs no permission to be spoken.
To support Gaza means to fight against falsehood and lies, and refuse to accept that the killers are portrayed as victims or that the destruction of innocent people and their homes is justified.
To support Gaza means to keep our tongues in check; speak what’s good or keep quiet.
To support Gaza means to keep the cause alive in our hearts and minds, and not allow it to be forgotten as the Zionist enemies want, for they have bet on the claim that “the old will die and the young will forget”.
At every moment we are asked where we stand in this conflict. Will we be among those who watch the massacre unfold and then return to daily life as if nothing has happened which affects us? Or will we be among those who insist that Gaza is not alone in its struggle, and that we are part of its people and their cause?
We can’t all be heroes on the ground, but we can make sure that our words and deeds are up to the challenge of seeing that truth prevails over falsehood. We must write our history through our strong words and good deeds, by not being silent and not trying to justify oppression.
The tyrants bet on everyone forgetting; we put our trust in the fact that Truth does not die, unless we abandon it.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250320-how-do-we-write-our-history-in-support-of-gaza/
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Israel Declares War On Its Own Palestinian Citizens
March 20, 2025
By Aziz Mustafa
The Israeli Knesset (parliament) recently approved a draft law prohibiting any university student organisation from expressing sympathy with entities deemed hostile to the occupation of Palestinian territory, particularly resistance forces, which it labels as “terrorists”. This law specifically targets student unions and blocs associated with Palestinian students from the occupied territories.
The legislation is just one in a series of repressive laws enacted by the occupation state against its own Palestinian citizens since the launch of the genocide in Gaza in October 2023. Just one month after the war began, the Knesset approved an amendment to the Counter-Terrorism Law, imposing a one-year prison sentence on anyone who accesses social media content that the law deems to be “incitement”.
The amendment granted security agencies the power to pursue Palestinian citizens of Israel based on the social media accounts they follow or the posts they interact with, and thus represents a blatant violation of human rights. Consequently, persecution and legal actions against activists have intensified due to their comments on social media.
By late 2024, the Knesset passed another law that further tightened restrictions on Palestinian teachers in Israel, facilitating their prosecution, dismissal and the defunding of their schools should they express political or national views opposing the occupation.
Such political persecution is part of a broader campaign targeting activists among Israel’s Palestinian citizens, reflecting a deliberate strategy to stifle freedom of expression. In recent months, numerous arrests have been made of lawyers, artists, politicians and ordinary individuals because of their social media posts.
This has forced them into self-censorship and digital silence following widespread attacks, pressure and interrogation by Israeli security agencies. These agencies fear that social media posts might encourage greater engagement between Palestinians in Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza. Some individuals have even been arrested or persecuted simply for sharing verses from the Qur’an.
In response, the Israeli Attorney General established a special unit to combat what is called “digital terrorism”, effectively turning it into a tool for monitoring and suppressing Palestinian content. Its surveillance intensified after the outbreak of the war in Gaza, fostering a climate of digital terror that has deterred many Palestinian Israeli citizens from expressing their opinions or engaging with content about the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The occupation has deployed “snipers” on social media to track and monitor accounts belonging to Palestinian citizens, scrutinising their posts and interactions. As a result, many now find themselves subjected to oppressive laws designed specifically to persecute, prosecute and punish them solely for expressing solidarity with the people in Gaza. Some have even been threatened with having their Israeli citizenship revoked.
Moreover, a far-right extremist group called Nazi Hunters has emerged, publishing lists of Palestinian activists’ names, photos and home addresses to facilitate their targeting for assassination.
The occupation has weaponised its legal framework under the pretext of counterterrorism to suppress any potential mobilisation among Palestinian citizens of the occupation state. The updated 2016 Counter-Terrorism Law redefines expressions of opinion, participation in demonstrations and even tweets as forms of incitement. Those accused can be prosecuted for allegedly supporting terrorist acts and face long prison sentences.
In addition, the occupation has implemented a series of pre-emptive repressive measures, backed by broad public support, to criminalise any written, visual or spoken expression of solidarity with Gaza, whether online, in workplaces or educational institutions, or during protests against the war. This repression has been particularly severe in cities such as Haifa, Umm Al-Fahm and Tayibe, where Israeli police have assaulted and arrested dozens of protesters.
Even ordinary Israelis without official positions have played a role in persecuting and punishing the Palestinian fellow citizens, monitoring their social media accounts, spying on them, reporting and inciting against them, and defaming, threatening and physically assaulting them. Dozens of administrative detention orders have been issued without formal charges or trials.
The crackdown has affected all segments of society. Even children have not been spared; the police pursued a ten-year-old boy and expelled him from school on suspicion of supporting terrorism, only to discover later that he was autistic.
Every statement or tweet opposing killing, destruction and war — or expressing any form of sympathy for the Palestinians in Gaza — has been equated with support for Hamas. This has led to waves of arrests under the pretext of endorsing the movement.
Palestinian university students have been placed under intense Israeli scrutiny, with university administrations taking harsh punitive action against them. Dozens have been expelled, either temporarily or permanently, over their social media activity. Some students have been forcibly evicted from their housing, and universities have even reported their activities to the police to facilitate legal action against them with accusations of supporting or sympathising with the resistance groups. Hundreds of students have faced disciplinary action.
Israel’s aggressive policy against its Palestinian citizens is rooted in the assumption that they are enemies rather than citizens. The state treats them as a security threat, a fifth column and a strategic danger. Minister of the Economy Nir Barkat, claimed that, “If only one per cent of Palestinian citizens of Israel — who number over two million — rise against us, that would mean 20,000 people, and they could reach every corner of the state.” One-fifth of the Israeli population are non-Jews, mainly Palestinians.
“Anyone who wants to align with Gaza,” said Police Commissioner, Yaakov Shabtai, “I will put them on buses heading there, because we are at war.”
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250320-israel-declares-war-on-its-own-palestinian-citizens/
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Palestinians Cannot Be Uprooted: Palestine Is Theirs, And No Power On Earth Can Sever That Bond
March 20, 2025
By Dr Oroub El-Abed
US President Donald Trump’s recent assertion that Gaza’s population should be resettled in Egypt, Jordan or elsewhere is more than just unconscionable; it is an explicit endorsement of forced population “transfer”, a war crime and a crime against humanity under international law. His remarks were not made in a vacuum; they come at a time when Israel has laid waste to Gaza’s infrastructure, killed tens of thousands of civilians, and sought to make the besieged enclave unliveable, in order to force people to flee, what is framed misleadingly as “voluntary migration”. By suggesting that Palestinians can be “moved elsewhere”, Trump not only absolves Israel of responsibility for its genocidal actions but also perpetuates the dangerous idea that Palestinians are a people without a homeland, with implanted roots and no culture or civilisation; simply people who can be relocated at will.
This idea is not new. It echoes the rhetoric and practice of America’s colonial past, when indigenous populations were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands.
Not just through legal or political rights, but by centuries of history, cultural development and other deep-rooted connections to the land itself. The forced removal of Gaza’s population would not only violate international law, but also constitute an assault on the very fabric of Palestinian identity and civilisation.
A legal and moral crime
The mass displacement of Palestinians is not just a hypothetical policy discussion; it is a grave violation of international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 prohibits explicitly the forcible transfer of populations under occupation, classifying it as a war crime. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) further defines deportation or population transfer as a crime against humanity when carried out systematically. More importantly, under the 1948 Genocide Convention, the deliberate destruction of a people’s way of life — including forced removal — can be considered an act of genocide if it is done with intent to erase a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Trump’s suggestion that Gaza’s population should be moved elsewhere effectively acknowledges that Israel has made Gaza unliveable, an admission that aligns with one of the key indicators of genocide. The destruction of homes, schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure has already created conditions that push Palestinians toward forced displacement. Proposing the next step — their relocation — only solidifies the criminality of these actions.
Palestine is more than a homeland
What Trump and others who promote resettlement fail to understand is that Palestine is not simply a geographic location for its people. It is an ancient land with a continuous civilisation that stretches back thousands of years. Palestinians are not simply residents of a territory; they are the descendants of generations who have cultivated the land, built its cities, shaped its culture and formed an unbreakable bond with it.
The ancestors of today’s Palestinians — the Canaanites — established some of the world’s oldest urban settlements in Palestine over 5,000 years ago, building cities like Askalan and Jericho, which remains one of the longest continually inhabited places on Earth. Through the centuries, Palestine was home to diverse civilisations, including Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and early Islamic societies, each of whom contributed to the rich cultural tapestry of the land.
Gaza itself has long been a centre of commerce and culture. Under the Mamluks and Ottomans, it thrived as a coastal hub, connecting the Mediterranean to inland trade routes. The city’s ancient mosques, Christian monasteries and bustling souks — now destroyed by the occupation state — all told the story of a place deeply embedded in the cultural and economic life of the region. To propose that its people can simply be moved to another land is to suggest that history itself can be erased.
A land that shaped its people
The attachment that Palestinians have to their land is not just historical; it is personal, agricultural and deeply spiritual. The green hillsides of Palestine, cultivated carefully for centuries, reflect the intimate relationship between people and nature. The olive trees, some of which are over a thousand years old, are living symbols of endurance and connection to the land. Families pass down homes, fields and even specific trees from generation to generation, embedding their history into the very soil of Palestine.
Palestinian poetry, music and oral traditions are steeped in the imagery of the land. The great poet Mahmoud Darwish, whose verses capture the Palestinian longing for home, often wrote of exile as a form of death, where separation from the land is a severance of identity itself. For Palestinians, to be forced from their homes is not just a loss of property, but also a rupture of memory, connection with the land and selfhood.
The colonial model of forced removal must not be repeated
Trump’s remarks reflect a dangerous colonial model of population control, one that has already played out in history and led to devastating consequences. The idea of removing indigenous people from their land and placing them in separate, controlled spaces is not new. The United States itself was built on such policies, including the forced displacement of Native Americans through treaties, wars and the reservation system. The notion that indigenous peoples could be moved away from their lands and confined to isolated areas was a central pillar of US colonial expansion, leading to cultural destruction, economic deprivation and systemic marginalisation.
However, that model — one of displacement, apartheid and settler-colonialism — cannot and must not be repeated in the 21st century, especially not after decades of UN declarations affirming human rights, self-determination and the protection of indigenous peoples. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) all explicitly reject forced displacement, cultural erasure and the denial of a people’s sovereignty. The world has already condemned the crimes of colonialism, yet Trump’s suggestion would revive those very tactics under a new guise.
To propose that Palestinians be removed from their homeland and “relocated” elsewhere is to ignore the entire body of international human rights law developed in the post-colonial era. It is a reactionary proposal that belongs to an era of conquest and dispossession, not to a modern world that claims to uphold justice and equality.
A moral and political obligation to resist
Some may dismiss Trump’s remarks as mere rhetoric, but words have power. They shape narratives, influence policies and create dangerous precedents if left unchallenged. The international community of 193 countries is called to stand up with the moral and legal obligation to push back forcefully against any attempt to normalise forced displacement.
Legal bodies such as the ICC must investigate these proposals within the framework of war crimes. The UN must reaffirm the Palestinian right to remain in their homeland. Journalists and analysts must expose the genocidal implications of making Gaza unliveable while simultaneously proposing to move its people elsewhere.
Their steadfastness in the face of dispossession, their deep-rooted connection to their land and their refusal to be erased are testaments to the resilience of a people whose civilisation cannot be uprooted.
His statement may reflect Trump’s dangerous vision, but history has shown that Palestinians do not disappear, nor do they surrender their homeland. They remain, they resist, and they assert, again and again, that Palestine is theirs, and no power on earth can sever that bond.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250320-palestinians-cannot-be-uprooted-palestine-is-theirs-and-no-power-on-earth-can-sever-that-bond/
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Hezbollah Must Not Be Allowed To Destroy Lebanon
Khaled Abou Zahr
March 20, 2025
The clashes that took place on the border between Syria and Lebanon this week were not the first of their kind. But the announcement of a ceasefire between the two countries following two days of deadly cross-border clashes had a different tone to it. Historically, the Lebanese Armed Forces have rarely shelled Syrian positions directly, even less those of the Syrian army. This time, the clashes were direct.
We live in a rapidly changing world. Between 2012 and 2014, Syrian artillery and airstrikes hit Arsal and other Lebanese border towns, with Damascus accusing them of harboring rebels. This time, the Syrian artillery was firing because of Hezbollah. Syria accused Hezbollah of abducting and killing three Syrian soldiers near the border west of Homs. According to the Syrian authorities, the soldiers were kidnapped, taken across the border and then executed.
In the past, when Bashar Assad was in power, the Lebanese army focused mainly on containing any spillover and “policing” the situation. It would secure villages and sometimes clash with the rebels the Syrian army was targeting. It would seldom engage the Syrian forces. There was minimal retaliatory fire. But this time was different.
There is a new regime in Syria and a new leadership in Lebanon. The ceasefire was brokered by Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa and his Syrian counterpart, Murhaf Abu Qasra, who ensured the bodies of the three Syrian soldiers were returned to the Syrian authorities. The clashes had resulted in at least 10 deaths over the preceding days.
It was Lebanese President Joseph Aoun who ordered the Lebanese army to respond to the sources of fire. And there is no doubt that preserving and defending the sovereignty of the country is his duty. The same resolve and determination now need to be applied domestically, including arresting and bringing to justice those that conducted the raid into Syria.
Even if, as some reports suggest, the Syrian soldiers had crossed the border into Lebanon, it would be the responsibility of the Lebanese Armed Forces alone to act. And President Aoun has shown his will and capacity to act. Moreover, there is no doubt that the army would have dealt with any incursion professionally and lives would have been spared.
This is why it is important to bring order within the borders of Lebanon. As Aoun declared in his inaugural speech, there can be only one sovereign voice in the country. Hezbollah cannot be left to operate unchecked, as it is now clear that not only can the group create destruction from the south, but also from the north.
There is animosity among the new Syrian leadership and the Syrian people against Hezbollah. Let us not forget that, during the Syrian civil war — on the orders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — Hezbollah played a key role in supporting the Assad regime and committed war crimes and human rights violations along the way. It was implicated in massacres and sectarian killings in Al-Qusayr in 2013. Hezbollah also participated in prolonged sieges, notably in Madaya and Zabadani, where starvation tactics were used against civilians. Moreover, it was involved in the forced displacement of Sunni-majority populations. The group engaged in torture as well as indiscriminate shelling, with a will to hit civilians.
This is why, despite the ceasefire, tensions will remain high. And the same can be said of Lebanon’s south. In recent weeks, Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes, targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. According to reports, several Hezbollah members have been killed, including in drone strikes near Kfar Kila and Borj El-Mlouk.
It is now clear that Hezbollah is cornered and is trying to do the same to Lebanon once again. It is also clear to Hezbollah and the IRGC that their capacity to act has been destroyed. With their supply lines from Syria closed and any air support under closer surveillance, the group is facing decrepitude. It is no longer able to conduct any meaningful, long-term military campaigns. But it can still bring meaningful, long-term destruction to Lebanon.
Moreover, the risks of a spillover and outside interference grow every day. If Hezbollah is left unchecked, then we may have to ask — in this changed geopolitical environment — how long it will be before local groups seek foreign support to face it. This would lead to a new civil war that could destroy Lebanon once and for all. This is why Aoun needs to build national support and a clear path needs to be laid out for the surrender of Hezbollah’s arsenal. There can be only one army; there can be only one sovereign voice.
Moreover, Hezbollah and all collaborators with the Assad regime need to be brought to justice. Lebanon needs to do what it failed to do in 2005, when Syrian troops exited the country: an equivalent of the Vichy trials in France following the Second World War. Lebanon has a new leadership, but in reality it needs a new political system. And this can only be done if those responsible for treason and violent crimes are brought to justice.
What is clear for now is that the dangers circling the country will not wait for too long. And Hezbollah cannot be allowed to draw Lebanon into the equation of “upon me and upon my enemies.” Moreover, it is for Lebanon’s leadership to act swiftly against Hezbollah, as this is the only way to impose full sovereignty and warn others of the country’s resolve.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594255
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Netanyahu’s Government Is Under Fire As Qatargate Unfolds
By Jpost Editorial
March 21, 2025
Qatari funding of the terrorist organization Hamas – and also the Israeli government and its partners – has been a consistent rumor.
Indeed, a large portion of the criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when it comes to the current war is a consistent claim among his detractors is that he “allowed” this war to come about by permitting the transferring of Qatari funds, better known in Israel as “briefcases of money,” through Israel.
Now, the story we know as Qatargate has been blown wide open, and what was once a small point of contention is now one of the biggest stories of potential governmental corruption in the modern State of Israel.
Last July, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) released documents that alleged that, twice in 12 years, funds were ordered to be transferred from Doha to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A Likud spokesperson fervently denied these reports.
Then, at the beginning of this year, a series of media reports emerged in Israel, alleging commercial ties between members of Netanyahu’s media team and Qatari state actors, including prominent Prime Minister’s Office media team member Eli Feldstein, who was already under house arrest for leaking classified documents to the German newspaper Bild.
Feldstein was allegedly hired by an international company funded by Qatar to promote the country’s image in Israel based on its role in hostage negotiations.
Likud Party spokespersons Yonatan Urich and Srulik Einhorn had also allegedly provided public-relations services to Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Haaretz reported in November.
Investigation opened by Shin Bet
In mid-February, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said it had opened an investigation, following suspicions of ties between senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office and Qatar.
Then, at the end of last month, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered the Israel Police and the Shin Bet to launch an investigation into officials within Netanyahu’s office over their alleged ties to Qatar. The investigation is also looking into such connections within other governmental ministries.
Less than two weeks after that, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court, at the request of the Israel Police’s Unit of International Crime Investigations, issued a gag order on all information regarding the investigation, allegedly out of concern over leaks that could lead to the investigation’s “obstruction.”
The gag order was widely criticized as being politically motivated to protect the members of Netanyahu’s inner circle.
Then, this past Sunday, when Netanyahu announced that he was firing Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, the latter said he would resign early, but only after, among other tasks, he has completed this investigation, now colloquially referred to as “Qatargate.”
If Netanyahu were to attempt to appeal this response through the High Court of Justice, the concern is that he would not have the support of Baharav-Miara, because she had instructed that the investigation be launched in the first place.
Then, earlier this week, it was announced that Lahav 433, the National Crime Unit, had arrested two suspects. They were released Thursday morning under unknown conditions.
The announcement came right after Israeli businessman Gil Birger admitted in recordings published by KAN Reshet Bet that he had transferred funds from a Qatari lobbyist to Feldstein. This was at the request of Jay K. Footlik, a US-based Qatari lobbyist who unsuccessfully ran for US Congress in Chicago and served as special assistant to former US president Bill Clinton in the White House, helping build support for a range of domestic and foreign-policy issues, he said.
Birger’s attorneys denied that the money had come from Qatar. Those funds had come from the Prime Minister’s Office, they said.
Netanyahu has been a voice of fervent denial surrounding the investigation, calling it a “fake scandal campaign” and a “desperate attempt to invent a baseless justification for an offense that does not exist.”
Indeed, the extent of this investigation, so far, does feel like a broad conspiracy, echoing the expansive nature of inquiry in Hollywood.
Nevertheless, the investigation must run its course. Regardless of whether one supports the government, the need to maintain a “clean” investigation is undeniable.
While the country feels as though it is on the brink of civil war, an investigation such as this would give the public good reason to trust leadership. After all, if no wrongdoing occurred, why oppose confirming that to the public?
Netanyahu’s fervent opposition, as a result, only draws ire and suspicion.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-846973
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‘Israelis Are Exhausted’: The Country Demands Changes
By Romy Leibler/The Media Line
March 21, 2025
Mass protests have erupted across Israel, with much of the focus on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.
In the immediate aftermath of October 7, 2023, the political establishment largely closed ranks. The nation was at war and had to confront the tragic, senseless slaughter of that day. There was an urgent need to rescue 251 hostages and eliminate the threats posed by Hamas and Hezbollah, both backed by Iran.
Issues that had previously divided the country—such as judicial reforms—were put on hold. A national inquiry into the events leading up to October 7 was expected, with blame to be shared across the political and military establishment.
Now, almost 18 months later, history will likely judge the political and military leadership favorably for how they conducted the war, defeated both Hamas and Hezbollah militarily, and kept Iran at bay. That they managed to do so despite repeated obstacles from the Biden administration makes their success all the more commendable.
At the same time, Netanyahu has had to battle internal criticism, including persistent accusations that he refused to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas throughout 2024. Efforts to delegitimize him have remained constant.
The latest ceasefire has collapsed, leaving 59 hostages still in captivity—only 24 of whom are believed to be alive, held under inhumane conditions. It is predictable that Hamas will not willingly give up its last bargaining chip, as its leadership remains indifferent to the suffering of its own citizens. With US support, Israel has made clear that Gaza will not be rebuilt unless Hamas is demilitarized, further reducing any incentive for Hamas to negotiate.
At the same time, while the vast majority of Israelis support efforts to free the remaining hostages, Hamas’s demands are too extreme to accept under the simplistic notion of “making a deal today and dealing with Hamas tomorrow.”
A Herculean task for any government
Navigating this Catch-22 is a Herculean task for any government. Netanyahu’s continued leadership only complicates the situation, as his presence prevents the formation of a broader coalition, leaving him reliant on the ultra-Orthodox parties and the far right. As a result, every government decision is viewed with suspicion, as many believe the primary goal is to protect Netanyahu’s political survival.
Despite Israel’s military successes, the country is now deeply divided, revisiting the tensions that existed before October 7 while incorporating new disputes stemming from the war.
Judicial reforms have been revived.
The High Court has unilaterally appointed its chief justice.
Legislation on ultra-Orthodox enlistment remains deadlocked, while excessive funding of Haredi institutions fuels public anger.
Netanyahu’s corruption trials have resumed, adding a distraction Israel can ill afford.
The October 7 national inquiry remains in limbo, with many suspecting delays are a strategy to shield Netanyahu from scrutiny.
Netanyahu’s efforts to maintain control over his coalition have also led to the sidelining of those perceived as threats. Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi—seen as stabilizing figures during the war—were pressured to leave the coalition. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was dismissed. Now, efforts are underway to remove Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
At the heart of public anger is the accusation that Netanyahu has failed to secure the release of the hostages. This view is widely supported by mainstream media commentators, who have consistently called for him to take responsibility for October 7 and resign.
The growing frustration has culminated in mass protests across Israel. These demonstrations are no longer just the domain of left-wing activists warning about threats to democracy. A broader, deeper frustration has taken hold, shared by much of the population.
Israelis are exhausted after 18 months of war.
Reservists, who have sacrificed so much, may soon be called upon again to re-enter Gaza.
Displaced citizens in the north and south feel their security concerns and demands for rebuilding have been ignored.
The hostage crisis continues to traumatize the nation, compounded by harrowing testimonies from those who were released.
War widows appear on television, questioning why the burden of military service is not shared equally.
Public trust in the government is rapidly eroding. Many are disgusted by the government’s tone-deaf handling of the hostage families and outraged by the continued financial support for ultra-Orthodox institutions while their communities refuse to share in military service.
Moreover, Netanyahu’s ongoing alliance with far-right figures such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir alienates the majority of Israelis, including those in the center and moderate right.
Netanyahu now faces an uphill battle to convince the public that the renewed military campaign in Gaza is driven purely by security needs, rather than political survival.
At its core, the protest movement is demanding transparency, accountability, and new leadership. Israel is seeking a leader who can unify the nation and heal the divisions of the past 18 months.
Netanyahu, for all his flaws, has been a transformative figure in Israeli politics and deserves credit for strengthening the country’s security since October 7. However, he has also polarized the nation and carries enormous political baggage.
As Israel moves toward a post-war era, the country needs a leader who can rebuild trust and restore unity.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-846991
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Anti-Israel Ethnic Studies Unfunded In California - Is The Fight Over?
By Tamar Caspi
March 20, 2025
The 2025–26 California state budget presented by Governor Gavin Newsom last month notably fails to allocate funding for Assembly Bill 101 (AB101) - yet another glaring reminder of the rushed and ill-conceived nature of the requirement for districts to offer Ethnic Studies courses. As spelled out in the bill – without funding, it is not mandated – which means districts do not need to implement it.
Ethnic Studies, as it stands, is an attempt to implement a divisive, politically charged curriculum under the guise of promoting diversity. The absence of funding in this year’s budget is just one of many problems with the state’s approach to Ethnic Studies. Instead of forcing schools to implement this controversial program, we should pause the push for Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement.
Newly proposed legislation AB1468 includes the addition of standards, but the lack of oversight as to who will set those standards and who will impose those standards means the same bad actors can and likely will take over. The last time we trusted the state to create a committee of “experts,” the Governor ended up vetoing the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum three times.
Ethnic Studies Includes Anti-Israel Indoctrination
The rushed rollout of the statewide Ethnic Studies model curriculum in 2019 led to a document that faced significant criticism, particularly from the Jewish community, for containing elements of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. For example, “Zionism” was used in a negative context as it was associated with oppression, colonialism, and apartheid.
Palestinian struggles were framed through the lens of “liberation,” which positioned Israel as an oppressive force. Further, it was an unbalanced narrative as the unique Jewish historical experiences of the Holocaust, the Jewish diaspora, and the importance of Israel to the Jewish people were excluded.
Far from being a tool for unity, Ethnic Studies is a vehicle for activism, often pushing ideologies that have no place in our schools. The so-called Liberated Ethnic Studies curriculum has come under fire for promoting rhetoric that encourages students to view each other through the lens of identity politics, pitting one group against another. This type of curriculum fosters resentment and division, rather than the mutual respect that should be the foundation of any educational experience. This is not education; it’s indoctrination.
And the worst part? Parents are being kept in the dark about what is being taught in these courses. In many districts, repeated requests for transparency about the content of Ethnic Studies lessons are ignored, and what we have found is deeply troubling: a curriculum full of inaccuracies, bias, and discriminatory content. This practice is a violation of AB101 (if it were funded) as well as the existing CA Education Code regarding new materials.
As parents, we expect our children’s education to promote truth, critical thinking, and understanding—not to serve as a breeding ground for political activism. Yet, that’s exactly what Ethnic Studies has become. It is not teaching our children to think critically about history, culture, and society; it is teaching them to see the world through a divisive and narrow ideological lens.
California’s Education Quality – 41st Out of 50 States
Meanwhile, California’s public education system is already struggling. Though one of the largest in the United States, its enrollment has declined by 14% in the past decade, currently serving 5.5 million students across 9,000 schools. According to 2024 data from the US Department of Education, though California has the 5th largest economy in the world, it ranks 19th in the nation for per-pupil spending. It is ranked 41st in the country for overall educational quality, with students performing below the national average in key subjects like math and reading. As the recently released 2024 National Education Report Card showed, a full 72% of California’s 4th and 8th graders cannot read at grade level. Furthermore, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, the University of California and California State University both report that incoming students are not adequately prepared in key subjects.
Rather than add yet another unfunded mandate to our struggling school system, we should focus on fostering critical thinking, mutual respect, and an understanding of our shared history within our current approved course catalog—without the political baggage that Ethnic Studies bring to the table.
Tamar Caspi is a mother, a charter school founder, and a former school board member. She is a co-founder of PeerK12, a grassroots organization combating institutionalized Jew-hatred in K-12 education.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-846892
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