huskerthefriendlyghost

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

I agree with David M. Halbfinger’s article on every account. Trump’s unpredictable “policy” towards Arab state relations is incredibly concerning for crucial existing strains of stability between states involved. The game is always changing, but such bold actions contrary to previous tendencies really are dangerous and a breach of trust with well-established allies. Too much change at once is foolish. I can see how the U.S.’s actions towards Iran affect the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the events in Syria involving the Kurds and Trump’s near betrayal are more directly concerning to me. A lot of impossible cards have been dealt, some players are not waiting for their turn, and everyone has a different idea of how to win. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

I agree with David M. Halbfinger’s article on every account. Trump’s unpredictable “policy” towards Arab state relations is incredibly concerning for crucial existing strains of stability between states involved. The game is always changing, but such bold actions contrary to previous tendencies really are dangerous and a breach of trust with well-established allies. Too much change at once is foolish. I can see how the U.S.’s actions towards Iran affect the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the events in Syria involving the Kurds and Trump’s near betrayal are more directly concerning to me. A lot of impossible cards have been dealt, some players are not waiting for their turn, and everyone has a different idea of how to win.

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

As much as Benjamin Netanyahu’s past actions make me hesitate to support him, perhaps it would be a positive step forward for a unity government to form. I am still reluctant to support Netanyahu in a position of power any longer, but it appears that is not an option as he continues to fight for a hold on Israel’s government. I believe Benny Gantz would be able to balance out the Prime Minister, to create a government with wider values and more diverse interests for the future of Israel. Then again, it is possible the government they create would not be able to reach any agreements, let alone accomplish any task together with such conflicting goals. The most pressing obstacle right now is who would serve as Prime Minister, which could at least be solved with a premiership rotation, but I fear this supposed solution would be a hindrance to productivity for the fledgling government. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

As much as Benjamin Netanyahu’s past actions make me hesitate to support him, perhaps it would be a positive step forward for a unity government to form. I am still reluctant to support Netanyahu in a position of power any longer, but it appears that is not an option as he continues to fight for a hold on Israel’s government. I believe Benny Gantz would be able to balance out the Prime Minister, to create a government with wider values and more diverse interests for the future of Israel. Then again, it is possible the government they create would not be able to reach any agreements, let alone accomplish any task together with such conflicting goals. The most pressing obstacle right now is who would serve as Prime Minister, which could at least be solved with a premiership rotation, but I fear this supposed solution would be a hindrance to productivity for the fledgling government.

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

There is no doubt that this action on the part of the Israeli Ministry of Finance is a political mistake that requires swift retraction. The shutdown of the embassies is going to corner diplomats into paying mass amounts of money that was once covered and aided in their important jobs keeping positive ties with the states in which they reside. This certainly could lead to concerning tense relations with states that Israel’s partnership is diminishing with as the state is already walking on eggshells in much of the world’s eyes. However, the more immediate consequence (and the most concerning to me, personally) will be the effect on Israeli’s own travelers seeking assistance in the face of emergencies. Embassies are crucial, and it appears that Israel is not interested in safeguarding its members abroad, whether diplomat or civilian.

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

There is no doubt that this action on the part of the Israeli Ministry of Finance is a political mistake that requires swift retraction. The shutdown of the embassies is going to corner diplomats into paying mass amounts of money that was once covered and aided in their important jobs keeping positive ties with the states in which they reside. This certainly could lead to concerning tense relations with states that Israel’s partnership is diminishing with as the state is already walking on eggshells in much of the world’s eyes. However, the more immediate consequence (and the most concerning to me, personally) will be the effect on Israeli’s own travelers seeking assistance in the face of emergencies. Embassies are crucial, and it appears that Israel is not interested in safeguarding its members abroad, whether diplomat or civilian. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

This article discusses both Hamas' and other factions like Fatah and the PA's supposed stance and actual actions in dialogue with the US, as well as the related recent development of the proposed US field hospital in the northern Gaza strip. Nothing surprised me too much about a PA official claiming, “For many years, Hamas has been calling us traitors for talking to the Israelis and Americans”, since this system of distrust, blame, and lack of cooperation is pretty usual according to all the articles I’ve read this semester. It was interesting however to think about how this connected with our Peace Summit in class, when Hamas was finally given a seat at the table yet still attempted a complete power grab. This same narrative was included in the article where Fatah accuses Hamas of this same attitude, even as Hamas shifts to pursue dialogue with the US. 

Additionally, I had previously written about this field hospital but this article brought up a few points I had not considered. First, I had not considered the argument that if the US were really sincere about contributing to Palestinian public health, they would not have cut the financial aid to hospitals in East Jerusalem. Second, they brought up the fear that this is part of a scheme to “solidify divisions” among Palestinians and eliminate their cause. That second point is a bit of a stretch for me, because I still feel the people have necessities that cannot be put off in wait for a Palestinian state. However, I do agree that this field hospital would be more beneficial in addition to continued financial aid from the US in already established structures and systems of health care in the region. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

I tend to be one who criticizes the ‘white saviour complex’ just as much as the next globally aware college student, however, the prospect of this field hospital does not boil my blood like it has the Palestinians. It appears there is great need for medical attention, and motivations aside, these individuals are preparing a way to meet that desperate need. I agree with the hesitancy towards supporting the added bonus of tourism to the volunteer job which will consequentially boost the tourist economy of Israel, but will this not fulfill the most important need of sustaining human survival and well being of the people in Gaza? Ideally, the volunteers would be motivated by their medical ambitions alone, but that is not the world we live in. Additionally, the tourism would be on their free time, which is necessary for the volunteers to be holistically successful and sane when they are on the job. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

What I found most interesting about this “Day of Rage” is that it was not simply an expression of the Palestinian people, but it was declared and encouraged by several Palestinian factions like Fatah and the PLO. They even went so far as to cancel school for an hour for school age children to participate. The lengths the factions went to in nearly organizing such engagement of the rallies feels alarming to me in its nature. However, maybe I should expect nothing less. All things considered, Fatah and the PLO have found little success in other avenues of expression so instigating an uproar such as this one in response to Pompeo’s settler supportive announcement does seem fitting. I too, would rage as a citizen constantly dismissed by leaders like Trump and Netanyahu. There are only so many surefire ways to be noticed… 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

This article is a summary of the current Gaza Strip attacks so far. The ordeal was sparked by Israel’s attack on a senior Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza and another in Syria. Gaza then retaliated in return with over 200 rockets into Israel, which has certainly caused damage to Israel but is not nearly a match for the well established ‘Iron Dome’ defenses. For Gaza, Israel’s response has been out of proportion. Although it is unclear if the reported deaths of Palestinians and injuries are of civilians, it appears to me from this article and others on the event that Palestinians have been the most at risk and affected. Yet again, Israel takes an attack they have mostly under control and retaliates out of proportion, while business goes on mostly as usual at home, and people on the wrong side of the fight get the brunt of the violence and damage. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

Netanyahu’s “defeat” has caused a plethora of mixed reactions from right-wing and left-wing people alike. What has surprised me is the spectrum of reactions from the Palestinian population and people in power, ranging from celebratory hope to realist pessimism. It’s interesting to me that many share the opinion that both right-wing and left-wing politicians have the same stance toward Palestinians and the intent for harmful policies toward them. I had hoped Netanyahu’s downfall would be a glimmer of hope for at least minor steps moving in the direction of policies to dignify Palestinian status, but it seems that most believe not much will change on the ground. As always, it is not policies and politicians that will change true public perspectives, but the slow process of societal attitudes shifting towards respect for people groups in the “out” such as the Palestinian and Arab population in Israel. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

The actions of Benjamin Netanyahu, corrupt according to Israel’s election laws in anticipation for the election turnout is hindering the election monitors from accessing the physical poll results, due to their effort being spent on monitoring him. Using messenger on Facebook to manipulate potential voters to take to the polls is not only illegal for a candidate according to Israel’s election laws, but it is very strange to me. In the United States our politicians are trained to never flinch or appear desperate, whereas for Netanyahu and perhaps other candidates of the past the “emergency” pleading communication with the voting population seems to be just another election strategy. 

The difference between Netanyahu and Israel candidates of the past are first, normalization of the use of social media for politicians, and second, the fact that he’s breaking the law by using it in the illegal election window. He also stands guilty in the violations of other public media such as speaking on multiple radio interviews. As for the normalization of social media presence for politicians, the use of it as a power tool greatly troubles me. Netanyahu’s mistake according to the law aside, this is not the first time social media was utilized inappropriately by those in power. Let us not forget the near nuclear meltdown breakout that occurred on Twitter, I repeat, Twitter, between President Trump and Kim Jong Un with just a couple nasty tweets. Social media in the wrong hands continues to be more impactful, and dangerous than we give it credit for.

These are strange times indeed. 

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

The Israel that the ever growing Haredi national-religious group is seeking after in anticipation for the election is nerve racking for me. There is no doubt the ultra-Orthodox have had ample support from the Israeli government, including subsidies from the state, and religious students’ exemption from military service. The battle has been raging for quite some time of what values are worth upholding over others in a Jewish state, but the fact that it is a democratic Jewish state remains and this should be the priority. Of course, this means the government should still allow the state to function in a way that it be economically feasible and socially acceptable to be a Torah-fearing Jew, but this does not require a Torah justice system. A Jewish democratic state is one that listens to the seventy percent of the population demanding a freer Sabbath, I imagine with basic public functions such as a running transport system. The real issue is pluralism forever butting heads with the nature of strict Judaism itself, which demands every law be kept without exception, by everyone, with consequences for falling short. In practice, this means everything necessary for a functioning public screeches to a halt on the Sabbath. To me, it is impossible to uphold the laws of the Torah through a secular government and have a humanistic approach simultaneously. If the state is to be Jewish, it is nearly impossible for it to be pluralistic too.

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

Looks like the nannies (aka the United States, France, and United Nations Peacekeepers) have stepped in to the nursery to soothe the cat fight. At least for the time being. Perhaps Israel and Hezbollah will retreat to lick their wounds, but I am not enough of an optimist to expect these sparks to suffice the grumbling of their bottomless pit stomachs hungry for a jab at their rival siblings. This season of temper tantrum episodes might well be over, and maybe an escalation would finally bring some solutions out of desperation and the absolute devastation that only war can coax out of a nation’s pride. I’m not hopeful for war, I’m just tired of passive aggressive sling shots shattering the treehouse window.

[huskerthefriendlyghost]

Reading this article made me feel like I’d been zapped back to Sophomore year of high school, listening to my friend describe the vivid, juicy details of the last classmate feud drama unfolding the night before. Israel said this, Hezbollah said that. The only difference is that this cat-fight flare up gossip has real consequences, at the expense of local civilians and international bystanders watching the tension and lashings unfold. Both sides of the border appear to be wary of another 2006 level war breaking out, yet are unwilling to grow up and stop provoking one another. Of course, Israel should not be expected to submit without action to real attacks. However, staging a masquerade of pretend injured soldiers with fake blood to create more bad blood is baffling to say the least. It makes me wonder what other international actors have staged injuries for a loud gasp, cries for justice, and looks of pity from the world’s watchful eyes.