PALESTINE

Fri 28 Nov 2025 5:01 am - Jerusalem Time

The West Bank: Between Annexation and Displacement and the Illusion of an Independent State

The bitter truth that we must face with courage, without evasion, and frankly is: the West Bank is being lost. The West Bank is being annexed meter by meter and inch by inch. The West Bank has completely changed. There is no longer a place for Palestinians except inside their large or small prison. Villages have turned into prisons. Cities are isolated from each other through barriers of humiliation, oppression, and killing.

Ethnic cleansing is ongoing. The war of extermination and displacement continues in Gaza and the West Bank. There is no room for niceties. This is what Oslo and the Osloites have brought upon us. This is what the advocates of "closing the loopholes" have brought upon us by surrendering means of resistance and security coordination.

The people here have lost hope for a just solution. After Gaza and the global conspiracy embodied in UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which legitimizes permanent occupation, permanent colonization, and the separation between Gaza and the West Bank, criminalizes resistance, and withdraws all its capabilities.

The Palestinian Authority is on the verge of collapse under dual pressure: the weight of Israeli occupation and the disconnection of the authority from the concerns and suffering of the people in the face of settler attacks, incursions, daily killings, and arrests.

The settler savagery and violence practiced by settlers have reached an indescribable and unbearable level. People here feel they have been left to their fates alone without protection.

The Israeli authorities have distributed more than 120,000 firearms and 157,000 gun licenses to settlers in the West Bank, and have eased restrictions on gun ownership.

The residents of Palestinian villages have been cut off from their lands where settlement outposts have been established around every village in an arc shape. The outpost may consist of a tin house or a tent inhabited by one person or a family.

One teacher told me that she has been receiving half her salary for three years. In return, the school opens its doors to children for only three days.

The last concern of the Palestinian people is elections. President Mahmoud Abbas has called for municipal council elections. But on the condition that they take place according to his terms.

The ongoing killings, incursions, raids, house demolitions, settler violence, and humiliation barriers lead to displacement.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 10:02 pm - Jerusalem Time

AFP: Hamas is in contact with mediators regarding the trapped individuals in the tunnels, and Netanyahu is awaiting their exit.

The fate of the truce remains uncertain, depending on the mediators' ability to convince the occupation to choose a non-military option to resolve this crisis.

Informed sources confirmed that discussions are ongoing to reach a solution for the crisis of Hamas fighters trapped in the tunnels of Rafah in southern Gaza.

In a first-of-its-kind public step, Hamas called on the mediating countries to pressure the occupation to allow its fighters to exit through a "safe corridor."

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 8:58 pm - Jerusalem Time

AFP: The occupation charges a settler with terrorism for assaulting a Palestinian woman.

The Ministry of Justice of the occupation announced on Thursday the indictment of "terrorism" against a settler accused of beating a Palestinian woman with a stick, causing her serious injuries in an incident that occurred in the village of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

Charges related to terrorism are rarely brought against settlers in the area, which adds significance to this judicial decision.

The incident took place during the olive harvest season and was documented by one of the foreign volunteers accompanying the Palestinians.

The footage spread widely on social media.

Violence in the West Bank has escalated since Hamas's attack on the occupation in October 2023.

The United Nations described last October as the worst in terms of settler violence since 2006, with 264 attacks recorded.

The indictment, which was conveyed by the Ministry of Justice, detailed the crime: the accused is Ariel Dahari (24 years old) from the settlement of "Oz Yair".

The facts of the assault confirm that he "attacked a Palestinian woman and others among the olive pickers in an olive field."

The indictment added that he "struck the woman on her head and body using a wooden stick, and continued to beat her even after she fell to the ground," causing her severe injuries.

Dahari faces several charges including: "terrorist acts that intentionally caused serious injuries," "terrorist acts committed within an organized group," and "deliberate damage to a vehicle motivated by racism."

More than 500,000 settlers live in settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the United Nations considers illegal under international law.

The indictment of "terrorism" against a settler is a rare point in judicial dealings, reflecting the extent of international and media pressure on the authorities to hold perpetrators accountable amid rising settler violence.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 8:41 pm - Jerusalem Time

Ibn Ghafer continues his incitement against the Palestinians and supports the army's execution of two young men in Jen

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir continued his inciting statements against Palestinians on Thursday, expressing his support for Israeli soldiers who cold-bloodedly executed two young men at point-blank range despite their surrender in the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank.

On Thursday, a video showed the Israeli army shooting at two Palestinian young men from point-blank range in the city of Jenin in the occupied northern West Bank, after they raised their hands and surrendered to the army.

Ben Gvir stated in a post on his page on the American platform "X": "I fully support the border guard fighters and the Israel Defense Forces who shot at wanted individuals coming out of a building in Jenin."

The extremist minister claimed that "the soldiers' actions were exactly as expected of them."

Earlier on Thursday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health stated in a statement that the General Authority for Civil Affairs (governmental) informed it of the "martyrdom of the two young men, Al-Montaser Billah Mahmoud Qassem Abdullah (26 years old) and Yusuf Ali Yusuf Asasah (37 years old), by the occupation's bullets in the Abu Thahir mountain area in Jenin, and the detention of their bodies."

For his part, Jenin Governor Kamel Abu al-Rub said: "The two young men raised their hands to the army, which shot at them and did not allow anyone to approach the area, preventing ambulances from transporting them."

Meanwhile, the Israeli army stated in a statement that it has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident in which soldiers shot at two Palestinian young men at point-blank range despite their surrender in the city of Jenin.

Ben Gvir is known for his inciting positions against Palestinians, including changes he made to the conditions of Palestinian prisoners following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 8, 2023.

The far-right "Jewish Power" party, led by Ben Gvir, also presented a "bill" to the Knesset imposing the death penalty on Palestinians accused of "participating in the killing of Jews."

On November 11 of this month, the Knesset approved the bill in its first reading, with a majority of 39 members out of 120, against 16 who voted against it, according to the official Hebrew broadcasting authority.

However, it still needs to be voted on in second and third readings before it becomes an enacted law.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 8:30 pm - Jerusalem Time

Israel acknowledges violating the agreement: We carried out 1,200 focused operations in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army stated on Thursday that it has carried out "1,200 focused operations in southern Lebanon" over the past year, since the ceasefire agreement with "Hezbollah" came into effect on November 27, 2024, acknowledging its violation of the agreement that has been in place for a year.

On a daily basis, Israel violates the ceasefire agreement, having breached it "at least 10,000 times," according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) a few days ago, resulting in the deaths of 331 people and injuries to 945 others, as of November 21, according to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

The latest of these violations occurred earlier on Thursday, when Israeli aircraft launched a series of airstrikes on the towns of Mahmoudiya and Jarmak in southern Lebanon, claiming to "target Hezbollah infrastructure."

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 7:37 pm - Jerusalem Time

The occupation army announces the opening of an investigation into the execution of two Palestinians in Jenin despite their surrender.

Channel 12 reported on Thursday that the Israeli occupation army announced the opening of an investigation into the shooting of two Palestinians in Jenin, despite their 'surrender and raising their hands, posing no threat to the army forces.'

Palestinian media indicates that the incident represents an execution 'in cold blood' carried out within the city of Jenin.

Palestinian reports confirmed that the incident occurred after a tight siege of their location.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 7:17 pm - Jerusalem Time

Four European countries condemn the violence of settlers in the West Bank and demand an end to the sowing of terror.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain strongly condemned the "significant increase" in violence by settlers against Palestinian civilians, calling on the occupation to protect the residents of the West Bank.

The European ministers affirmed that "these attacks must stop," emphasizing that they "sow terror among civilians and undermine the current efforts to achieve peace."

The ministers also welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's stance opposing the annexation of the West Bank, reiterating their opposition to "any form of annexation, whether partial or total or de facto."

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 6:23 pm - Jerusalem Time

Two children injured by Israeli army gunfire in Jenin camp

Two Palestinian children were injured on Thursday evening by Israeli army fire in the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Red Crescent stated in a statement that its teams dealt with two injuries to children from live bullets in the thigh in the Jenin camp, and they were transferred to the hospital.

This comes amid an escalation of the extensive military operation being carried out by the Israeli army in the northern occupied West Bank, specifically in the Jenin and Tubas governorates.

Earlier, eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces surrounded a house in the Abu Zuhair neighborhood of Jenin city and arrested at least one citizen after storming the building, amid a heavy presence of infantry units and special forces in the vicinity of the neighborhood.

On Tuesday evening, the Israeli army launched Operation "Five Stones" in the northern West Bank, and Hebrew media reported that the army plans for the operation to continue for several days.

These developments are part of a continuous Israeli escalation in the West Bank for more than two years, characterized by incursions, arrests, and assassinations.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 5:29 pm - Jerusalem Time

Yedioth: 3 obstacles hinder the completion of the Gaza agreement

The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported today, Thursday, that there are 3 obstacles preventing the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel.

On October 10, the first phase of the agreement came into effect, following a genocide waged by Israel with American support against Gaza for two years since October 2023.

According to the newspaper, these obstacles include Israel's failure to recover the remains of two detainees held in Gaza, the fate of Hamas fighters in Rafah (south), and the formation of an international stabilization force.

1- Recovery of the bodies Yedioth Ahronoth stated that "Washington is pressuring Israel to move towards the second phase of the agreement, but Israel insists on recovering the bodies of the remaining two hostages first."

Hamas claims it has handed over all 48 Israeli detainees, while Israel asserts that the movement still holds the bodies of two detainees.

According to the newspaper, "Israel continues to pressure Hamas to identify the location of the remains and return them, refusing to reopen the Rafah crossing or expand humanitarian aid, or discuss further withdrawals."

It quoted Israeli officials saying that "once the two bodies are recovered, Israel will begin discussions on various aspects of the reconstruction of Gaza."

2- Rafah fighters According to the newspaper, the second obstacle to starting the second phase is the fate of Hamas fighters holed up in tunnels beneath Rafah.

It stated that "Israel has expressed a willingness to allow them safe passage to a third country, but no country has agreed to receive them."

3- The international force The third obstacle, according to the newspaper, is "the difficulties in forming the international stabilization force" scheduled to be deployed in Gaza.

It said, "So far, only a few Arab and Islamic countries have agreed to contribute thousands of soldiers."

It added, "Azerbaijan initially expressed its readiness to send troops, but it seems to have backtracked."

Yedioth Ahronoth quoted an informed Israeli official saying that "there is no progress in assembling the stabilization force."

He added, "In any case, they (the soldiers) will need training and preparation before deployment. This is the main issue that the Americans need to resolve."

On Thursday, Channel 14 reported that the United States has set mid-January for the start of the deployment of the international stabilization force in Gaza.

The United Nations Security Council adopted a U.S. draft resolution on November 18, allowing for the establishment of a temporary international force to be deployed in Gaza until the end of 2027.

The Israeli genocide against Gaza has resulted in more than 69,000 martyrs and 170,000 Palestinian injuries, most of whom are children and women, along with massive destruction, with the cost of reconstruction estimated by the United Nations at around $70 billion.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 5:01 pm - Jerusalem Time

UNRWA: 32,000 Palestinians are still displaced from camps in northern West Bank.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced on Thursday that 32,000 people are still displaced from camps in northern occupied West Bank due to ongoing Israeli military operations since the beginning of this year.

This was stated in a press release on Thursday by UNRWA's Director of Operations in the occupied West Bank, Roland Frederick. Frederick said that 32,000 residents of the camps in northern West Bank are still forcibly displaced, adding that the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps have been completely emptied due to Israeli military operations since January 21.

He indicated that the residents of the three camps remain forcibly displaced after these camps have turned into "ghost towns," despite having been "vibrant with life previously." He explained that the Israeli army has continued in recent days to issue new demolition orders under the pretext of "military purposes," noting that the latest of these orders includes the total demolition of 12 buildings in the Jenin camp and partial demolition of 11 other buildings, set to begin on Friday.

Frederick pointed out that March and June of last year witnessed collective demolition orders affecting more than 190 buildings in the Jenin camp, in addition to the destruction of 20 other buildings through controlled explosions in February.

He affirmed that this "systematic destruction contradicts the fundamental principles of international law" and only serves to "enhance the long-term control of the occupying army over the camps."

The UN official emphasized that these areas "need rebuilding, not further destruction," and that "their residents must be allowed to return to their homes and restore their lives."

He clarified that the Israeli army began a wide-scale military operation on January 21, which started from the Jenin camp and then expanded to include the Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps.

These developments come amid a continuous Israeli escalation in the West Bank for more than two years, characterized by incursions, arrests, and assassinations, coinciding with the genocide that began in the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, and has continued for two years.

According to official Palestinian data, Israeli assaults in the West Bank by the army and settlers have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,083 Palestinians, injuries to about 11,000, and the arrest of more than 20,500 individuals since the escalation began.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 4:33 pm - Jerusalem Time

Washington sets the beginning of the year for the deployment of an international force south of the Gaza Strip.

The United States has set mid-January 2026 as the date to begin deploying the international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip, specifically in the Rafah area, where Israeli occupation soldiers are removing mines and remnants of bombs in the relevant areas.

Israeli Channel 14 reported on Thursday: "According to the timeline set by the U.S. administration, the first batch of soldiers from the International Stabilization Force (ISF) is scheduled to arrive in the Gaza Strip in mid-January 2026."

It added: "The force is set to be deployed in the Rafah area (south), and Israeli army soldiers in the region are removing mines and remnants of bombs in the relevant areas."

On November 18, the UN Security Council adopted by majority a U.S. draft resolution regarding the end of the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, which authorizes the establishment of a temporary international force until the end of 2027.

In a general session, 13 members of the council voted in favor of the draft, while Russia and China abstained from voting, allowing the council to adopt the resolution that authorizes the establishment of a "temporary international force to stabilize the Gaza Strip."

According to the Israeli channel, "a senior official at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat (southern Israel) set the end of April as the deadline for completing the disarmament process in the Gaza Strip."

He stated: "Both objectives, especially the second, are extremely ambitious, in addition to being separate from the field situation."

No immediate comment was issued by the United States, Hamas, or the mediators regarding what the Hebrew channel reported.

The Security Council welcomed President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza, issued on September 29, 2025.

It also welcomed the establishment of the Peace Council as a "transitional administrative body with international legal personality responsible for setting the framework and coordinating funding for the reconstruction of Gaza according to the comprehensive plan."

The resolution authorizes member states cooperating with the Peace Council and the council "to establish a temporary international force to stabilize Gaza, deployed under a unified command" accepted by the council, according to the United Nations website.

Washington proposed the draft resolution to complete the stages of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that has been in effect since October 10.

The agreement halted a genocide initiated by Israel on October 8, 2023, in Gaza with U.S. support, which lasted for two years, resulting in approximately 70,000 Palestinian martyrs, around 171,000 injured, and massive destruction affecting 90 percent of civilian infrastructure.

The United States is still in contact with several countries to ensure their participation in the international stabilization force.

OPINIONS

Thu 27 Nov 2025 9:26 am - Jerusalem Time

Functional sharing between the occupation army and the settlers' army!

Ibrahim Malham

Ibrahim Malham

Opinion Writer

"The situation has gone out of control," this is how political and military leaders in Israel justify their "inability" to stop the terrorism of settlers against the residents of villages and towns across the West Bank. This terrorism is fueled by systematic complicity that allows perpetrators to carry out acts of killing and intimidation, confiscate land, steal olive harvests, and prevent farmers from cultivating their land.
Since the early hours of yesterday, under an air cover that involved Apache and reconnaissance aircraft, alongside the deployment of three brigades of the army, a rolling military operation is taking place in Tubas, Tamun, Tayaseer, Aqaba, the Al-Far'a camp, the Wadi Al-Far'a, and the Bedouin encampments. Meanwhile, occupation soldiers forced many families to leave their homes until further notice, converting them into military barracks, while the educational process in an area inhabited by about 60,000 citizens came to a halt.
In Tubas, as in Gaza, the excuses are endless. The wide-scale incursion harbors political rather than security objectives, aiming to delineate borders and establish buffer zones separating Tubas from the northern Jordan Valley, in preparation for annexing the food basket of Palestine, along with its underground water resources, and imposing realities with the arrogance of power, in a frantic race among right-wing parties on the eve of the upcoming elections.
In the visible scenes on the ground, the intention is clear to undermine everything that arose from the Oslo Agreement, starting with drying up financial resources, confiscating clearance funds, striking the national economy by severing the relationship between Palestinian banks and Israeli banks at the end of this month, moving on to imposing control over the rural perimeter of cities, which is managed by the settlers' army, culminating in city centers that are subjected to daily incursions, confiscation, abuse, destruction of property, and executions, with both armies alternating in killing children and young people.

OPINIONS

Thu 27 Nov 2025 9:23 am - Jerusalem Time

Phase Two Meetings of Trump's Plan

Hamada Farane

Hamada Farane

Opinion Writer

The meeting hosted by Cairo for the parties of the Arab Islamic mediation that paved the way for the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip certainly addressed the two phases of the ceasefire: the first phase, which was on the verge of ending, thus imposing itself on the evaluation table by Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, along with contributions, in one way or another, from the other participating parties from the eight Arab and Islamic countries. It also focused on the obstacles and challenges that have hindered the time period since the ceasefire decision on 9/10/2025, made by the Israeli colonial government, whose leader Netanyahu has no interest in a ceasefire, as he would be forced to form an investigative committee that would lead him to trial. To evade this, he found justifications and excuses to continue the killing and bombing to this day, contradicting the content and directions of Security Council Resolution 2803, which carried President Trump's plan for a ceasefire.
The attendees in Cairo also laid the groundwork for movement and directions that can be relied upon and approved to begin implementing the second phase.
Different concepts and visions will impose themselves on the content and steps of the second phase: First, the extent of the powers of the Peace Council that the American president called for establishing; second, the powers of international forces—are they to impose security or to disarm the resistance? Third, the powers of the Palestinian independent temporary government; fourth, the formation of the Palestinian police force; fifth, the extent of the withdrawal of the occupying colonial forces—when, how, and its borders; sixth, the role of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and its connection with the temporary administration; seventh, opening the border crossings, supervising them, and improving the level of essential services in response to the urgent needs of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, after the journeys of death first and hunger second. These are issues that will not be easily resolved or bypassed, but will cause a political clash with the Americans, given the bias of Arab and Islamic countries towards Palestine and the Americans' bias towards the Israeli colony.
The first phase was characterized as a result of the Israeli failure and defeat in the battle of October 7 and its repercussions, and the invasion of the occupying forces of the Gaza Strip, which resulted in killing, starvation, and the distortion of Palestinian society. This led to American intervention to save Netanyahu's government from failure, marking the second phase, which can be described as one of intense congestion and political engagement despite the continuation of intermittent Israeli killings of Palestinians. However, the second phase will depend on the results of the first phase, and the intensity of political engagement will increase to produce a state of neither victory nor defeat for either side, imposing a state of balance between Palestinians and Israelis through negotiations, applications, and political engagement by the Americans on one side and the eight Arab and Islamic countries on the other.
From here, the importance of the meetings and gatherings in Cairo emerges to establish a common ground for understanding among the attendees so that they can be united in dealing with the Americans.

OPINIONS

Thu 27 Nov 2025 9:22 am - Jerusalem Time

Seizing 77 dunams east of Jerusalem: Dangerous implications and dimensions

Dr. Ismail Al-Muslim

Dr. Ismail Al-Muslim

Opinion Writer

The Israeli occupation army issued an order to seize more than 77 dunams of land in the neighborhoods of Al-Zaim and Al-Eisawiya east of Jerusalem, in a new step that comes as part of a systematic expansionist policy aimed at imposing permanent realities on the ground and changing the geographical and demographic landscape of the city. This confiscation is not a fleeting event; rather, it is a link in a long settlement project that seeks to encircle Palestinian neighborhoods and connect settlements to each other, serving the Israeli vision of a "Greater Jerusalem."
The seized area is located in a highly sensitive region, between the Ma'ale Adumim settlement to the east and the French Hill and Hebrew University area to the west. By seizing it, Israel moves one step closer to achieving the E1 plan, which aims to connect settlement blocs and turn East Jerusalem into a completely besieged area. This settlement connection directly undermines any future possibility of establishing a geographically contiguous Palestinian state and reinforces the separation of the northern West Bank from the south, which practically means undermining any political solution based on the two-state principle.
Declared and undeclared objectives:
- Expanding settlements: The decision comes as part of a plan to expand Israeli colonies around East Jerusalem, which enhances the settlement project and increases geographical connectivity between the settlements.
- Imposing security control: Some reports indicate that part of the land may be used for security or military purposes, such as creating roads or observation points.
- Gradual annexation: The decision aims at a serious escalation in annexation and Judaization policies, which seek to change the Arab and Islamic character of the city.
- Emptying Palestinian residents: Alongside the confiscation, demolition and stop-work orders have been issued for about 30 homes in the two towns, reflecting a systematic policy to empty the area of its Palestinian residents.
The broader political context:
- This step comes within the framework of long-term Israeli policies aimed at reducing the Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem and solidifying Israeli control over it as part of "unified Jerusalem."
- These measures are considered part of plans for Judaization and ethnic cleansing, according to Palestinian and international organizations.
Alongside the political dimension, the step carries profound demographic implications. The confiscation of land from Al-Zaim and Al-Eisawiya deepens the housing crisis in these two towns, which are already suffering from strict construction restrictions, repeated demolition orders, and infrastructure problems resulting from the ongoing security siege. Seizing more land means tightening the noose around Palestinian residents, depriving them of natural expansion, and pushing them towards unannounced forced displacement, within the context of an Israeli policy aimed at reducing the Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem and increasing Jewish numerical superiority.
This decision comes at a charged regional and international moment, amid increasing international scrutiny of Israeli policies in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Nevertheless, the occupation once again shows that it is determined to entrench its control over the city, indifferent to criticism or diplomatic initiatives. The step carries a clear message: Israel will not wait for political settlements or negotiations, but will continue to draw its own borders through settlement and confiscation.
In conclusion, the seizure of 77 dunams represents a new link in the project of tightening control over East Jerusalem and entrenching a settlement reality that obstructs any just political solution, transforming Palestinian neighborhoods into isolated islands besieged by settlements, walls, and barriers. These policies not only change the geography but also strike at the social and demographic fabric of the Palestinian people in the heart of the occupied capital.

OPINIONS

Thu 27 Nov 2025 9:21 am - Jerusalem Time

Who controls the narrative of the failures of October 7: politicians or the military?

Nabhan Khreisha

Nabhan Khreisha

Opinion Writer

The dispute between Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir takes on a dimension that goes beyond mere administrative discussion or professional disagreement; it fundamentally reflects a deep crisis of trust between the political and military levels in Israel, at a sensitive stage where the repercussions of October 7 still cast heavy shadows over Israel and its institutions. It may seem strange that this clash has erupted between two men who have long been classified as among the most loyal figures to Benjamin Netanyahu personally, but the irony reveals the depth of the rift caused by the shock of the attack, and the failure of the system to anticipate, prevent, or respond to it in a timely manner.
Since Katz ordered a review of the external investigation conducted by retired General Sami Turjeman regarding the failures of October 7, tensions have taken a sharper form, as Zamir saw the move as a clear attempt to politicize the report or to question the professionalism that went into months of effort collecting testimonies from officers, operational documents, and analyzing the flaws that struck intelligence, operational, and organizational levels. The situation reached its peak when Zamir announced that the reviewed investigation does not belong to politics, but is a professional document prepared for the army to draw lessons from and correct its mistakes, while Katz, on the other hand, emphasizes that his responsibility as Minister of Defense requires him not to allow procedures that may wrong officers or burden others with what they cannot bear or exceed the elected political level.
In this charged atmosphere, a crisis of dismissals and freezes erupted; Zamir made the decision to dismiss a group of senior officers due to their failure to manage their units on the eve of the attack, during the first forty-eight hours, which left a large number of casualties and hostages. He based his decision on the recommendations of the Turjeman Committee, which described the errors of the southern command, intelligence, and tactical units as structural and deep. Katz's response was no less sharp when he announced a freeze on senior military appointments for a full month, a move seen by many as an attempt to place the army under direct political pressure, while Katz viewed it as a necessary measure for comprehensive review and to prevent the army from slipping into hasty actions under the pressure of public anger and the desire to offer scapegoats.
The clash did not stop there; Zamir made an unprecedented statement when he called for the formation of an independent non-governmental investigative committee, with full powers to investigate not only the army's performance but also the performance of the political level before and during the attack. This statement is capable of igniting a constitutional crisis within Israel, as it touches on a red line that chiefs of staff have avoided for decades; namely, holding politicians directly accountable for security failures. Nevertheless, Zamir did not back down, but rather affirmed that the moment Israel is going through is "historic," and that the army cannot be reformed from within without correcting the flaws in the political decision-making processes that ignored repeated intelligence warnings and encouraged the diversion of army resources to tasks far from monitoring the Gaza borders.
This proposal faced sharp rejection from Katz, who reminded Zamir that the political authority is the one that determines the directions of the military institution, and that the army is part of the state, not an independent entity imposing its conditions on the government. It seems that the minister is trying to recalibrate the relationship that he sees has begun to lean towards excessive military intervention in the political sphere, especially after reports surfaced about senior officers advising behind the scenes to hold early elections or change Netanyahu's approach. Despite the denial from the military command of these reports, they heightened Katz's sensitivity, who fears that the investigation into October 7 will be used as a tool to weaken or confuse the government.
At its core, the current crisis cannot be separated from the broader political context. Netanyahu is going through one of the most complex phases of his rule; opinion polls have indicated for months that he is losing significant popularity to figures from the right and center, and even from within Likud itself. When public pressure from the families of the dead and hostages was mounting, October 7 turned into a real test for every political player. If the government has tried from the beginning to shift responsibility onto the army, the military leadership is now trying to restore the equation to its natural place: acknowledging the mistakes of the military institution, in exchange for demanding an investigation into the responsibilities of the political leadership. This is something Netanyahu cannot bear given the fragility of his government and his judicial situation.
The disagreement between Zamir and Katz is not just a struggle over a report, but a struggle over the narrative: who owns the explanation of what happened? Who determines responsibilities? And who leads the process of drawing lessons that will shape the state in the post-October 7 phase? Many Israeli analysts have seen Katz's move to freeze military appointments as fundamentally an attempt to clip Zamir's wings before he becomes an independent power center capable of threatening Netanyahu's position or pushing him toward actual political accountability, especially since Zamir enjoys

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 9:05 am - Jerusalem Time

A Palestinian dead in the West Bank as the occupation continues its military operation in Tubas.

A Palestinian youth was martyred by the occupation forces in the town of Qabatiya in northern West Bank, coinciding with the ongoing military operation of the occupation army in the Tubas governorate.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health stated that the young man, Osama Yasser Kmeil, was martyred last night by the occupation's bullets in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.

At the same time, the occupation army continues its military operation in Tubas for the second consecutive day, targeting 5 areas in the governorate by deploying large forces, conducting raids, searches, and detaining Palestinians.

A reporter reported that 15 Palestinians were injured as a result of assaults by the occupation, including an elderly man over 80 years old, and the occupation detained 70 others yesterday, Wednesday.

The director of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Tubas, Nidal Odeh, stated that the occupation obstructed ambulances from reaching the town of Tamoun, where a military checkpoint was established at the town's entrance, and crews and patients were searched.

The occupation forces announced the killing of 3 Palestinians and the injury of 10 others following hours of launching their military operation in Tubas yesterday morning, Wednesday.

The occupation forces imposed a curfew and siege on the city of Tubas, the Al-Far'a camp, and the villages of Aqaba, Tamoun, and Tayaseer, in addition to several gatherings and areas in the northern Jordan Valley.

Many homes were raided, and some were turned into military barracks.

The Israeli occupation army had announced the start of a wide military operation in the area in cooperation with the internal security service (Shabak) and border guards, involving fighters, helicopters, and drones.

Based on what it claimed was intelligence information about activities suspected of being linked to armed Palestinian organizations and monitoring the establishment of infrastructure to target the army.

The Maariv newspaper quoted sources in the army stating that the operation came after monitoring an increase in attempts to carry out Palestinian operations in recent weeks.

There was a movement aimed at re-establishing armed brigades.

The occupation army stated that special forces are combing dozens of buildings and interrogating suspected Palestinians in the area, confirming that the operation will continue "to prevent the entrenchment of terrorism and eliminate any security threat."

In contrast, the governor of Tubas, Ahmad Al-As'ad, stated that what is happening is the implementation of the "Alon" settlement project, imposing new realities and controlling Palestinian lands.

In other developments, the occupation forces carried out raids and arrests at dawn today in the cities of Qalqilya and Tulkarem in northern West Bank.

Palestinian media reported that occupation soldiers raided a house in the Kafr Saba neighborhood in Qalqilya, as well as stormed the Dhannaba suburb east of Tulkarem.

Earlier, a reporter stated that Israeli forces, accompanied by military reinforcements and bulldozers, stormed the city of Tulkarem and headed towards the Nur Shams camp, where they carried out expansion and leveling operations in the camp.

In the Shuafat camp north of occupied Jerusalem, a Palestinian youth was injured by the bullets of the occupation forces during their incursion into the camp.

The Palestinian news agency reported from the Jerusalem governorate that a young man was injured by rubber-coated metal bullets fired by the occupation forces during their incursion into the entrance of Shuafat camp.

On another note, armed settlers assaulted homes and properties of Palestinians in various areas of the West Bank.

The assaults included the town of Silwad east of Ramallah, the Arab Al-Rashayda gathering southeast of Bethlehem, the town of Beita south of Nablus, and the villages of Jorish and Khillat Al-Hums.

The settlers carried out their assaults under the protection of the occupation forces, which prevented citizens from defending themselves and used tear gas to disperse them.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 8:34 am - Jerusalem Time

Israeli airstrikes and demolition operations in Gaza, Rafah, and Khan Youn

The Israeli occupation army launched airstrikes early Thursday in the areas it occupies east of Gaza City and in Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, coinciding with demolition operations of residential buildings.

Israeli warplanes carried out several strikes on the Al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City, while the army executed demolition operations on buildings in that area, the echoes of which were heard across wide parts of the city.

In Khan Younis, the occupation carried out airstrikes and demolition operations on residential buildings in the town of Bani Suheila east of the city, and in other areas east of Rafah, according to eyewitnesses.

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 5:59 am - Jerusalem Time

Hamas sends a message to the mediators regarding the besieged fighters in Rafah.

The Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" condemned the Israeli occupation's pursuit of its fighters trapped in the tunnels of Rafah for their elimination, asserting that this constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire.

The movement stated in a statement that it has made significant efforts to resolve their issue, but the Israeli occupation undermined them, calling on mediators to act quickly to bring them back.

Hamas added that "the brutal crime committed by the occupation through the pursuit, elimination, and arrest of the mujahideen trapped in the tunnels of Rafah city is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a damning evidence of the ongoing attempts to undermine and destroy this agreement."

It pointed out that Hamas "has made significant efforts throughout the past month with various political leaders and mediators to resolve the fighters' issue and return them to their homes, and has presented specific ideas and mechanisms to address this problem."

The statement also clarified that Hamas presented this "in full communication with the mediators and the American administration as one of the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement, but the occupation undermined all these efforts, prioritizing the language of killing, crime, pursuit, and arrest, thwarting the efforts of the mediators who worked hard with various international parties to put an end to the suffering of these heroic fighters."

Hamas held the Israeli occupation "fully responsible for the lives of our mujahideen," calling on "the brother mediators to take urgent action to pressure the occupation to allow our sons to return to their homes, as they are a unique model of sacrifice, heroism, and patience, and a symbol of the dignity and freedom of the Palestinian people."

Earlier, the Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz" highlighted the latest developments regarding the Hamas fighters trapped in Rafah city in southern Gaza Strip, quoting statements from officers in the occupation army confirming that the fighters do not surrender.

The newspaper quoted one Israeli officer with the rank of colonel, stating that Hamas fighters do not surrender, despite the army's use of aerial and ground means to strike them, noting that some have been killed and others arrested, but locating them is extremely complicated.

The officer indicated that the militants were likely part of a force belonging to Hamas in Rafah, but the army did not confront them initially.

He pointed to a pile of rubble that appears to have been a former building, confirming that the fighters are not in a single tunnel, but in a vast network of tunnels, and their routes and openings must be identified.

He mentioned that "the goal the Israeli army seeks to achieve is to force the militants to gather in one underground point and attack them if they refuse to surrender," emphasizing at the same time that they do not surrender after two years of war, and the army continues to search in the tunnels, a task that cannot end.

He confirmed that "our primary mission here is to kill or capture the militants inside the tunnels in this area," claiming that "most of the fighters are underground. Some come up to breathe or to bring equipment and food, but we use many combat methods to find and strike them."

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 3:03 am - Jerusalem Time

An Israeli call for the establishment of a Palestinian state out of fear of dangerous alternatives to the security of the occupation.

Despite the official Israeli rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the efforts made by the government to prevent its establishment, there are other Israeli voices that consider that continuing to reject this just demand means that the matter will become a "ticking time bomb," as the absence of a Palestinian state may create a reality of extremism and international pressure.

Danit Barbibay, an expert in education, society, and public awareness, mentioned that "Israeli discussions about the Palestinian state have been ongoing for years, but in recent weeks it has taken center stage; some Israelis want to see it as a historic opportunity, while others view it as a security threat. However, the reality is much more complex, where hope meets reality. When talking about a Palestinian state, the first voice that is heard is the security voice; any sovereign land that fails to build strong governance may quickly become a space for hostile organizations' activities."

She added in an article published by Maariv, translated by "Arabi21," that "we saw what happened in the Gaza Strip when Hamas filled the governmental void, because once a sovereign entity is established, the army's freedom to operate on its territory changes, and preemptive actions become controversial on the international stage. In this case, Israel cannot operate for long in a reality where any legitimate response is met with a wave of accusations."

She pointed out that "besides that, there is the international dynamic; from the moment of declaring the state, even if it is a limited declaration, a new wave of demands, timelines, and commitments begins, long before the reality on the ground is ready for it. This is even before we address the internal Palestinian complexity, as the Palestinian society is deeply divided: weak leadership, rivalries, corruption, lack of trust, and absence of stable security apparatuses."

She clarified that "the establishment of a Palestinian state is not a magic wand that solves problems; on the contrary, it may exacerbate them and turn them into a direct threat to the occupation. We must remember that decades of political stagnation have created deep despair on the Palestinian side, and despair is not a static condition but fuel that feeds extremism. Without a horizon, hostile organizations receive favorable winds."

Barbibay added that "the international arena is also changing, and a young generation is emerging in the United States and Europe with a simplistic view. To them, the ongoing stagnation appears as a reluctance to change. If Israel does not manage the situation properly, the price will continue to rise year after year, in every election campaign and in every discussion at the United Nations. Thus, establishing a Palestinian state without strict and clear security conditions is like a ticking bomb, but even the absence of a Palestinian state may create a reality of extremism and increasing international pressures."

The writer concluded by stating that "Israel bears a grave security responsibility, and no system can be established without security, but it will not last long if there remains a void on the other side that generates frustration, which may produce hostile generations that recycle hatred and violence against Israelis. Therefore, the collapse of a Palestinian state, or the absence of any horizon, pushes the entire region towards explosion, posing a real danger to Israel, which needs to create a stable and secure reality for itself in the coming decade, while at the same time providing Palestinians with a real opportunity to begin to emerge from the cycle of terror and despair that has always returned to Israelis."

PALESTINE

Thu 27 Nov 2025 12:50 am - Jerusalem Time

Sanders calls for urgent U.S. action to ensure aid reaches Gaza.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders issued an urgent call yesterday, Wednesday, demanding that President Donald Trump's administration pressure Israel to immediately allow full humanitarian aid to Gaza as winter weather conditions worsen.

In a statement published on the platform X, Sanders noted that more than one million displaced Palestinians lack shelter and basic supplies, with 92% of housing destroyed, while Benjamin Netanyahu's government continues to restrict the entry of tents and other aid into Gaza—including food—in violation of the ceasefire.

According to the government media office in Gaza, about 1.5 million displaced Palestinians across the sector are still living in catastrophic conditions with extremely limited access to basic needs and vital services due to the ongoing Israeli blockade.

Palestinian authorities estimate that Gaza needs approximately 300,000 tents and prefabricated housing units to cover the most urgent shelter needs following the extensive destruction of infrastructure during two years of continuous bombardment.

The humanitarian crisis persists despite the ceasefire agreement signed on October 10, which clearly stipulated the reopening of crossings and allowing the entry of shelter materials, including tents and mobile homes.

Palestinian officials say that Israel has not fulfilled these commitments despite repeated appeals, and these developments exacerbate the devastating toll of the conflict that began in October 2023, which has resulted in nearly 70,000 martyrs and 171,000 injured, according to local health authorities, with most victims being women and children.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 11:19 pm - Jerusalem Time

An American writer warns: The reconstruction of Gaza should not be a gateway to expanding the Israeli occupation.

An article published by National Interest magazine stated that U.S. policies allow Israel to violate the ceasefire and exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump supports misguided reconstruction plans that reinforce occupation and support its expansion.

Writer and foreign policy analyst Alexander Langlois pointed out that Washington has not seriously addressed the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, but preferred to focus on projects that rebuild areas designated only for Israelis, leaving Palestinians trapped in devastated areas suffering from a lack of aid and basic services.

He explained that the idea of "alternative safe communities" - which the administration intends to build - is nothing more than a rebranding of detention camps for Palestinians, where residents are prevented from moving under the control of Israeli forces or potential international forces, in clear violation of international law and principles of human security.

He asserted that the real goal of this plan is not to protect civilians, but to pressure the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to disarm by using aid as a political weapon, while keeping Palestinians in narrow and deprived areas, serving the continuation of Israeli control over the occupied territories.

Langlois noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that his forces would not withdraw before disarming Hamas, despite this contradicting the ceasefire agreement.

Israel has also adopted an indirect displacement plan by controlling food and shelters, and exploiting "safe" areas to encourage displacement towards besieged areas under Israeli control.

The writer believes that entrenching the current "yellow line" that separates areas under Hamas control from those under Israeli control in Gaza is a "recipe for perpetual war," which does not serve U.S. interests.

A war like this would deepen U.S. involvement in the Middle East, which could distract Washington from major concerns at home and in other parts of the world.

Any decision to deepen U.S. involvement in Gaza through blatant unilateral support for Israel - especially when it supports failed and illegal policies that kill civilians - does not reflect the behavior of an administration genuinely interested in achieving peace, according to the article.

The writer - who is the editor-in-chief of "Down" political magazine - reminded that the U.S.- and Israeli-backed "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" has failed in its mission, exacerbating famine within the sector instead of contributing to its resolution, and collected intelligence on Palestinians.

Israel killed more than two thousand Palestinians near alleged aid sites, according to the writer, while the foundation justified the killings as unrelated to its operations, blaming Hamas for the deaths.

The article argues that this is neither integrity nor neutrality, but complicity at the expense of civilian lives.

The article criticized the continued investment and support of the United Nations for initiatives like the foundation, alongside Trump's ceasefire plan, which will not lead to sustainable peace in the region and prioritizes Israeli interests at the expense of Palestinian civilians.

The writer concluded that the unbalanced political relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv drives the United States to make decisions that serve Israeli interests at the expense of international law and Palestinian rights.

The real solution is to pressure Israel to respect the ceasefire, withdraw completely, and work towards the establishment of a Palestinian state without preconditions.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 10:51 pm - Jerusalem Time

UN agencies: Rain has flooded thousands of tents in Gaza.

United Nations relief agencies stated on Wednesday that families in the Gaza Strip are facing harsh humanitarian conditions that are rapidly deteriorating with the onset of winter.

The agencies reported that the basic infrastructure in the region 'remains destroyed,' and emphasized that shelters in camps and temporary centers 'are extremely fragile and do not provide protection for Palestinians whose homes have been destroyed or who cannot return to their areas.'

The same bodies recorded that more than two million Palestinians are now crowded into less than half the area of the Gaza Strip, while most of the displaced lack adequate shelter materials to protect them from rain and wind, following a war that left widespread destruction in residential areas.

They noted that unstable weather and heavy rains in recent days have led to thousands of tents being flooded, posing a direct threat to families, especially children.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at his press conference in New York that many Palestinian families are living in 'poorly equipped shelters, exposed to flooding, which inevitably makes people vulnerable to stormy weather.'

He confirmed that the UN and its partners are doing everything they can to alleviate the problem, but the humanitarian operation 'still faces systematic obstruction of essential supplies,' as well as a ban on the work of major relief organizations, including some non-governmental organizations that are partners of the UN.

Relief organizations warned that worsening winter conditions could increase health risks for the population amid a severe shortage of basic services and ongoing obstruction of aid delivery, while displaced families struggle to adapt to an increasingly harsh humanitarian reality day by day.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 9:32 pm - Jerusalem Time

Hebrew media: The occupation army is preparing for a rubble removal operation and the formation of a "New Gaza" under American pressure.

The Hebrew broadcasting authority reported extensive military and administrative preparations by the occupying army in the Gaza Strip. These preparations revolve around the introduction of heavy equipment to Rafah to begin the process of debris removal, alongside plans to establish new administrative areas, all of which comes as a result of American pressure.

The authority quoted informed sources stating that the occupying army is preparing to launch a large-scale operation in the city of Rafah, where heavy equipment will be introduced to clear the rubble and debris. The authority noted that this step represents a result of American pressure on the occupation to prepare for the next phase of Trump's plan.

These developments are part of a scheme to establish new areas that will be managed outside Hamas's rule, amid increasing American pressure to begin implementing the second phase of Trump's plan. The broadcasting authority added that the preparations include the establishment of a new humanitarian area for thousands of Palestinians, which will be called 'New Gaza.'

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 9:02 pm - Jerusalem Time

The genocide war has erased 69 years of development in Gaza.. and UN warnings of an economic collapse.

The United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese, stated that a new UN report concluded that the Israeli war on Gaza has erased 69 years of human development, destroying healthcare systems, education, infrastructure, and even banks.

Albanese wrote in a post on X that this represents the worst economic collapse ever recorded, adding that the destruction witnessed in Palestine since October 2023 has unleashed successive crises—economic, humanitarian, environmental, and social—pushing the occupied Palestinian territories from a lack of development to complete devastation.

The United Nations warned of an unprecedented collapse of the Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, confirming that the two-year war has erased the impact of decades of development, pushing Gaza into a state of total destruction.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 8:52 pm - Jerusalem Time

Under the title "Five Stones": The occupation launches a wide operation and besieges 70,000 Palestinians in Tubas.

The wide-ranging aggression on the province of Tubas and its surroundings continues, as the Israeli occupation army announced the start of a large military operation dubbed "Five Stones" in the northern West Bank.

The occupation clarified that forces from the commando units and the Shomron and Menashe brigades, supported by the air force, began the operation after intelligence monitoring of attempts to establish armed infrastructure.

The province of Tubas has been witnessing extensive aggression since the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, during which the occupation sent large military reinforcements to the city and its villages, leading to a near-total movement ban.

The governor of Tubas, Ahmad Al-As'ad, stated that the occupation "has begun an operation that will last for days," and "paralyzed the movement of the province" by erecting earthen barriers, indicating that about 70,000 Palestinians are "trapped inside their homes."

The aggression included the villages of Aqaba, Tammun, and Tayaseer, and the education directorate announced the suspension of schools and kindergartens.

The forces began aerial bombardment "to isolate and encircle the area," then proceeded to comb through dozens of buildings and conduct field investigations, claiming to have found a "monitoring room" and confiscated money.

Field testimonies reported that the occupation forces stormed dozens of homes and expelled their residents before turning some into "military barracks."

The occupation army claimed that it "eliminated 3 militants" who had previously participated in attacks on its forces, asserting that the operation was an extension of the activities of the "Duvdevan" and "Yamam" units.

The Red Crescent teams in Tubas confirmed that they dealt with an injury to an 85-year-old man who was severely beaten.

In a serious incident, the occupation forces arrested a wounded Palestinian from inside a Red Crescent ambulance at the entrance of the town of Tammun.

The forces also prevent crews from reaching a child injured by burns in the town of Tayaseer.

The occupation emphasized that it "will continue proactive work to prevent the entrenchment of terrorism in the region."

This operation confirms the continuation of the policy of extensive incursions and targeting the infrastructure of resistance while imposing a tight siege on the residents of the province.

OPINIONS

Wed 26 Nov 2025 12:09 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Conditions for Winning the Next Elections in Israel

Elections are won by politicians who inspire hope. Voters want to elect people who provide them with a sense of positive emotions from the moment that they cast their ballot. We don’t want to enter the polling place with a dilemma regarding who is less likely to disappoint me. We have to believe that the people we elect will make our lives better, safer, and more peaceful. In the United States it might be about the economy. In Israel it is about who has a vision and a plan to keep us safe from the strategic dangers that we face – this primarily focuses on the relations of Israel with the Palestinians and also the demise of our liberal democracy that has been brought to us by Netanyahu and his governments. At least that is what concerns those of us who want to remove Netanyahu and his coalition from power.

 

There is an axiom that we have to face and accept – even more so after the war in Gaza, even with October 7 in our daily consciousness – Israel will never have security if the Palestinians do not have freedom, and the Palestinians will never have freedom if Israel does not have security.  That is the equation that we must come to terms with. Another axion aligned with this is that peace will never be built based on walls and fences that separate the two peoples that share this land from the river to the sea.

 

Peace has become an almost non-existent word on our political vocabularies because it is so difficult to imagine a reality of peace - after the failure of Olso, after the violence of the second intifada, after the failures of disengagement from Gaza, after October 7. All of those failures are at the hands of political leaders who rejected the objective of leading us to genuine peace. They feared peace because they refused to relinquish control over parts of the land. They refused to implement obligations within agreements that were signed even by their own governments. The leaders on both sides failed to lead to peace as they enhanced conflict narratives and realities and rode the waves of fear, suspicion, racism which stroked the flames of violence on both sides of the conflict. This was also all inspired by distorted versions of theology which sanctified martyrdom and myths of land ownership granted by the God they speak to.

 

The forces working against us

We face very powerful forces in our elections in Israel. We have to challenge a cult leadership that manipulates political alignments in ways that political leaders who actually hate each other end up running together. We have to confront a large population of ultra-orthodox who receive religious dictums instructing them on who to vote for, with almost zero self-thought and personal assessment. This is combined with a demographic reality that lowers our chances of winning from the outset. These very powerful forces and trends need to be confronted with political wisdom and savvy that forces us to step over lines that were thought to be red-lines until now.

 

 

 

Unite

Lapid, Eizencott, and Golan must unite into one election block that runs together.  The most important thing that could save Israel is to run as one list and to come out as the largest list in these elections. Uniting these parties into one list is a huge challenge in which egos and sometimes ideologies block the way. There is no room for not uniting because of nuance differences between these parties. They all agree on saving Israel’s liberal democracy, protecting the judicial system, ensuring that the media is free. They all agree that Israeli society and political life must be based on the values delineated in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. They all agree that all Israel citizens must serve the country either in the military, the police, or a national or civil service. They all agree that Israel must be a society based on the equality of all of its citizens. They all believe that Israel must seek peace with all of its neighbors. They all should agree to the axion of security and freedom written above. They can find enough of a shared ideological base to run together and then after they win, they can function as separate factions within the Knesset – but first they must win.

 

Unite

We cannot remove Netanyahu from power if the Arab parties do not unite into one list as the center and center left in Israel must do as well. In order to beat Netanyahu and his coalition the Arab participation in voting must rise to at least 70%. If the Arab united party gets 15+ seats, Netanyahu will lose the elections. There aredifferences between the various Arab parties, but they all share the most important imperative that Netanyahu must never serve as Prime Minister again. After the elections, they can negotiate separately with the party selected by the President to form a new coalition. As we know, there are Arab leaders who want to be part of the coalition and government and there are those who wish to serve from the opposition. But first they must run together and then recommend to the President that whoever heads the list that will win from the current opposition forces will be supported to form a new government. They must continue to vote confidence in the new government, even when there are differences of opinion because the danger of another right-wing Netanyahu led government is too great to all of us – Jews and Arabs alike.

 

Unite

The Jewish parties that must unite from the center-left and the left must declare that the 21% of Israel’s citizens, the Arab community of Israel, are legitimate and their votes count. The next government must include Arab parties because we are a society that believes in equality of all of the citizens. We will have a government that will advance the Trump plan that includes a clear path towards a Palestinian state. The international community will continue to support and to pressure Israel and the Palestinians to accept the two-states solution. The next government of Israel must treat all of its citizens with equality and measures must be taken to put an end the threat of organized crime that murders so many Arab citizens without most of the murderers being brought to justice.  The next government must double the investment in education, especially in those parts of our educational systems that have been left behind and pushed back because of coalition priorities that shifted public money because of pure electoral concerns.

 

Inspire hope

War creates fear and is a tool of political control.  Peace seems elusive and far away, almost impossible. But we must change the discussion and understand that a vision of peace which is not detached from reality can inspire. We must begin to understand that the two-states solution saves Israel – it does not threaten Israel’s existence. The non-existence of a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel threatens Israel’s existence. There will be no two-states solutions without deep and genuine cooperation between the State of Israel and the future State of Palestine. Our Israeli-Palestinian negotiated agreement will be based on wide regional cooperation on security and economic development that will provide guarantees for security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Israel’s regional integration will strengthen Israel in every way conceivable and that is fully dependent on Israel’s agreement to allow Palestinians to achieve their self-determination in a state next to Israel between the river and the sea.  Israel cannot be the democratic nation-state of the Jewish people, and all of its citizens, if the Israeli control over the Palestinian people continues. The values of a liberal democracy do not coincide with the denial of the Palestinian people’s right and desire for freedom. If our leaders want to inspire hope it is not enough to only speak about separation from the Palestinian people. They must speak about a two-states solution living in peace as good neighbors.

 

 

Israel and the World

As a nation we will continue to face an angry world that sees Israel as a state that committed war crimes in Gaza. Boycotts against Israel will spread further as Gaza begins to open up to the world. Israelis will feel less welcome almost everywhere they go. Antisemitism will continue to rise around the world. The only way to change Israel’s place in the world is by accepting a peace directive as a guiding principle for the next government. The next government of Israel that will be elected by uniting political forces and understanding that we cannot win without Jewish-Arab cooperation and coalition building will have to place an emphasis on the primary goal of ensuring security through peace. This includes keeping Israel and the IDF strong. But it also includes the recognition that Israel’s strength is only fully achieved through the strong regional and international alliances that we will have as a nation working towards peace with our Palestinian neighbors.  The political strategists guiding the campaign will poll and find convincing arguments to the leaders that talking about peace and talking about the Palestinians and their rights will lose votes. This is what they always say and they are always wrong. People will not vote for a political party that echoes the false militaristic slogans of Netanyahu, Leiberman, and Bennett. Israel will not have security by following in the footsteps of the failed leaders that we have had for too long.  The war in Gaza must be the last war and that must be the message of those who seek to replace Netanyahu.

 

Winning the elections

Two campaign issues that will probably top the agenda are the establishment of a national commission of inquiry on October 7, what led to October 7 and the dysfunctional Israeli government after October 7. The second issue is the drafting of Ultra-Orthodox into the army and national service. These two issues do not distinguish our values from those of Lieberman and Bennett.  Lieberman and Bennett are annexationists who will continue to sustain the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and probably create an escalation in violence. They are not leaders who provide hope of a better Israel. They might govern better than Netanyahu and probably be less corrupt than Netanyahu, but they will not make Israel a safer place for us and our children. Bennett and Lieberman represent a slightly better version of what has become the Likud of Netanyahu.   They are not our solution; they will remain part of our problem.

 

Yes, we whole heartedly support the establishment of the National Commission of Inquiry and yes, we want a law that will guarantee that all citizens of Israel will serve the country in some form of national-civil service, whether through the military or in a non-military service. What sets us apart from Lieberman and Bennett is our belief and determination to ensure that Israel is a country in which all of its citizens are equal, that Israel is a country that preserve the values of a liberal democracy with a strong judiciary that guarantees our civil and human rights for all – including the minorities, and that Israel is a country that is truly seeking peace with all of our neighbors.  Adopting this agenda is who we can win the next elections.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 6:30 am - Jerusalem Time

Occupation army: We launched a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli occupation army announced in a joint statement with the General Security Service "Shabak" and the Border Police that they have begun a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank area on Wednesday.

The statement confirmed that the army and the General Security Service will not allow militants to establish a foothold in the area, and that they are working proactively to thwart and prevent it.

The occupation army, Shabak, and Border Guard forces began a wide operation last night to thwart resistance activities in the northern West Bank area.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 26 Nov 2025 6:06 am - Jerusalem Time

Initiation of the selection process for the new Secretary-General of the United Nations

The process of selecting the tenth Secretary-General of the United Nations officially began yesterday, Tuesday, with the new appointee set to replace Antonio Guterres starting January 1, 2027.

In a joint message, the Security Council, composed of 15 countries, and the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, made up of 193 countries, called on all member states to submit the names of candidates for the position.

The message stated, "While we express our regret that a woman has never held the position of Secretary-General, and believing in the necessity of ensuring equal opportunities for women and men in accessing senior decision-making positions, we encourage member states to strongly consider nominating women, and we emphasize the importance of regional diversity in the selection of the Secretary-General."

According to Agence France-Presse, some names have begun to circulate informally, including former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi, and Costa Rican Rebecca Greenspan, who currently heads the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The members of the Security Council will begin the selection process by the end of July 2026, and the five permanent members of the council - the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, and France - must agree on a candidate.

The Security Council will submit its official recommendation to the General Assembly to elect the Secretary-General for a term of 5 years starting January 1, 2027, which is renewable once.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 2:25 am - Jerusalem Time

The occupation army talks about developments against the Rafah tunnel fighters.

The Israeli occupation army claimed on Tuesday evening that it killed five Palestinian resistance fighters who 'most likely' emerged from a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army stated, 'During search operations conducted by soldiers in the Rafah area, five armed terrorists were spotted and eliminated; they were likely terrorists who emerged from an underground tunnel belonging to a terrorist organization in eastern Rafah.'

According to several media outlets, dozens of Hamas fighters are trapped in the tunnels of Rafah.

Last Saturday, the spokesperson for the occupation army claimed the assassination and arrest of all fighters belonging to the Al-Qassam Brigades east of Rafah city, in the south of the strip, following hours after announcing the arrest of six of them.

The spokesperson said that 'the army' had assassinated 11 Palestinians and arrested six others from one of the tunnels in eastern Rafah in the last 24 hours.

He announced the conclusion of this file, which had been the subject of discussion between the occupation and the American administration and mediators for weeks.

A delegation from Hamas, headed by the movement's chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, discussed on Sunday during talks in Cairo with the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence, Hassan Rashad, who is engaged in mediation efforts to resolve the conflict, the fate of the 'Rafah fighters' with whom communication had been cut off.

The Israeli army also announced on Tuesday evening that it killed a man who crossed the 'yellow line' that is supposed to mark the boundaries of the area from which Israeli forces withdrew in the Gaza Strip.

The issue of the trapped 'Hamas' fighters in Rafah erupted due to two security incidents following the reaching of an agreement, the first on October 19 and the second on the 28th of the same month, in which Israel claimed clashes occurred with Palestinian militants and accused 'Hamas' of violating the agreement.

However, the 'Al-Qassam Brigades', the armed wing of the 'Hamas' movement, stated in its first response to the clashes that 'communication has been cut off with the remaining members of its groups in Rafah since the return of the war in March of last year.'

A report published by the 'Cairo News' channel previously stated that Israel is trying to exploit this crisis to undermine the ceasefire agreement.

Since mid this month, sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have denied that he made commitments to Washington regarding the trapped 'Hamas' fighters in Rafah.

Israeli officials are calling for the surrender of these fighters and their transfer to Israel for interrogation, or their killing if they refuse to surrender.

Meanwhile, the 'Al-Qassam Brigades' confirmed earlier that 'there is no principle of surrender or handing oneself over to the enemy in our dictionary,' holding Israel responsible for any clashes that occur with its members trapped in Rafah.

For two years since October 8, 2023, the occupation army, with American support, has committed genocide against the Gaza Strip, where about 2.4 million Palestinians live, resulting in more than 69,000 Palestinian martyrs and over 170,000 injured, most of whom are children and women, with reconstruction costs estimated by the United Nations at about 70 billion dollars.

PALESTINE

Wed 26 Nov 2025 1:43 am - Jerusalem Time

The genocide war has erased 69 years of development in Gaza... and UN warnings about the consequences for the economy.

The United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese, stated that a new UN report concluded that the Israeli war on Gaza has erased 69 years of human development, destroying healthcare systems, education, infrastructure, and even banks.

Albanese wrote in a post on X that this represents the worst economic collapse ever recorded, adding that the destruction witnessed in Palestine since October 2023 has unleashed successive crises—economic, humanitarian, environmental, and social—pushing the occupied Palestinian territories from a lack of development to complete devastation.

The United Nations warned of an unprecedented collapse of the Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, confirming that the two-year war has erased the impact of decades of development, pushing Gaza into a state of total destruction.

The report indicated that the widespread destruction caused by the war to infrastructure, productive assets, and vital services has nullified decades of social and economic progress in the Gaza Strip.

The UN report clarified that the per capita GDP of Palestine has declined to the level of 2003, equivalent to a loss of 22 years of development.

The report noted that the resulting economic crisis is among the worst 10 global economic crises since 1960.

It also warned that the extent of the destruction in Gaza means that the region will remain entirely dependent on intensive international support, and that the recovery process may take decades.

It pointed out that the Israeli war has widely destroyed every pillar of survival, including food, shelter, and healthcare, pushing Gaza towards the brink of total collapse.

It confirmed that the reconstruction of Gaza will require more than $70 billion and may extend for decades, amid ongoing destruction and the absence of infrastructure capable of rapid recovery.

The report added that the continuous and systematic destruction casts heavy shadows on Gaza's ability to rebuild itself as a livable area in the future, amidst worsening multidimensional poverty and the humanitarian crisis reaching a stage where the UN has declared famine in some areas.

The report also indicated that Gaza's economy contracted by 87 percent during the years 2023/2024, reducing the per capita GDP to only $161, one of the lowest recorded rates globally.