Mike Huckabee, Trump’s Pick for Israel Ambassador, Approved by Senate Committee, AP via 40/29 TV
“Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the pro-Israel group J Street, which has previously criticized the Biden and Trump administrations’ handling of the war, echoed that sentiment, saying that ‘Huckabee’s views would undermine American interests and the administration’s own stated commitment to pursuit of long-term regional peace and security.’ He added, ‘Mr. Huckabee’s embrace of annexation, extremist settlers and fanatical Christian Zionism stands in stark contrast to the Jewish, democratic values held by the overwhelming majority of our community — and in stark contrast to Israel’s founding values of justice, equality and peace.’”
What Does it Mean to Be Pro-Israel in 2025?, Moment Magazine
In article section [Jeremy Ben-Ami] J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “There is another path, another definition of pro-Israel that, yes, promises security through strength, but even more so through the very hard-nosed diplomacy that’s landed lasting peace deals before, rooted in Israel’s founding values of equality, justice and democracy. I call it the ’23-state solution’—a comprehensive, regional security and economic development agreement that normalizes Israel’s relations with all its neighbors and facilitates meaningful regional cooperation to create and launch a successful Palestinian state next to Israel.”
Some Boston-Area Jews Worry Trump’s University Crackdowns Weaponize Antisemitism, WBUR
“The might of the government is now being used against Tufts University in Medford, where last week a Turkish doctoral student was detained by ICE. Tufts is also one of 60 schools under investigation over claims of ‘antisemitic harassment and discrimination.’ The incident raised questions for Tufts undergrad Meirav Solomon, 22, a daughter of two rabbis. She was recently called to testify before a U.S. Senate hearing on antisemitism, where she accused the Trump administration of ignoring antisemitism from the right. Solomon, who serves on the student board of the liberal Jewish group J Street, told senators antisemitism has actually increased since Trump returned to office.”
Jeremy Burton’s Misguided Response Undermines Civil Liberties, The Times of Israel
“Jeremy Burton, the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston, instead chose to lead with a dangerous and misleading insinuation. His statement regarding the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts student who faced disciplinary action for her pro-Palestinian activism, prioritized vague accusations of antisemitism while only belatedly and half-heartedly acknowledging the importance of protecting civil rights. […] J Street has long argued that we must confront antisemitism in all its forms while simultaneously defending the right to protest Israel’s policies. Burton’s statement, however, subtly but unmistakably contributes to the atmosphere of fear surrounding Palestinian activism.”
Pressing Assault, Israel Shifts the Goal Posts in Gaza, The New York Times
“[Today], the military issued more evacuation warnings for residents of neighborhoods in eastern Gaza City ahead of operations there. But other goals have since emerged: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had ‘moved up a gear’ in Gaza, capturing more territory, hitting militants and carving up the coastal strip.[…] Former hostages have testified that their conditions in captivity only worsened as military pressure increased and that they feared being killed at any moment by their captors or Israeli bombardment.”
Trump Unveils Sweeping Global Tariffs, Including 17% US Import Duty on Israeli Goods, The Times of Israel
“US President Donald Trump unveiled Wednesday a raft of punishing tariffs targeting countries around the world, including some of its closest trading partners, in a move that risks sparking a ruinous trade war. The tariffs include a 17 percent duty on Israeli products imported to the United States. Jerusalem was hit despite Israel seeking to prevent the move with a directive that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signed Tuesday to immediately scrap all remaining tariffs on American imports.”
Hungary Announces Withdrawal From ICC as Netanyahu Arrives for State Visit, Haaretz
“The decision was made public during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s state visit to Hungary – his first trip to Europe since an international arrest warrant was issued against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague last November. Hungary announced at the time that it would not enforce the arrest warrant. ‘The EU member state decided to quit the ICC because it has become political, as its decisions on issuing an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu showed’, Orbán said earlier.”
Israeli Strikes on Gaza Overnight Leaves More Than 50 Palestinians Dead, AP
“Overnight strikes by Israel killed at least 55 people across the Gaza Strip, hospital officials said [today], a day after senior government officials said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and establish a new security corridor across the Palestinian territory. The attacks came as the Israeli military said an independent body would investigate a March 23 operation in which its forces opened fire on ambulances in Gaza. It said it investigates allegations of wrongdoing by its forces and holds them accountable. Rights groups say such investigations are often lacking and that soldiers are rarely punished.”
US House Democrat Blasts Trump for Using ‘Antisemitism’ to Attack Universities, The Guardian
“Representative Jerry Nadler of New York has slammed Donald Trump’s crackdown on American universities in the name of fighting antisemitism, saying that withholding federal funding from schools will ‘not make Jewish students safer’. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Democratic representative said he condemned Trump’s ‘latest attacks on higher education cloaked under the guise of fighting antisemitism’. ‘Once again, the president is weaponizing the real pain American Jews face to advance his desire to wield control over the truth-seeking academic institutions that stand as a bulwark against authoritarianism,’ Nadler said.”
Israel Steps Up Syria Strikes, Says Turkey Aims for ‘Protectorate’, Reuters
“Israel launched airstrikes on military airbases and infrastructure sites in the Syrian cities of Damascus, Hama and Homs on Wednesday, the Israeli military said. Israel bombed facilities of the scientific research centre shortly after Assad was ousted by Islamist rebels on Dec. 8, claiming that the center was used to develop guided missiles and chemical weapons.”
Israeli Hostage Negotiator Ron Dermer Hasn’t Brought Anybody Back. He Can’t or He Won’t?, Haaretz
“Miami-born Ron Dermer, Israel’s strategic affairs minister and Netanyahu’s close confidant, is leading the negotiations for the release of 59 remaining hostages in Gaza, despite never having served in the military or engaged meaningfully with the Israeli public. Since his appointment, no hostages have been freed, raising urgent questions about his competence, accountability, and detachment from the Israeli people whose lives depend on him.”