Starvation in Gaza Divides Many Jewish Americans, NBC News
“‘If you say to people you must be pro-Palestinian or pro-Israel, then we’re condemning ourselves and our kids to a never-ending conflict,’ Ben-Ami said Monday.”
They Are the Destroyers, We Are the Restorers, The Times of Israel
Executive Director of J Street Israel Nadav Tamir writes, “What began as a just war has been hijacked, seized by a government that is half-run like a criminal organization and half-driven by a messianic cult. Together, they are steering us toward the same end: the collapse of our values and, ultimately, of our very existence.”
Explainer: Gaza Humanitarian Aid – Myths and Facts, J Street Policy Center
Former Mission Director for USAID/West Bank-Gaza Lary Garber writes, “Fact: USAID, the IDF and aid groups have not reported any evidence that Hamas has systematically stolen UN aid for resale on the black market. Flooding Gaza with aid would halt any systematic looting and reselling.”
Ministers Take Jabs at Israel’s Military Chief as Gaza Plan Stokes Tension, The New York Times
“The Israeli military’s top commander, who officials say has cast doubt on government plans to capture Gaza City, was facing increasing pressure on Wednesday, with one minister criticizing him over the promotion of top officers and another suggesting he could be fired.”
Israel Must Give UN Full Access to Gaza to Halt Starvation, Allies Say, The Washington Post
“The statement – from more than 20 European nations, as well as Australia, Canada and Japan – said Israel’s restrictive registration requirements for international aid organizations were blocking some relief agencies from operating and could soon force more of them to leave. It also urged an end to the use of lethal force at aid distribution sites.”
Israeli Gunfire Kills at least 25 in Gaza as Netanyahu Says he Will Allow Palestinians to Leave, AP
“Witnesses and staff at Nasser and Awda hospitals, which received the bodies, said people were killed on their way to aid distribution sites and while awaiting convoys entering the strip. Israel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”
Israelis Protest Nationwide for Hostage Deal, End of Gaza War, Haaretz
“In Tel Aviv, approximately 50 activists demonstrated outside a hotel where they learned leaders of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were staying. The protest was organized spontaneously after learning of the presence of GHF CEO John Acree, spokesperson Chapin Fay, and other senior team members.”
Israel Hasn’t Prosecuted a Single Suspect for the Oct. 7 Attack, The New York Times
“Not a single person has been charged or prosecuted for it and the entire subject is shrouded in secrecy. Several hundred Palestinians have been detained on suspicion of direct involvement, and at least 200 of them remain in custody, according to public records.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Says Israel’s Netanyahu Has ‘Lost the Plot’, Reuters
“Luxon told reporters that the lack of humanitarian assistance, the forceful displacement of people and the annexation of Gaza were utterly appalling and that Netanyahu had gone way too far.”
UN Blacklists Hamas for Sexual Violence on Oct. 7 and Against Hostages, Warns Israel May Be Next, Haaretz
“The draft report criticizes Israel for not allowing relevant UN bodies to conduct thorough and independent investigations. Due to Israel’s failure to allow UN bodies to access detention facilities, ‘the cases verified by the United Nations should be seen as indicative rather than comprehensive.’”
Declaring a Palestinian State Is a Blow to Terror, Haaretz
French Ambassador to Israel Frédéric Journès writes, “By providing responsible Palestinians with a credible political horizon, we strip Hamas of its main claim that no such thing exists. At the same time, we strengthen Israel’s legitimacy as a democratic state entitled to peace with its neighbors and actively seeking it.”
When Is It Genocide? [Audio], The New York Times
Philippe Sands says, “And in a sense, where I come back to is: I’m not focused on whether it’s a war crime or a crime against humanity or a genocide, which is a distraction from the real issue. It is utterly appalling and unjustifiable, and it should not be happening. And these debates about whether to characterize something as X or Y or Z are not helpful because they distract us from the horror that is happening and that is unfolding before our own eyes.”
Don’t Be Fooled Again: Netanyahu Is Planning a Full-blown Occupation of Gaza, Haaretz
Dahlia Scheindlin writes, “Maybe sealing water wells is someone’s idea of security for Israel, but the false separation between security and civilian control – like the temporary, limited, pragmatic and humanitarian occupation of Gaza City – is a lie. Put the Israeli government’s words through the filter of reality past and present, and the future becomes painfully clear.”