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Necessity of checkpoints
This is a tragic reminder of why Israel was forced to put up checkpoints in the early 2000s.
Hamas human shields
Hamas - the racist terrorist group that controls Gaza - proudly admits that they use Palestinian civilians as human shields.
Palestinian government incitement
Too many Palestinian children are being encouraged to hate and kill Israelis. This child abuse by Palestinian leaders and institutions is one of the main reasons there is still no peace.
International condemnation of Palestinian incitement
Instead of being given a regular education, too many Palestinian children are indoctrinated to hate Israelis and Jews.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ckfxgwDLck?list=PLD94E630BF1C97436
Palestinians in other Arab states
Tragically, one of the biggest reasons the Palestinian refugees continue to suffer is because of how Arab countries have treated them.
Jewish Refugees
What people often forget in the discussion about refugees is the 850,000 Jews who fled or were expelled from Arab states, after facing centuries of oppression in the Middle East. Most of them found safety in Israel - their ancestral homeland.
Hamas teaching hate
This is what the Palestinian government in Gaza is broadcasting on TV and trying to teach Palestinian children.
Debate on Israel's Nation State Law
This is an interesting debate about Israel's Nation State Law.
LGBTQ Rights
This is a good report about the successes of the Israeli LGBTQ community, as well as the challenges they still face.
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
Alan Dershowitz says that Israel should have turned its Declaration of Independence into a Basic Law, arguing that the Nation State bill harms Israel's image.
Israel, the COVID vaccine, and the PA
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Does Israel control Gaza?
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Russia's invasion of Ukraine is NOT the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
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Israelis Aid Syrian Refugees
For years, the Israeli organization IsraAID has been helping Syrian refugees in Greece and elsewhere. They reach over 750,000 people/year with humanitarian aid, and strive to empower communities rather than making them dependent.
http://www.trustorysocial.com/app/uploads/2adb792e5add45cfa413733d5c8d8edd_IsraAID.jpeg
Access to holy sites in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the only city in the world with ancient sites that are holy to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Israel safeguards free access to holy places and each religious group’s right to administer its own holy sites.
http://mfa.gov.il/MFA_Graphics/MFA%20Gallery/Israel60/ch6.pdf
Minority Rights in Israel
Israel protects minority rights and actively works to advance social and economic equality. Arab leaders have served in the Knesset and other prominent government positions since Israel’s reestablishment in 1948.
LGBTQ Rights
When it comes to LGBTQ rights, Israel’s legal system is more progressive than most other countries in the world.
http://www.thetower.org/article/for-israeli-gays-its-not-about-the-ring/
Israeli democracy
Israel is a diverse liberal democracy, and the only free country in the Middle East according to the human rights watchdog Freedom House.
Israeli prison conditions
Israel is a democratic country which does not hold political prisoners. Israeli prison conditions meet or surpass those of other liberal democracies according to numerous reports.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-a-prisoners-paradise-says-american-cable-series/
The IDF safeguarding civilian rights in Gaza
“The Israeli Defense Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.”
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/A-salute-to-the-IDF
Checkpoints save lives
Checkpoints exist to save lives. The hardships ordinary Palestinians face from these safety measures are a tragic byproduct of terrorism against Israeli civilians.
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-last-line-of-defense-389446
Peace negotiations needed
If Israeli and Palestinian leaders can come together to negotiate a just peace, the checkpoints, Gaza blockade, and other safety measures can be lifted and the issue of settlements can be resolved.
Hamas endangering Palestinians
“Hamas has never considered Palestinian needs – only its own political interests. And so they have continued to fire rockets at Israel, knowing full-well what the result would be: Hamas paved the road for the death of our people." - Palestinian human rights activist Bassem Eid
Legality of the Gaza blockade
According to a 2011 UN Report Israel's blockade of Gaza is legal, as it is meant to prevent terrorist groups like Hamas from getting weapons to attack Israeli civilians. Innocent Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer because their leaders refuse to give up their goal of wiping Israel off the map.
https://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/world/Palmer-Committee-Final-report.pdf
Electricity shortages in Gaza
Palestinian in Gaza are facing electricity shortages not because of Israel's policies, but because of political infighting between Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and others.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/world/middleeast/gaza-strip-hamas-protests.html?_r=0
Hamas tunnels in Gaza
According to the Institute for Palestine Studies, Hamas killed 160 Palestinian children by using them to build tunnels that are used to smuggle weapons and carry out attacks against Israel.
http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/180400/hamas-killed-160-palestinian-children-to-build-terror-tunnels
Human shields
Palestinian civilians in Gaza don't want Hamas to use them as human shields by building military tunnels under their homes, but are too afraid to speak about it openly.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/21/world/middleeast/hamas-tunnels-gaza-strip-israel.html?_r=0
Hamas steals international aid
Hamas is stealing cement that is supposed to be used to rebuild civilian homes in Gaza, and using it to build attack tunnels into Israel instead.
Christians in the Middle East
Israel is the only Middle Eastern country where the Christian population has grown in the last half-century.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/christians-in-the-middle-east
Palestinian refugee crisis
According to historian Benny Morris, the most prominent scholar on this issue, responsibility for the Palestinian refugee crisis in 1948, "is split among [Israel], the Palestinians and the Arab countries – with enormous responsibility lying with the Palestinians who started the conflict."
The "ethnic cleansing" slander
According to Benny Morris, the most prominent historian on this issue, "ethnic cleansing was not carried out in Israel" during the 1948 War.
African migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers
Israeli society is divided over the issue of migrants and asylum seekers from Eritrea, Sudan, and elsewhere. This article provides important context and perspectives on the situation:
http://honestreporting.com/unpacking-israels-african-migrant-dilemma/
What is a Basic Law?
In the wake of the "Nation-State Law" passed by the Israeli government in 2018, there has been some confusion about what a Basic Law is. Here is an explanation and list of all of Israel's Basic Laws:
https://www.knesset.gov.il/description/eng/eng_mimshal_yesod.htm
Practical impact of Israel's Nation State Law
Israel's Democracy Institute, which is highly critical of Israel's Nation State Law, says it is problematic but won't change how the country is run.
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Jewish-Nation-State-Law-not-a-game-changer-IDI-says-563735
Israeli opinions about the Nation State Law
According to a poll conducted after the Nation State Law passed, 60% of Israelis believe the law should have included language about equality.
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
The Israel Democracy Institute offers an explanation and critical perspective on Israel's Nation State Law.
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
Eugene Kontorovich argues that Israel's Nation State Law is similar to laws that exist in many democratic European countries, and does not infringe on minority rights.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/get-over-itisrael-is-the-jewish-state-1532039000
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
Alan Dershowitz says that Israel should have turned its Declaration of Independence into a Basic Law, arguing that the Nation State bill harms Israel's image.
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
This article argues that while Israel's other Basic Laws ensure its status as a democracy, the Nation State Law is needed to express its existence as a Jewish state.
https://forward.com/opinion/406355/everything-youve-heard-about-israels-nation-state-bill-is-wrong/
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
This article criticizes Israel's Nation State Law due to its impact on the Druze community.
Perspectives on Israel's Nation State Law
This article argues that Israel's Nation State Law was necessary in light of all the forces which seek to deny Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.
https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/the-case-for-israels-nation-state-bill/
Exploitation of Intersectionality
This article explains how some activists exploit intersectionality to promote an agenda that harms Jewish communities and others.
https://forward.com/opinion/392901/by-rejecting-jews-intersectionality-betrays-itself/
Hi-tech in Gaza
This article suggests that a thriving hi-tech industry could develop in Gaza, if Hamas allows it to happen.
https:// thehill.com/opinion/technology/421022-the-coming-tech-revolution-in-gaza
Jerusalem LGBTQ Pride Parade
In 2018, the Israeli LGBTQ community held the largest Pride Parade in Jerusalem's history with over 20,000 people attending.
2019 Israeli Election Quiz and Guide
Interested in Israeli elections and democracy in general? Take this fun quiz to see which Israeli political party you align with, and check out the other educational resources on the page.
International law
Internaional law expert Julius Stone wrote this interesting analysis of settlements, Jerusalem, refugees, and other key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
IDF warning civilians before a strike
This article details how the IDF attempts to minimize harm to civilians during military operations.
Oslo Accords database
The Economic Cooperation Foundation has an interesting database of documents related to the Oslo Accords and subsequent negotiations between Israelis, Palestinians, and Arab states.
Definition of occupation under international law
The International Committee of the Red Cross has an FAQ about international law related to occupation.
https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/resources/documents/misc/634kfc.htm
Zionism and Human Rights
Zionists have a rich history of leading in human rights, laying the foundation for the field of human rights law as it exists today.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/opinion/zionism-israel-human-rights.html
Gaza Blockade
Israel has a blockade against Hamas in Gaza because of weapons smuggling and other terrorist activity. Egypt does the same because of its own security concerns and internal political tensions with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Gaza Fishing Restrictions
This article analyzes the legal questions surrounding restrictions on Gaza's fishing zone in response to attacks against Israel by Hamas and other terrorist groups.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/limiting-gaza-fishing-zone-collective-punishment
Fishing Limits in Gaza
Israel and Hamas have used the fishing zone around Gaza as a bargaining chip in negotiations to end various rounds of fighting between them. As such, Israel has responded to waves of terrorism from Gaza by decreasing the fishing zone around the territory, and then increasing it again after the violence stops.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/fluctuating-fishing-regulations-a-net-frustration-for-gazas-industry/
HRW “apartheid” Smear
International law expert Eugene Kontorovich argues that the Human Rights Watch’s 2021 report isn’t serious analysis, but rather a deeply misleading tool in a political campaign against Israel.
HRW “apartheid” smear only contributes to conflict
Former U.S. diplomats argue Human Rights Watch’s report smearing Israel will make the Israeli-Palestinian conflict harder to solve.
Appropriating “Apartheid” to smear Israel
This South African writer argues that “the appropriation of Apartheid amounts to our collective historical memory being murdered and erased.”
https://isgap.org/flashpoint/the-appropriation-of-apartheid/
“Apartheid” smear is misleading and counterproductive
A former member of the Guardian editorial board argues that the “apartheid” smear against Israel exploits the suffering of South Africans and misleads the public.
https://unherd.com/2021/01/dont-call-israel-an-apartheid-state/
HRW’s “apartheid” smear omits key facts
The 2021 Human Rights Watch report slandering Israel ignores key facts about the relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Holocaust in the Middle East
https://www.historyextra.com/period/second-world-war/holocaust-middle-east-morocco-iraq/
UN Discrimination Against Israel
This resource shows how the UN Human Rights Council has unfortunately become a corrupt body that abuses its power, discriminates against Israel, and fails to protect human rights worldwide.
UN Discrimination Against Israel
This resource shows how the UN Human Rights Council has unfortunately become a corrupt body that abuses its power, discriminates against Israel, and fails to protect human rights worldwide.
UNHRC Commissions of Inquiry
Since the UN Human Rights Council was created, it has had 1 commission of inquiry on North Korea, 2 on Libya, 2 on Myanmar, 2 on Syria, and 9 on Israel. That is discrimination, pure and simple.
UNHRC Condemnations and Resolutions
Each year at the UN Human Rights Council, Israel is condemned in at least five annual resolutions and at least five critical reports. Meanwhile, oppressive regimes like Iran, North Korea, and Belarus are criticized in only one resolution. Most of the worst human rights abusers are not mentioned at all.
Judicial System Debates and Protests
This is an in depth explainer that covers the intense divisions and tensions in Israel over government efforts to decrease the power of the country's judicial system.