Israeli society

People wear Israeli flags as they take part in celebrations marking Israel's 71st Independence Day in Jerusalem, May 8, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The sad truth behind Israeli ‘happiness’

How can a country that administers constant violence and suffers deep inequalities be ranked the fourth happiest in the world?

By Asaf Calderon April 17, 2023

Thousands of Israelis demonstrate in support of Elor Azaria, a soldier who was indicted for shooting an incapacitated Palestinian stabbing suspect, April 19, 2016. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Hebron shooter indicts all of Israel

No need for a trial. Sergeant Elor Azaria is already innocent in the eyes of the Israeli public By David Sarna Galdi The trial of Sergeant Elor Azaria, a soldier indicted for the killing of an incapacitated Palestinian knife-attack suspect in Hebron last month will mostly likely begin soon, but it isn’t really necessary. If…

By +972 Magazine April 21, 2016

Palestinian protesters throw stones during clashes with Israeli forces in the neighbourhood of Abu Dis, east Jerusalem, October 11, 2015. (photo: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)

East Jerusalem’s youth: Proof that managing the conflict doesn’t work

The blood of East Jerusalem’s children, and the blood of their Israeli victims, is a reminder of one thing: there is no way to ‘manage’ the conflict. A year of mostly bitter, devastating events has finally come to an end. From the murder of 16-year-old Shira Banki at the Jerusalem pride parade to the grotesque…

By Orly Noy December 29, 2015

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Palestinian youth protest in solidarity with soccer player Mahmoud Sarsak, who was held in administrative detention for three years. Nablus, 2012. (Photo by Ahmad al-Baz/Activestills.org)

‘Administrative detainees must have done something wrong’

When discussing administrative detention with Israelis, there comes a point when the discussion becomes an argument like one about religion — based on blind faith in the security establishment. By definition, administrative detainees have not committed a crime. An administrative detention order is issued against people (almost all of whom are Palestinians) against whom there…

By Haggai Matar June 2, 2014

Palestinian children watch a demonstration in Al Ma'sara Photo:activestills.org

Part Two: When a Palestinian child becomes an enemy

Last week, I wrote about the process by which a Palestinian child becomes an enemy in the eyes of Israeli soldiers. I wrote it from the perspective of a close friend of mine who had recently completed a round of reserve duty in the village of Ni’ilin, where he routinely shot at children with tear…

By Joseph Dana May 3, 2011

Would Israelis like things to be better?

Based on the past months of popular struggle in the West Bank which have included countless demonstrations, arrests, house raids, injuries and trips to the military courts, I find myself asking whether Israelis would like things to be better. The question is simple enough: do people here want to create a change so that the political…

By Joseph Dana September 1, 2010

Revenge of the nerds: partying with the boys of Im Tirtzu

This piece was co-authored by Max Blumenthal Fresh off a campaign of nationwide intimidation against the New Israel Fund, countless damaging personal attacks against leftists and professors condemned as insufficiently Zionist, and an endorsement from Israeli Education Minister Gideon Saar, the self-proclaimed “moderate” student group Im Tirtzu gathered for a night of celebration. The venue was “Theodore,” a swanky bar in…

By Joseph Dana August 20, 2010