Alona Ferber
@aloner.bsky.social
Senior editor, @prospectmagazine.co.uk | Co-host, The Prospect Podcast | Ex: NS, Haaretz, TBI | UK, Israel/Palestine, feminism, politics, Ursula K Le Guin | Sign up to my newsletter: http://thebacklash.substack.com |
Pinned
The worst thing you can be (and four other reads)
Five things on gender inequality and the backlash against feminism
thebacklash.substack.com
“Don’t forget that the worst thing you can be is a girl”
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Israeli conductor @ilanvolkov.bsky.social decided to use his “biggest concert of the season” in London to speak out about the Gaza war: “Closing our eyes is not an option”, he tells @aloner.bsky.social.
The viral Israeli conductor: ‘Closing our eyes is not an option’
Ilan Volkov on his political intervention at the Proms—and why Gaza is all that matters
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Israeli conductor @ilanvolkov.bsky.social decided to use his “biggest concert of the season” in London to speak out about the Gaza war: “Closing our eyes is not an option”, he tells @aloner.bsky.social.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
'I am the daughter of immigrants' is this year's 'my father was a tool maker'.....🙄
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik
‘She is the daughter of immigrants,’ supporters of her cruel asylum policies say. ‘How can she be wrong?’ Let me put them straight, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:37 AM
'I am the daughter of immigrants' is this year's 'my father was a tool maker'.....🙄
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“The fish rots from the head. The pig is in the Oval Office”
Excellent piece from @sophiegilbert.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
Excellent piece from @sophiegilbert.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
President Piggy
This is what consequence-free misogyny looks like.
www.theatlantic.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“The fish rots from the head. The pig is in the Oval Office”
Excellent piece from @sophiegilbert.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
Excellent piece from @sophiegilbert.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
BREAKING: Reform UK's former Welsh leader and close Nigel Farage associate, Nathan Gill, sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for repeatedly taking bribes to spread pro-Russian propaganda
November 21, 2025 at 12:52 PM
BREAKING: Reform UK's former Welsh leader and close Nigel Farage associate, Nathan Gill, sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for repeatedly taking bribes to spread pro-Russian propaganda
“I’m not sure which is worse, a total lack of self-awareness or just enough to recognise the problem but insufficient self-discipline to do anything about it”
(PS I am so the intended audience for this article)
(PS I am so the intended audience for this article)
How do I learn when to shut up in meetings? on.ft.com/444jJWn | opinion
How do I learn when to shut up in meetings?
It’s too late for me, but you can still follow my advice
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
“I’m not sure which is worse, a total lack of self-awareness or just enough to recognise the problem but insufficient self-discipline to do anything about it”
(PS I am so the intended audience for this article)
(PS I am so the intended audience for this article)
Reposted by Alona Ferber
"Record numbers of overseas-trained doctors are quitting the UK, leaving the NHS at risk of huge gaps in its workforce, with hostility towards migrants blamed for the exodus...the NHS is so heavily reliant on doctors from elsewhere – 42% of its entire medical workforce qualified overseas."
All those people, including current government, who falsely claim migrants are to blame for failings with the NHS, along with infrastructure in general, are in for one hell of a shock with how much worse things will get with Labour's anti-immigration policies.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers
Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures last year that imperils NHS
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 AM
"Record numbers of overseas-trained doctors are quitting the UK, leaving the NHS at risk of huge gaps in its workforce, with hostility towards migrants blamed for the exodus...the NHS is so heavily reliant on doctors from elsewhere – 42% of its entire medical workforce qualified overseas."
Reposted by Alona Ferber
These same folks extremely committed to fighting antisemitism in universities
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
These same folks extremely committed to fighting antisemitism in universities
Reposted by Alona Ferber
This is a nuts story. An AI chatbot and image platform left millions of images exposed. They show what people are actually using the AI for: taking random women's yearbook, graduation, and social media photos and making super realistic hardcore porn with them
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
Massive Leak Shows Erotic Chatbot Users Turned Women’s Yearbook Pictures Into AI Porn
Chatbot roleplay and image generator platform SecretDesires.ai left cloud storage containers of nearly two million of images and videos exposed, including photos and full names of women from social me...
www.404media.co
November 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This is a nuts story. An AI chatbot and image platform left millions of images exposed. They show what people are actually using the AI for: taking random women's yearbook, graduation, and social media photos and making super realistic hardcore porn with them
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
My longread from the latest edition of our mag about the razing of Gaza in this war. One man who grew up in Rafah, the city in southern Gaza that has been largely destroyed, told me this: “you can say you miss your city if it still exists. It’s gone, you know”
“Soldiers testify that they have been told to burn down houses they have stayed in by pouring oil on curtains, books and mattresses.”
Read @aloner.bsky.social’s report on the destruction of Gaza’s cities.
Read @aloner.bsky.social’s report on the destruction of Gaza’s cities.
‘The directive was nothing left’: How Gaza’s cities were destroyed
Israel has razed large parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began in October 2023. The evidence points to systemic destruction
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
My longread from the latest edition of our mag about the razing of Gaza in this war. One man who grew up in Rafah, the city in southern Gaza that has been largely destroyed, told me this: “you can say you miss your city if it still exists. It’s gone, you know”
Reposted by Alona Ferber
“Residential buildings, greenhouses, sheds, factories, you name it—it needs to be flat. That’s the order”
Chapter & verse on the physical destruction of Gaza
Chapter & verse on the physical destruction of Gaza
The flattening of structures is where the various drivers of Israel’s Gaza onslaught meet: ostensible military aims, a messianic ideology that wants Jewish settlement in the Strip, and the desire for revenge after 7th Oct
My piece in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
My piece in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
‘The directive was nothing left’: How Gaza’s cities were destroyed
Israel has razed large parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began in October 2023. The evidence points to systemic destruction
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
“Residential buildings, greenhouses, sheds, factories, you name it—it needs to be flat. That’s the order”
Chapter & verse on the physical destruction of Gaza
Chapter & verse on the physical destruction of Gaza
Reposted by Alona Ferber
What your president and his team are prioritizing.
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
What your president and his team are prioritizing.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
A good eg of the financial reality facing Reform in local govt
Durham is looking at hiking parking charges and permits, litter picking/weed killing/summer planting reductions and the “rationalisation” of libraries, leisure centres and tips, as it tries to hold down council tax
on.ft.com/4oPaVvI
Durham is looking at hiking parking charges and permits, litter picking/weed killing/summer planting reductions and the “rationalisation” of libraries, leisure centres and tips, as it tries to hold down council tax
on.ft.com/4oPaVvI
Reform council cuts back on litter picking and gardening in bid to fill shortfall
[FREE TO READ] The measures underline the financial realities facing the party after its first six months in local government
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A good eg of the financial reality facing Reform in local govt
Durham is looking at hiking parking charges and permits, litter picking/weed killing/summer planting reductions and the “rationalisation” of libraries, leisure centres and tips, as it tries to hold down council tax
on.ft.com/4oPaVvI
Durham is looking at hiking parking charges and permits, litter picking/weed killing/summer planting reductions and the “rationalisation” of libraries, leisure centres and tips, as it tries to hold down council tax
on.ft.com/4oPaVvI
Reposted by Alona Ferber
The Israeli occupation army invaded a village of over 150 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and detained *literally every single person, man woman and child* for hours.
Border Police accused of detaining entire Bedouin hamlet for hours in blanket sweep
Residents of West Bank village say officers rounded up all 180 residents, including kids and elderly, during raid to search for weapons, in what would mark highly unusual action
www.timesofisrael.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:51 AM
The Israeli occupation army invaded a village of over 150 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and detained *literally every single person, man woman and child* for hours.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Somebody is briefing the Times that the Home Secretary finds inspiration in Kristi Noem's leading the Trump mass deportation effort - which has gone much too far for Americans
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood threatens Trump-style visa ban on three countries
Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Trump-style sanctions if they do not start taking back more illegal migrants and criminals
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Somebody is briefing the Times that the Home Secretary finds inspiration in Kristi Noem's leading the Trump mass deportation effort - which has gone much too far for Americans
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
What a kamikaze piece of political madness that is on the eve of their asylum package
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Asylum seekers with the right to work account for less than 8pc of those in accommodation, unless I’ve misunderstood something (8,500 currently have work visas, according to the Home Office)
The government plans to remove technical statutory basis for asylum seeker support.
Govt says it want asylum seekers to work if they are allowed to. Their policy is asylum seekers can't work (but some can after 12 months).
Govt don't plan to let asylum seekers work once case is 6 months old
Govt says it want asylum seekers to work if they are allowed to. Their policy is asylum seekers can't work (but some can after 12 months).
Govt don't plan to let asylum seekers work once case is 6 months old
November 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Asylum seekers with the right to work account for less than 8pc of those in accommodation, unless I’ve misunderstood something (8,500 currently have work visas, according to the Home Office)
Reposted by Alona Ferber
“Gaza was once a happy place with a happy people who had a great sense of humour and led lives like other seafaring people,” Raja Shehadeh writes. “But this was many decades ago.”
Excellent article @aloner.bsky.social @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
Excellent article @aloner.bsky.social @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
‘The directive was nothing left’: How Gaza’s cities were destroyed
Israel has razed large parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began in October 2023. The evidence points to systemic destruction
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 3:51 PM
“Gaza was once a happy place with a happy people who had a great sense of humour and led lives like other seafaring people,” Raja Shehadeh writes. “But this was many decades ago.”
Excellent article @aloner.bsky.social @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
Excellent article @aloner.bsky.social @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Antisemitism watchdog slams ADL’s ‘hyperbolic and aggressive’ response to Mamdani win; says ADL’s plan to ‘monitor’ mayor-elect for antisemitism deepens divisions and plays into far-right agenda
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Antisemitism watchdog slams ADL’s ‘hyperbolic and aggressive’ response to Mamdani win
Head of Nexus Project says ADL’s plan to ‘monitor’ mayor-elect for antisemitism deepens divisions and plays into far-right agenda
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Antisemitism watchdog slams ADL’s ‘hyperbolic and aggressive’ response to Mamdani win; says ADL’s plan to ‘monitor’ mayor-elect for antisemitism deepens divisions and plays into far-right agenda
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The flattening of structures is where the various drivers of Israel’s Gaza onslaught meet: ostensible military aims, a messianic ideology that wants Jewish settlement in the Strip, and the desire for revenge after 7th Oct
My piece in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
My piece in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
‘The directive was nothing left’: How Gaza’s cities were destroyed
Israel has razed large parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began in October 2023. The evidence points to systemic destruction
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The flattening of structures is where the various drivers of Israel’s Gaza onslaught meet: ostensible military aims, a messianic ideology that wants Jewish settlement in the Strip, and the desire for revenge after 7th Oct
My piece in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
My piece in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
"I observed that half the IQ In the world was possessed by women without mentioning they are more than 51 percent of population”
www.ft.com/content/b345...
www.ft.com/content/b345...
November 14, 2025 at 10:16 AM
"I observed that half the IQ In the world was possessed by women without mentioning they are more than 51 percent of population”
www.ft.com/content/b345...
www.ft.com/content/b345...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
in this week's newsletter! I offer to you the Superhero Movie Theory of why both Labour and the Tories have become unable to govern: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/all-my-hob...
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
in this week's newsletter! I offer to you the Superhero Movie Theory of why both Labour and the Tories have become unable to govern: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/all-my-hob...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Less than two weeks till the budget. Today, I'm sharing a letter sent to MPs by parents affected by the two-child limit & benefit cap a year ago, which set out their simple plea that every child be treated the same.
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Letter to MPs
YouTube video by Benefit Changes
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Less than two weeks till the budget. Today, I'm sharing a letter sent to MPs by parents affected by the two-child limit & benefit cap a year ago, which set out their simple plea that every child be treated the same.
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Our local government sleuth is back, this time with exclusive FOI data on registered sex offenders in temporary accommodation, and the apparent lack of actual policy to make sure vulnerable families aren't housed in the same hostels as high-risk offenders www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/dem...
Are councils housing sex offenders alongside homeless families?
Exclusive FOI data reveals the ex-prisoners are in temporary accommodation in London—and councils don’t seem to know if they pose a risk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Our local government sleuth is back, this time with exclusive FOI data on registered sex offenders in temporary accommodation, and the apparent lack of actual policy to make sure vulnerable families aren't housed in the same hostels as high-risk offenders www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/dem...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
🎧: In a world of unpredictable leaders, are nuclear weapons making us more vulnerable? Serhii Plokhy joins @ellenhalliday.bsky.social and @aloner.bsky.social on the Prospect Podcast to discuss.
Serhii Plokhy: How close are we to nuclear war?
In a world of unpredictable leaders, are nuclear weapons making us more vulnerable?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:34 AM
🎧: In a world of unpredictable leaders, are nuclear weapons making us more vulnerable? Serhii Plokhy joins @ellenhalliday.bsky.social and @aloner.bsky.social on the Prospect Podcast to discuss.