Ron Skolnik
@ronskolnik.bsky.social
Consultant, writer, speaker, Hebrew->English translator. Posting mostly on Israel-Palestine, plus some US politics. I'm all for conversation and nuance. If you're here for snark, simplism, slogans, don't follow me.
"I canceled all my engagements in Israel this year because of my objection to Mr. Netanyahu's way of treating the whole Palestinian issue." This is a boycott, but it's not BDS. www.haaretz.com/world-news/2...
Ex-Israel Philharmonic maestro canceled Israeli concerts over Netanyahu policy
The Musical Director of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra From 1981 Until His Retirement in 2019, Mehta Said He Is Not Able to Divide His Musical Endeavors From Politics, and Urged Musicians to Take ...
www.haaretz.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:40 PM
"I canceled all my engagements in Israel this year because of my objection to Mr. Netanyahu's way of treating the whole Palestinian issue." This is a boycott, but it's not BDS. www.haaretz.com/world-news/2...
The word "disarm" actually never appears in the 20-point plan. Instead, it's a more complex "agreed process of decommissioning, ... supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors." www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420984
Trump: Hamas must return the final hostage and disarm
Trump announces Phase Two of his Gaza peace plan, backs a new Palestinian technocratic government, and demands Hamas disarm and return the final hostage’s body to Israel.
www.israelnationalnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM
The word "disarm" actually never appears in the 20-point plan. Instead, it's a more complex "agreed process of decommissioning, ... supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors." www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420984
If there's a tie between the blocs, "would you support or not support the establishment of a government headed by the political camp closest to your position which relies on cooperation with Ra’am (UAL), headed by Mansour Abbas" (Jews; % - Israel Democracy Institute). en.idi.org.il/articles/62950
January 15, 2026 at 10:16 PM
If there's a tie between the blocs, "would you support or not support the establishment of a government headed by the political camp closest to your position which relies on cooperation with Ra’am (UAL), headed by Mansour Abbas" (Jews; % - Israel Democracy Institute). en.idi.org.il/articles/62950
The Insurrection Act, says the @brennancenter.org, is "dangerously overbroad and ripe for abuse". Analysis at www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res....
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Trump threatens Insurrection Act in Minnesota amid tensions over ICE
Trump accused demonstrators of "attacking" ICE agents and said if Minnesota authorities don't respond, he "will institute the INSURRECTION ACT."
www.usatoday.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:11 PM
The Insurrection Act, says the @brennancenter.org, is "dangerously overbroad and ripe for abuse". Analysis at www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res....
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
To change policies, we also need to change hearts and mindsets. The movement offers a vision of security that's not the religion of securitism, of education that's not indoctrination, and of compassion as a tool for good. I hope folks can tune in tomorrow! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
THURSDAY, JAN 15, 12:30pm ET
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Delighted to host Mothers Against Violence-Israel, a movement of women offering a vision of partnership & compassion in the face of gov't-instigated violence/incitement, ongoing occupation, and a climate of oppression & despair.
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Delighted to host Mothers Against Violence-Israel, a movement of women offering a vision of partnership & compassion in the face of gov't-instigated violence/incitement, ongoing occupation, and a climate of oppression & despair.
January 14, 2026 at 5:51 PM
To change policies, we also need to change hearts and mindsets. The movement offers a vision of security that's not the religion of securitism, of education that's not indoctrination, and of compassion as a tool for good. I hope folks can tune in tomorrow! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Benny Gantz's campaign ad essentially depicts Arabs as a 5th column. When you depict a minority as a 5th column, you're feeding into the narrative of Ben-Gvir (whom Gantz says he wants to block), and the next step is worse than just political exclusion. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Israel's centrist Benny Gantz vows 'not to rely on Arab parties' in next coalition
In a Plea Against 'Radicals,' Benny Gantz Said It Was 'Impossible' to Form a Coalition With Arabs in post-October 7 Israel, and Warned That Far-right Minister Ben-Gvir Could Become Israel's Next Defen...
www.haaretz.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Benny Gantz's campaign ad essentially depicts Arabs as a 5th column. When you depict a minority as a 5th column, you're feeding into the narrative of Ben-Gvir (whom Gantz says he wants to block), and the next step is worse than just political exclusion. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Jewish leaders dwell on Diaspora Jewry turning away from Israel. They almost completely overlook the degree to which Israel is turning, has turned, away from Diaspora Jewry. A case study.
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Far-right European leaders to headline Israeli gov't-sponsored antisemitism conference
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli Will Host the Controversial Conference for a Second Consecutive Year. Notably Absent From the List Are Mainstream Organizations Engaged in the International...
www.haaretz.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Jewish leaders dwell on Diaspora Jewry turning away from Israel. They almost completely overlook the degree to which Israel is turning, has turned, away from Diaspora Jewry. A case study.
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Pollster explains why Yair Golan is pushing toward the political center: Only 11% of Jewish Israelis self-define as Left (16% of Israelis overall); 90% of HaDemocratim (~10 seats) voters are Left - meaning it has already captured almost all the Jewish left. www.maariv.co.il/news/politic...
סוקר מעריב מבהיר: השמאל הציוני לא יגדל באורח פלא - וזה בדיוק המניע של יאיר גולן
סקרי מעריב מצביעים על כך שמפלגת הדמוקרטים בראשות יאיר גולן מיצתה כמעט במלואו את הפוטנציאל האלקטורלי של מחנה השמאל הציוני. המהלך של צירוף מובילי המחאה - נועד לפנות לקהלים חדשים, על חשבון מפלגות אחרות
www.maariv.co.il
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Pollster explains why Yair Golan is pushing toward the political center: Only 11% of Jewish Israelis self-define as Left (16% of Israelis overall); 90% of HaDemocratim (~10 seats) voters are Left - meaning it has already captured almost all the Jewish left. www.maariv.co.il/news/politic...
Reposted by Ron Skolnik
THURSDAY, JAN 15, 12:30pm ET
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Delighted to host Mothers Against Violence-Israel, a movement of women offering a vision of partnership & compassion in the face of gov't-instigated violence/incitement, ongoing occupation, and a climate of oppression & despair.
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Delighted to host Mothers Against Violence-Israel, a movement of women offering a vision of partnership & compassion in the face of gov't-instigated violence/incitement, ongoing occupation, and a climate of oppression & despair.
January 9, 2026 at 4:41 PM
THURSDAY, JAN 15, 12:30pm ET
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Delighted to host Mothers Against Violence-Israel, a movement of women offering a vision of partnership & compassion in the face of gov't-instigated violence/incitement, ongoing occupation, and a climate of oppression & despair.
Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Delighted to host Mothers Against Violence-Israel, a movement of women offering a vision of partnership & compassion in the face of gov't-instigated violence/incitement, ongoing occupation, and a climate of oppression & despair.
You can fool some people sometimes
But you can't fool all the people all the time
So now we see the light
(What you gonna do?)
We going to stand up for our right
#ShabbatShalom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ0...
But you can't fool all the people all the time
So now we see the light
(What you gonna do?)
We going to stand up for our right
#ShabbatShalom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ0...
Bob Marley - Get Up, Stand Up (Live at Munich, 1980)
YouTube video by Bob Marley
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:26 PM
You can fool some people sometimes
But you can't fool all the people all the time
So now we see the light
(What you gonna do?)
We going to stand up for our right
#ShabbatShalom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ0...
But you can't fool all the people all the time
So now we see the light
(What you gonna do?)
We going to stand up for our right
#ShabbatShalom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ0...
From a Marine Corp vet, trained to deal with protesters at US embassies. "Everything I see from ICE agents is they are relishing violence..., needlessly escalating situations, looking for opportunities to shoot their weapons and beat the shit out of people." On the other site. x.com/AlexanderMcC...
Alexander McCoy on X: "I’m a Marine Corp veteran, trained by LEOs when I served in US embassies on how to handle unruly individuals or protestors. 1) If you are the guys with guns, you are the ones responsible for the situation. Doubly so if you outnumber the person you’re engaging. 2) You do not" / X
I’m a Marine Corp veteran, trained by LEOs when I served in US embassies on how to handle unruly individuals or protestors. 1) If you are the guys with guns, you are the ones responsible for the situation. Doubly so if you outnumber the person you’re engaging. 2) You do not
x.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:53 PM
From a Marine Corp vet, trained to deal with protesters at US embassies. "Everything I see from ICE agents is they are relishing violence..., needlessly escalating situations, looking for opportunities to shoot their weapons and beat the shit out of people." On the other site. x.com/AlexanderMcC...
"We transferred security responsibility to the Palestinians too early" in the process, Golan said of Oslo (&Disengagement). Others have offered an opposing critique - that Oslo was too slow and indeterminate a process, thereby allowing spoilers to undermine it. www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420605
Yair Golan's surprising criticism: 'Oslo and the disengagement were a mistake'
'The Democrats' chairman said lessons from Oslo and the Gaza disengagement must not be repeated, ruling out a rapid Palestinian state.
www.israelnationalnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
"We transferred security responsibility to the Palestinians too early" in the process, Golan said of Oslo (&Disengagement). Others have offered an opposing critique - that Oslo was too slow and indeterminate a process, thereby allowing spoilers to undermine it. www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420605
"Our side has been trained by Donald Trump to never apologize and to never admit when you’re wrong. You just keep pummeling your enemies, no matter what," Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed to the NY Times recently. JD Vance has been a very good trainee.
January 8, 2026 at 11:51 PM
"Our side has been trained by Donald Trump to never apologize and to never admit when you’re wrong. You just keep pummeling your enemies, no matter what," Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed to the NY Times recently. JD Vance has been a very good trainee.
Author and sports columnist Mike Lupica - on the other site. x.com/MikeLupica/s...
January 8, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Author and sports columnist Mike Lupica - on the other site. x.com/MikeLupica/s...
"Israeli authorities treat Israeli settlers and Palestinians residing in the West Bank under two distinct bodies of law and policies, resulting in unequal treatment on a range of critical issues." Official Israeli reaction says this is required by security threats.
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
UN report urges Israel to eradicate 'racial segregation and apartheid' in West Bank
Israel Dismissed the 42-page Report as a 'Politically Driven Vilification,' Which Said Tightened Movement Restrictions on Palestinians Have Fractured the West Bank, Easing Israeli Military Control and...
www.haaretz.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:23 PM
"Israeli authorities treat Israeli settlers and Palestinians residing in the West Bank under two distinct bodies of law and policies, resulting in unequal treatment on a range of critical issues." Official Israeli reaction says this is required by security threats.
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Reposted by Ron Skolnik
There is video of the shooting of a woman by ICE in Minneapolis circulating that shows an ICE agent repeatedly shooting her at point blank range while she tries to drive off. There was no obvious threat to any ICE agent.
January 7, 2026 at 6:26 PM
There is video of the shooting of a woman by ICE in Minneapolis circulating that shows an ICE agent repeatedly shooting her at point blank range while she tries to drive off. There was no obvious threat to any ICE agent.
Israel Channel 13 poll shows Opposition with 57 seats, current Coalition with 53. For the umpteenth time, an Israeli news item presents the "Arab parties" (10) as sui generis, neither Opposition nor Coalition. TBH, the Opposition should be labeled here "Jewish Opposition". 13tv.co.il/item/news/po...
January 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Israel Channel 13 poll shows Opposition with 57 seats, current Coalition with 53. For the umpteenth time, an Israeli news item presents the "Arab parties" (10) as sui generis, neither Opposition nor Coalition. TBH, the Opposition should be labeled here "Jewish Opposition". 13tv.co.il/item/news/po...
Expect a measured, temperate, nuanced discussion on an issue that tends not to coincide with measuredness, temperateness, or nuance. At the top of the hour.
TODAY - 12 noon ET! Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our ED, R' @mhughesrob.bsky.social, will be exploring our 2025 resource, "Discussing Genocide" (on our website - www.progressiveisrael.org/wp-content/u...), which explains that not all genocides are Holocaust-scale.
Our ED, R' @mhughesrob.bsky.social, will be exploring our 2025 resource, "Discussing Genocide" (on our website - www.progressiveisrael.org/wp-content/u...), which explains that not all genocides are Holocaust-scale.
THIS WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7th - 12 noon ET!
Our ED, R' @mhughesrob.bsky.social, will discuss the charge of genocide and look at our recently published resource: “Genocide: A Guide for Reflection and Discernment.” A conversation with R' Debra Kolodny of Aleph.
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our ED, R' @mhughesrob.bsky.social, will discuss the charge of genocide and look at our recently published resource: “Genocide: A Guide for Reflection and Discernment.” A conversation with R' Debra Kolodny of Aleph.
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 7, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Expect a measured, temperate, nuanced discussion on an issue that tends not to coincide with measuredness, temperateness, or nuance. At the top of the hour.
The most prominent result, somewhat buried, seems to be: 47% plurality of Jewish voters think Mamdani’s Israel criticism reflects legitimate policy disagreements; 40% think it crosses a line, fuels antisemitism. (Note: Jewish sample margin of error is large.) forward.com/fast-forward...
Jewish New Yorkers say concerns about Mamdani are real, new poll shows. Most other voters say they’re overblown.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's views on Israel are well-known but remain unsettling to NYC Jews, a new poll confirms.
forward.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:28 PM
The most prominent result, somewhat buried, seems to be: 47% plurality of Jewish voters think Mamdani’s Israel criticism reflects legitimate policy disagreements; 40% think it crosses a line, fuels antisemitism. (Note: Jewish sample margin of error is large.) forward.com/fast-forward...
Reposted by Ron Skolnik
"Iron laws of the world"? Some of America's most important national accomplishments are about leading humanity away from this kind of bullshit.
If we let ideologues like Stephen Miller drag us back into a world where brute force is all that matters, all of us will be less safe.
If we let ideologues like Stephen Miller drag us back into a world where brute force is all that matters, all of us will be less safe.
January 6, 2026 at 9:17 PM
"Iron laws of the world"? Some of America's most important national accomplishments are about leading humanity away from this kind of bullshit.
If we let ideologues like Stephen Miller drag us back into a world where brute force is all that matters, all of us will be less safe.
If we let ideologues like Stephen Miller drag us back into a world where brute force is all that matters, all of us will be less safe.
Anat Kam issues a tepid "what choice do we have" call for leftists to vote HaDemocratim, even if this/that candidate isn't left enough, even if party chair Golan is "personally responsible for some of the occupation's injustices"-since another Bibi govt is possible. www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/202...
לא תצביעו בגלל משה רדמן? נתתם את קולכם לנתניהו | דעה
תאריך מדויק לבחירות עוד אין, אבל אשמים בהפסד של "הדמוקרטים" והקמת ממשלת נתניהו המי יודע כמה כבר יש: אנשים שלא נאה להם שמשה רדמן אבוטבול מתמודד בפריימריז של אחת
www.haaretz.co.il
January 7, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Anat Kam issues a tepid "what choice do we have" call for leftists to vote HaDemocratim, even if this/that candidate isn't left enough, even if party chair Golan is "personally responsible for some of the occupation's injustices"-since another Bibi govt is possible. www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/202...
The protest movement was largely centrist, focusing on democracy for Israelis, esp. Jewish Israelis, but not really concerned with Occupation. So Golan's party is a natural home and hopefully will become the dominant centrist force, allowing for growth to its left. www.ynetnews.com/article/bjdy...
Key protest leaders join Democrats party in shift from streets to politics ahead of election
Yair Golan says protest leaders Moshe Radman and Ami Dror will join the party along with other activists; Danny Elgarat, brother of slain hostage Itzik Elgarat, is also expected to join
www.ynetnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM
The protest movement was largely centrist, focusing on democracy for Israelis, esp. Jewish Israelis, but not really concerned with Occupation. So Golan's party is a natural home and hopefully will become the dominant centrist force, allowing for growth to its left. www.ynetnews.com/article/bjdy...
Important reminder from Aluf Benn, @haaretzcom.bsky.social EiC: Bennett embodies militarism and national-religious ideology, he's not a solid ally of the judiciary, and the question remains as to whether he'd exclude Kahanists from his coalition - or invite them in.
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026...
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026...
Is Naftali Bennett really liberal Israel's answer to Netanyahu? | Opinion
***
www.haaretz.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Important reminder from Aluf Benn, @haaretzcom.bsky.social EiC: Bennett embodies militarism and national-religious ideology, he's not a solid ally of the judiciary, and the question remains as to whether he'd exclude Kahanists from his coalition - or invite them in.
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026...
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026...
When one controls for income/wealth, and age, this block-level analysis shows, the non-Trump-supporting Jewish vote more or less mirrored the vote of non-Jewish New Yorkers. That finding could indicate that the Israel-Palestine question played little unique role. www.dropsitenews.com/p/zohran-mam...
Zohran Mamdani Has More Jewish Support Than You Think
While attention is on the new mayor’s revocation of pro-Israel executive orders, analysis reveals age and income shaped the Jewish vote more than ethnicity, religion, or support for Israel
www.dropsitenews.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:27 PM
When one controls for income/wealth, and age, this block-level analysis shows, the non-Trump-supporting Jewish vote more or less mirrored the vote of non-Jewish New Yorkers. That finding could indicate that the Israel-Palestine question played little unique role. www.dropsitenews.com/p/zohran-mam...