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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 11h

No brief statement can be perfect (because 'brief' means there can be no real historical treatment - and, even if you offered one, the jumping-off point would be a bone of contention), but this one by @sanders.senate.gov is very, very good. bsky.app/profile/sand...

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 13h

I have certain criticisms of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's statement - but the lambasting it's been receiving in some parts of the Twitterverse has been way over the top. And compared to the simplistic effort of #andrewcuomo, it clearly has the upper hand.

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 13h

Sadly, it's looking more and more like Trump rushed out his 'plan', motivated by vanity and the misplaced hope he could be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this Friday (even though nominations were closed months ago). www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Hamas demands full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza at same time as release of last hostage

A Senior Official Hamas Spoke to Al Jazeera and Revealed the Demand, Despite President Trump's Proposal Not Stipulating an Exact Timeframe for Israel's Full Withdrawal From Gaza

www.haaretz.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 17h

By father of hostages David and Ariel Cunio.
Every time "the negotiating team seems to clinch a deal, [Netanyahu] wrecks everything... Israel isn't what it used to be. The Jewish people have changed. The mutual responsibility we once had here is gone." www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...

I believed in Zionism, now I have questions | Opinion

***

www.haaretz.com

Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 20h

Some nerve that Gidon Sa'ar, Israel's FM, who said: "I hope we are the closest to a hostage deal since the deal in January [2025]. We are doing everything we can to bring our hostages back." Israel violated that ceasefire deal, which would've led to the their release. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Israeli team to head to Egypt for talks with Hamas on IDF pullback and prisoner releases

A Key Sticking Point Remains Israel's Demand for Veto Power Over the Selection of Palestinian Security Prisoners to Be Released. Netanyahu Has Said Israel Will Not Release Terrorists From Hamas' Elite...

www.haaretz.com

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Reposted by Ron Skolnik

Lee Drutman @leedrutman.bsky.social · 1d

or we could just move to proportional representation, make one statewide multimember district for Utah, and stop all this goddamn endless litigation.

Democracy Docket @democracydocket.com · 1d

UPDATE: Shortly after Utah GOP lawmakers passed another congressional gerrymander, pro-voting plaintiffs challenging the current map submitted fair map proposals to the court, arguing the legislature’s plan still violates Prop 4. A judge will decide which map complies by November.

Utah GOP Passes Gerrymandered Map, While Handcuffing Courts

Read more here.

www.democracydocket.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 1d

After Trump's intervention, it's not clear how CBS news will be regarded as anything but a Trump mouthpiece, American Pravda, as it were. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

Opinion | Bari Weiss runs a Trump-friendly site — now she'll be in charge of CBS News

Paramount Skydance hired the anti-woke opinion journalist to run the venerable news organization — giving Trump an ally with a big legacy media platform.

www.msnbc.com

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Reposted by Ron Skolnik

Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, Trump is often manipulated through his ego, and yes the purpose is noble. But let's be honest - the only thing he can point to to date is a January ceasefire he allowed Netanyahu to break. And 'Gaza Riviera' remarks that legitimized expulsion. www.ynetnews.com/article/hk11...

Hostage families' forum recommends Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

In the letter, the forum — which represents families of Israelis and foreign nationals kidnapped during the war — praised Trump’s 'determination to bring peace' and said his leadership had 'made possi...

www.ynetnews.com

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Reposted by Ron Skolnik

Charles Ghoul-ba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com · 1d

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TOMORROW: TN-07 Primary
10/28: AL HD-12: Matthew Glover
11/04: 20+ races (various)

Donate TODAY! #Blue25

secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...

Chip in!

Show your support with a contribution.

secure.actblue.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 1d

😊 Yes, but I thought of Mani Pe'er as host before I thought of Rivka Michaeli!

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 1d

"In Israel, there's no natural evolving [of culture] but an expunging of what came before."
Especially interesting (and nostalgic) reading for those who lived in Israel before commercial ("hyper-capitalist", per the columnist) TV channels launched in the early '90s.
www.haaretz.com/life/2025-09...

I watched hours of nostalgic Israeli TV and found a nation once kinder and wiser

For Me, an '80s Kid, Nothing Is More Soothing Than Watching Programs From Israel's Broadcasting Authority Archive. That Era's Talk Shows Provide a Better Lesson for Today Than the Current Inflammatory...

www.haaretz.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, Trump is often manipulated through his ego, and yes the purpose is noble. But let's be honest - the only thing he can point to to date is a January ceasefire he allowed Netanyahu to break. And 'Gaza Riviera' remarks that legitimized expulsion. www.ynetnews.com/article/hk11...

Hostage families' forum recommends Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

In the letter, the forum — which represents families of Israelis and foreign nationals kidnapped during the war — praised Trump’s 'determination to bring peace' and said his leadership had 'made possi...

www.ynetnews.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 2d

The issue that neither side wants to admit is that this isn't some isolated slipup; it's that Israeli interests (and especially rightwing Israeli interests) and Jewish interests outside Israel less and less coincide. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

UK Jewish groups condemn Israeli minister’s invite to Tommy Robinson

Far-right activist described as ‘thug who represents worst of Britain’ after invitation to Israel sparks outrage

www.theguardian.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 4d

Pay close attention to the carefully chosen words of Netanyahu's bureau: "Israel is preparing to implement the first stage of the plan" and "we'll continue to work to end the war in accordance with the principles Israel laid down".
news.walla.co.il/item/3784845

חמאס: מוכנים למו"מ לשחרור החטופים, לשכת רה"מ: "נערכים לשלב הראשון בהסכם" - וואלה חדשות

לאחר שארגון הטרור השיב רשמית לתוכנית טראמפ בחיוב אך עם הסתייגויות, טראמפ הפציר בישראל להפסיק את ההפצצות ברצועה "מיד", כדי "שנוכל לשחרר את החטופים בבטחה ובמהירות". זוהי הפעם הראשונה שארה"ב מבקשת מישראל...

news.walla.co.il

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 4d

Of course, this is a ridiculously simplistic description by a ridiculously amateurish administration after a ridiculously half-baked "plan". But, fingers crossed, perhaps something good will come of it. And it's certainly a template for future American presidents!

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 4d

"... Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza ..."

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 4d

www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

Hamas accepts some of US proposal for ending Gaza war, but seeks follow-up talks

* * *

www.timesofisrael.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 4d

In 2023, >2/3 of first-term Democratic House members attended AIPAC's summer Israel trip; in 2025, just 1/3! And who knew Hakeem Jeffries had accepted @jstreetdotorg.bsky.social's endorsement!? www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...

Democrats Pull Away From AIPAC, Reflecting a Broader Shift

www.nytimes.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 6d

The real danger has always come from the right; ADL has misplaced its attention. Nonetheless, need to stand with them against this designation. jewishinsider.com/2025/10/fbis...

FBI’s Kash Patel attacks ADL as ‘extreme group functioning like a terrorist organization’

The FBI director said the bureau is cutting all formal ties with the Jewish civil rights group

jewishinsider.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 6d

Arab states will cooperate only with Trump's ORIGINAL plan, before Netanyahu pushed through edits. They will not cooperate if Netanyahu, "through his amendments or actions on the ground", blocks a political pathway, forcing Trump to make a choice. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Palestinian officials say Hamas inclined to accept Trump's Gaza plan with revisions

Sources in Doha Told Haaretz That Hamas Will Demand Guarantees for an Israeli Withdrawal, a Clear Timetable, and Clarifications on Disarmament, Making a Deal Unlikely in the Coming Days

www.haaretz.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 6d

Israel's Defense Minister, Yisrael Katz, says Palestinian noncombatants will be treated as "terrorists and terror supporters" if they don't agree to be expelled from Gaza City.

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 7d

It's a shame that this John Oliver segment on Netanyahu was banned for viewing in Israel (www.haaretz.com/us-news/2025...). 'Cuz it's really funny - and rather well researched! www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Bw...

Netanyahu: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Ron Skolnik

Partners for Progressive Israel @partners4israel.bsky.social · 7d

Our reaction to the ceasefire plan announced yesterday. (Available online at mailchi.mp/progressivei...)

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 7d

"Netanyahu managed to negotiate several edits into the text ... Officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey were furious."
It shouldn't come as a surprise that an initiative called the "Trump plan" was still only half-baked when it was released. Amateur hour. www.axios.com/2025/09/30/t...

The scramble to shape Trump's Gaza plan is just heating up

The plan Trump presented had significant Netanyahu edits, infuriating Arab officials.

www.axios.com

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Ron Skolnik @ronskolnik.bsky.social · 7d

That's one possibility.

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