Benjamin Birely, at The Blogs

Benjamin Birely

May 24, 2026, 11:49 PM

How I Became a ‘PhD Candidate in Genocide’

A little over a month ago, on Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day), I glanced at my phone on my way home. I hadn’t planned on being in Israel for Israel’s 78th birthday. I should have been back in Italy...

Oct 9, 2025, 11:42 AM

From the Seventh to the Ninth of October

It’s been a long journey from שבעה באוקטובר לתשעה באוקטובר — from the shivah (the seventh) of October, 2023 to the tisha (the ninth) of October, 2025 — but we are here, finally here. Ribbono shel olam, we’re finally...

Sep 17, 2025, 10:17 PM

Italian Academia: ‘Zionists Out!’

Last night on my way home, I turned onto the famous Via Toledo in the heart of Naples and watched as protesters chanted "I-N-T-I-F-A-D-A!". Other chants included "Israel is a murderous state!", "Death, Death to the IOF" (this one, of...

Aug 11, 2025, 5:26 PM

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Jerusalem’s underbelly: Skunk water and Jewish unity

At a protest after Hamas released a video of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Israelis clashed, conjuring the pre-Oct 7 era

Nov 7, 2023, 2:53 AM

The Surreal Jerusalem Wartime Experience

Tonight I sat outside of Jaffa Gate in tears. Looking at faces of many of the 239 Israeli hostages being held in Gaza since Hamas' horrific attack on October 7 projected onto the Old City walls, the same sentence...

Jul 10, 2023, 5:32 PM

The Torah of Revenge & What Some Jews From the Diaspora Aren’t Understanding

Protest in Jerusalem, 5/7. Photo belongs to the author.

When the Supreme Court disqualified Aryeh Deri from serving as a minister in January — an event that set the tone for the coming months — Avshalom Ohayon, a long-time Shas activist and close friend of Deri, spoke to...

May 19, 2023, 2:22 PM

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Fear and loathing at Damascus Gate

When the teen bullies at the Flag March saw me filming them, they surrounded me and cursed me out, never mind that we all wore the same kippot on our heads

Dec 18, 2022, 4:57 PM

Hanukah: Light Flowing From the Darkness

The story of Hanukah isn't exactly as it seems. Many historians of the period will tell you that the Maccabees are much less the tale of a courageous band of freedom fighters triumphing over oppressive, anti-Jewish "Greeks" and much more...

Dec 14, 2022, 5:22 AM

Hanukah, Purim, And Why Israel Needs More Hanukah

It's no surprise that the Hasmoneans have a complicated reputation in Jewish tradition. Despite their heroism, the Maccabean revolt produced a short-lived, dysfunctional and Hellenized priestly dynasty that paved the way for Roman rule. Within a generation of the revolt,...

About Me

Benjamin made aliyah in 2010 and is based in Jerusalem. He completed a B.A. and M.A. in Ancient History at Tel Aviv University, and worked in Israel's tech industry. He began his PhD in Fall 2024. He is currently working on his doctorate in Italy. Follow his account HolyLandSpeaks on Instagram, Substack and TikTok.