Jonathan Shavit

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Jun 1, 2025, 6:55 PM

An echo of a Middle Eastern pogrom

People are murdered in their homes. Corpses are mutilated. The cries and shrieks of despair uttered by families emerging through windows are counterbalanced by bellowing in Arabic by groups of men. Infants are murdered, women and girls are raped,...

May 14, 2025, 11:16 PM

Who needs Ansar Allah?

Ansar Allah, better known in the West as the Houthis. A movement consisting of Zaydi Shia Muslims – not to be confused with Twelver Shia Muslims you will find in Iran and Lebanon – named after the name of...

May 8, 2025, 5:58 AM

Chora, Hawija, and the al-Ahli hospital blast: a case of Dutch media bias

Does the name Chora mean anything to you? How about Hawija? Unless you are Dutch, an Afghan or an Iraqi – and that might not matter much more either – these names will not ring any bells. But if...

Apr 30, 2025, 6:39 AM

Thoughts as Israel will mark its 77th birthday

Alas, a sad day for all those who detest Israel. From an old man muttering in Farsi in Tehran, to another old, yet loud, man in Ankara who has asked Allah to destroy Israel. Yes, Israel will celebrate its...

Apr 20, 2025, 7:04 AM

No longer welcome in the Maldives

A bold statement made by the Maldives this week. In a show of steadfastness and unconditional support for the Palestinians, the government of the Muslim archipelago in the Indian Ocean has decided to ban the entry of Israeli passport...

Apr 19, 2025, 9:56 PM

The Sharaa enigma

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Abu Muhammad al-Joulani. The new leader of the transitional government and a former jihadist. Since the fall of the Assad regime, developments in Syria have moved at a rapid pace. While Iran’s role seems to be played...

Apr 12, 2025, 3:20 PM

Still on the map

As a child, I remember watching Michael Jordan in action. The way that man moved on the court, very few can manage to turn their craft into an art, but he could. The times I could catch a glimpse...

Apr 6, 2025, 5:27 AM

‘Globalize the Mint-ifada’? The struggle for Ben & Jerry’s soul

(Linda Gradstein/JTA, via The Times of Israel)

Ben Cohen wants his company back to stop it from selling ice cream in the West Bank, but I cry foul on his selective social justice

Apr 3, 2025, 11:49 PM

How inconvenient protests in Gaza can be

Amsterdam: the location of many pro-Palestinian protests. Since October 7th, the capital of the Netherlands has seen many pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel events, ranging from peaceful protests to violent encounters, with the November Jew hunt being its nadir. Some of...

Mar 24, 2025, 5:37 AM

A conversation between two anti-Israel Jews

Every now and then, I like to torture myself. So, when I read an article about an American Jewish actor calling Israelis “demonically evil,” I wanted to find out more. There are, of course, more Jews who detest Israel...

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About Me

Born in Israel and raised in the Netherlands, I have studied history in the past. Though I still live in the latter, the former continues to amaze, frustrate, encourage, worry, enlighten, and move me. Whenever and wherever, Israel is on my mind.