Rachel Lester, at The Blogs

Rachel Lester

Sep 23, 2024, 2:26 PM

The Israel-Lebanon border on September 23, 2024. (Rabih DAHER / AFP)

Israel's precision attacks are a legitimate and necessary response to the massive harm Hezbollah has caused - a point I hope the world can yet learn

Aug 21, 2024, 1:00 PM

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Since October 7th, the IDF has had an unsurprising mental health care crisis

Photo of me from the inaugural opening last night. (courtesy)

What is more surprising - and very welcome - is the speed with which the army is implementing its plan for a new mental health center

Aug 2, 2024, 6:50 PM

Why I just canceled my WashPost subscription

While Israelis are simultaneously still riding the high on the recent eliminations of Shukr, Haniyeh, and Deif while also mentally preparing for an Iranian retaliation this weekend, I thought I would distract you with a different story: why I...

Jun 19, 2024, 10:00 PM

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I read the new ‘Gaza famine report’ so you don’t have to

5 ways the report suggests there's no famine in Gaza

Jun 9, 2024, 10:47 PM

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Mad about the rescue mission? I don’t care.

Noa Argamani reunited with her father yesterday. Credit: Aviva Klompas

You should have used your anger to urge Hamas to release the hostages or expect Israel to do whatever necessary to free them

Jun 4, 2024, 5:15 AM

Let’s talk about empathy

Let’s talk about empathy. The capacity of a people to feel and express sadness, anger, and regret for civilian deaths on the other side of a war. Since October 7, it seems to me there’s one thing that has...

May 14, 2024, 2:36 PM

Reminder: We are not alone

A lone Israeli flag is waved in front of a sea of Palestinian flags at a rally in Los Angeles in 2014. Photo: Rachel Lester

It’s never felt harder to be an Israel advocate than it does right now. For me, it started a couple of weeks ago when the former spokesperson for the Hostages & Missing Families Forum revealed his belief that Netanyahu is...

May 3, 2024, 2:57 PM

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The antisemitic mask is off

An 'Intifada' banner hung over Columbia University's Hamilton Hall after anti-Israel students took over the building on April 30, 2024. (Jessica Schwalb)

This week, for the first time, I heard blatant calls from mainstream Americans for violence against Jews and the elimination of the State of Israel

Apr 22, 2024, 3:58 PM

If protestors actually cared about Palestinians

'Pro-Palestinian protesters' march outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. (Kena Betancur / AFP).

The horror, fury, and nausea I felt watching the news in Israel on October 7 are back. This time, it's because I'm watching video after video of innocent Jews get harassed and attacked by their fellow students on college...

About Me

Rachel Lester served in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit for four years, creating videos for the IDF's millions of social media followers and running the international video department as creative director. She was called into reserves on October 7 and stayed for six months. Rachel is an alumna of the University of Southern California and holds a Masters in Government from Reichman University.