Western privilege and the interviews of the ISIS ‘Beatles’ in Syria
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The SDF in Syria seem to be holding a circus for journalists to come and profile the ISIS ‘Beatles.’ One after another the detainees have been holding court in Syria, boasting,...
View ArticleStop romanticizing 1950s Israel and segregated communities
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN There is a bizarre and misguided nostalgia among some in the diaspora, particularly the US, for an Israel that never existed. It conjures up a myth of an “egalitarian” Israel of...
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Three weeks of Gaza’s ‘Return March’: Major events and casualties
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On April 13 Palestinians in Gaza assembled at five protest locations in Gaza next to the Israeli border fence. It was the third week of mass protests. The protests appear to be...
View ArticleAre these the most offensive toxic quotes in an Israeli newspaper? A list
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Recently the publisher of an Israeli newspaper was accused of racism on Twitter. Responding to criticism of a supplement, the publisher had written back “you’re insolent. My family...
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Who is Ali al Amine and why was he attacked by Hezbollah
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On April 22, 2018 Ali al-Amine (Amin علي الامين), a Lebanese politician and journalist was attacked and hospitalized. He was a candidate for the Shbeana Haki (شبعنا حكي) or “we are...
View ArticleThe other list of books about Israel to read on World Book Day
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN There are several lists of must-read books about Israel floating around, some relate to the 70th anniversary independence celebrations or World Book Day, which is on April 23. One...
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Is Qatar pushing Hamas towards the “deal of the century”
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN “A letter has been sent by the Qataris to Trump envoy Jason Greenblatt,” a knowledgeable source says. The source goes on to say that it spells out terms under which Hamas would...
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Are Israeli media afraid of Arab voices?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN I read an article recently about Haifa. It was interesting. The author looked at the city that is often held up as an exemplar of tolerance and coexistence in Israel. In comparison...
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Are US-backed SDF fighting Shia militias in Syria?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On April 29 reports emerged of clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian regime-supported National Defense Forces, which allegedly include Shi’ite militias in a...
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Israelis died in a tragic flood; what’s needed? A cliche-ridden oped
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The bodies were not even in the ground when the commentators came running. They have their theories about why 10 youth died in a flash flood. It can’t just be a flash flood. It...
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