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Articles by Josef Avesar
The Blogs: Criminalizing a community
How Israel’s Framing of “Arab Sector Crime” Fuels Division and Justifies Inequality For years, Israeli politicians, law enforcement officials, and much of the mainstream media have repeatedly referred to the rise of “crime in the Arab sector” as a distinct phenomenon requiring special attention. On the surface, these discussions appear to be about law and order.
The Blogs: Israel and Palestine Are Not a Freak Show
Why the World Must Stop Treating the Conflict as a Spectacle and Demand Normal Standards of Peace For over a century, the people of Israel and Palestine have endured a cycle of violence so deeply entrenched that many now view it as an unavoidable fact of life—an immovable reality like the sun rising in the east. But this normalization of suffering is not only tragic; it is a profound moral failure by the parties involved and by the international community that enables it.
The Blogs: The Illusion of Support
Israel is often celebrated as a global powerhouse of innovation, home to some of the most skilled pilots, engineers, and military tacticians in the world. But while these accolades speak to genuine human and technological talent, they also raise a troubling question: why does such a highly capable nation remain so deeply reliant on US military aid? And what does this aid actually mean for Israeli independence, vision, and long-term security?
The Blogs: Israel’s ary Successes Digging It er into a Hole
Israel has long prided itself on its military prowess. Time and again, it has demonstrated the capacity to defeat multiple enemies on multiple fronts. But history shows that Israel’s military triumphs have often led not to peace or stability, but to deeper political, moral, and strategic crises. There have been two monumental military victories that dramatically reshaped the political map of the Middle East.
The Blogs: 'No Other Land': A Haunting Portrait of Dispossession
A few days ago, I attended a screening of No Other Land at Heavy Manners Library, a bookstore in Los Angeles. Despite having won an Oscar for Best Documentary, we were told the film still lacks distribution. The documentary left the room in stunned silence, not because its revelations were unfamiliar, but because they were delivered with such raw intimacy, urgency, and visual clarity.
The Blogs: Israel’s Obsession with Weapons
In May of this year, I spent ten days in Israel—a visit that left me shaken, not by what I didn’t know, but by what I witnessed firsthand. Despite Israel’s globally admired technological advancements, especially in defense, the country felt anything but secure. I heard the wail of air raid sirens, saw people running for cover—many without access to shelters—and felt the ground tremble from explosions near Gaza. I was at Ben Gurion Airport during a missile attack. I saw it all.
The Blogs: The Lexical Erasure of Peace
In a country forged in conflict, the most radical silence today is not about war—but the absence of any talk of peace. Once a central aspiration, peace has all but disappeared from Israeli political discourse. Not debated. Not demanded. Not even mentioned. In press conferences, in parliamentary debates, and in everyday media, the word peace is conspicuously absent—its absence more powerful than its presence ever was.
The Blogs: $10,000 This Land is Your Land, Song Competition
Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post.
The Blogs: Israel Will Draw the Wrong Conclusions
Israel is set to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate its failure to prevent the October 7 Hamas attack from Gaza. This commission will examine the roles of politicians and military officials, as well as technical and intelligence failures.
Eradicating Hamas is an unrealistic goal.
Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that the war in Gaza should persist until Hamas is eradicated is flawed and risky. An ideology cannot be eradicated by killing individuals.
The N.Y.T puts its fingers on the scale of peace. - Josef Avesar
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Zionism and Hamas, two peas in a pod
Zionism and Hamas are two distinct ideological movements that have gained significant support among Jews in Israel and Palestinians in Palestine. While their beliefs are in opposition, they rely on each other to maintain their influence over their followers. Unless an alternative is identified, their continued presence in Israel/Palestine will continue to negatively impact the population. This article presents a proposal for an alternative solution.
Israel has an ideological conflict of interest.
The rationale for creating a Jewish state was that only Jews can provide safety for Jews. As a country created to ensure the security of Jews, it must demonstrate that Jews are indeed under threat. Without a threat to Jews, there is no justification for a Jewish state. If Israel can achieve its stated goal and provide peace, the need for a Jewish state disappears. The only way to justify the continued existence of a Jewish state is to show that Jews are at risk.
The N.Y.T puts its fingers on the scale of peace.
On December 16, 2023, the New York Times published a series of articles in its Opinion section by individuals which it called “thinkers, political leaders, and experts” for their vision of what could be done after the October 7th attack by Hamas “because in the end, the two neighboring groups of millions of people need to find a way to live their lives”. Nine people shared their opinions in response to the New York Times’ request.
Hamas succeeded where Israeli terrorists failed
The Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, successfully intensified the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the past, Israeli terrorists attempted to do the same. In 1984, Israeli security forces prevented a Jewish terrorist plot to destroy the Dome of the Rock. They arrested 25 settlers from the West Bank and the Golan Heights.
Israel's Declaration of Independence
On the Sabbath of May 15, 1948, the same day the British Mandate ended, a group of unelected Jewish leaders headed by David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of Israel as a Jewish state. They made a monumental mistake for which Jews, Palestinians, and Arabs have paid dearly and will continue to do so in the future. They had a golden opportunity to demand a full democracy that would include Arabs and Jews, but they chose a violent, illogical path of creating a Jewish state instead.
Israel’s Declaration of Independence - Josef Avesar
On the Sabbath of May 15, 1948, the same day the British Mandate ended, a group of unelected Jewish leaders headed by David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of Israel as a Jewish state. They made a monumental mistake for which Jews, Palestinians, and Arabs have paid dearly and will continue to do so in the future. They had a golden opportunity to demand a full democracy that would include Arabs and Jews, but they chose a violent, illogical path of creating a Jewish state instead.
Simulating an Israeli Palestinian Confederation - Josef Avesar
The Israel Palestinian Confederation (IPC) has cut this Gordian knot by creating mechanism that allows each side to advance what is in its self-interest. It is an independent “government” separate of the existing Israeli and Palestinian governments in which Israelis and Palestinians are given equal power. They both elect local representatives to a legislature and if a supermajority of both Palestinian and Israeli members agrees on proposed legislation, it is enacted.
Simulating an Israeli Palestinian Confederation
The Israel Palestinian Confederation (IPC) has cut this Gordian knot by creating mechanism that allows each side to advance what is in its self-interest. It is an independent “government” separate of the existing Israeli and Palestinian governments in which Israelis and Palestinians are given equal power. They both elect local representatives to a legislature and if a supermajority of both Palestinian and Israeli members agrees on proposed legislation, it is enacted.
The Case For the failure of Zionism
Zionism, the fundamental political philosophy of the state of Israel, was established as a political movement in 1897 by Theodor Herzl in response to pogroms against Jews mostly in Russia. His goal was to create a Homeland in Palestine so Jews would not be subject to Antisemitism and be able to defend themselves. It was based on the theory that Antisemitism will always remain and Jews would only be able to protect themselves by having a state of their own.
The Jewish State and ISIS
Apr 4, 2022, 5:09 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. In recent days we witnessed an escalation of terrorist attacks in the Jewish State of Israel by individuals who reportedly belong to ISIS.
When it comes to Palestine/Israel, the US abandons its values
Oct 24, 2021, 11:53 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Imagine you are overweight with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
For Jews, Israel is the most dangerous place in the world!
The Jewish state of Israel was established to become a safe refuge for Jews. It never lived up to its intended goal. Since its establishment in 1948, over twenty thousand Jews were killed and over 100,000 were injured due to violence because they were Jews, more than any other place in the world. Israel claims, without evidence, that its mere existence provides safety to Jews around the world.
The big, irreconcilable, divide in Israel
Feb 14, 2021, 2:04 PM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Two groups in Israel, Orthodox and secular Jews, fight each other to improve their privileges. They agree in their opposition to the Palestinians.
It’s time to re-think the Israeli Palestinian conflict
Jan 31, 2021, 9:28 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Israelis and Palestinians must live together and in peace in a democratic equal and open society with mutual respect, freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
Coronavirus Exposes a Huge Gap Between Orthodox and Secular Jews in Israel
Apr 15, 2020, 2:00 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. About 20 percent of the Israeli population consists of Orthodox Jews. Most of them vote for orthodox religious parties.
Israel is not a democracy
Mar 24, 2020, 1:12 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Israel has several institutions similar to other democracies: Elections, parliament, government and a Supreme Court.
The end of Israel as a Jewish State?
Jan 28, 2020, 11:59 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. On March 2nd 2020 Israelis will head to the polls for a third time within a year.
A war would save Netanyahu
Sep 26, 2019, 11:30 PM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post.
The Divide Between American Jews and Israel
Jul 11, 2019, 12:13 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Theodor Herzl, the father of Zionism and the state of Israel, envisioned the idea of Jewish immigration to Palestine to create a Jewish state.
Israeli Palestinian Confederation -- It’s about time
Jun 26, 2019, 7:07 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post.
Ashkelon mayor bars Arab workers, drawing racism charges
The mayor of Ashkelon said Wednesday he would freeze construction of bomb shelters in kindergartens, in order to keep Arab-Israeli workers away from schools in the southern city. Itamar Shimoni quickly came under fire after announcing via Facebook he would cut off construction of shelters at any kindergarten where Arab workers were employed and also order the posting of armed guards outside kindergartens near building sites that employed Arab construction workers.
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