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Phyllis Bennis

Phyllis Bennis is a fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies. Her most recent book is the 7th updated edition of "Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer" (2018). Her other books include: "Ending the Iraq War: A Primer" (2008), "Understanding the US-Iran Crisis: A Primer" (2008) and "Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power" (2005). Follow her on Twitter: @PhyllisBennis

Israel/ Palestine
We Need an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

We Need an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

Phyllis Bennis

By Phyllis Bennis | ( Otherwords) – The violence in the Middle East is bringing horrifying new levels of human suffering to both Israelis and Palestinians. We need an immediate ceasefire right now. Both sides have committed heinous violations of international law. But if we’re serious about preventing such horrors in the future, we have […]

Israel/ Palestine
Israel/Palestine: Americans Must Demand a Credible Investigation Into Killing of American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

Israel/Palestine: Americans Must Demand a Credible Investigation Into Killing of American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

Phyllis Bennis

By Phyllis Bennis and Richard Falk | – ( Foreign Policy in Focus ) – Shireen Abu Akleh was a seasoned al-Jazeera correspondent for the past 25 years. She was known and respected throughout the Arab world for her brave, honest reporting of the Palestinian struggle. On May 11, she was shot and killed while […]

Israel/ Palestine
It's Settled That Israel Is Committing the Crime of Apartheid—Now What Should We Do About It?

It’s Settled That Israel Is Committing the Crime of Apartheid—Now What Should We Do About It?

Phyllis Bennis

( Commondreams.org ) – When Amnesty International released its report “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity” earlier the month, it was clearly part of a rapidly expanding trend. Palestinian human rights defenders, members of Congress and faith leaders in the United States, academics, and activists of the Palestinian rights […]

Apartheid
US Gov't depends on Amnesty Int'l for Human Rights Reports, but Rejects Finding of Israeli Apartheid

US Gov’t depends on Amnesty Int’l for Human Rights Reports, but Rejects Finding of Israeli Apartheid

Phyllis Bennis

( Otherwords.org ) – One day last spring, Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank declared a general strike to protest years of repression they faced under Israeli rule. The nonviolent strike came as Israel attempted to evict seven Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, part of a longstanding effort to […]

Haredim
The Real Danger of Israel’s New Government

The Real Danger of Israel’s New Government

Phyllis Bennis

By Phyllis Bennis | – ( Foreign Policy in Focus) – The new Israeli government takes office already largely paralyzed. With eight diverse parties, they agree only on two things. One, they want to get rid of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Check — that’s done. Two, given the unlikeliness of reaching agreement on any major […]

Israel/ Palestine
Four Things to Know About Israel’s New ‘Change Coalition’

Four Things to Know About Israel’s New ‘Change Coalition’

Phyllis Bennis

( Foreign Policy in Focus ) – The new government — if it takes power at all — is united only around ousting Netanyahu. Here’s what that could mean. By Phyllis Bennis | June 4, 2021 In Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, a broad but shaky new “change coalition” claims it’s ready to finally oust Prime […]

Israel/ Palestine
What Is Joe Biden’s Israel Policy, Exactly?

What Is Joe Biden’s Israel Policy, Exactly?

Phyllis Bennis

( Foreign Policy in Focus) – So just what is the Biden administration’s policy towards Israel? Why did Biden take so long to respond to the violence as it spiraled out of control in Jerusalem and Gaza? Why do Biden’s repeated “Israel has the right of self-defense” litanies so closely match the positions of his […]

Israel/ Palestine
Understanding Israel’s Latest Attack on Gaza — And Who Benefits

Understanding Israel’s Latest Attack on Gaza — And Who Benefits

Phyllis Bennis

( Foreign Policy in Focus) – “Both sides need to de-escalate.” “No one benefits from this. ” You’ll hear a lot of statements like that from pundits, elected officials, government spokespeople, and mainstream media anytime there’s violence in Israel-Palestine. In the last few days, Israeli war planes, armed drones, and artillery mounted on tanks have […]

Israel/ Palestine
Why Human Rights Watch Designating Israel's Crimes as Apartheid Is a Very Big Deal

Why Human Rights Watch Designating Israel’s Crimes as Apartheid Is a Very Big Deal

Phyllis Bennis

By Phyllis Bennis | – ( Commondreams ) – Human Rights Watch is the best-known and arguably the most influential among Washington elites of any of the many human rights organizations in the United States. So when HRW issues an unsparing, 200-plus page legal and factual report concluding that Israeli government authorities are guilty of […]

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