The Beersheba Lynching and Israeli Society

Oct. 26 2015

Last week a Palestinian terrorist carried out an attack at the central bus station in Beersheba, leaving one dead and several injured. In the melee, a security guard mistakenly shot an Eritrean immigrant named Habtom Zarhum, who was then set upon and beaten by a mob. Ruthie Blum writes:

Everyone—from the prime minister to the defense establishment to the police to the public—condemned the brutality and wept for Zarhum. A clear majority says that even if Zarhum had been a terrorist, there would have been no justification for the blows he received after he was already lying on the ground bleeding and no longer a threat. . . .

Since early September, Israelis have been living in a kind of limbo: watching their backs while walking down the street; driving with trepidation; hesitant to ride the buses; afraid to hire young Arabs with sharp tools to do renovations or gardening jobs; jumping to turn on the news with every sound of an ambulance siren or overhead helicopter. Many average people are now carrying pepper spray, tear gas, pocket knives and—those who are licensed—guns. . . . Under such conditions, one would expect the number of casualties from mistaken identity, or from innocents getting caught in crossfire, to be very high. Instead, they are almost nil.

Breast-beating is a national pastime in Israel. . . . I, for one, however, will continue to feel honored and proud, not ashamed and guilt-ridden, to be part of this amazingly strong and moral country, the likes of which the world has never seen.

Read more at Israel Hayom

More about: Israel & Zionism, Israeli society, Migrants in Israel, Morality, Terrorism

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait