The Anniversary of a Fourth-Century Pogrom

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the burning of a synagogue by a Christian mob in the Levantine Roman city of Callinicum—roughly contiguous with Raqqa, currently the capital of Islamic State—in 388 CE. David B. Green writes:

[This] was not the first time that a Jewish place of worship had been destroyed by Christians in the early decades after the adoption of Christianity by Emperor Constantine. . . .

Much less is known about the background to the arson than about what followed, but apparently the bishop of Callinicum incited from the pulpit against the Jews and their evil teachings and ways. The burning of the synagogue was the response the bishop’s followers deemed appropriate. . . .

[T]he secular legal authorities of the province ordered the rioters of Callinicum and their rabble-rousing priest to compensate the Jews—either by rebuilding the synagogue for them or by paying them so they could undertake the reconstruction themselves. That judgment was then confirmed by Theodosius, at the time ruler of the eastern part of the Roman empire, whose seat was in Milan.

Under pressure from the church father St. Ambrose, then bishop of Milan, Theodosius eventually reversed the verdict.

Read more at Haaretz

More about: Ancient Rome, Anti-Semitism, Jewish-Christian relations, Pogroms

What’s Behind Hamas’s Threat to Stall the Release of Hostages, and How Israel Should Respond

Feb. 12 2025

Hamas declared yesterday that it won’t release more hostages “until further notice.” Given the timing and wording of the announcement—several days before the release was supposed to take place, and speaking of a delay rather than a halt—Ron Ben-Yishai concludes that it is a negotiating tactic, aimed at “creating a temporary crisis to gain leverage.” Therefore, writes Ben-Yishai, “Hamas may reverse its decision by Saturday.” He adds:

Israel cannot afford to concede to Hamas’s demands beyond what is already outlined in the agreement, as doing so would invite continuous extortion throughout the negotiation process, further delaying hostage releases.

The group sees the public outrage and growing calls for action following the release of hostages in severe medical condition as an opportunity to extract more concessions. These demands include not only a rapid start to negotiations on the next phase of the deal and an end to the war but also smaller, immediate benefits, particularly improved conditions for displaced Gazans.

Beyond these tactical objectives, Hamas has another goal—one that Israelis do not always recognize: inflicting psychological pain on the Israeli public. The group benefits from, and perhaps even draws strength from, the anguish and emotional distress in Israel, as well as the testimonies of freed hostages detailing the abuse they endured. Hamas wants these stories to be heard—not only to pressure the Israeli government but also because, in the eyes of its supporters, Israel’s suffering is its ultimate victory.

Read more at Ynet

More about: Gaza War 2023, Hamas, Israeli Security