How to ‘revitalize’ the Palestinian Authority * Cultural appropriation is cool again * These local elections are momentous * Judaism on redeeming hostages

[Times of Israel]( [The Blogs Weekly]( Thursday, February 22, 2024 From the blogs [What would a ‘revitalized’ Palestinian Authority be?]( By Maurice Hirsch and Yossi Kuperwasser Even before reforming its endemic corruption, the PA must stop promoting Jew hatred and accept Israel’s existence David Makovsky [Without enforcement, talk of two states is hollow]( Most Israelis would support a deal if they thought it would succeed, but first they’d need to overcome their genuine reasons for skepticism Sam Lehman-Wilzig [Redeeming hostages: What does Judaism really say?]( There is a striking difference between Talmudic and Biblical responses to the painful dilemma of freeing captives [I want to fight for Israel. Why won’t anyone let me?]( By Giada Condello I could work to help sway opinion in my country of origin if only there was a shred of effective Israeli PR there and elsewhere abroad Andrii Zaika [Help Ukraine and you help Israel]( Jewish support would help open the Ukrainian market to Israeli companies – and cover the humanitarian aid provided by before October 7 [What Israel’s local elections mean right now]( By Noah Efron The choices voters make about how to live with their neighbors will augur a new contract for life at the national level Analysis Adam Segal [When did cultural appropriation get cool again?]( A deep dive into the hypocrisy of sporting keffiyehs and the malevolent ignorance of accessorizing with bloody hands Jeff Rubin [When Hamas hit suburbia]( A local response to the war in Gaza laid bare the fault lines in a well-off Maryland county that prides itself on civility [From blood libel to genocide libel]( By Jeffrey L. Rubenstein These two false accusations leveled against Jews are driven by the same psychological mechanisms: guilt, doubt and hatred Nancy Goodman [In the Kalanit fields]( Seeing red in the wake of October 7 can spark Jewish survival instincts, shed Jewish insecurity, and reveal the truth about Jewish anti-Zionists [Israeli kitchen dreams]( By Avi Rockoff The notion of hosting holiday meals with extended family and friends every single week might not play too well in Peoria more choice voices Hanadi Sha'er [Young Arab Israelis are in danger (so are other young people)]( Cut the budget allocated for education, employment workshops, and leadership training, and say hello to a rise in crime Yehuda Halper [Give the first Israel Prize in Citizen Heroism to Netanyahu]( After all, he’s the one who ordered a preemptive attack on Gaza (in 2014). It’s right there in his autobiography Steven Berkowitz [The resolution passed, yet once again we lost]( Our lives, our history and our trauma are not something to be voted on for political gain or to shame political opponents Mati Gill [How George Washington can save Israel]( Presidents’ Day recalls the US founding father’s principled decision to prioritize the common good over personal ambition [The Blogs Weekly]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2024 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved