Thanks to folks who joined me and Rabbi Noa Sattath, Executive Director of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), for our live video podcast this afternoon. ACRI, the oldest and most influential civil rights organization in Israel, is often compared to the ACLU and is at the forefront of pitched battles for human rights within Israel proper and in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The topics we discussed included:
Israel’s new discriminatory death penalty law: how it targets Palestinians exclusively and amounts to de jure annexation of the West Bank, and ACRI’s fight to get Israel’s Supreme Court to overturn the law
The cruelty is the point: How National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir channeled the violence and brutality of Israel’s post-October 7 campaign in Gaza into his campaign for the death penalty law (golden noose lapel pins and all)
Fighting for the freedom to protest the Iran war: How ACRI is fighting back as the Netanyahu government has sought to prevent anti-war protests and Ben-Gvir’s police have violently attacked protesters
Forcing the IDF to restrict violent settler ringleaders: As state-backed settler terrorism accelerates and drives more Palestinians from their land, ACRI is trying novel legal approaches that target settler ringleaders
Concerns that Netanyahu will grow increase repression as elections approach and how ACRI is preparing for that eventuality
That’s just a taste — there was much more to this insightful and candid conversation. I highly recommend checking out ACRI’s important work! Their website is here.
You Won’t Want to Miss This!
Friday, April 10, at 11am Eastern:
Since the announcement of a US-Iran ceasefire yesterday, shortly before President Trump’s deadline for unleashing the termination of Iranian civilization, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s determination to continue the Israeli war against Lebanon has become a major barrier to ending the Middle East crisis. The Israeli war against Lebanon, which began after Hizballah lobbed missiles at Israel following the start of the US-Israeli attack against Iran, has shattered what remained of the November 2024 ceasefire and displaced nearly one-fifth of Lebanon’s population.
Today, Israel unleashed intense strikes that reportedly killed 182 people — the highest death toll in a single day since the start of the Israel-Hizballah war. With Iran insisting that the ceasefire must extend to Lebanon, the fate of the US-Iran ceasefire hangs in the balance.
Nadim Houry, Executive Director of Arab Reform Initiative, recently published a thoughtful analysis in Just Security, critiquing both Israel’s actions and Washington’s strategy in Lebanon. I’m looking forward to speaking with him about these latest pivotal developments and considering what a path to peace, stability, and accountability for Lebanon and Israel might entail.
Join us!
Speaking of the Purported US-Iran Ceasefire…
I joined TRT World Now last night, shortly after news of the ceasefire broke to share my analysis on the unfolding developments. As you’ll see, one of the topics I emphasized was the potential for PM Netanyahu to play the role of spoiler by insisting on continuing the war in Lebanon — and the need for President Trump to use his considerable leverage vis-a-vis Netanyahu.
I’d love to hear what you think!
Friends, I’ve been working hard to bring you top-tier, multifaceted analysis to keep you informed throughout the US-Israeli war against Iran. I need your help in order to continue this work. If you appreciate the insights The Debrief brings you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber now. You can also show your support with a one-time donation in any amount. Thank you.
Hang in there, folks. I hope to see you on Friday!
Warm regards,
Debra
