For the past few days, the world’s attention has been focused on Ukraine following the extraordinary meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. By now, you have likely seen the recording of the meeting, so there is no need to rehash it. I want to refocus us on the events in and about Palestine this week.
Tareq Hajjaj spoke to Ismail Radwan, a senior Hamas leader and politburo member, who said the group was “not keen on ruling the Gaza Strip.” He rejected the idea Hamas would give up its arms, saying, “the weapons of the resistance are a red line that is not up for discussion.” The second phase of the ceasefire is in limbo. Negotiations are not yet happening. Mitchell Plitnick says Netanyahu is trying to extend the phase one period to get more captives released, making the second phase moot. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, is trying to get phase one extended to maintain the ceasefire for now. These machinations are happening against the backdrop of a destabilizing relationship between the U.S. and European nations, which is commanding all the diplomatic attention at the moment. Again, the ultimate losers are the Palestinian people in Gaza who are desperately trying to reestablish some semblance of normal life after 16 months of displacement.
We also marked the one-year anniversary of Aaron Bushnall’s death by immolation in protest of the U.S. government’s support of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. We have two reflections on Bushnall’s action, as well as a piece from Joy Metzler, an active duty Air Force lieutenant inspired by Bushnell to seek conscientious objector status.
Friend of the site Yves Engler, a writer and activist in Canada, was arrested recently after a pro-Israel “influencer” accused him of harassing her on social media. Faisal Kutty writes “His arrest and charges raise serious concerns about the misuse of the criminal justice system to stifle legitimate criticism of state and media narratives.”
Quick note: Our quarterly donor staff briefing is coming up at the end of March. These events are open to all Mondoweiss donors. If you have not made a donation to us yet, please do so now so you can attend this event! We’ll hear from our Palestine-based reporters about the developments in the West Bank, and they will answer your questions. The donation form is below this article, or you can click here to make a secure contribution.
In solidarity,
Dave Reed, Publisher
Must Read: Senior Hamas leader says movement isn’t interested in ruling Gaza, but laying down arms remains a ‘red line’ (Exclusive)
Tareq Hajjaj: Hamas leaders in Gaza say that although they will accept a “national consensus” on who governs Gaza, the movement will not lay down its arms. But Israel intends to tank the ceasefire through its violations of the deal, a senior Hamas leader tells Mondoweiss.
Michael Arria: Joseph Czuba, 73, was convicted on Friday for the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, in October 2023. Czuba, who was the boy’s landlord, faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty of committing a hate crime.
🇮🇱 Mitchell Plitnick: As the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire comes to an end it is clear the Trump White House has no substantive policy for the region. Israel is filling that vacuum with perpetual war.
🇮🇱 Qassam Muaddi: In the midst of fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel is escalating its military aggressions in the region, begging the question: is Israel experiencing a moment of unprecedented force, or is it afraid of betraying unprecedented weakness?
✈️ Joy Metzler: I am an active duty Air Force lieutenant looking to gain a conscientious objector discharge due to my horror over the U.S. role in the Gaza genocide. Aaron Bushnell’s self-immolation a year ago started me on my journey.
🇺🇸 Michael Arria: Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video to social media showing him and Benjamin Netanyahu sunbathing together in Gaza as Elon Musk eats hummus outside a resort called “TRUMP GAZA.”
✊ Ryan D’Souza: Through his self-immolation, Aaron Bushnell aligned himself with the Palestinian people and joined them outside the universe of moral obligation of the West. One year later we are still struggling to understand his radical action. James Ray also published a moving reflection on Bushnall’s death.
⛺ Michael Arria: According to a new report, a total of $12.3 million was spent on “managing” UCLA’s protests around the school’s Gaza solidarity encampment last year. Additionally, there were over 200 arrests, and more than 10 degrees were withheld from students.
🇨🇦 Faisal Kutty: The criminal charges laid against Montreal-based author, activist, and Mondoweiss contributor Yves Engler for responding to a pro-Israel influencer’s social media posts should concern anyone who values freedom of expression and the rule of law.
🇵🇸 Qassam Muaddi: The Israeli army expanded its “Iron Wall” offensive in the northern West Bank, sending tanks into Jenin for the first time in two decades and announcing that displaced residents from Jenin and Tulkarem would not be allowed to return to their homes.
Michael Arria: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is once again introducing legislation aimed at halting U.S. arms sales to Israel.
