Gilad Erdan has made a career of suppressing dissent and freedom of speech in Israel. Now that he is set to become the next ambassador to both the United States and United Nations Ariel Gold reviews his history and what is on his agenda

Israeli weapons giant Elbit Systems is reaping profits from the suffering both in Gaza and at the U.S.-Mexico border. Ariel Gold and Ursula Rozum of CODEPINK say that divestment from Elbit will play a major role eroding the institutional and economic support that allows Israel to commit war crimes with impunity and the U.S. to increase border repression.

The upcoming Israeli elections, usually a sign of democracy, will in fact demonstrate how the country is not a democratic state. The right to vote is only granted to 60% of the total population, and only one third of Palestinians who live under Israeli rule will have a say in the next government.

Ariel Gold on getting denied entry to Israel: “My denial of entry received an enormous amount of coverage in Israeli and American Jewish media. Though I am disappointed I was not able to get into the country, I am glad that what happened to me contributed in a strong and positive way to the conversations that are taking place right now in Israeli and diaspora Jewish communities around Palestinian rights and democracy. But, refusing to allow me into the country is only a small glimpse of Israel’s border policies.”

Ariel Gold writes, “Before we consider whether Ahed deserves a life behind bars, we must first take a closer look at what is a criminal action, and what is a life of enduring state violence. Is it the 16-year-old girl who dares to raise her hand to a fully armed Israeli soldier who is the criminal? Or is it the ongoing illegal occupation that places soldiers in the lives of unarmed teenage girls?”

As the #MeToo movement continues to build and uplift more marginalized voices CODEPINK’s Ariel Gold and Taylor Morley write that Ahed Tamimi should be regarded as a pillar in the movement: “Ahed is revoking her consent for Israel’s brutal occupation. She refuses to give her consent to Israeli forces that invade her family’s home in yet another vicious, meritless night raid. She continually confronts her aggressors and stands up to the violent system of power that keeps perpetuating this cycle of abuse against Palestinians, and for that, she is threatened with sexual violence. Now is the time for voices in the #MeToo movement to call for her release and help draw the parallels.”

Ariel Gold writes: American Jews generally take great pride in the support we have shown for civil rights and free speech. As such, we should be appalled at the nomination of Kenneth Marcus for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education. His appointment will greatly damage free speech rights on campuses.

Democrats usually jump at opportunities to counter Trump’s reckless and incendiary policies. That is, when the policies don’t have to do with the state of Israel.

Weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin literally makes a killing off of killing. The company’s notorious F-16 fighter jet came into Israel’s possession in 1980, two years before Israel’s first war with Lebanon. Since that time, the company’s fighter jets have been integral to Israel’s brutal military campaigns in Lebanon and Palestine. When considering companies to target for their entanglement in Israel’s human rights violations, Lockheed Martin should make the top of everyone’s lists.

Ariel Gold arrived in court on Wednesday expecting the unlawful entry charges against her to be dropped. Instead, two additional charges were added to the case against her for her April 27th protest in the House of Representatives Rayburn office building during the launch of the “Israel Victory Caucus.” Gold writes, “Before the Trump’s administration, cases like mine were usually thrown out. But now, even greater efforts are being taken to quash dissent.”