Donald Trump’s surprising announcement that talks are starting with Iran gives the White House a pivotal choice: follow pro-Israel hawks calling for a military confrontation with Iran, or chart a diplomatic course that could avert a disastrous war.
Despite widespread participation in a general strike protesting the genocide in Gaza, organized Palestinian forces in the West Bank are experiencing a “moment of weakness,” civil society activists say, due to Israel’s campaign of terror.
The Trump administration has reportedly revoked hundreds of student visas amid a widening crackdown on the U.S. Palestine movement, with one attorney estimating as many as 1,000 visas have been canceled at universities across the country.
Last week Israel ordered the evacuation of Rafah, the very place that has been a refuge for millions of Palestinians, including myself. As I read the news, the memories of my displacement to Rafah came flooding back.
“This is about Palestine and this is not about Palestine,” said New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice director Amy Torres at a recent rally in support of Mahmoud Khalil. “This is about this administration. . . going after every single one of us.”
Yemen’s Red Sea blockade in defense of Palestinians is squarely supported by international law. But the country is being ruthlessly bombed by the U.S. to ensure Israeli impunity for its continued siege and genocide in Gaza.
Columbia students are banding together as ICE and the NYPD target Palestine activism. “[Columbia] is willing to give the Trump administration whatever it wants,” one student tells Mondoweiss. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep pushing too.”
A group of Civil Defense and Palestinian Red Crescent crews in Gaza disappeared when they went to Rafah on a rescue mission. A week later, the bodies of 15 first responders were found dead and buried in the sand by the Israeli army.
For Palestinians in Gaza, this Eid was supposed to be a symbol of resilience and hope after months of war. But Israel’s renewed attack, which broke the ceasefire, has crushed even our smallest dreams.
We had just begun rebuilding our lives when Israel shattered the Gaza ceasefire. Now we are once again on the edge of death and I can only ask, Why are we not allowed to survive?