Meir Bleich

Closed Military Zone Orders Are Enforced Against Only One Side

Closed Military Zone Orders
Are Enforced Against Only One Side

This week once again demonstrated that the army and police are using closed military zone orders in ways that contradict the purpose of the law: on the one hand, to restrict the activities of protective-presence activists and freedom of movement and protest, and on the other, to facilitate violent activity by settlers. Weekly Review – August 16–22, 2026

Meir Bleich · August 24, 2026

Eisenkot and Bennett Maintain the Right to Remain Silent

The siege imposed by the Hilltop Youth from the Tel Talpiyot outpost on the homes of two Palestinian families in Qusra, and the indifference of the army and police in the face of settler violence against journalists, reflect the story of the country’s deterioration and its transformation into a pariah in much of the world. Weekly Review – August 9–15, 2026

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · August 17, 2026

A Process Toward Ending the Occupation Will Enable the Reconstruction of the Damage Left by Netanyahu

Eisenkot's statement—"No Palestinian state, and no path to a Palestinian state"—shows that he prefers to ignore the other side of the conflict and manage it unilaterally. October 7 demonstrated that managing the conflict without a political horizon inevitably leads to another explosion. A process aimed at ending the occupation would make it possible to repair the damage in all the other spheres. Weekly Review – July 26 to August 1, 2026

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · August 3, 2026

"There is no democracy with occupation"

The slate chosen by tens of thousands of members of The Democrats includes many worthy candidates, but the elected leading figures of the protest against the judicial overhaul do not connect the occupation to Israel's democratic decline. The weekend confrontations between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank demonstrate that genuine democratic renewal will come only with the end of the apartheid in the occupied territories. Weekly Review, July 19–25, 2026

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · July 27, 2026

Jewish Terror in the West Bank Intensifies and the Opposition Parties Remain Silent

Four Months Before the Elections while Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir offer a future of bloodshed and perpetual war, Eisenkot, Bennett, and Lieberman continue to ignore the occupation and fail to present a viable alternative. They oppose both a Palestinian state and the full annexation of the West Bank, but offer no practical political solution. As a result, Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir continue to win the support of young voters.

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · June 29, 2026

Dozens of Former Senior Officials Finally Speak Out: A Demand to Eliminate Jewish Terrorism

In a 46-page letter addressed to Netanyahu, his ministers, the military, and the police, former prime ministers, chiefs of staff, security officials, judges, and scientists demand the dismantling of illegal Jewish outposts and farms in the occupied West Bank, the confiscation of weapons and vehicles, protection for threatened Palestinian communities, and the return of displaced communities to their homes. This marks a significant new declaration at a time when opposition leaders continue to avoid presenting alternatives to the current occupation policy and focus solely on removing Netanyahu. Weekly Review – June 14–20, 2026

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · June 21, 2026

It's Time to Face Reality

A Toyota pickup truck packed with black-clad, masked settlers wearing tzitzit from the hills of Samaria arrived in Huwara in the occupied West Bank on the Sabbath to carry out a violent rampage. Nine Palestinians were injured. The truck's license plate was clearly visible. No arrests were made. According to the Shin Bet, this was not considered terrorism. Also this week: a 7-month-old baby was shot dead in Hebron by soldiers who said they felt threatened. Five soldiers were killed on the Lebanese front. It is time to face reality. Weekly Review, May 31 – June 6, 2026.

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · June 7, 2026

"No One Represents Israel Better Than Ben-Gvir”

The video documenting the National Security Minister’s visit to the Port of Ashdod, where he humiliated participants in the international flotilla intercepted at sea, sparked negative reactions across Europe. Testimonies from the flotilla detainees further damaged Israel’s international standing. According to reports, Israel is not meaningfully involved in negotiations with Iran, and the emerging compromise does not appear favorable to it. Weekly Review – May 17–23, 2026

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · May 24, 2026

58% of Arab Citizens Support a Government with Arab Parties

A recently published survey found that the alternative to occupation is peace, and support for a two-state solution exceeds 75% among respondents. The survey results, alongside current Knesset polling trends, indicate that Bennett and Eisenkot will ultimately have to regard Arab parties as legitimate partners in replacing the government. Weekly Review – May 9–16, 2026

Meir Bleich · Weekly Summary · May 17, 2026

There Is No Democracy Without Arabs

The declaration by Bennett–Lapid–Eisenkot that their government will consist solely of Zionist parties is neither pragmatic nor morally appropriate. The fact that Zionism was founded as a movement to realize the Jewish people’s right to self-determination should not undermine the democratic essence of the nation-state of Israel.

Meir Bleich · Opinion · April 28, 2026

The right end to the war: solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Launching a military campaign without a political plan to end it - is doomed to failure. Netanyahu’s government has neither presented nor discussed such a plan, deliberately, because it has no intention of reaching a peace solution. It prefers ethnic cleansing and annexation of the occupied west bank. Yet not all the cards are in its hands

Meir Bleich · Opinion · March 5, 2026

"Protective presence" ahead of the elections

To ensure the removal of the malicious and failed government, the democracy-loving public must prepare in advance. The leaders of the opposition parties must declare their willingness to include the Arab parties in the government they will form. At the same time, it is essential to ensure the integrity of Election Day, guaranteeing equal and free voting that will remove any fear among 20% of eligible voters from participating. The Israeli public – Jews and Paletinians - made its voice heard on Saturday night at Habima Square

Meir Bleich · Opinion · January 30, 2026

Peace is made with enemies

“Who would you make peace with?” I am asked as I raise the sign “Only peace will bring security” and I answer “With the Palestinians”, and immediately I’m met with “You’d give them a state in Judea and Samaria 15 km from the sea?”. The answer is yes, because peace is a painful compromise between two warring sides who recognize each other’s rights - first and foremost the right to life and security - and leave their dreams of a theocratic state, Jewish or Muslim, to their prayers

Meir Bleich · Opinion · December 15, 2025

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