Consultant, writer, speaker, Hebrew->English translator. Posting mostly on Israel-Palestine, plus some US politics. I'm all for conversation and nuance. If you're here for snark, simplism, slogans, don't follow me.https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3muko5xjc6k24New poll for A Place for Us All suggests that adding the party to Joint List would increase JL seat total by 3 (from 9->12, 15% greater vote share); adding it to Ra'am would give it 2 add'l seats (5->7, 7% share increase). Running alone, the party fails to cross the threshold (1.6 seats).02 Sep 2026 19:27 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3muko5xjc6k24https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mukhujkpy22m"In internal Palestinian discussions, Hamas acknowledges that armed struggle in Gaza has, at this stage, reached its endpoint, ... no one in the Strip is likely to consider rebuilding a military base in the coming decades." Interesting analysis by Mohammed Daraghmeh. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UFuagb5_DMtvR_o6YwBIANsA6JudeK9T/view02 Sep 2026 17:35 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukhujkpy22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3muk3fzhvck22The UK Jewish establishment is doing damage by conflating illegal WB settlements with all of Israel and Jews generally, writes Ori Morad. While "this conflation does not justify antisemitism", of course, it does play into the hands of antisemites, he warns. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/haaretz-today/2026-08-31/ty-article/.highlight/trade-ban-on-settlement-goods-wont-hurt-u-k-jews-as-much-as-opposing-it-might/000001a0-581a-d822-a3b8-5a5f6738000002 Sep 2026 13:52 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3muk3fzhvck22https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3muhqx7n2ds2i"If you are for the two-state solution and you see it being destroyed by the facts on the ground, you must act." Of course, every settlement action for the past 6 decades has been a fact on the ground. But, some facts are bigger than others, and E1 is a whopper. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-09-01/ty-article/miliband-u-k-to-unveil-comprehensive-measures-against-israeli-settlements/000001a0-5d5d-d4eb-affc-5d7dd099000001 Sep 2026 15:39 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhqx7n2ds2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mufyxe7mw227We'll soon see whether the PM's wife publicly repeating a far-right conspiracy theory helps or hurts the PM's party. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/sara-netanyahu-suggests-sans-evidence-that-yair-golan-had-advance-notice-of-oct-7-his-party-decries-slander/31 Aug 2026 22:57 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mufyxe7mw227https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mufoweafyc2hWhat do Israeli opposition voters prefer if "Eisenkot bloc" doesn't get majority: 39%: minority gov created through abstention of Arab-led parties 28%: new elections 13%: national unity gov, PM in rotation, w/o Ben-Gvir, Golan 9%: coalition with an ultraorthodox party https://www.mako.co.il/news-israel-elections/2026/Article-15cb223b69850a1026.htm31 Aug 2026 19:58 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mufoweafyc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mueyc3mzb22bThis was the right and smart thing to do. The "broader context" El-Sayed shared in the immediate aftermath of the attack wasn't analytically incorrect. But an atmosphere of fear isn't efficacious for such analysis being understood the way it was meant. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/29/us/politics/el-sayed-apology-jewish-democrats.html31 Aug 2026 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mueyc3mzb22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mu6fspp2522xParton, Harris, Ronstadt live. #shabbatshalom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zkrS1dfOVE28 Aug 2026 22:26 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu6fspp2522xhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mu656ehji222Eisenkot 4YA: Demanding that the Palestinians recognize Israel "as a Jewish state" is "preposterous. We just signed deals with Gulf states, Morocco, Sudan. We asked them to recognize Israel as a Jewish state? Jordan & Egypt? It won't happen." https://www.maariv.co.il/elections-2022/article-938745 h/t @thepeis.bsky.social28 Aug 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu656ehji222https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mu3vvoslmc2nHaMadad finds that A Place for Us All is polling at about 0.5% nationally. That's way too far from the 3.25% threshold for an independent run. But it could be worth a full additional Knesset if Joint List incorporates them and they help expand turnout. themadad.com/md27-8-26/ https://themadad.com/md27-8-26/27 Aug 2026 22:36 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3vvoslmc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mu3o4i2pxk24Jewish-Israeli trauma, and post-trauma, due to October 7 is undeniable. And, yet, the occupation, and overall gov't unwillingness (with limited exceptions) to contemplate 2SS, and acknowledge equal Palestinian national rights, predates that by decades. https://www.timesofisrael.com/eisenkot-says-two-state-solution-delusional-post-oct-7-but-e1-settlement-plan-a-mistake/27 Aug 2026 20:17 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3o4i2pxk24https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtzi45tfzc2zThe UK will do well to make clear that the problem it's targeting is the occupation/settlement/annexation project, not Israel itself. Question is: Has Israeli public opinion shifted so far to the right that the distinction no longer will have impact? https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-08-26/ty-article-magazine/.premium/unprecedented-uk-sanctions-on-israel-are-coming-how-will-british-jews-respond/000001a0-3e06-d274-a7f4-bea7f831000026 Aug 2026 23:24 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzi45tfzc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtz5zpmsbc2yPer a poll published in A-Sonara, "80% of Joint List voters support including A Place for Us All in the slate." A Place for Us All leaders, says a new report, have asked Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad to discuss such inclusion. https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/elections/2026-08-26/ty-article/.premium/000001a0-3e32-d02f-a9ed-7e7b6ba6000026 Aug 2026 20:23 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtz5zpmsbc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtjskf7wxk2kIsrael's opposition won't flip Israeli policy 180 degrees, of course, but it'd certainly be an improvement. And it'd also be another indication that far-right populism can be overcome. I was delighted to put together this webinar, that'll compare/contrast! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B8BV21IoRiiZTIZyi9VABQ#/registration [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Aug 2026 17:48 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjskf7wxk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtwdqcnxvk2gRogel Alpher argues that Yair Golan understands the immediate danger of Israeli fascization, but fails to grasp (or acknowledge) that its wellspring is the military Occupation. https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/television/tv-review/2026-08-25/ty-article/.premium/000001a0-354b-d24e-a5e0-77dbfcc3000025 Aug 2026 17:27 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwdqcnxvk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtw6kcwkz22bRecommended short 🧵, especially #4 and #5, which stresses the difference between attachment to Israel and support for its policies. [contains quote post or other embedded content]25 Aug 2026 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtw6kcwkz22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mttcpesgok26Worse yet for the man in the WH, the three states where he's still a net positive account for 11 (eleven) electoral votes. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/21/trump-approval-rating-negative-47-states-and-dc/91409484007/24 Aug 2026 12:31 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttcpesgok26https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtr7yeajqs23Remarkably, both the Israeli military, which reportedly objects to the idea, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, an enthusiastic supporter, say such a move = legal annexation, or at least a major step toward it. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/16/spearhead-of-annexation-israel-hands-west-bank-rule-to-civilian-police23 Aug 2026 16:37 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtr7yeajqs23https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtmu4ne3hs2c"So make the best of this test, and don't ask why It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time" #ShabbatShalom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pARYjzqtec&list=RD8pARYjzqtec&start_radio=121 Aug 2026 22:54 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtmu4ne3hs2chttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtlvysspsc23The 'deadlock' is because of a discriminatory norm whose effects are kinda like a filibuster - if no Arab-led party is allowed in a coalition, it means the Eisenkot bloc would actually have to capture ~60% of Jewish votes to form a government. https://www.timesofisrael.com/toi-poll-shows-bennett-gaining-ground-at-eisenkots-expense-but-deadlock-persists/21 Aug 2026 13:55 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlvysspsc23https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtjskf7wxk2kIsrael's opposition won't flip Israeli policy 180 degrees, of course, but it'd certainly be an improvement. And it'd also be another indication that far-right populism can be overcome. I was delighted to put together this webinar, that'll compare/contrast! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B8BV21IoRiiZTIZyi9VABQ#/registration [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Aug 2026 17:48 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjskf7wxk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtjn7cty6c27"A Place for Us All will have to soon decide whether to risk running as a standalone party or to save its strength to fight another day, that is, in the election after this one. In politics, as in long-distance running, not every move is about the immediate result." https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-08-20/ty-article/.premium/arab-parties-had-no-choice-but-to-team-up-can-they-translate-unity-into-votes/000001a0-1c16-da03-abe9-3f5ef24f000020 Aug 2026 16:12 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjn7cty6c27https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtjmdecgls27What's remarkable in this poll isn't the low level of approval per se, but the distinct overall pessimism regarding both the national economy and personal finances -- even among those who do approve of his performance! americanresearchgroup.com/economy/20 Aug 2026 15:57 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjmdecgls27https://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mth5ggzjj22pTa'al reportedly examined a joint run with A Place for Us All, but polls barely put such a slate over the threshold, making it too big a risk. Still, I hope the Joint List will overcome 'turf' concerns and find a place for an A Place for Us All rep on its slate. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-19/ty-article/.premium/three-israeli-arab-parties-announce-joint-slate-ahead-of-knesset-election/000001a0-19f7-df5c-afeb-b9ffcdf1000019 Aug 2026 16:25 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mth5ggzjj22phttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mtgqgzbkok2aYes, headline brevity is hard. But the fact is, the seats, in polling, to topple Netanyahu's coalition are already there. It's just the ruling out (at least declared) of Arab-led parties that prevents it from being realized. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-18/ty-article/channel-12-poll-eisenkot-bloc-one-seat-short-of-toppling-netanyahu-coalition/000001a0-13aa-dcd0-adae-ffbfa01c000019 Aug 2026 12:32 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtgqgzbkok2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/ronskolnik.bsky.social/post/3mteffteacs2i"Those who had served as Likud's statesmanlike fig leaves, Avi Dichter and Nir Barkat, were cast off the slate in disgrace." Meanwhile, the results displayed "the ever-thickening [stitching together] between Kahanism and Likud". https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-08-18/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-failed-to-purge-his-opponents-but-still-has-reason-to-celebrate/000001a0-1404-d4bc-a3b1-1c3fe03d000018 Aug 2026 14:09 +0000at://did:plc:ritq4nehlggdugrpk7o7n3lg/app.bsky.feed.post/3mteffteacs2i