Ksenia Svetlova
@KseniaSvetlova · Israeli opposition & former officials
Ksenia Svetlova is a former MK and a Russian-born analyst of regional affairs directing programs on Israel–Middle East relations.
The Qatari currency had a second side too. Feldstein wrote in the group after sending a link to a report by Dvori, who quoted “senior officials” placing responsibility for Hamas’s arming on Egypt: “A complete smear campaign against Egypt.” Birger asked that “it be clear that the Egyptians are an unreliable mediator, completely biased toward Hamas... Greed has driven them out of their minds. They played with Israel. They played with America. Only Qatar can do it because it is a reliable and honest mediator that always delivers the goods. It should also be involved on the day after as a stabilizing factor.” “According to unofficial sources, since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, $600 million in cash has left it. According to sources in the Strip, part of the amount belongs to wealthy Gazans, merchants, and business owners who withdrew their money from bank branches, mainly in the northern Gaza Strip, and transferred it to banks in Egypt and Jordan... An amount estimated at more than $150 million was taken out of the Strip by families who paid an Egyptian company responsible for transportation from the Rafah crossing. This company accepts only cash payment in dollars.” Feldstein passed the message to Dvori verbatim, and then wrote in the group: “I’m forwarding Nir Dvori’s article... Nir was a bomb, insane, exactly on message, word for word what I dictated to him” — from Gidi Weitz’s article in Haaretz. Dvori features here a lot, but of course he is not the only one. There are many like him. All those who repeated and swallowed the Qatari campaigns that came from the Prime Minister’s Office — we know exactly who you are. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Israeli media to examine itself, cleanse itself of those who “pass along the reports of the ‘senior officials’ word for word,” and begin developing critical thinking. As for the “Israeli patriot” whom Netanyahu “knows very well,” and another “patriot” currently hiding from justice in Serbia, everything is clear. Greed for money drove them out of their minds. What is not clear is how the person who employed them and was in daily contact with them is still sitting in the prime minister’s chair and even pretends to continue leading the State of Israel forward. Read the article in full.
Translated from HebrewLook how the tables have turned. In 2021, the settler leaders declared a “new era” and began exporting goods from the settlements (Psagot, Rechalim, etc.) to the Gulf Emirates Union with “made in israel” tags. Of course, it turned out to be nothing more than spin—no “new era” and nothing of the sort. Five years later, following an insane wave of terror by settler terrorists in the West Bank, the Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia and Turkey are welcoming the British decision, which was joined by 11 more European countries, to boycott goods from the settlements. This issue really was not that urgent back then, 5–6 years ago. In parts of the Middle East, it received far less focus than in the United States or Europe. Credit goes to Smotrich, head of the Rangers Department, and Netanyahu, his factotum, because they managed to achieve what the BDS people failed to. The Emirati Foreign Ministry statement and JPOST’s 2021 article about marketing settlement products to the Emirates are in the first reply.
Translated from HebrewThe Egyptians and the Emiratis warned Israel about the explosion in the Gaza Strip, while the agreements with the Arab states — the new and the old — stood the test of time and did not fall apart even during the war in Gaza. The regional alliance is actually bearing beautiful fruit, but paradoxically — Netanyahu, the man who made the Abraham Accords the crowning achievement of his career — prefers to ignore them and is burying the immense potential inherent in developing these ties. I wrote about this in my article in Haaretz.
Translated from HebrewI just listened to an especially fawning interview with a certain Eliav Libi, one of the founders of the illegal outposts known as "farms," a man who was placed under British sanctions yesterday. It seemed that Koven, who interviewed Libi alongside Novik, did not know what to do with himself so that the interviewee would understand that, basically, he was on his side because we are all brothers and all that jazz. "I understand your love for the land, for the soil," the interviewer said to the man who, through violence and subterfuge (and with the state’s assistance), seizes control of land in Area B, contrary to the government’s decision (something Novik emphasized in particular). So Libi loves the "land" that belongs neither to him nor to the State of Israel, and in the name of this love he and his friends drive entire Palestinian communities out of there. Olive trees are burned, entrances are blocked, their flocks graze in the centers of Palestinian villages, and children with rifles in their hands and eyes blazing with hatred threaten the Palestinian residents. None of this reality was reflected in the pleasant interview. And what about the daily violence inflicted on Palestinians? The interviewer asked Libi, circling around the question like a delicate ballerina and wording it with extraordinary caution: "But your people engage in violence - perhaps not intentionally - but that is what happens." Not intentionally, Roni? I mean, maybe you happened to see one or a hundred videos from Qusra, Duma, Jalud, Kiryat, Makhmas and Masafer Yatta? If so, then explain: how do thugs who hide their faces with masks arrive in Palestinian villages with clubs, stones and weapons! Then they loot, burn, destroy, assault and sometimes even murder the Palestinian residents in those villages, and seriously injure Israeli and foreign volunteers and journalists? If you have not seen a single video and still believe that this happens by accident and "without intent," then I am attaching a video from Qusra filmed on February 27 this year. By the way, this village is still under siege by Libi’s friends, despite the international and Israeli condemnations (the feeble ones). At the very least, you could have checked how much funding the state transfers to the outpost ironically called "Angels of Peace," which Libi established, or asked him about the sources of funding for all his extensive activity. You would have confronted him with hard facts, and then it would truly have been journalism rather than cute small talk with the man who is changing reality in the West Bank and in Israel in such an extreme and dramatic way.
Translated from HebrewThe Egyptians warned. The Emiratis raised the alarm. The female observers cried out. Common sense always said that Hamas is a murderous terrorist organization that cannot be trusted. Netanyahu hollowed out the governing institutions of their independence for years. He trampled the cabinet, sidelined everyone who held a different opinion, and ultimately became the sole ruler without equal. The grave warnings converged on him, but instead of conducting a situational assessment and directing attention to what was happening in Gaza, he chose to cling to the conception he had devised — divide and rule, a carrot for Abu Mazen and a stick for Hamas — all in order to completely block the path that would have led to the establishment of a Palestinian state. We ended up where we went.
Translated from HebrewNetanyahu received an explicit warning days before October 7, but did not update the IDF and Shin Bet - Weekend - Haaretz
Translated from HebrewHe knew. He was warned by the president of the Emirates. He did not share the important information with the IDF and the Shin Bet. The prevailing conception and arrogance won. The hostages, at least some of whom could have been freed from the beginning, were sacrificed. There are many guilty parties in this terrible saga, but he is the head and he is the culprit. He cannot continue to lead Israel.
Translated from HebrewPutin admires the “courage and steadfastness” of the Iranians during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan, assures President Pezeshkian that Russian-Iranian cooperation continues to develop steadily “in all areas,” and sends regards to Mojtaba. Pezeshkian looks like someone who has something to say about every word Putin says, and not in a good way...
Translated from HebrewKurdish autonomy in Syria is gone, and the brave Kurdish female fighters are struggling to find their place in the existing security frameworks. China’s president visited Egypt: this is his first visit to the Middle East in four years, and unlike Trump, who made progress during his visit to the Gulf states about a year ago, Xi decided to place the emphasis specifically on Cairo. In the Palestinian Authority, they are talking about postponing elections: the situation could become explosive in any case. And this week 51 years ago: Egypt and Israel signed the “Sinai II” agreement, which defined the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the Canal area and additional areas. I wrote about this and more in my column “Beyond the Border” at Zman Yisrael.
Translated from HebrewNot a handful and not individuals. Distorted education and ongoing incitement have created here an entire layer of people who believe with all their hearts that because they are Jews, they are allowed to steal, loot, abuse, and harm. They will not disappear even after the elections, and it is doubtful whether they and their children can be rehabilitated. A very serious problem.
Translated from HebrewRain begins with a single drop, incitement begins with a single word, Jewish terrorism in the West Bank began with a single stone. Since then, the rain has turned into a flood and the stone into thousands of cases of arson, destruction, attacks, injuries, murders, and expulsion. A single incident has become policy, while the IDF watches from the sidelines (at best) and the government continues to fund and sic the militias it created in the territories on Palestinians; only Israel’s magnificent civil society can stem the tide. Last night I spoke at a demonstration by the amazing @WomenWagePeace in Jerusalem, proud to be a board member of this important organization. We all need to raise our voices against Jewish terrorism against the Palestinians. It harms not only the Palestinians but also us and corrupts our souls. #לאנשתוק
Translated from HebrewThis week, a festival called “The Union of the Gulf Emirates Loves the Palestinians” was held in Dubai. Approximately 50000 people took part in the celebration. This event is taking place for the first time, whereas previously other heritages and communities were celebrated. Netanyahu, who claimed for years that the Palestinians were no longer relevant and that the Arab world had grown tired of them, was wrong. The Middle East has not changed, and the Arab states have not “forgotten” the Palestinians, and they will continue to oppose expulsion (that is, “voluntary emigration,” in Ofer Winter’s words) and annexation. The truth is that in international relations there are no concepts such as “love” or “hate.” The Palestinian issue is intertwined with the political, social, and cultural dynamics of the Middle East, and as long as there is no progress on this issue and we do not move onto a path that leads to a solution and not to confrontation, there will be no breakthrough with additional Arab and Muslim countries either. I wrote about this in my Haaretz article
Translated from HebrewIt is clear that the lady and her cowardly husband detest the brave Yair Golan, who went south the moment he understood the scale of the disaster and saved many Israelis from certain death. He is everything they are not, and never will be. The fact that this comes from the mouth of the prime minister's wife is very disturbing and problematic. I disagree with the Galatz presenters who just said that they care more about the housekeepers who work for the couple than about Yair Golan. Without minimizing the horrors taking place in this house of horrors, when such a senior figure spreads conspiracies just before elections, it should concern us all, because this is a paved road to delegitimization, election denial, and harm to Israeli democracy. I hope this adds a few more seats to the Democrats, and hopefully this stench will be behind us soon.
Translated from HebrewI am now returning from Athens, where the annual summit of @ropes, an organization I have managed for the last three years, took place. Young leaders from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, the Gulf states and more sat together and talked about radicalization and ways to defeat it, shared happy and painful stories, asked questions, gave lectures and tried together to sketch a new and better future for our region. Since we began working in 2019, we have held more than 15 such seminars in which more than 200 young women and men leaders from 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa participated. We did not stop even when the war broke out, because the desire for real connection and profound change was much greater. It is impossible to separate the two tracks: finding a solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and broad integration of the two peoples in the Middle East. Diplomacy, trade, tourism, science and technology — all these fields are affected by the conflict, and it is not possible to reach the hoped-for breakthrough without sitting together — not only Israelis and Palestinians — but with all our partners in the region — and finding a way to stop the violence, moderate extremism and develop real trust and cooperation. I am very grateful to @EranTzidkiyahu, the wonderful person who facilitated the meeting with the utmost precision and sensitivity and channeled the strongest and most difficult emotions to a constructive place of dialogue and understanding. There are people to talk to in the Middle East, even in the hardest moments. We all live here, together, and no one is going to disappear or evaporate from here. We must unite the camp of moderates, those who want to live here in peace and security. We will continue working in this direction with our wonderful partners in the Middle East, Europe and the United States. @iDembin @NadavSalz
Translated from HebrewSyrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa pays for his coffee with Visa in Damascus, after Syria was removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and the sanctions against it were lifted. First of all - a new era for Syria (I wrote about this in my article in Haaretz). Second - he has a wallet and pays for his own coffee. Third - as @yarotrof wrote, it is now possible to pay with Visa in Damascus, but not in Moscow.
Translated from HebrewI heard the conversation with @simonmontefiore on Conflicted podcast last night, and his new book sounds absolutely fascinating — exploring how 100 years of bloodshed and bad decisions shaped the modern Middle East. Definitely going on my reading list. 📚 https://t.co/7c3Vz0fN49
Syria has been removed from an American list of countries that support terrorism, and the way is now clear for massive investments in its economy. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Emirates have already pledged many billions in investments, and Syria will soon follow. In the meantime, Israel continues as usual – without a policy, and with a raised fist – as it did in Assad’s days, despite the situation there having changed fundamentally. Israel can and should play a role in Syria’s reconstruction and cooperate with the moderate Gulf states and the United States to ensure that the substantial funds about to land in Damascus do not trickle into the wrong hands. I wrote about this in my article in Haaretz
Translated from HebrewWhen I was asked to choose a man or woman for the “Hero of the Week” slot, I didn’t hesitate. My hero of the week is Doron Meinart, a peace activist and colonel who went to defend the defenseless in the village of Qusra and was arrested, while dozens of hilltop youths who were roaming the area were not arrested. He and other activists who go to the Palestinian villages as part of a protective presence are saving the little dignity we still have left. I spoke about it with @lucyaharish on Channel 13.
Translated from HebrewWell done! Israel and Ukraine have common interests and common enemies, we must move forward together.
Translated from HebrewSince we're already talking about memorials to terrorists and extremists: Exhibit no. 1: Meir Kahane Park is a public park on Kalev Ben Yefuneh Boulevard in Kiryat Arba. Exhibit no. 2: Baruch Goldstein's grave in Meir Kahane Park, beside which various celebrations and ceremonies are held (and where Itamar Ben-Gvir met his wife). It grates on me to see this, just as it grates on me to see Ahmad Yassin included in the "Hall of Fame" at the Palestinian Museum in Ramallah. Likewise, there is no comparison between a democratic and liberal state and a crumbling, weak entity, part of which has also been occupied by a terrorist organization.
Translated from HebrewHostage families do not want to see Dermer at an event of the Israeli-American community 120 family members of Israeli hostages and IDF soldiers came out against the decision by the Israeli-American community organization (IAC) to invite former minister Ron Dermer to participate as the keynote speaker at three of the organization's events that will take place in California during September. The families published a letter in which they express their opposition to the IAC's decision to give Dermer a prominent platform, and claim that he was one of the most influential voices in Israel's political system in opposing several deals to release hostages.
Translated from HebrewAs we wondered whether, just before the elections, Benjamin Netanyahu would choose to fight in Gaza or Lebanon, or perhaps set the West Bank ablaze, he decided to make a move דווקא in northern Syria — and direct it at Turkey. The anti-Turkish rhetoric heard here in recent months matured into an attack on a Turkish military airfield in northern Syria. Netanyahu claims he acted against the expansion of their presence in northern Syria, but Ankara and Washington firmly deny this and accuse Netanyahu of acting for electoral reasons. The U.S. ambassador to Turkey and the U.S. president’s envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, said that attacking the base could have deteriorated into a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey, and hinted that this may actually have been Israel’s objective. According to him, Turkey is not interested in attacking Israel or entering into a military confrontation with it. Barrack said that Israel may be exercising “irrational judgment” on these issues because it is in an election period. The bombing of the military airfield in Syria, which a Turkish delegation had recently visited to discuss its rehabilitation, was carried out at an interesting moment. Turkey is indeed deeply involved in Syria, but it is reducing the extent of its presence in the north of the country, and many of its military bases there are now empty. Meanwhile, Damascus is drawing closer to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and receiving credit from the United States and Europe. Israel is entitled to be concerned about Turkish influence in Syria in particular and in the region in general. But is the bombing capable of driving the Turks away? Have diplomatic means been exhausted? Can a one-time conversation between the Mossad chief and Syria’s foreign minister serve as a substitute for an ongoing diplomatic process? This is a NATO member state and a close ally of the United States, and formerly also of Israel; a state that has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Has anyone considered what a war against Turkey might look like and what its costs would be? Security cannot be created and threats cannot be prevented through bombing alone; bombing is no substitute for coherent policy and diplomacy, which under Netanyahu have been emptied of substance. Israel must formulate a new policy that addresses the many new challenges in the Middle East. While Netanyahu boasts about a limited, dangerous, and pointless operation in northern Syria, new alliances are being forged under his nose, and Israel is not part of them.
Translated from HebrewMasafer Yatta has been considered one of the most violent places in the Territories for many years, and the settler-terrorists run wild there without interference, looting, assaulting, burning, beating, and destroying. I have been following this place since 2003, when I filmed my first report there for Channel 9 about the IDF’s persistent attempt to expel the cave residents from Jinba and the other villages located “in a firing zone.” Since 2009–2010, residents have reported increasing overt violence by the settlers, with the peak coming after 07.10. All these things are documented and are not new. Those who were not shocked by the dismal situation in this miserable place in the past probably will not be moved by this horrifying video either, in which a young settler-terrorist is seen beating a Palestinian sheikh with an amputated leg (last year, the “security coordinator” there shot him). Just another ordinary day in the lawless West Bank, soon also inside the Green Line.
Translated from HebrewHamas leaders: They live in Qatar, are wanted in The Hague, and cannot travel around the world. The Emir of Qatar, who heads a “complicated country,” as Netanyahu put it: supports and funds Hamas, hosts its leaders in Doha, travels around Paris and Washington, and enjoys himself. As long as this does not change, terrorist organizations will always have a warm home and an open wallet.
Translated from HebrewOn August 19, 1953, the Iranian government headed by Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown. He was a popular politician who dared to nationalize Iranian oil and return to the state ownership of natural resources that had until then been exploited by foreign powers. This happened after tanks surrounded Mosaddegh's home in Tehran and security forces burst in. For several weeks beforehand, violent demonstrations and riots had raged through the streets of the Iranian capital. In the West, these protests were presented as an anti-communist popular uprising, but in fact they were planned and orchestrated by the CIA and British intelligence as part of an operation dubbed "Ajax". Mosaddegh, who dreamed of a democratic and economically independent Iran, spent the rest of his days under house arrest. In his place, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi returned to power under Western patronage. The Shah's repressive rule and the enormous economic disparities led to unrest among the young. This development paved the way, about a quarter of a century later, for the Islamic Revolution. I wrote about this, as well as the Emirates' decision to sever economic ties with Iran, the Lebanese singer Elissa who found herself at the center of a storm after refusing to wrap herself in a scarf resembling a Palestinian keffiyeh, and France's attempt to increase its influence in Lebanon, in my column "Beyond the Border" in Zman Yisrael.
Translated from Hebrew
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