March 24, 2025

 
 

Is Israel Veering Towards Civil War? 

So much is happening these days. Sometimes it’s the snapshots that say the most.

A Jerusalem sky heavy with storm clouds looming over a group of anti-government protesters opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to fire Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet. It’s another anti-democratic step they say in the government’s slide towards autocracy.  Israeli flags flap in the wind. In the foreground an older man in a black wool hat is being shoved by five border police.

A leaked quote: “Yesterday you accused me of treason. Today you are threatening to send me to jail. Tomorrow you will execute me,” Bar reportedly told government ministers, according to a Channel 12 report.

A tweet by Netanyahu liked by Elon Musk: “In America and in Israel, when a strong right-wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the people’s will. They won’t win in either place! We stand strong together.”

Dina Kraft is a journalist, podcaster and the co-author of the New York Times bestseller, My Friend Anne Frank, together with Hannah Pick-Goslar. She lives in Tel Aviv where she's the Israel Correspondent of  The Christian Science Monitor and a creator of the podcast Groundwork, about activists working in Israel and Palestine. She was formerly the opinion editor of Haaretz English. 

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING FOREIGN STUDENTS FOR FREE SPEECH CRITICAL OF ISRAEL) HR 2204: Introduced 3/18/25 by Langworthy (R-NY) and 6 Republican cosponsors, “To require an institution of higher education that becomes aware that a student having nonimmigrant status under subparagraph (F)(i) or (J) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) has endorsed or supported a foreign terrorist organization to notify the SEVIS, and for other purposes”, aka the “Veto Your Visas Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Press release — Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bill to Remove Visa and Begin Deportation Process for Any Students Supportive of Foreign Terrorist Organizations [Excerpt from press release – “’I commend the Trump Administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on taking swift action against Khalil. It is a privilege to come to the United States to study and learn—it is not a free pass to come here and spread hate and support terrorism. This legislation would ensure anyone here on a student visa who supports a Foreign Terrorist Organization will be deported, protecting our national security and making it clear we have zero tolerance for terrorism,’ Congressman Langworthy said in a statement on Tuesday.” Also see: US Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Deport Foreign Students Who Support Terror Groups (Algemeiner 3/20/25)

(REPEAL ALIEN REGISTRATION ACT) HR 2129: Introduced 3/14/25 by Jayapal (D-WA) and 25 Democratic cosponsors, “To repeal the Alien Registration Act of 1940.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Jayapal to Introduce Legislation to Stop Trump from Weaponizing WWII-Era Law Against Immigrants

(US-ISRAEL EXPANDED ENERGY COOPERATION) Jewish Insider 3/21/25: Bipartisan House members set to reintroduce U.S.-Israel energy cooperation legislation

Lara Friedman is the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP). With more than 25 years working in the Middle East foreign policy arena, Lara is a leading authority on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, with particular expertise on the Israeli-Arab conflict, Israeli settlements, Jerusalem, and the role of the U.S. Congress. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent NJN's views and policy positions.

 
 
 
 
 

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