Meir Bleich

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 · 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

Today. This is the Day After

The return of the hostages should mark the beginning of a renewed mobilization of the pro-democracy public. This time, the struggle must also express the aspiration to end the conflict with the Palestinians according to the Trump plan. The sight of tens of thousands of Israelis taking to the streets in support of the peace process will prompt the U.S. President to ensure that his plan does not remain a dead letter

Meir Bleich · Opinion · October 10, 2025

The Green September of the Palestinians

With a wave of recognitions of a Palestinian state by countries friendly to Israel, it’s becoming clear that the only credible way to end the Gaza war is a two-state solution. Now that Israel has re-established regional deterrence, it must set aside the urge for vengeance. The public should stand up to the hardline front of Hamas, Netanyahu, and the messianic right, because there is a partner to talk to.

Meir Bleich · Opinion · September 23, 2025

Ras al-Ein – A Test for Israel

The defense of Ras al-Ein marks a critical moment for the “Just Not Bibi” segment of Israeli society. It will be a true test of whether they can halt the ethnic cleansing campaign pursued by the messianic right. Only when this group internalizes the cost they bear for the crimes of the settlers - committed with the backing of the state, army, police, and judiciary- might they finally take action. Earlier this week, activists from “Looking the Occupation in the Eye” prevented the establishment of a new settlement outpost within the Palestinian shepherd community.

Meir Bleich · Opinion · May 27, 2025

What Happens in the Occupied Territories Stays in the Occupied Territories

Netanyahu‘s government wouldn’t have been able to promote the justification for the war and its crimes without the help of the media. The dominance of the “rating idol” as the prime consideration dictating the contents broadcast on TV and published in the papers, preceded October 7th. The media chose to report the events in the Occupied Territories selectively – going as far as to hide information - and the public acquiesced

Meir Bleich · Opinion · April 27, 2025

Too Little and Possibly Too Late

Eyal Zamir came to a scene of the riot, after the settler's violent attack at Jinbah, and by that sent a message that this was a serious event, for which the soldiers and their commander who took part in are to be punished. However, even though three uniformed soldiers were sent to a week of confinement in a military prison, this is far from a proper and deterring punishment. A radical change in the army's conduct might happen only when the liberal public acknowledges the fact that what happens there in the west bank is causing what is happening here

Meir Bleich · Opinion · April 2, 2025

The Enthusiastic Response to Trump's Transfer Plan Promotes the Destruction of Democracy

Those who seek a free society must accept that there are two peoples that reside between the river and the sea, and both are entitled to self-determination regardless of the crimes of October 7. The liberal public should not be afraid of the statement "There is no democracy with occupation," but rather understand that subjugating other people or perpetrating a transfer and ethnic cleansing promote the destruction of a society founded on the principles of freedom, justice, equality, and peace.

Meir Bleich · Opinion · February 9, 2025

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