In this piece for Local Call, I draw attention to the deep positive agenda attached to the rising calls for police and prison abolition – and draw a connection between this agenda and what Naomi Klein has called “growing the caring economy”. I argue that not only does abolition offer a fundamental, revolutionary shift in societal priorities – as relevant in Israel as in the US or any comparable state – but that this shift is essential if we are to meet the challenges of climate change with humanity and not brutality.
No Time To Waste – Coronavirus Recovery Must be Green [Hebrew]
The International Energy Agency warns that the second half of 2020 is the time we have left to avert runaway climate catastrophe, making the attempts to recover from the economic crisis brought about by the pandemic a crucial decision point. Global polling suggests massive majorities support a green recovery – yet government stimulus and recovery programs around the globe woefully fail to take these considerations into account, continuing to prop up failing destructive industries, in particular oil and its derivatives.
The Left and the destructive ethos of self-sacrifice [Hebrew]
Reflecting on my most intensive years of political work in Israel, I warn about the danger of driving young activists to wear themselves out in struggle. Instead I highlight the importance of creating a caring, supportive infrastructure, to retain our people and our strength for the long-haul struggle. My piece is deeply inspired by an English-language pamphlet (Tough Mind, Soft Heart), which I recommend reading.
The Terrible Summer of 2014
Israeli politics underwent a dark shift in the summer of 2014, heralding a new chapter in which openly fascist groups play a growing role, while Leftists can no longer operate freely even in the liberal bastion of Tel Aviv. I was on the front lines of the struggle between the Israeli Right and Left in that summer.
A General Strike Could Have Stopped the Pandemic
As the Covid-19 pandemic began to hit countries in the West, some on the Left called for a general strike to stop its spread. They were ignored, much to everyone’s detriment. Throughout the struggle against the pandemic, the people need to try and take the initiative rather than merely respond to government restrictions. (Full translation of a piece originally published on Local Call)
Are Jews welcome participants on the German Left?
Many on the German Left adopt a strident pro-Israel position as an answer to antisemitism. However, for Jewish Leftists and particularly those of us from Israel, this position means exclusion from Left spaces.
Where to with the center? An earthquake in German politics [Hebrew]
Hebrew: review of dramatic recent events in German politics, with the short-lived election of a liberal (FDP) state prime minister reopening the question of conservative (CDU) leadership and its possible alliances with the moderate left and far right.
Recycling is a scam and plastic is poison [Hebrew]
In this piece for Local Call, I review the major systemic problems with recycling as we know it.
Markets' blindness to environmental effects is costing us dearly [Hebrew]
In a piece for Local Call, I discuss the economic concept of “market failures” and specifically the type called “externalities” — in which effects such as environmental degredation are ignored by market forces, and often exacerbated, because they do not come with an attached financial cost to businesses nor consumers.
Abandon All Hope for Fun and Profit
I’ve recently gone through a weird and remarkable shift in perspective. One way to put it would be that I’ve given up all hope for the future of the world – and it was the best thing that could happen to me.