Welcome to the ZioKnight
Week of November 8th, 2024
He’s back, and with him comes a new reality in the Middle East. Qatar kicked out Hamas, Hamas is begging for mercy, and a new Rolodex of advisors is being tapped on to work in key decision-making roles in the State Department.
Former Special Envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, will lead Trump’s transition team at the State Department to “oversee Trump’s so-called ‘maximum pressure’ campaign toward Iran.”
The “staunch supporter of Israel” is expected to staff the highly consequential department with allies of Israel to punish Iran and expand Trump’s keystone Abraham Accords.
The ideological grounding of State Department officials is crucial for defining US foreign policy decisions. So I hope Mr. Hook’s appointment works well enough as a hook into this newsletter!
Sunday 11.3
While reading the news Monday, I couldn’t help but think about a book my professor referenced, called Bread or Bullets.
Biden emphasized the seriousness of his threat to Israel. Either the aid, described as Hamas’ “oxygen,” precipitously flows into Gaza, or military aid will halt: quintessentially a question of sending bread or no more bullets! [1][2]
Monday 11.4
In a searing bout of foreshadowing, Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant issued 7,000 draft orders to Haredi men on Monday. Gallant made this move to lighten the outsized burden on Israel’s reserve soldiers to defend the country in this time of war. He hoped to fill the three thousand vacant positions available for the Ultra-Orthodox and incrementally democratize military service among Jewish young men in Israel.
Someone might not have liked his choice very much cough cough. [3]
Tuesday 11.5
New BFFs
The Israel haters finally chose to fight fire with fire. Two officials resigned from the Biden administration and launched a Political Action Committee called “A New Policy.”
They aim to support “candidates who back suspending arms transfers to Israel, Palestinian self-determination and ending U.S. backing for Israeli settlements in the West Bank.” Their issues aren’t popular among members of Congress or the public, but they think they can “punch above [their] weight class.” They already have a friend in Bernie! [4]
Wednesday 11.6
Gallant’s firing ended his rocky relationship with the Prime Minister. They had squabbles over the judicial overhaul, a day-after plan for the war, and Haredi recruitment, which reached its boiling point. Foreign Minister Israel Katz will take the newly vacant position and Gideon Sa’ar will become the Foreign Minister. [5]
Thursday 11.7
A Woman at Trump Election Night Party
Following Trump’s victory, Hamas spokesman, Basem Naim, called for an “immediate end” of the war in Gaza. Basem doesn’t seem to be as excited as this woman above. [6]
Friday 11.8
Violent Mob that Proceeded to Attack Israelis Following the Game
Scores of Israelis were violently assaulted by a mob yelling “free Palestine” following a soccer game in Amsterdam in a scene described as a “pogrom.” They were stabbed, punched, kicked, and run over by cars. The police didn’t immediately interfere and the taxis wouldn’t pick up Israelis.
A victim recounted that “they didn’t distinguish between women, child, men or the elderly… they attacked everyone they saw as Israeli.”
Israel responded by sending chartered planes to evacuate them from the country. [7][8]
Saturday 11.9
By request of Uncle Sam, Qatar expelled Hamas from the country. By extension, Qatar will no longer work to mediate ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Qatar sees the efforts as insincere and unproductive. Hamas officials contend that the U.S. had no interference in the process, but the mainstream media says otherwise. [9][10]