Babka Review

BIPAC, Shin Bet, The Boims, Slowdown, ICC, Syria, Iran: The Weekly Conquest Week of 4.21.25 – 4.26.25

Welcome to the ZioKnight

Week of April 21, 2025

Babka Bailout Ube Orea Babka

This week has been chock-full of big legal updates that have massive implications. However, the revelation that has had the biggest impact on me was the discovery of Ube Oreo Babka.

Our last Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee was a smoothie and babka social. The anti-Israel group at our school commented on Instagram that we were serving genocide smoothies, which had a tinge of blood libel in it, but that’s a different story.

This dense, sweet, gooey, and crunchy delicacy made my week, so shout out to Babka Bailout for the great treats!

Monday 4.21

Netanyahu and Bar

In March, Netanyahu fired Ronen Bar, the chief of the Israeli FBI equivalent, the Shin Bet. Netanyahu claimed it was because of their inability to work together. At the same time, Bar asserted that it was because of the political fallout following 10/7 and his refusal to prevent witnesses from testifying against Netanyahu in the corruption case against him.

Bar submitted a new file to the pending court case claiming Netanyahu ordered him to be loyal to the premier above the state and act against anti-Netanyahu protestors. This update ups the ante around this highly consequential case. [1]

Tuesday 4.22

In 1996, David Boim was killed by Hamas in a drive-by shooting in Jerusalem. In 2004, the Boim Family successfully sued a group of American non-profits, including the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP), for $156 million under the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act. The IAP went under, and most of the judgment went unpaid.

The Boim family opened a new case against American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) for acting as a front for IAP. A judgment is expected by the end of the year and would be pivotal for the anti-Israel movement in America, as AMP is a chief organizer of such activity. [2]

Wednesday 4.23

The new report shows that the leadership of universities and Jewish organizations is noting that anti-Israel campus protests are fizzling out. Less news is good news, but if the trend continues, you can expect more tabloid-esque pieces in The ZioKnight. [3]

Thursday 4.24

Israel had a rare win in the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC Appeals Chamber ruled that the lower court failed to consider Israel’s argument that it lacked jurisdiction to issue a warrant for the arrest of Israeli leaders. This unanimous procedural win will lead the ICC to reconsider its decision. [4]

Friday 4.25

Interim Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa

The interim Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, told a Congressman that he would consider joining the Abraham Accords “under the right conditions.” This was not on my 2025 bingo card. [5]

Saturday 4.26

Representatives from the U.S. and Iran talked for four hours in Oman about “[c]ore principles, objectives[,] and technical concerns.” Talks will continue next week.

In other news, there was a massive explosion at an Iranian port, killing four and injuring over 500. The stories are unrelated. [6][7]