Burning Down

Murder Fest, Trump Time, Talks Teeter, Layoffs, AAA, Wildfire, Tensions: The Weekly Conquest Week of 4.27.25 – 5.3.25

Welcome to the ZioKnight

Week of April 27, 2025

Picture of the Protest

For Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), we had “Israel Fest” on campus. The anti-Israel students showed up with a sign with the words “Murder Fest” written on it. After hits like “from the river to the sea” and “intifada revolution,” I expected better wordplay.

Sunday 4.27

According to a recent Time interview, Trump is pulling up his sleeves, ready to go mano a mano with Ayatollah Khomeini. When asked if he would meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader to hash out nuclear talks, he said, “Sure.” [1]

Monday 4.28

Hamas accepted a deal that would allow it to exist as an armed group. Israel rejected it and reaffirmed that it will not accept any deal that allows Hamas to retain arms. I can imagine it is hard to bridge the irreconcilable aims of both sides. [2]

Tuesday 4.29

DOGE made its way to the Holocaust Memorial Council, where Trump laid off some of Biden’s appointees. Individuals aligned with those relieved of their duties condemned the move, saying that Holocaust education and memorials shouldn’t be politicized. Others defended the move as a regular restaffing with a new administration. [3]

Wednesday 4.30

The Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA) failed in Schumer’s Democratic Senate and collided with a massive hurdle in Thune’s Republican Senate. A bipartisan group of Senators led a successful effort to add four amendments to polarize the bill. They protect speech about the “devastation of Gaza,” ban deportations based on speech, carve out exceptions for campus protests, and decrease executive control over universities.

The vote to advance the bill was delayed because of the “poison pill” amendments. Most major Jewish political organizations strongly support the AAA. [4]

Thursday 5.1

Picture of the Wildfire

Massive fires raged throughout Israel, cancelling events on their Independence Day. Several countries sent firefighters to help contain the flames. The suspected cause is arson attacks. Details on the culprits are sparse, and the case is being investigated. [5]

Friday 5.

Israel launched strikes near the Syrian Presidential Palace as a warning following jihadist attacks against the southern Syrian Druze communities. Israel maintains a strong bond with the Druze people, who enlist for the IDF at the highest rate in Israel. Israel also has a vital security interest in keeping armed groups north of Damascus to protect its border. [6][7]

Saturday 5.3

Netanyahu called tens of thousands of reservists to serve in Gaza due to ramped-up pressure. This comes amidst failing hostage talks, Israel controlling much of Gaza, and a weakened Hamas. I expect developments in the coming months from this announcement. [8]