D is for Druze
Now Teaching English, International Anarchy, Elon Musk, Hotel California, The Deal Lives On: The Weekly Conquest Week of 1.19.25 – 1.25.25
Welcome to the ZioKnight
Week of January 19, 2025
Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh
This week, I met someone who isn’t a Muslim but is an Arab and is an Israeli but not a Jew. In newspaper riddle fashion, I’ll give you the answer upside down: ¡ǝznɹp ɐ sᴉ ǝɥs. Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh is part of a minority religion in the Levant that strongly believes in reincarnation and ardent nationalism.
The Druze have no desire for expansion or statehood but will defend their countrymen fearlessly. They occupy pockets of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan being some of their most patriotic citizens. A friend visited on a week-long break from IDF active duty in the Nuseirat refugee camp and described his Druze peers as “the best,” after saying he sends them The ZioKnight to teach them English!
Gadeer is Israel’s first Druze news anchor, member of Knesset, and emissary to the Jewish Agency which she proudly touts on global speaking tours. Shout out not to the Jews but to the Druze!
Sunday 1.19
Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher
This week, a friend asked why the hostage deals never go as planned and for a roadmap of the deal’s future. This past Sunday was a prime example of how far the limits are pushed and why I can’t do that. After due recalcitrance from Hamas, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher were exchanged for 90 Palestinian prisoners. They were accompanied by a massive crowd of armed terrorists, shouting, and a “goodie bag.”
The bag contained a “diploma” from their stay and pictures of Gaza as one final blow. The talks for the next stage are always shaky due to Hamas’ desire to test Israel and Netanyahu’s right-wing government backers, who are determined to collapse the government if the deal proceeds.
Due to the lack of enforceable rules on the global stage, deals like this are constantly hanging on by a thread, only being reinforced by each side’s unrealized mutual benefit. If both parties continue to perceive the deal’s future as rewarding, it will advance, if not, it won’t. In the meantime, they will exact any costs that won’t prevent their desired outcome and the deal will reflect a semblance of its text. [1][2][3]
Monday 1.20
Last week I said that an Imam who had no unkind words for Hezbollah was invited to Trump’s inauguration. Those who watched the event closely may have noticed that he was nowhere to be found. He was also missing from the speaker list. I guess his invitation was lost in the mail. [4]
Tuesday 1.21
Yaron Finkelman (left) Herzi Halevi (right)
After 15 months of fighting, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and the head of the IDF Southern Command Yaron Finkelman resigned citing their responsibility leading to October 7th. The IDF began interviewing to fill their positions. [5][6]
Wednesday 1.22
The Shining, Titanic, Hotel California
Hamas has been tightening their grip on Gaza, sending the message to Israel that “they’ll never let go.” Reportedly, the jury is still out in Israel if it’s a creepy The Shining, wholesome Titanic, ominous Hotel California version of the phrase. [7]
Thursday 1.23
Amid threats from Iran due to their hawkish stances in Trump’s past administration, he stripped the security detail from Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, and others. The same day, it was announced U.S. private security contractors would man checkpoints in Gaza. I guess the guards needed a new gig. [8][9]
Friday 1.24
Months ago, Biden placed sanctions on West Bank Israelis who engaged in violence. Trump’s Treasury Department lifted those sanctions. Based on his appointment of Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel, sympathies, and policies, it is expected that Trump will be far more accepting of Israeli construction in the West Bank than his predecessor. [10][11]
Saturday 1.25
A Mural of the Four Hostages Released
All between the ages of 19 and 20, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag were released from captivity in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, 121 of which were serving life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis. Hamas failed to release Arbel Yehoud, which the Israelis punished by continuing to bisect Gaza’s north and south. 70 released prisoners were sent to Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Turkey.
26 more hostages are slated to be released in the coming weeks. The fragile, yet resilient, deal remains intact. [12][13]