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Historian Joel Beinin on Abandoning Zionism & His Israeli Niece's Captivity in Gaza

2025-10-15 News & Politics
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Democracy Now!
Democracy Now!
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Hostage Ordeal, Ceasefire Analysis, and the Documentary "Holding Liat"

Learn historian Joel Beinin's critical assessment of the fragile ceasefire deal and the lasting trauma experienced by families on both sides of the conflict. This piece explores the complex politics revealed through the personal ordeal of his niece, Liat Beinin Atzili.

Short Summary

  • Expert Joel Beinin voices significant doubt regarding the long-term implementation of the second phase of the 20-point plan.
  • Hostage situations and prisoner exchanges reveal major sticking points, including the return of deceased bodies and post-ceasefire security arrangements.
  • The ordeal of hostage Liat Beinin Atzili anchors a documentary exploring family division over political stances amidst crisis.
  • Analysis highlights the severe imbalance in media coverage favoring Israeli suffering over the trauma inflicted upon Gaza's population.

Professor Joel Beinin provides expert commentary on the ongoing ceasefire and the structure of the proposed multi-phase agreement. This discussion is framed by the documentary "Holding Liat," detailing the 54-day captivity of his niece. Readers gain insight into why the political leadership offers little hope for resolving the deep-seated trauma currently gripping both Israeli and Palestinian societies.

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Description

Support our work: https://democracynow.org/donate/sm-desc-yt "My family is very happy that the families of other hostages that have been returned, dead and alive, are reaching some degree of closure," says Middle East historian Joel Beinin, whose Israeli niece, Liat Beinin Atzili, was held captive in Gaza for 54 days after she was taken by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, while her husband Aviv was killed. The family's story is the focus of a new documentary, "Holding Liat." Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET. Subscribe to our Daily Email Digest: https://democracynow.org/subscribe

Top Comments (10)

@gigazordeast1730 2025-10-15

"It's not okay to go into people's houses and hold them hostage." HOLY FUCK the irony is lost on them. This is done every day in the West Bank. And everyday across Palestine since 1947

230 27 replies
@mariaeviljoen672 2025-10-15

They didn't care about LIVING hostages, now they care more about the ones that passed away - probably killed them with their bombing.

150 14 replies
@MinkytheMinkY 2025-10-15

What kind of deranged monster punishes everyone by halving the amount of food and aid going through bc H group lost track of the bodies. Who wouldn't lose those bodies, if they too were being bombed to oblivion? Maybe the bodies were under the ruble and there's so much rubble. Israel is the lowest of low.

120 48 replies
@brightlightsinadarkroom 2025-10-15

Remember when they were pretending that they were letting in all the aid they could? Now they're just flat-out saying "we're only allowing half"?

93 1 replies
@peterchuran 2025-10-15

Its time the USA and Israel follow world law The world populations are fed up with these leaders and their policies The world is watching

55 17 replies
@bryn6000 2025-10-15

The IDF/IOF routinely enter people's houses (usually in the middle of the night) and take hostages, often children, abuse & torture them, before throwing them into a prison cell after a military court hearing with a 99% conviction rate. Israeli forces have been doing this 58 years. They hold over 10,000 hostages in their prisons plus hundreds of bodies.

34 17 replies
@tehreemamitha8524 2025-10-15

It’s not good to go into people’s homes and humiliate, torture, kill men, women, children and then take away their houses and land. That’s what Israel does daily to Palestinians. So when it happens to Israelis they don’t get to complain. All the more reason to feel empathy and sit down to make a deal. A One State Solution with equal Rights for All and the Full Right of Return for All Palestinians.

30 2 replies
@someweeb3650 2025-10-16

Wounds on Palestinian bodies given back by Israel: Broken bones, gunshot wounds, tank tracks. Wounds on Israeli bodies given back by Hamas: Shrapnel/debris from Israeli bombs.

20 1 replies
@ashoksetty01 2025-10-15

Great guest speaker and good to get his thoughts and opinions on the huge subject of Israel and Palestine It was also interesting to note the released Israeli hostage Liat's comment in the documentary.. "it's not okay to go into someone's house and hold them hostage".. isn't that the height of bullshit coming from an Israeli settler who happens to be living in the stolen house or stolen land grabbed violently from a poor Palestinian?? Is that too much to ask her to comment on what Israel has done since 1948..?? Hamas has basically imitated Israeli tactics in every aspect.. and their atrocities are also about 5-10% atrocities committed by Israel!! This is out there in the public for the whole world to see 😢😢

18
@frances-l3f 2025-10-15

You need humanity to stand for freedom and justice for all.

12 1 replies

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