Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown)

Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) is an Israeli academic and blogger.

Recent Articles

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gives a statement to the media at an army base in southern Israel, December 26, 2023. (Flash90)

How Israeli journalists carry out PR for the army

Military reporters at Israel’s major news outlets consistently neglect to investigate the army and its conduct. October 7 is their failure too.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) February 19, 2024

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gives a statement to the media at an army base in southern Israel, December 26, 2023. (Flash90)

The ‘mistaken’ killing of three Israeli hostages was a tragedy long foretold

Far from an aberration, the hostages’ deaths are the result of Israel giving its soldiers license to kill innocent Palestinians without repercussions.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) January 9, 2024

Palestinians inspect the remains of a house that was the target of a drone strike by the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, September 4, 2023. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)

Israel’s armed drones are heralding an era of automated killing

The army's use of UAVs has led to soaring exports and a mounting Palestinian death toll, yet there is no public debate over their legality or morality.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) September 19, 2023

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during a tour near the border with Lebanon, northern Israel, March 16, 2023. (David Cohen/Flash90)

Israel’s security brass are defending the High Court to save themselves

Israel's top court has consistently shielded soldiers from standing trial. Now they fear the judicial overhaul could expose them to prosecution overseas.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) September 11, 2023

Yehiel Indore, who is suspected of shooting and killing 19-year-old Palestinian Qosai Jammal Mi'atan in the West Bank village of Burqa, arrives for a hearing at the Jerusalem District Court, August 15, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Jewish terrorism: Like father, like son

Israel's terrorists of the '80s faced no real consequences. Now, their children can be found in gov't and media — and committing their own acts of terror.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) August 22, 2023

The mother of Iyad al-Hallaq reacts after the Jerusalem District Court acquits the police officer who who shot him dead, July 6, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Chronicle of an acquittal foretold

In the end, the Israeli judge simply played her role in a sideshow of due process. Iyad al-Hallaq was a Palestinian, and that means he had to die.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) July 21, 2023

Israeli soldiers aim their weapons at Palestinian protesters, Qalandiya checkpoint, West Bank, July 23, 2017. (Oren Ziv)

An Israeli bullet killed Shireen. Denial is the army’s time-tested strategy

Israel's attempts to deny responsibility for Abu Akleh's death is part of its long-standing policy of obfuscating investigations into Palestinian killings.

By Sebastian Ben Daniel (John Brown) July 5, 2022