Alona Ferber
@aloner.bsky.social
Senior editor, @prospectmagazine.co.uk | Co-host, The Prospect Podcast | Ex: NS, Haaretz, TBI | UK, Israel/Palestine, feminism, politics, Ursula K Le Guin | Sign up to my newsletter: http://thebacklash.substack.com |
Pinned
The worst thing you can be (and four other reads)
Five things on gender inequality and the backlash against feminism
thebacklash.substack.com
“Don’t forget that the worst thing you can be is a girl”
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Reposted by Alona Ferber
“"Journalists, both local and foreign, have proven to be a clear target as they document an unprecedented level of unchecked violence against Palestinians during this year's olive harvest."”
A group of @npr.org journalists approached by violent settlers, fearing an, imminent attack, reversed course
A group of @npr.org journalists approached by violent settlers, fearing an, imminent attack, reversed course
The UN says October saw the highest number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in nearly 20 years of tracking that violence. More than half the attacks targeted olive harvesters. n.pr/3LT0ecL
The struggle to preserve the Palestinian olive and date harvest
The UN says October saw the highest number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in nearly 20 years of tracking that violence. More than half the attacks targeted olive harvesters.
n.pr
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
“"Journalists, both local and foreign, have proven to be a clear target as they document an unprecedented level of unchecked violence against Palestinians during this year's olive harvest."”
A group of @npr.org journalists approached by violent settlers, fearing an, imminent attack, reversed course
A group of @npr.org journalists approached by violent settlers, fearing an, imminent attack, reversed course
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Over 11,000 Palestinians from Gaza, mostly women and children, have disappeared since October 7. Their relatives don’t know if they’re dead or alive, trapped under rubble or detained in Israeli prisons — but they’re desperate to find answers.
www.972mag.com/search-gaza-...
www.972mag.com/search-gaza-...
The search for Gaza's missing
Over 11,000 Palestinians have disappeared since Oct. 7. Relatives don’t know if they’re dead or alive, under rubble or in prison.
www.972mag.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Over 11,000 Palestinians from Gaza, mostly women and children, have disappeared since October 7. Their relatives don’t know if they’re dead or alive, trapped under rubble or detained in Israeli prisons — but they’re desperate to find answers.
www.972mag.com/search-gaza-...
www.972mag.com/search-gaza-...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
The BBC is in a mess... but not the mess you might think...
Read @arusbridger.bsky.social’s column on Michael Prescott—and his friend Robbie Gibb:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
... and Alan’s earlier investigation on BBC board members: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
1/6🧵
Read @arusbridger.bsky.social’s column on Michael Prescott—and his friend Robbie Gibb:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
... and Alan’s earlier investigation on BBC board members: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
1/6🧵
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The BBC is in a mess... but not the mess you might think...
Read @arusbridger.bsky.social’s column on Michael Prescott—and his friend Robbie Gibb:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
... and Alan’s earlier investigation on BBC board members: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
1/6🧵
Read @arusbridger.bsky.social’s column on Michael Prescott—and his friend Robbie Gibb:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
... and Alan’s earlier investigation on BBC board members: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
1/6🧵
Want to know more about JCB's big yellow diggers? Read this excellent piece by @imaanirfan.bsky.social on the right's love affair with JCB, in which she also pretty much predicted that Bamford and his firm would become a major Reform donor
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/uk/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/uk/...
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Want to know more about JCB's big yellow diggers? Read this excellent piece by @imaanirfan.bsky.social on the right's love affair with JCB, in which she also pretty much predicted that Bamford and his firm would become a major Reform donor
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/uk/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/uk/...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Well you can't say he hasn't done his time.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Well you can't say he hasn't done his time.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
This was a diagram illustrating a piece I wrote in @prospectmagazine.co.uk in January 2024. Some faces have since changed but you get the general gist …
November 10, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This was a diagram illustrating a piece I wrote in @prospectmagazine.co.uk in January 2024. Some faces have since changed but you get the general gist …
Reposted by Alona Ferber
‘Gibb’s supporters say he is trying to save the BBC from itself; he was also heard last year to say that if he didn’t get his way, he would “blow the place up”.’
“a group of politically-appointed directors has forced the hand of Samir Shah,the chair, and the departure of the two most senior people in the organisation. Their resignations should be called out for what they are: political interference..”1/
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:29 AM
‘Gibb’s supporters say he is trying to save the BBC from itself; he was also heard last year to say that if he didn’t get his way, he would “blow the place up”.’
Reposted by Alona Ferber
The absolute fucking state of this. www.liveaction.org/news/shockin...
SHOCKING: Number of lives lost to IVF now surpasses those lost to abortion | Live Action
In 2023, 1.9M embryos created by IVF didn't survive to implantation. 1.8M were frozen, destroyed, or donated, while under 1.1M abortions took place.
www.liveaction.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The absolute fucking state of this. www.liveaction.org/news/shockin...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
dear god in heaven above harpers.org/archive/2025...
The Goon Squad, by Daniel Kolitz
Loneliness, porn’s next frontier, and the dream of endless masturbation
harpers.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
dear god in heaven above harpers.org/archive/2025...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
I have many differences with J Street, but they are absolutely correct about this. It is alarming to see so many American Jewish institutions act as though Mamdani is a unique threat to Jewish safety, while ignoring the mainstreaming of neo-Nazism by the current presidential administration.
November 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I have many differences with J Street, but they are absolutely correct about this. It is alarming to see so many American Jewish institutions act as though Mamdani is a unique threat to Jewish safety, while ignoring the mainstreaming of neo-Nazism by the current presidential administration.
Of course you should all be reading @prospectmagazine.co.uk's local government sleuth, the Covert Councillor
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/5464/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/5464/...
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Of course you should all be reading @prospectmagazine.co.uk's local government sleuth, the Covert Councillor
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/5464/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/5464/...
And just like that, the Christmas sandwiches have appeared in Pret
November 6, 2025 at 9:29 AM
And just like that, the Christmas sandwiches have appeared in Pret
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
A ‘Mamdani Monitor’?? Zohran RESPONDS to the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt for vowing to “track” his admin for antisemitism.
“I have some doubts in Jonathan's ability to do so honestly, given that he previously said I had not visited any synagogues only to have to correct himself.”
zeteo.com/subscribe
“I have some doubts in Jonathan's ability to do so honestly, given that he previously said I had not visited any synagogues only to have to correct himself.”
zeteo.com/subscribe
November 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A ‘Mamdani Monitor’?? Zohran RESPONDS to the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt for vowing to “track” his admin for antisemitism.
“I have some doubts in Jonathan's ability to do so honestly, given that he previously said I had not visited any synagogues only to have to correct himself.”
zeteo.com/subscribe
“I have some doubts in Jonathan's ability to do so honestly, given that he previously said I had not visited any synagogues only to have to correct himself.”
zeteo.com/subscribe
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Elizabeth is an old friend; here's a gift link so you can read her words. They're not easy.
But being Elizabeth, she decided to share her story "to give voice to Iraqis who have been tortured by the group."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/w...
But being Elizabeth, she decided to share her story "to give voice to Iraqis who have been tortured by the group."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/w...
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a citizen of Israel and Russia, endured two and a half years of captivity in Iraq, held in solitary confinement by an Iran-backed militia. She recounts a harrowing story of cruelty, survival, U.S. diplomatic pressure and, finally, release.
Elizabeth Tsurkov Recounts 2 1/2 Years of Captivity
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a citizen of Israel and Russia, recounts a harrowing story of cruelty, survival, U.S. diplomatic pressure and, finally, release from the grip of a group backed by Iran.
nyti.ms
November 5, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Elizabeth is an old friend; here's a gift link so you can read her words. They're not easy.
But being Elizabeth, she decided to share her story "to give voice to Iraqis who have been tortured by the group."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/w...
But being Elizabeth, she decided to share her story "to give voice to Iraqis who have been tortured by the group."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/w...
“Don’t forget that the worst thing you can be is a girl”
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
The worst thing you can be (and four other reads)
Five things on gender inequality and the backlash against feminism
thebacklash.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
“Don’t forget that the worst thing you can be is a girl”
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
New newsletter is out! with stuff on “feminisation”, Latvia, Russian post-feminism, the deepfake ecosystem and motherhood and writing, with links to stuff by @samanthaellis.bsky.social and others
thebacklash.substack.com/p/the-worst-...
Reposted by Alona Ferber
"You cannot turn a blind eye to conspiracies about Satanic paedophile rings and expect the base will stop at the Protocols of the Elders of Zion." My column on the suppurating neo-Nazism on America's right. on.ft.com/4oxjjQj
Don’t blame the left for US antisemitism
[FREE TO READ] The anti-Jewish threat in America today comes largely from the right
on.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:41 PM
"You cannot turn a blind eye to conspiracies about Satanic paedophile rings and expect the base will stop at the Protocols of the Elders of Zion." My column on the suppurating neo-Nazism on America's right. on.ft.com/4oxjjQj
Reposted by Alona Ferber
Another nice example of centre and left votes lining up behind the best candidate to beat Reform.
Bromsgrove South (Worcestershire) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 51.9% (+20.3)
➡️ RFM: 33.4% (-1.5)
🌳 CON: 11.3% (-5.8)
🌹 LAB: 3.4% (-4.1)
No GRN (-5.5) or Ind (-3.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
🔶 LDM: 51.9% (+20.3)
➡️ RFM: 33.4% (-1.5)
🌳 CON: 11.3% (-5.8)
🌹 LAB: 3.4% (-4.1)
No GRN (-5.5) or Ind (-3.4) as previous.
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
Changes w/ 2025.
October 31, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Another nice example of centre and left votes lining up behind the best candidate to beat Reform.
Reposted by Alona Ferber
New York Times editorial board has compiled "a list of 12 markers of democratic erosion." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is what "not the odds, but the stakes" was all about.
During the 2024 campaign, those 12 markers could have been in place and operating to guide news coverage everywhere.
This is what "not the odds, but the stakes" was all about.
During the 2024 campaign, those 12 markers could have been in place and operating to guide news coverage everywhere.
October 31, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New York Times editorial board has compiled "a list of 12 markers of democratic erosion." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is what "not the odds, but the stakes" was all about.
During the 2024 campaign, those 12 markers could have been in place and operating to guide news coverage everywhere.
This is what "not the odds, but the stakes" was all about.
During the 2024 campaign, those 12 markers could have been in place and operating to guide news coverage everywhere.
"It is understood that Andrew will move to a property on the private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, to be privately funded by the king"
“What were the consequences of your life-destroying crimes?”
“I had to change my name and move to a free house”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“I had to change my name and move to a free house”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and forced to leave Windsor home
King’s brother will become known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Buckingham Palace says, in latest fallout from Epstein scandal
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"It is understood that Andrew will move to a property on the private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, to be privately funded by the king"
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him....Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
This is the Royal equivalent of the amputation of a gangrenous limb to stop the rest of The Firm getting infected.
An act of self-preservation.
If it was integrity, then they'd have booted Andrew out years ago.
They didn't.
www.ft.com/content/a7d6...
An act of self-preservation.
If it was integrity, then they'd have booted Andrew out years ago.
They didn't.
www.ft.com/content/a7d6...
King Charles strips Andrew of prince title and ejects him from mansion
Royal subject to ‘censures deemed necessary’ in sharp change of tone by Buckingham Palace
www.ft.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:05 AM
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him....Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”