Category Archives: Israeli Politics

Almost a Government

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Tonight (Wednesday) at midnight is the deadline for Yair Lapid to tell Israel’s president that he has formed a government. Negotiations between the eight parties – including Ra’am, an Arab Islamist party – that will be part of the almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics | 1 Comment

The Meron Tragedy and Israel’s Autonomous Communities

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Forty-five people attending a festival to celebrate the holiday of Lag b’Omer at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mt. Meron were crushed to death last weekend, in a catastrophic but totally predictable stampede which – one official … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 1 Comment

Why Arab MKs Hate the State

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

On Tuesday, Israel’s 24th Knesset was sworn in. They were asked to commit to “…be faithful to the State of Israel and to fulfill with devotion [their] cause in the Knesset.” The majority of them responded “I commit,” but four … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics | 2 Comments

It’s All About Bibi

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

The whole story of Israeli politics today is Binyamin Netanyahu. I won’t bore you with countless scenarios, most of which are about as likely as the one in which I become Prime Minister. Everything is contained in six numbers: Number … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 1 Comment

Setting National Goals

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

The burning issues in Israel’s election (coming in 10 days) seem to be about personalities and short-term issues like how to reopen the economy as we recover (at least, we hope we are recovering) from the Corona epidemic. Of course … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 1 Comment

Here Comes Election Number Four!

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

In less than two weeks (23 March), Israel will hold its fourth election since April 2019. Since then the country has been “governed” by various interim governments with attenuated powers, and most recently by a dysfunctional “national unity” government which … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 1 Comment

“Who’s a Jew?” Hits the Headlines, Again

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Israel’s Supreme Court decided a few days ago that conversions to Judaism by the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel must be recognized by the state for the purposes of the Law of Return. Until now, the state has somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, Israeli Society, The Jewish people | 2 Comments

Only Our Friends Pay Taxes

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Israel is a heavily-taxed nation. There is an income tax, there is 17% VAT on all goods and services, there are customs duties on many items, there are property taxes, real estate transaction taxes, and excise taxes on things like … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel and Palestinian Arabs, Israeli Politics, Middle East politics, Terrorism, The UN | 2 Comments