Category Archives: Israeli Politics

AIPAC criticizes Netanyahu: Q&A

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Binyamin Netanyahu incurred the wrath of numerous diaspora Jewish organizations last week, including AIPAC, which almost never criticizes an Israeli PM. The issue might be a bit confusing for some, so here are some questions and answers: Q: What did … Continue reading →

Posted in American Jews, Israeli Politics | 4 Comments

Sixty-three Days of Madness

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Israel has dived head on into pre-election madness, with commercials on social media (TV and radio commercials are not allowed until 26 March, thank goodness), text messages, wild and not-so-wild accusations and allegations, and – until the deadline for presenting … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 3 Comments

Ban Balad

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Twenty-one per cent of Israel’s citizens are Arabs. Most of them resent living in a Jewish state. At the same time, most of them are certain that they have more freedom and are better off – economically, physically, educationally – … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics | 4 Comments

Sex, Lies, and Judicial Appointments

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

A sex scandal juicy enough to be the plot of a Hollywood movie is currently roiling the Israeli justice system. A powerful man, multiple women, possible involvement in the highest places, and it all came crashing down. It could end … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | Comments Off on Sex, Lies, and Judicial Appointments

Ben-Gurion, Zionism, and democracy

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

During the acrimonious debate over the Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, opponents claimed it was defective because it didn’t mention “democracy” or “equality,” concepts that are found implicitly or explicitly in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli or Jewish History, Israeli Politics, Zionism | 1 Comment

Silent Ben and Pragmatic Bibi

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Benny Gantz wants to negotiate a two-state solution with the PLO and divide Jerusalem. No, wait, he wants to annex Area C and offer the Palestinians autonomy in less-than-a-state enclaves. Who knows? Nobody, because Gantz won’t say. But more important, … Continue reading →

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It’s my party…

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

As everyone knows, Israel has way too many political parties. In the last election, ten parties made it past the 3.25% cutoff into the Knesset. In all, twenty-five parties contended for the 120 seats in our parliament, and some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 3 Comments

Israeli politics just got more complicated

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Two Israeli politicians, Ayelet Shaked and Naftali Bennett, announced yesterday that they will leave the party they have led for the past six years and form a new party, called Hayamin Hehadash (The New Right). Recent polls say Shaked, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 3 Comments