Category Archives: Israeli Politics

Zionism and Democracy

Posted on June 27, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Gideon Levy, the hateful Ha’aretz writer who reaches new depths of loathing for the state that protects and nurtures him with every column he writes, has gotten something right this week. But he is wrong about the implications of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics, Media, Zionism | 1 Comment

Keeping the Jewish State

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

For the first time in its history, Israel’s government includes an Arab party. Arabs have sat in the Knesset since Israel’s founding, both as members of primarily Jewish parties and as representatives of various Arab parties. From time to time … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 6 Comments

The New Government Will Soon be Tested

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Victor Rosenthal

Unless something very unexpected happens, Israel will finally get a government this coming Sunday. I’m conflicted. I voted for Naftali Bennett and I’m happy that he will be Prime Minister, albeit in rotation with Yair Lapid, of whom I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics | 4 Comments

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