Category Archives: Israeli Politics

We Need a Government and We Need it Now

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Start with this: Israelis really, really do not want a third round of elections. The cost is astronomical, and the paralysis is dangerous. The Trump Administration, which has so far been in our corner, is showing frustration with our inability … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 1 Comment

A Unity Government, Without Arabs and Without Haredim

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

The study of Torah is good in combination with an occupation, since the toil of both makes sin forgotten. All Torah that is not combined with work will eventually cease and lead to sin. — Rabban Gamliel, son of Rabbi … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics, The Jewish people, War | 2 Comments

The Day Before the Election

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

It’s the day before the election and I awoke with a strong feeling of disquiet. PM Netanyahu has said that he approves of the idea of a “mutual defense pact” with the US. While I don’t precisely know what that … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, US-Israel Relations | 2 Comments

Drama (not so much) and Democracy

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

PM Netanyahu promised a dramatic announcement Tuesday night. It was about as dramatic as he could have made it, given that he is a caretaker PM who does not have a coalition, and that it is one week before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics, US-Israel Relations | 3 Comments

An Ally, not a Satellite

Posted on July 13, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Despite the fact that my daughter once had one of those T-shirts with a picture of an F-16 and the words “Don’t worry, America, Israel is behind you,” a mutual defense pact with the US is a terrible idea. Senator … Continue reading →

Posted in American politics, Israeli Politics, US-Israel Relations, War | 1 Comment

The Coalition Racket

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

The first thing to know about Israel’s electoral system is that it has a serious flaw. The second is that it’s very hard to fix it. As you probably know, Israelis vote for parties, not for individual candidates for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 1 Comment

Israel’s Coming Constitutional Crisis

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Can there be a constitutional crisis without a constitution? Apparently Israel is headed toward one, as Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Likud party confront Israel’s Supreme Court. The Court says that Netanyahu wants to render it powerless, destroying the independent … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Politics | 2 Comments

IRAC’s bridge too far

Posted on April 21, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

The American Reform Movement, which believes that it has the right to dictate how Israel should deal with its most critical security matters, also wants to remake Israeli society in an American image. And not by imitating the best features … Continue reading →

Posted in American Jews, Israeli Politics, Israeli Society | 1 Comment