Minister Scorned for Attack on Haredi who Won’t Shake her Hand

Posted on: May 24th, 2012

Belgium’s health minister Laurette Onkelinx said she was “profoundly troubled” by the behavior of her Israeli counterpart, Yaakov Litzman, after the Haredi official refused to shake her hand at a conference. The website Juif.org wrote: "There are indeed only two possibilities: either this lady is ignorant, or has malicious intent."

Surrounded by Mistrust, Administration Resumes Iran Nuclear Talks

Posted on: May 22nd, 2012

Tomorrow, Wednesday, will see the start of new talks, in Baghdad, intended to persuade Iran's government to halt the enrichment of uranium, and also allow international inspectors complete access to its facilities. Ideally, President Obama would have liked to manage the progress of these talks, but both Republicans and Democrats don't completely trust the executive branch to do the right thing on Iran.

Israel’s Left Calling for Abolition of Jerusalem Day

Posted on: May 19th, 2012

According to the Israeli extreme left, Jerusalem Day is "a holiday only to settlers and racists, who get a license to provoke and harass Palestinians." In the march of Jerusalem Day, tens of thousands of Israelis go from the western part of the capital through the Muslim Quarter, ending in front of the Wailing Wall. The parade has received the greatest amount of criticism on the Left.

Gideon Ezra, Former Deputy Head of Shin Bet, Cabinet Minister, and MK, Dies at 74

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Ezra, who was serving as a Kadima MK at the time of his death, was born in Jerusalem in 1937. He served in the IDF's Nahal Paratrooper brigade, and joined the Shin Bet in 1962. Over a career that spanned 33 years, he rose to become the Deputy head of Israel's domestic intelligence organization. Throughout his political career he variously served as Minister without Portfolio, Minister of Internal Security, Minister of Tourism, and Minister of Environmental Protection.

House Rejects Iran ‘Containment,’ Ignoring Peace Now Plea

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

The House on Tuesday approved a non-binding resolution that "strongly supports United States policy to prevent the government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability," and expresses "opposition to any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat." Americans for Peace Now urged members of Congress to "vote NO or PRESENT."

Is Netanyahu Ready to Demolish Ulpana Hill? The Settlers Don’t Think So

Posted on: May 15th, 2012

According to a Tuesday report, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not see a way to prevent the court-ordered demolition of the Ulpana Hill neighborhood in Beit El, in the Benjamin region of Judea and Samaria. The neighborhood' spokesman thinks the PM must be helped out of the entanglement of his own doing.

Coalition Grumblings: Political Posturing or First Signs of Splintering?

Posted on: May 14th, 2012

The intensifying focus on legislating an alternative to the Tal Law has the ultra-Orthodox parties in the Likud-led coalition defensive yet intractable. Shas and UTJ - representing 15 seats in the government - have declared that they will not participate in the coalition committee on finding an alternative.

Fear of War Crimes Indictment Could Spur Demolition

Posted on: May 14th, 2012

AG Weinstein warned Netanyahu that expropriation of Palestinian land could lead to war crimes charges against senior Israeli officials. Harel Koren, representing the residents of the Ulpana Hill, urged the PM to disregard fear and save thousands of homes from demolition.

New Poll: Romney Over Obama by 8% Due to Lackluster Economy

Posted on: May 13th, 2012

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows Mitt Romney getting 50% of the vote while President Obama received only 42%. This was the third time to date that Republican challenger crossed the 50% threshold against the president in Rasmussen’ Poll.

US Pressure on Building Freeze, PA State After Knesset Remix

Posted on: May 11th, 2012

Early this week, the Obama administration was ready to give up on its "haggling" with Netanyahu's government, abandoning its effort to renew the freezing of Jewish settlement construction. Then came the Netanyahu-Mofaz deal, guaranteeing the PM the support of 94 MKs. Hours later, a call came from Secretary of State Clinton, urging Netanyahu to use his new clout to advance the two-state solution.

Obama Endorses Same-Sex Marriage; Rabbis Debate Homosexuality

Posted on: May 9th, 2012

President Obama on Wednesday went on the record with a statement that he now supports same-sex marriage, a reversal of his longstanding opposition. While US public opinion on this issue has seemingly reached a point of no return, the debate within Orthodox Judaism has centered on accepting gays rather than legitimizing the gay agenda. But a few cracks have appeared even in that wall.

The Morning After: Israel’s Political System Shaken, Stirred, Realigned

Posted on: May 8th, 2012

The stealth move by Premier Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Shaul Mofaz was a reunification of the 2005 Likud. Joining forces, they are close to realizing the dream of every Israeli premier, to rule without partners. But the new coalition deal means decidedly sobering news for Israel's two major religious camps - the Haredim and the settlement movement.

Netanyahu Wins, Knesset Dissolved

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Monday submitted a bill to dissolve the 18th Knesset and call for early elections, which was passed by the House Committee vote of 13 to 4. The move was designed to undermine Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's attempt to promote his bill calling for drafting Haredi citizens.

Netanyahu Calls for New Election, Lieberman Wants Delay

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Likud Party convention called for a four-month election campaign. Meanwhile, coalition partner Yisrael Beiteinu called for a delay of the Knesset dissolution to allow the government to pass its bill ordering mandatory enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces for all Israeli citizens.

Newest Israeli Party Includes Chairman’s Makeup Artist, Karate Trainer

Posted on: May 4th, 2012

Journalist and Television host turned premier wannabe Yair Lapid's party's name, "Yesh Atid" ("There's a Future"), was a last minute fix. It turned out its original name had already been taken, several times, actually. At least one man's future will be secure in the new Yesh Atid movement: Founder Yair Lapid. The new party rules clearly state that he may not be removed from office until 2020.

Jerusalem Police to Permit ‘SlutWalk’ Marchers While Blocking Religious ‘Women in Green’

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

Nadia Matar and her associates at the 'Women in Green' have been conducting their 9th of Av mournful walk around the Old City's walls for 18 years. This year the Jerusalem police has banned the walk for fear of provoking the Arabs. Meanwhile, Jerusalem Police has permitted the Slutwalk Friday, with provocatively dressed women marching to protest sexual harassment.

Religious Zionists Seeking Reunification Amid Pressures of Blitz Elections

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

National Union Chairman MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh) says the Jewish Home and National Union factions will announce, officially and together, "that we'll be running jointly in the next election." At a time when polls are showing the Religious Zionist camp losing at least one seat in the coming election, reunification couldn't come too soon. But the road back may not be simple.

Poll: Obama Winning Back Jews

Posted on: May 2nd, 2012

Jewish support for President Obama has improved significantly in the last year and a half, according to a new survey by the American Jewish Committee .

Hated Settlers Receive Leftist Foes with Water and Cookies

Posted on: May 1st, 2012

After being told that the Meretz activists who came to see their homes were looking to stop at a Palestinian store to buy water, residents of the Bet El neighborhood welcomed their guests with cold water and cookies.

AJC Survey Shows Jewish Support for Obama Dropping, But Few Favor Romney

Posted on: May 1st, 2012

A new AJC survey of American Jews shows President Obama would win a majority of the Jewish vote in a contest against Gov. Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee. Obama would gain 61 percent and Romney 28 percent, with 11 percent undecided.