Knesset Speaker Rivlin: Must Attack Iran, Can’t Keep Bluffing

Posted on: August 24th, 2012

Rivlin said, “If we don’t attack [Iran], we will lose our deterrence with our enemies. If Israel keeps threatening and threatening, but in the end doesn’t act, it will place us in a bad strategic position. Israel’s deterrence capabilities are a strategic asset that has no equivalent.” Rivlin then went on to attack specific individuals, such as Kadima head Shaul Mofaz, and the various former intelligence chiefs, condemnibg what he believes is their need to comment in real-time on the Iran situation, because otherwise they won’t be considered “in.”

Mk’s Proposal for Equal Access to Temple Mount Is Met with Hysterical Muslim Resistance

Posted on: August 9th, 2012

All he wants is to extend the modus vivendi which is in place at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron to Temple Mount, which is also sacred to both faiths.

“We’re Not in Lodz Ghetto Anymore” – Temple Mount Activists Fight for Jewish Rights in Knesset and Beyond

Posted on: July 26th, 2012

A renewed outcry for “Temple consciousness” has arisen with a flurry of political, religious, and social activity.

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The ‘Fleas’ Are Hopping off Kadima’s Carcass in Search of Better Fur

Posted on: July 23rd, 2012

In quick succession, Sharon's first replacement, Ehud Olmert, got into criminal trouble and resigned in disgrace; his second replacement, Tzipi Livni, managed to yank defeat from the jaws of victory after her party became the first in Israel's history to win the largest number of seats in the Knesset and end up in the opposition; and, finally, the third Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz maneuvered his party into a 70-day session in Netanyahu's government, where the latter taught him how winning is done: up close and brutally.

Despite Declarations for Equality – Knesset Shoots Down Universal Service Bill

Posted on: July 18th, 2012

Despite demands for fairness and equality, the Knesset overwhelmingly voted down Yisrael Beytenu's bill for Universal Service.

Israeli Political Constellation Realigns As Kadima Quits Government

Posted on: July 18th, 2012

For the second time in just two months, the Israeli political universe was upended when Shaul Mofaz’s Kadima Party voted to quit Israel’s governing coalition.

Liberman Buys Time for Coalition, Hareidim Not Buying Idea of Service in Jewish Army

Posted on: July 18th, 2012

Avigdor Liberman says he will continue to pursue the drafting of all Israelis at the age of 18, but will uphold the current coalition.

Despite Fervent Objections by All Seven ‘Green Line’ Universities, Ariel U. Becomes a Reality

Posted on: July 18th, 2012

The 11-2 vote came despite vehement opposition from the country's other seven universities.

Ahead of Vote, Liberman Video Touts Importance of Equal Service Law

Posted on: July 17th, 2012

On Monday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's party Yisrael Beytenu released a video stressing the importance of passing a law mandating equal service for all Israelis. The video shows, through dramatic graphics, how by 2020 a majority of Israelis will not be serving. Titled “One Citizenship. One Obligation. One Opportunity. One Vote,” the clip was released ahead of the planned vote on Yisrael Beytenu’s IDF, National, or Civilian Service Law Proposal this Wednesday in the Knesset.

New Bill Envisions Large Scale Settlement Uprooting, Attempts to Protect Victims

Posted on: July 10th, 2012

The new bill not only forces government to live up to 100 percent of its promises to future evacuees, but anticipates a reality in which evacuations are commonplace.

Special Committee: Judea and Samaria Communities Legal, Let Construction Resume

Posted on: July 9th, 2012

The “outposts committee” recommended legalizing and expanding the outposts. Leaders in the region are urging immediate implementation.

PM Rallies Likud MKs to Find Haredi Army Service Solution

Posted on: July 8th, 2012

As the deadline for the renewal of the Tal Law approaches and tens of thousands of people rallied to demand that all citizens of Israel perform national service, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of the Likud Knesset faction to discuss ways to include Hareidim in national and military service. With his party in agreement, the prime minister is on his way to drafting new legislation.

Bibi Dissolves Tal Law Committee, Setting Up Potential Government Rift

Posted on: July 4th, 2012

A government coalition effort to craft a revised version of the Tal Law, whereby a sizeable number of draft eligible haredi yeshiva students would be forced to choose between joining the Israel Defense Forces or partake in Sherut Leumi (alternative national service), could become a political quagmire for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Kadima Party leader Shaul Mofaz is threatening to bolt the unity government over a lack of progress toward finding a solution.

PM Establishes Special Committee for Judea and Samaria

Posted on: June 18th, 2012

The government on Sunday voted to put a ministerial committee headed by the Prime Minister in charge of Jewish development in Judea and Samaria , the first time in 16 years that the establishment and expansion of Jewish communities in the biblical heartland will not come under the purview of the full government.

Beit El Caravillas Herald Ulpana Destruction, Massive Expansion

Posted on: June 11th, 2012

In line with the government’s plan to destroy 5 buildings in the Ulpana Hill neighborhood of Beit El, six caravilla mobile homes were delivered on Monday to house evicted families. Community leaders hope out of the ashes may come the biggest development in years.

Jerusalem Protest Detainees Released

Posted on: June 7th, 2012

Following a Knesset vote on the “Regulation Law” intended to prevent the evacuation of the Ulpana Neighborhood in Beit El, Ulpana residents and others supporting the law broke up in angry protest. Police, on horseback and on foot, acted brutally to subdue what was, essentially, a loud protest.

New Knesset ‘Tzohar Law’ to Curtail Chief Rabbinate’s Control on Weddings Passes First Reading

Posted on: May 22nd, 2012

The new law will end the obligation of Jewish couples to be wedded only by the rabbi of their locale, permitting them to choose any recognized Orthodox rabbi in the country to perform their marriage.

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.

Netanyahu Inaugurates Coalition with ‘Four Main Goals’

Posted on: May 13th, 2012

Netanyahu: "By the end of July, we will pass a law that will divide the burden on a more equal, more egalitarian and more just basis for all Israelis, Jewish and Arab alike, without setting public against public."

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.