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.

Avigdor Liberman: Ulpana and Tal Law Replacement ‘Two Major Tests’ for New Coalition

Posted on: May 9th, 2012

Israel Beytenu Chairman: "The residents who have lived in Givat Ulpana for years are law-abiding citizens. This is not an illegal outpost. It is the state's mistake, and it must take responsibility. There are ways to regulate the matter with legislation."

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 and Mofaz Announce Center-Right Coalition, Elections Cancelled

Posted on: May 8th, 2012

In an overnight drama worthy of a Hollywood thriller, the leaders of Likud and Kadima, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Shaul Mofaz concluded a deal for a broad coalition government led by their two factions, and the cancellation of the early, September 4 elections.

New American-Affiliated Party Launches Knesset Bid

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Danny Goldstein, founder and chairman of 'Calcala' ('Finance'): “We are focused on making Israel a better place to live and a better place to invest by merging the best of Israel and America - representing Israelis, but with an eye on the American perspective.”

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.

Exclusive: New Yorker Gideon Ariel Running Against Netanyahu for President of Likud Convention

Posted on: May 6th, 2012

UPDATE: About 100 Likud Central Committee members have been refused entrance into the hall where the vote on the next President of the Likud convention is to be held. Police say the Exhibition Gardens hall in north Tel Aviv is too small for the number of committee members who are entitled to come in and vote.

Likud Moves to Dissolve Knesset, Eyes Sept. 4 Election

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

The Likud Party, which leads the ruling coalition, has submitted a bill to dissolve the current Knesset and is pushing for new elections on Sept. 4.

Netanyahu, Liberman, Prepare for Election Day Battle Over Haredi Draft

Posted on: May 1st, 2012

After the Israeli Supreme Court struck down the Tal Law, which sought to encourage over time the inclusion of Haredim in military service, the court, for all intents and purposes, has required the state to draft some 60,000 Haredi youths this August. As Knesset factions are preparing for new, early national elections, Haredi enlistment will likely serve as the battle field where many voters' choices will be made.

Likud MKs, Central Committee, Ulpana Hill Residents, in Pushback Against Court, AG, Barak

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012

Israel's Supreme Court and the Attorney General are showing a kind of zeal one normally attributes to religious fanatics. Rather than pursuing a pragmatic, financial compensation to the claimant, as is normal in similar civil cases, both the high court and the AG appear hell bent on getting Justice. The Likud rank and file are preparing to do war with these two enemies of Israel's democracy.

Deputy Speaker Danon: We’ll Stop Barak’s Creeping Erosion of Judea and Samaria

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012

Knesset Deputy Speaker Danny Danon says if Defense Minister Ehud Barak is not stopped now, there are nine thousand housing units in Judea and Samaria which are being challenged like Ulpana Hill and the Jewish purchased residences in Hebron. "We must stop this erosion and say, enough, we won't let Barak carry out a creeping erosion of the settlements of Judea and Samaria," Danon told JewishPress.com Sunday night.

Yair Lapid’s ‘Future’ Problem

Posted on: April 21st, 2012

Former journalist and rookie politician Yair Lapid's new party is off to a problematic start. Lapid's choice of the name 'Atid' for his new political party has created yet another controversy for the political neophyte; it is similar enough to Atid Echad - an immigrant party with mostly Ethiopian support - to cause confusion to voters, and possible legal action by its chair Yechezkel Stelzer.

Meretz Chief’s Anti-Semitic, Anti-Brooklyn Slur Gets Pass from Media, ‘Anglos’ Are Enraged

Posted on: April 20th, 2012

Earlier this week, Meretz Chairperson MK Zahava Gal-On had a severe case of hoof and mouth disease when, while speaking to the Army Radio, she said it would be intolerable for Israel's future to be decided by a bunch of "Yehudonim from Brooklyn," or, if you will, the good, old Polish term "Zhidki." Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's Anglo supporters told the Jewish Press Gal-On should apologize for the slur and for equating the right-wing coalition to the Nazis.

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Both Religious Zionist Knesset Factions Celebrate the Mimouna; Ketzele: We Run Together or I Quit

Posted on: April 15th, 2012

Hundreds of activists who had arrived to celebrate the Mimouna applauded the MKs announcements that there was no other option for their two factions but to run a united list in the next Knesset elections. MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzele) repeated his earlier announcement that if the two factions do not run as one, he would remove himself from the campaign.

Knesset Speaker: Elections in September; New Law Will Reduce Power of High Court; Pollard Will Go Free

Posted on: April 11th, 2012

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin says elections for Israel's next government will be held this coming September. There's one major reason why Rivlin is interested in going to the voter soon: he hopes that the in the next Knesset he'll get the votes to pass his new bill, seeking to level the playing field between the High Court and the Knesset. He also believes Peres will bring Pollard home.

Mofaz Wins Kadima Primary Polls by 62% to Livni’s 38%

Posted on: March 27th, 2012

Out of 95 thousand registered Kadima party members, only 40% voted by 10 p.m., when the polls closed. It was rumored that left-leaning Haim Ramon was planning to resign as Chair of the Kadima Council. Along with the Mofaz win, this may suggest that the party is moving to the right. It may also mean that Kadima could not be taken for granted as partnering with the left on issues such as religious vs. secular tensions.

High Court Rejects Migron Deal; Outpost Must Be Evacuated; Deputy Speaker Danon: ‘We Will Confirm Migron via Primary Legislation’

Posted on: March 25th, 2012

The High Court on Sunday rejected the settlement deal between the State and the residents of the outpost Migron, allowing an extension of their evacuation date until August this year, and not next weekend, as was the original decision. But Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Danon threatens "If the court does not approve the Migron agreement, we will confirm it via primary legislation."

MK Eichler Returning from France: Jews Feel Imprisoned

Posted on: March 20th, 2012

Shortly after returning from France, MK Rabbi Israel Eichler (United Torah Judaism) said anxiety surrounds the French Jewish community: "There is a constant tension, the Jewish community is living in a prison-like situation." Eichler said France poses "a great danger to Jews."

MK Jacob Katz (Ketzale) to French Jews After Murders: Come Home

Posted on: March 19th, 2012

Following the murder of Jews in Toulouse, France, Chairman of the National Union MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzale) expressed his condolences to the families of the dead and called on all French Jews to "immigrate to Israel and strengthen the nation the dwells in Zion."