Aluf Benn

Avigdor Liberman holds a press conference following the dissolving of the Knesset and ahead of the new elections, Tel Aviv, May 30, 2019. (Flash90)

Why are Israeli liberals suddenly courting a far-right nationalist?

Liberman’s political maneuvering may just bring about King Bibi’s downfall, but that doesn’t mean secular liberals should forget the reasons they opposed him all these years. Avigdor Liberman has, over the past decade, exerted a greater impact on Israel’s political discourse than any other lawmaker. In just a few years, he made once unthinkable ideas — such as…

By Edo Konrad May 30, 2019

Stephen Hawking during the press conference at the National Library of France (Public Domain)

Consensus wisdom: The boycott of Israel is working

The only way to stop its spread is to end the occupation, say a growing number of prominent voices (none of whom, by the way, support the boycott). From reading my digital mail, I see that a lot of people who say they oppose the occupation also oppose the boycott against Israel, and not…

By Larry Derfner June 24, 2013

Ben Zygier, alleged Mossad Agent who was found dead in his cell in 2010 (photo: ABC Australia)

Press freedom in Israel: Democracy in the age of self-censorship

More worrying than the institutional instruments that enable censorship are the multiple forms of self-censorship that are deeply ingrained in the journalistic practices and conventions of Israeli media. By Ido Liven As the Hebrew proverb goes, “be a tail among lions rather than a head among foxes.” In Freedom House’s latest report, Israel’s state of press…

By +972 Magazine May 7, 2013

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Israeli civilians run to take cover during a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on November 15, 2012 in the south city of kiryat malachi, Israel. (photo by: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)

Tragedy, farce and denial in Kiryat Malachi

The three Israelis killed on Thursday were innocent – but the State of Israel is not. Where is the house that got hit with the rocket, I asked the guy behind the counter of a snack bar in Kiryat Malachi on Thursday. Go to the third traffic circle and make a left, he said.…

By Larry Derfner November 16, 2012

In front-page editorial, Pro-Netanyahu paper supports attack on Iran

Amos Regev, the editor of Israel Hayom: “[An attack on Iran] would be difficult. It would be daring. But it’s possible.” In an uncommon front-page, top-headline piece, Amos Regev, the editor of daily Israel Hayom, discusses the decision regarding an Israel military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Regev, a member of Binyamin Netanyahu’s inner circle between…

By Noam Sheizaf March 15, 2012

Did Netanyahu refuse a moratorium to hurt Obama in midterms?

Aluf Benn, Haaretz’s diplomatic correspondent, had this weekend an analysis piece on the possibility the Palestinian Authority will ask a UN recognition of a unilateral declaration of independence. Benn urged the Israeli government not to automatically object such a move. Israel, he writes, would be better off taking part in shaping a Security Council resolution…

By Noam Sheizaf October 31, 2010

UN General Assembly (photo: wikimedia commons)

Wild Card – part V: If you can’t beat ’em…

Abu Mazen threatens, Netanyahu responds, the right wingers go berserk and Haaretz pundit has a strange plan: if you can’t beat the wild card – join it. Plus – a small surprise The talk about unilateral moves by Palestinians was all over the media the past few days – but unfortunately, still little talk about…

By Ami Kaufman October 30, 2010

Wild Card part IV: NYT puts unilateral move on the agenda

(Part I, Part II, Part III) Ethan Bronner of the NYTimes gives a nice big shove to the Wild Card, only to get a slap in the face from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the next day. Bronner says that: The Palestinian leadership, near despair about attaining a negotiated agreement with Israel on a two-state…

By Ami Kaufman October 21, 2010