israel beitenu

Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian boy during a protest in the West Bank city of Hebron, following US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, on December 7, 2017. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

Hiding the occupation doesn’t make it go away

A proposed law, said to be supported by Netanyahu’s government, would criminalize videotaping Israeli soldiers doing the dirty work of the occupation. But hiding something from sight doesn’t make it go away. Or does it? If an Israeli soldier beats a Palestinian and no one is there to catch it on video, did it really…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man June 16, 2018

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (photo: Yotam Ronen / Activestills.org)

Israeli elections round-up: Image of the next Netanyahu government emerges

Recent attempts to form an ‘anti-Bibi’ bloc among the centrist parties may very well drive right-wing voters back to the prime minister’s hands. One outcome of the unusually short election cycle that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu imposed on the Israeli political system – in an attempt to prevent any serious challenge to his position –…

By Noam Sheizaf January 6, 2013

Avigdor Lieberman (photo: Yotam Ronen / Activestills.org)

Lieberman’s resignation: A small step backwards, a giant leap forward

Israel’s foreign minister will soon be able to put his legal troubles behind him. He will then renew his quest for the premiership from a much more favorable position. Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, announced yesterday (Friday) that he will resign from his cabinet position due to the attorney general’s decision to try him for…

By Noam Sheizaf December 15, 2012

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Is he misleading his ministers, too? PM Netanyahu (Photo: Downing Street, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Netanyahu calls September elections, expected to win again

At least two new parties could enter the next Knesset, but polls show that the most important figure – the split between the two major blocs – is surprisingly static. It’s official: The coalition has decided to call early elections, which are to take place on September 4, 2012. The final confirmation of the date…

By Noam Sheizaf May 3, 2012

Yair Lapid at journalism conference in Tel Aviv, 20.11.11 (Photo: Oren Ziv/ActiveStills) THUMB

Popular anchorman’s entry into politics likely to secure PM’s rule

Yair Lapid left his position in Channel 2 News and announced his intention to enter politics. He is likely to split the secular vote in a way that won’t allow anyone but the Likud to form the next government One of the questions that has dominated the political landscape in Israel in the last couple…

By Noam Sheizaf January 11, 2012

Rightist Propaganda Min. looking for Arabs, gays to represent Israel

Hoping to boost the liberal image of country, Israel has increased efforts to use the gay community for advocacy and PR assignments. This post was updated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first to appoint a government minister in charge of propaganda, advocacy and international public relations. Minister Yuli Edelstein has taken this position at…

By Noam Sheizaf January 4, 2012

Is there a political opposition in Israel? Tzipi Livni versus ex-Mossad chief

While there is plenty to be criticized about Dagan, the former head of the Mossad, his recent statements place a long-lost check and balance on a government that seems to bow to no voice of reason. For over two years, Israel has had no serious political opposition. Kadima head Tzipi Livni, who is supposed to…

By Dahlia Scheindlin June 3, 2011

A Palestinian man and a girl in a refugee camp, 1948 (Photo via Wikimedia, license CC)

Israel’s Nakba Law: Is it time for civil disobedience?

The discourse around the Nakba law–which tries to stop public institutions from marking the Palestinian disaster, through funding cuts–feeds Israel’s persecution complex. Trying to legislate history out of existence means losing touch with reality Years ago, I commented to someone that after twenty years of occupation, Israel should not have been entirely surprised by the…

By Dahlia Scheindlin May 14, 2011