Article Library

US-Israel Relations

Op-Ed: A Speech and a Wake-Up Call

Originally posted in The Jerusalem Post As were many who care one way or another about US-Israel relations, I was apprehensive in the runup to the Iran speech Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered to Congress this past week. Yet what initially looked like it would be either a diplomatic blunder or even a cynical pre-election move turned out to be anything…
US-Israel Relations

The Elephant in the Room: Relations between Religion and State in Israel

Published in: Ynet English There is an elephant in the room. It is filling the entire space, yet appears to be calm. If it makes the slightest move, however, it will cause major damage to its surrounding. Everyone is tiptoeing quietly around the elephant. Professional rabble-rousers—politicians from the left and right, people with special interests seeking their cut, members of…

New Partners in the Struggle Against Terrorism

Published In: Ynet If there is anything we should avoid saying right now, when the Danish people are grieving over the terrorist attack and mourning its victims, it is remarks of the sort that have often been typical of us Israelis: “Now you’ll finally understand what we have been going through all these years, what we are experiencing, and why…
ישראל

Israeli Cabinet Approves Nationality Bill

By Isabel Kershner, The New York Times JERUSALEM — The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved contentious draft legislation that emphasizes Israel’s Jewish character above its democratic nature in a move that critics said could undermine the fragile relationship with the country’s Arab minority at a time of heightened tensions. The promotion of a so-called nationality law has long stirred fierce debate…
ישראל
Israel-Diaspora Relations

Op-Ed: Fear-mongering and Jewish Peoplehood

This week, my 11-year-old son, Ishay, was supposed to take part in a school activity, in which kids his age, who are part of the Democratic School educational network, learn about and promote democratic values.
Israel-Diaspora Relations

Is There a Place for God in the Israeli Army?

Published in: The Jewish Week    The Defense Minister and Chief of Staff recently expressed cautious reservations about the religion-infused letter that the commander of the Givati Brigade wrote to the officers under his command at the outset of Operation Protective Edge. The commander letter defined the mission of his troops in religious terms: defeating a blasphemous enemy who defames…

Adviser or Prosecutor? Israel’s Attorney General Can’t be Both

Published in: Haaretz  The closer we get to the end of Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein’s term in office, the more discussion there is of who should replace him. The attorney general wears two hats: He is chief prosecutor, enforcing criminal law in the country, and he is the executive branch’s legal adviser. When I was a candidate for this office,…
Identity

How DNA testing can reveal Jewish ancestry and bolster the Zionist narrative

By Michele Alperin, Jewish News Service This summer, the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) presented a set of recommendations on genetic testing to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and the Israeli cabinet (pictured here at its weekly meeting on June 29, 2014). JPPI recommended that the Israeli government, Jewish communities, and Jewish organizations provide information and points of connection for individuals…
Identity

A Social Iron Dome for Jewish-Arab Relations

Published in: Yedioth Ahronoth  Hamas has failed in its physical attacks on Israel. We prevailed, resoundingly, thanks to the courage of soldiers and commanders, the steadfast resilience of the home front, and the wisdom and foresight of technological innovators. The plan to wear down and break the Israeli spirit failed in the face of a veritable tsunami of solidarity and…