Meet the laser that guides the Iron Dome (soon to be made in the USA)

Published on May 21, 2013

Six months after the Iron Dome defense system rendered Hamas rockets largely ineffective during Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, I got a tour of the factory that produces its most vital component: a laser.

U.S. aims to support Israeli defense systems despite budget cuts

Published on March 5, 2013

New U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with his Israeli counterpart on Tuesday, expressing strong support for Israeli missile and rocket defense systems despite fiscal uncertainty caused by across-the-board spending cuts.

Israel boosts defences along Syria, Lebanon borders

Published on February 5, 2013

Israel has deployed a third Iron Dome missile defence system near its northern borders with Syria and Lebanon, security sources said on Tuesday.

Iron Dome upgrade tests called successful

Published on January 22, 2013

Israel said it successfully completed tests of the Iron Dome missile defense system following a system upgrade.

Test of David’s Sling missile defense system deemed success

Published on November 26, 2012

Israel successfully tested its newest missile defense system, called David's Sling.

Ehud Barak says he’s quitting politics

Published on November 26, 2012

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he is leaving politics after more than half a century and will not run in the upcoming elections.

Pogroms interrupted: The era of Jews fighting back

By David Suissa
Published on November 16, 2012

As I’ve been watching images of Hamas rockets falling on Israel, I’ve asked myself: If Hamas had the ability to murder thousands of Jews, wouldn’t they? And if Israel didn’t have a strong army, wouldn’t we surely witness another pogrom?

U.S. Senate resolution backs Israel’s actions in Gaza

Published on November 15, 2012

Thirty U.S. senators have signed on to a resolution expressing support for Israel's "inherent right to act in self-defense."

Iron Dome anti-missile system installed in Tel Aviv

Published on September 6, 2012

An Iron Dome anti-missile system battery has been installed in metropolitan Tel Aviv.

U.S. military official’s secret visit to Israel is revealed

Published on September 6, 2012

The vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. James Winnefeld, is in Israel to discuss security and defense issues.

Egypt replaces tanks with armored vehicles in Sinai

Published on September 4, 2012

Egypt's military is deploying light armored vehicles in Sinai to replace some heavy tanks whose presence at the border area had raised concerns in Israel, security sources said on Tuesday.A source said last week the army had begun withdrawing some of the tanks, after they had been deployed as part of an operation against militants who attacked and killed 16 border guards on August 5.

Israel opens up about national cyber plans

Published on June 7, 2012

Israel will establish a national cyber situation room as part of a national cybernetic defense concept.

House subcommittee set to OK $1 billion for Israel anti-missile programs

Published on May 7, 2012

The U.S. House of Representatives defense appropriations subcommittee is set to approve nearly $1 billion for Israeli and joint Israeli-U.S. missile defense programs.

House committee to propose Iron Dome boost

Published on April 23, 2012

The House Armed Services Committee reportedly is proposing $680 million in additional funds for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.

Netanyahu says sanctions hurting Iran but not enough

Published on April 3, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that international sanctions were hurting Iran's economy but not enough to persuade it to curb its nuclear ambitions even slightly.

IDF officials: Missile attack on Israel would produce less than 300 casualties

Published on April 2, 2012

Israel Defense Forces officials told cabinet ministers on Monday that should Israel undergo a coordinated missile attack, there would be less than 300 Israeli casualties.

Obama administration to ask for more Iron Dome funds

Published on March 27, 2012

The Obama administration plans to ask Congress to fund additions to Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.

IDF Chief of Staff Gantz: Iron Dome a game changer

Published on March 14, 2012

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz called the success of the Iron Dome system in intercepting incoming missiles from Gaza a “serious and historical military change.”

10 things you should know about Israel’s Iron Dome

Published on March 13, 2012

Israel used a new missile shield, Iron Dome, to shoot down rockets fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in recent days.

Israel has a legal case for striking Iran

Published on March 12, 2012

In a world where nuclear weapons could soon be in the hands of a rogue nation like Iran, an Israeli preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be fully justified. Despite its ban on aggressive war, Article 51 of the United Nations Charter clearly recognizes a state’s inherent right of self-defense.

In love and defense

Published on March 8, 2012

I have a complicated relationship with Israel. My younger brother made aliyah last year and is currently serving as a paratrooper in an elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), leaving me feeling simultaneously proud, nervous and occasionally nauseous all at once. We were raised in a Zionistic home with a strong legacy of Israel support — our grandparents collected money in little blue tzedakah boxes before Israel even became a state. My own schooling taught me the importance of being informed about complex Middle East issues; as an educator, I confront the media bias and hatred of Israel and instead promote positive messages about the country and her people. Through professional work, I also lead an annual student delegation from Los Angeles to Israel, where I continually experience the Jewish homeland through my students’ eyes.

Obama and Netanyahu disagree, in private and in public

Published on March 6, 2012

President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree, at least in principle: Keep the talk on what to do about Iran behind closed doors. But once they’re behind those doors, they can’t agree — and they can’t seem to resist bringing their disagreements into the open.

Delay of U.S.-Israel anti-missile exercise fuels speculation

Published on January 17, 2012

The decision by Israel and the United States to delay a massive joint anti-missile exercise set off a frenzy of speculation as to what the move says about relations between the two allies amid mounting tensions with Iran.

Netanyahu, Barak vow to stop extremist attacks

Published on December 20, 2011

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak at a West Bank military base that was vandalized by extreme rightists vowed to stop such attacks.

Netanyahu shores up his power at home

Published on December 13, 2011

He may be a lightning rod for criticism abroad, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is consolidating power at home.

Israel burnishes preventive strike capability

Published on November 30, 2011

Israel said it could strike Iran's ballistic missile batteries pre-emptively, if necessary.

Romney would up defense aid to Israel

Published on October 7, 2011

Mitt Romney said he would increase defense assistance to Israel, raise the U.S. military profile near Iran and recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

U.S. to help Israel buy more Iron Dome systems

Published on May 26, 2011

The United States will help Israel buy four more Iron Dome short-range anti-missile systems, a Pentagon official said.

Yom HaAtzmaut special: California on Hebrew [VIDEO]

Published on May 9, 2011

KassemJEW is on the streets of Westwood to talk to Angelenos about Israel Independence Day. Happy Yom Ha'Atzmaut!

Israel’s military ordering more Iron Dome defense systems

Published on April 11, 2011

Israel's military is ordering four more Iron Dome missile defense systems, which successfully deployed during recent rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that it would order the batteries from the Israel-based Rafael Advanced Defense Systems at a cost of up to $80 million each. The units reportedly will be delivered in a year-and-a-half and be ready for immediate use.

California on Purim [VIDEO]

Published on March 16, 2011

KassemJEW on the streets for Purim. What do you know about Purim?

Defense system protects Israeli tanks

Published on March 2, 2011

An armor defense system for Israeli tanks successfully thwarted a missile attack on Israel's border with Gaza, Israel's military said. The Windbreaker system on Tuesday identified, alerted and intercepted an anti-tank missile fired from southern Gaza on an Israeli army patrol in the western Negev near the Gaza border, the Israel Defense Forces said. The soldiers returned fire shortly after the attack, according to the IDF.

Israel, Greece talk defense

Published on August 18, 2010

Israel and Greece discussed expanding defense ties.

Bombing Suspect Ahmad Vahidi overwhelmingly chosen to be Iran’s defense minister [VIDEO]

Published on September 4, 2009

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad chose Ahmad Vahidi, wanted by Argentina over the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, as his new defence minister.

Gaza operation begins with bombings, Olmert calls for unity, U.S. blames Hamas

Published on December 28, 2008

In an address Saturday night, Israel's prime minister, flanked by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, asked the Israeli public to unite around the Israel Defense Forces operation that began in Gaza earlier in the day.

McCain for America—and Israel

Published on October 9, 2008

McCain, much like JFK, has pledged to fight for freedom around the world and not to retreat from our enemies. This is certainly what we need today, more than meaningless slogans like "change we can believe in" and "we are the ones we've been waiting for."

Torture: What did we know, and when did we know it?

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on June 27, 2008

Lieberman War View Triggers Backlash

By James D. Besser
Published on January 19, 2006

Lieberman's defense of the war stands in sharp contrast to the Jewish majority. A recent American Jewish Committee poll indicated that 70 percent of Jews now oppose the administration's Iraq policies, although that number was considerably lower in Lieberman's Orthodox community.

Clearing the Air About Allergies

By Beth Levine
Published on August 18, 2005

Though no one knows why allergies are skyrocketing, we do know what causes them. Allergies are an immunological "overreaction" to a substance that enters the body through airborne particles such as pollen, skin contact, or ingested foods.

Israel Worried About U.S. Iraq Withdrawl

By Leslie Susser
Published on April 15, 2004

As Shiite and Sunni resistance to the American presence in Iraq intensifies, Israel's defense establishment is worried that a U.S. withdrawal under fire could have devastating consequences for the battles against weapons of mass destruction and global terrorism.

State of the Union Aftermath

By James Besser
Published on January 22, 2004

President Bush signaled the start of a new battle over faith-based health and social service programs in a State of the Union address that included a firm defense of his war in Iraq, a call to make his controversial tax cuts permanent and not a single mention of the Arab-Israeli conflict or the stalled "road map" for bringing it to an end.

Pollard Lawyers Get Day in Federal Court

By Edwin Black
Published on August 28, 2003

Jonathan Pollard's lawyers will have 40 minutes in a federal courtroom to explain why they should be permitted to continue efforts to rescind the life sentence he received 18 years ago for committing espionage for Israel.

Roadblock Arises to Subvert ‘Road Map’

By Leonard Fein
Published on April 30, 2003

What can account for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's recent assault on the State Department?

Briefs

By World Briefs
Published on April 30, 2003

World Briefs

Top Cops Patrol Israel Beat

By Mike Levy
Published on September 26, 2002

"I went with police one night on patrol on Ben Yehuda Street," recalled Irvine Police Chief Michael Berkow. "There was a rock concert that night, about 20,000 people on the street, probably 80 percent 13, 14, 15, 16 years old, the rest parents with toddlers.

JDL Trial Set for October

By Mike Levy
Published on April 11, 2002

The trial of Jewish Defense League (JDL) leaders Irv Rubin and Earl Krugel on criminal conspiracy charges in the alleged plot to detonate bombs at a mosque and a congressman's office is scheduled to begin in October. As Rubin and Krugel await their trial in a shared cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center, information has slowly come out about the informant who helped the government build its case since the arrests in December.

At the heart of the case against Rubin and Krugel are hours of tapes recorded by an informant working for the FBI. The tapes have been turned over to defense lawyers but are still being transcribed.

Terrorists or Fall Guys?

By Mike Levy
Published on December 20, 2001

Terrorists or Fall Guys?

A New World View

By Joel Kotkin
Published on September 20, 2001

Much of what has been said about the twin disasters in New York and Washington, D.C, last week holds validity. Spiritual revival, national unity and steely resolve are all, in themselves, excellent responses to the recent disturbances.

Power of Speech

By Rabbi Cheryl Peretz
Published on July 26, 2001

From a very young age, I learned to defend myself against the teasing and taunting of any one of my six siblings with the same defense as so many of us: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me!"

SNew Weinberger Bombshell: Judge Asked for Pollard Memo

By David Twersky
Published on October 7, 1999

Caspar Weinberger has dropped a bombshell that could dramatically affect the fate of Jonathan Pollard.

Ahmed Tibi Switches Sides

By Larry Derfner
Published on June 17, 1999

This week, when freshman Member of Knesset Dr. Ahmed Tibi declared his first preference for committee assignments -- Defense and Foreign Affairs, which is briefed regularly by the Shin Bet and Mossad -- right-wing MKs laughed it off. This would be like inviting Saddam Hussein into the Israeli Security Cabinet, they said. No Israeli Arab has ever sat on this Knesset committee -- certainly no Arab with a resume such as Tibi's.