Knesset, American style

Published on May 15, 2013

The Israeli parliament, or Knesset, is quiet on Sundays. The plenum does not meet, and the carpeted hallways are silent. But at the end of one corridor, in Room 2021, there’s a lot of foot traffic in and out of Rabbi Dov Lipman’s office.

This week in power: Syria airstrikes, Scottish church, Beck comparison, Hawking retreat

By Danny Groner
Published on May 9, 2013

Knesset panel advances plan regulating Bedouin settlements

Published on May 6, 2013

A Knesset committee advanced a plan that would require the resettlement of some 30,000 Bedouin.

Ayalon testifies against former boss Lieberman in fraud trial

Published on May 2, 2013

Danny Ayalon at the fraud trial of ex-Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman testified that his former boss advanced a diplomat's appointment in return for information.

Women of the Wall Agree To Historic Plan - A Victory for Religious Pluralism and Democracy in Israel

By Rabbi John Rosove
Published on April 12, 2013

Israel stops to remember victims of Holocaust

Published on April 8, 2013

Israel came to a standstill as a siren sounded for two minutes in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Israel’s Knesset approves new government

Published on March 18, 2013

Israel's Knesset approved the country's 33rd government.

Netanyahu introduces new government during Knesset session

Published on March 18, 2013

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced his new government during a Knesset plenum session.

Netanyahu brings new gov’t to Peres, taps Ya’alon for defense

Published on March 18, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Shimon Peres that he formed a government coalition.

Mazal Tov to Lapid and Bennett and Goodbye to the Ganavim Haredim!

By LiAmi Lawrence
Published on March 15, 2013

Primaries vs. Backroom Deals and the Declining State of the Likud Party

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on March 15, 2013

With the help of Knesset members, Women of the Wall get to pray

Published on March 12, 2013

If ever there were a gathering of Women of the Wall that was going to spark a wider conflict, Tuesday’s would have been the one.

Knesset members join Women of the Wall at rosh chodesh services

Published on March 12, 2013

Three female members of Knesset joined the Women of the Wall for their monthly prayer service at the Western Wall.

Netanyahu, with team of rivals, puts together a government

Published on March 11, 2013

He’s had to bite a few bullets to get there, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will lead Israel’s next government.

Ruth Calderon — Mother of Redemption?

Published on March 7, 2013

Ruth Calderon’s Knesset speech has created more buzz around the Jewish world than any speech like it in the history of the State of Israel. Probably because nothing remotely like it has ever happened before. The unexpected, unprecedented, yet incredibly moving sight of a non-Orthodox woman passionately teaching Gemara in the Knesset has captured the attention of Jews everywhere. Most of the reaction has been extremely enthusiastic. I think it might turn out to be one of the most pivotal moments in the last 300 years of Jewish history.

Charity wins over runners

Published on March 6, 2013

More than 20,000 runners participated in the Jerusalem Marathon on March 1, completing a course that started at the Knesset and passed a number of important cultural landmarks, offering sweeping views of the city and, as the marathon’s Web site touts, “a run through history.”

With time running out to form a government, Netanyahu facing tough choices

Published on March 5, 2013

When he emerged bruised but unbeaten following the Jan. 22 elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced some tough choices.

Ruth Calderon - Mother of Redemption?

By Rav Yosef Kanefsky
Published on February 26, 2013

Q&A:  ‘Israel is also the country of the Jewish people, not only of the Israeli people’

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on February 26, 2013

The heroine

By Rob Eshman
Published on February 20, 2013

In a pile of as-yet-undigitized family photos, I found a gem. It’s from a Purim party, years ago, when my wife and I were newly married. She is dressed as a Chasidic rabbi — black suit, side curls, black hat, mustache and beard. Beside her is the rabbi’s wife — me — in a long proper dress and a blond wig.

The Rosner-Fuchs Exchange, Part 3: Had There Been Doubts About Bibi…

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on February 15, 2013

Israeli lawmakers press for answers on dead Australian ‘Prisoner X’

Published on February 12, 2013

Knesset members pressed Israel's justice minister for answers on "Prisoner X," who was identified in an Australian TV report as an Australian-born Israeli who worked for the Mossad and died in an Israeli prison.

Netanyahu tackles tricky coalition-building

Published on February 7, 2013

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Thursday with Yair Lapid, the surprise runner-up in an election last month, to try to draw him into a broad government that could bridge Israel's religious divide.

Members of the 19th Knesset sworn in at inaugural session

Published on February 5, 2013

The first session of the newly elected 19th Knesset opened in Jerusalem.

Peres receives official Knesset elections results

Published on January 30, 2013

Israeli President Shimon Peres received the official results of the elections for the 19th Knesset.

Meet some of Israel’s new Knesset members

Published on January 28, 2013

Last week’s Israeli election saw a major shakeup in the country's government, with 53 new members elected to its parliament, the Knesset. Some already have received wide attention, including Yair Lapid, the middle class-focused chairman of Yesh Atid; Naftali Bennett, the high-tech entrepreneur who chairs the new Jewish Home party; technocrat Yair Shamir, Yisrael Beiteinu’s No. 2; and Moshe Feiglin, the nationalist settler who finally landed a Knesset seat with the ruling Likud Party. Though lesser known, many of the other new faces in the Knesset are no less interesting. Meet five of them: a woman with a doctorate in Talmud, an Ethiopian immigrant, a mother of 11 from Hebron, a socially conscious venture capitalist and an American-born rabbi.

Knesset approves plan to recognize Bedouin settlement

Published on January 28, 2013

Israel's Cabinet approved a plan to formalize the status of Bedouin settlement in the Negev.

Obama congratulates Netanyahu in phone call

Published on January 28, 2013

President Obama congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on winning the most seats in the next Knesset and said he looked forward to working with the new government.

Can Bibi’s wife Sara spoil Israel’s coalition?

Published on January 25, 2013

Forging a coalition is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the election process in Israel.

Final Israeli vote: Jewish Home gains a seat to give right wing a majority

Published on January 24, 2013

The Jewish Home party gained one seat in the final results of Israeli voting, pushing the right-wing bloc to a majority in the 19th Knesset.

The next four years- more of the same. Thoughts after Israel’s elections

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on January 23, 2013

Likud leads, but rise of Yesh Atid, Jewish Home bode bumpy road ahead for Netanyahu

Published on January 22, 2013

His party shrunk, his opponents grew and his challengers multiplied.

Analysis: The consequences of Israel’s vote

Published on January 22, 2013

A few observations about the Israeli election results:

ADL slams Israeli candidate for Dome of the Rock comments

Published on January 22, 2013

In rare criticism of an Israeli politician, the Anti-Defamation League called on Knesset candidate Jeremy Gimpel to apologize to Muslims for suggesting blowing up the Dome of the Rock mosque.

On Election Day, Israel’s undecided voters face moment of truth

Published on January 22, 2013

Israelis are almost never shy about offering their opinions, especially when it comes to politics.

The problem with Israel’s electoral system

By Gidi Grinstein
Published on January 16, 2013

Israel’s electoral system is the root cause of the disheartening polarization and superficiality on display in Israel’s current election season. Many wrongly point to the egos of our politicians as the underlying reason. In reality, powerful constitutional disincentives for collaboration shape our politics.

Knesset elections: A reader’s guide

Published on January 14, 2013

Remember the second U.S. presidential debate in October, when the incumbent Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney stood about six inches from each other, with one interrupting the other at every turn?

Netanyahu, right-wing coalition seen likely to prevail in Israeli elections

Published on January 14, 2013

Uncertainty is an inherent condition of democratic politics, but one outcome is all but certain in next week’s Israeli elections: the right wing will win and the left wing will lose.

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on January 7, 2013

Avigdor Lieberman formally charged in Jerusalem court

Published on December 30, 2012

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was formally charged with fraud and breach of trust.

Lieberman resignation takes effect as indictment postponed

Published on December 18, 2012

Avigdor Lieberman's resignation as Israel's foreign minister officially took effect, and Israel's attorney general postponed filing an indictment for fraud and breach of trust against him.

Israeli foreign minister Lieberman resigns following indictment

Published on December 14, 2012

Avigdor Lieberman has resigned as Israel’s foreign minister following his indictment for fraud and breach of trust.

Avigdor Lieberman indicted for fraud and breach of trust in lesser case

Published on December 13, 2012

Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein closed a 12-year investigation against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, but decided to indict him for fraud and breach of trust in a lesser case.

Kadima crumbles, Labor emphasizes social issues and Likud still dominates

Published on December 6, 2012

Two months ago, the strategy for victory was clear: To unseat Benjamin Netanyahu in elections on Jan. 22, Israel’s handful of center-left parties had to unite under one banner and choose a leader who could challenge the Israeli prime minister on issues of diplomacy and security.

Ayalon out for next Knesset

Published on December 4, 2012

In a surprise move, Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Liberman announced that former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Danny Ayalon, will not be included on the party's Knesset list.

Labor Party members go to polls for primary

Published on November 29, 2012

Members of Israel's Labor Party are going to the polls to elect a party Knesset list.

Likud Party primary yields more right-wing Knesset list

Published on November 27, 2012

Members of the Likud Party voted out moderate party stalwarts and elected more right-wing candidates to fill the realistic spots on its Knesset list.

As Barak bids politics bye bye, questions remain about his legacy and future

Published on November 27, 2012

Is Ehud Barak a calculating political survivor or a military man who, in his own words, “never had any special desire” for political life? Will he be remembered as a warrior or as a seeker of peace? And what will he do next?

Netanyahu is gaining (even before the Gaza op)

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 19, 2012

Israel extends Daylight Savings Time

Published on November 6, 2012

Israel's Knesset passed a bill extending Daylight Savings Time.

Poll predicts Kadima won’t make voting threshold

Published on November 2, 2012

A new poll of Israeli voters indicated Kadima may not make Israel’s voting threshold of two percent in the upcoming elections.

A week on the Florida campaign trail

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on October 24, 2012

Spending a week in Florida on the eve of a presidential election has become a habit for me — one I cherish. Meeting the elderly women who suddenly become interested in politics; attending synagogues, to which the candidates flock in droves to speak.

Knesset dissolution bill passes first reading

Published on October 15, 2012

Legislation to dissolve the Israeli Knesset and go to national elections was approved unanimously on first reading.

Rivlin: Early elections likely in February

Published on October 5, 2012

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin has called on the Israeli parliament to disband itself and begin preparing for early elections.

Israel’s State Archive releases Munich Olympics massacre documents

Published on August 29, 2012

Israel's State Archive released 45 formerly classified documents related to the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Israeli law making it tougher for athletes to shine, report claims

Published on August 16, 2012

Israel’s sports law significantly reduces the chances for its athletes to excel, a new study concluded.

Knesset confirms Dichter as home front chief

Published on August 16, 2012

Israel's Knesset approved the appointment of former lawmaker Avi Dichter as home front defense minister.

Dichter quits Knesset to take home front defense ministerial position

Published on August 14, 2012

Israeli lawmaker Avi Dichter resigned from the Kadima Party and the Knesset in order to join the government as minister of home front defense.

Knesset members urge Romney to release Pollard

Published on July 31, 2012

Knesset leaders sent a letter to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney urging him to grant clemency to Jonathan Pollard if elected president.

For Knesset’s Danny Danon, unapologetic Israeli nationalism is key to political success

Published on July 26, 2012

If there’s one thing Danny Danon doesn’t do, it’s shy away from controversy.