Netanyahu takes flak over bed on a plane

Published on May 13, 2013

Benjamin Netanyahu is changing his mid-air sleeping arrangements after a public flap over a $127,000 custom-built bedroom for the Israeli prime minister and his wife on a flight to London last month.

Israeli officials welcome Arab League peace plan

Published on May 1, 2013

The Prime Minister's Office of Israel said it was ready to restart negotiations without preconditions after welcoming the Arab League's Middle East peace plan allowing for agreed-upon land swaps.

April 25, 2013

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 25, 2013

P.A.’s Fayyad hospitalized

Published on April 2, 2013

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad was hospitalized with abdominal pain.

App to track Obama’s Israel visit

Published on March 11, 2013

Israel's Prime Minister's Office launched an app to follow President Obama's visit in real time.

Prisoner X affair raises charges of dual loyalty for Australian Jews

Published on February 20, 2013

As more details have seeped out about the mysterious life and death of Israel’s Prisoner X -- identified last week by an Australian TV program as Ben Zygier -- the wall of silence surrounding those who knew him has begun to show some cracks.

Voters to Netanyahu: Get new friends

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on January 22, 2013

These were the most interesting-boring elections one could ever hope for. Boring – as the top job was secured early on by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fascinating – as the parties, unburdened of having to compete for the top job, were free to combat one another for votes.

The no-alternative Israeli elections

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on January 16, 2013

The story of the upcoming Israeli elections, which will take place on Jan. 22, can be written in many different ways. One is with an eye to the small numbers, a story of preserving the political status quo: Back in 2009, the Kadima Party got 28 mandates.

Donald Trump endorses Netanyahu in video

Published on January 16, 2013

American billionaire Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video released on YouTube.

Diskin: Netanyahu untrustworthy on Iran

Published on January 4, 2013

Yuval Diskin, a former head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, said he distrusts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s motives in dealing with the Iranian threat.

Polls: Netanyahu set to win Israel election but rightists gain

Published on December 28, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party is set to win a parliamentary election on January 22 although the popularity of a far-right party opposed to Palestinian statehood is growing, polls showed on Friday.

Netanyahu: Israel will build in Jerusalem despite criticism

Published on December 19, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his government would press ahead with expanding Jewish settlements around Jerusalem despite Western criticism of its plan to build 6,000 more homes in territory Palestinians seek for a state.

Israel says U.N. vote won’t hasten Palestinian state

Published on November 29, 2012

A U.N. General Assembly vote on Thursday recognizing a Palestinian state will do nothing to make it a reality, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Gaza militants use Egyptian-brokered ceasefire to launch 21 rockets into Israel

Published on November 16, 2012

Palestinian militants reportedly fired 21 rockets from Gaza into Israel during a unilateral ceasefire called by Israel to facilitate a visit to Gaza by Egypt’s prime minister.

Egypt’s Morsi condemns Israel, orders prime minister to Gaza

Published on November 15, 2012

President Mohamed Morsi condemned Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip as unacceptable aggression on Thursday and ordered Egypt's prime minister to visit the besieged enclave in a show of support for the Palestinians.

What happened to Rabin’s memorial day?

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on October 29, 2012

Netanyahu says Hezbollah sent drone downed over Israel

Published on October 11, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday a drone aircraft, which flew some 35 miles into Israel before being shot down last weekend, was sent by Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Ehud Olmert considers political comeback as early vote looms

Published on October 10, 2012

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has just received a slap-on-the-wrist sentence in a corruption case, is considering staging a political comeback in an election early next year, a former aide said on Wednesday.

Netanyahu announces early Israeli election

Published on October 9, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early national elections.

Netanyahu’s other bomb

By Rob Eshman
Published on October 3, 2012

When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled out a cartoon drawing of a bomb during his speech to the 67th United Nations General Assembly Debate on Sept. 27, the world laughed. But I didn’t.

Olmert gets probation, fine for breach of trust

Published on September 24, 2012

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to one to three years of probation and fined about $19,000 for a breach of trust conviction.

Turkey’s Erdogan says Israel sent ‘richest Jew’ to intercede

Published on September 20, 2012

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a Turkish newspaper that Israel sent "the richest Jewish man in the world" to create better relations between the two countries.

Palestinian PM responds to unrest with economic program

Published on September 11, 2012

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, the key target of nine days of socio-economic protests throughout the West Bank, responded on Tuesday to some of the demands that have been prominent during the course of demonstrations that have become increasingly violent in recent days.

Ex-Malaysian PM reasserts Israel ‘rules world by proxy’

Published on August 16, 2012

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said there is substance to allegations that he made nearly a decade ago that Israel rules the world by proxy.

Sinai border attack seen as test in Egypt-Israel relationship

Published on August 7, 2012

The attack this week along the Israel-Egypt border poses dilemmas both for Israel and for the new Egyptian president.

London memorial remembers Israelis killed at Munich Olympics

Published on August 6, 2012

British Prime Minister David Cameron at a memorial event said the world should "stop and remember" the 11 Israelis killed 40 years ago at the Munich Olympics.

Suicide bomber behind Bulgaria bus attack had help, Bulgarian prime minister says

Published on July 24, 2012

A suicide bomber who killed five Israeli tourists when he blew up a bus in Bulgaria last week was backed up by an organized group who helped him plan and carry out the attack, Boiko Borisov, the Bulgarian prime minister, said on Tuesday.

At funeral, Israel’s leaders praise Shamir’s dedication and service

Published on July 2, 2012

Israel’s leaders paid tribute to former Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir at his funeral at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl cemetery.

Yitzhak Shamir, former Israeli Prime Minister, dies

Published on June 30, 2012

Yitzhak Shamir, the hawkish Israeli leader who balked at the vision promoted by the United States of trading occupied land for peace with the Palestinians, died on Saturday after a long illness. He was 96.

Palestinian official: Abbas to meet Mofaz

Published on June 28, 2012

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with Israeli Vice Premier Shaul Mofaz on Sunday, a Palestinian official said, in the highest-level meeting between the sides since peace talks broke down in 2010.

Hagai Amir, freed Israeli brother of Rabin gunman says he’s “proud”

Published on May 4, 2012

Hagai Amir, the brother of the man who assassinated late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, said he was proud of his own role in the murder plot after he was freed from prison on Friday.

Barak goes on defensive against Olmert’s ‘gang’

Published on May 3, 2012

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the recent spate of criticism by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's "gang" on a possible attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure has caused "damage" to Israel.

Netanyahu the clear favorite heading to Israel’s upcoming elections, Haaretz poll

Published on May 2, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can rest easy after reading the results of the latest Haaretz-Dialog poll: Not only does he trounce all his rivals on the question of who is most fit to lead the country, but an absolute majority of Israelis reject the aspersions cast on him last week by former Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin.

Mubarak’s PM says can lead Egypt, draws protests

Published on April 26, 2012

Ahmed Shafiq says he has the military and political experience needed to lead Egypt into a new democratic era, yet Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister has divided voters and drawn angry protests with his bid to become president.

Jordanian prime minister Khasawneh resigns

Published on April 26, 2012

Jordan's Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh resigned on Thursday after barely six months in office, in a surprise move that politicians said followed an extended power struggle with the powerful security services.

Roseanne for president.  Really.

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on February 4, 2012

Move over, Donald: Rosanne Barr officially files presidential bid

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 3, 2012

Prime Minister Fayyad: ‘Unity and Non-violence’ requisites for statehood

Published on November 29, 2011

With skepticism rife over a Fatah-Hamas rapprochement and the Hamas demand to replace him, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, the man credited with energizing the movement toward statehood and the man Western governments want holding the PA’s purse strings, discusses the pending issues with Friedson Friedson, President and CEO of The Media Line news agency, at his Ramallah office. Below is the first of two sessions between Prime Minister Fayyad and Ms. Friedson.

Full Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu UN address to General Assembly Sept 23 2011

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 25, 2011

Fayyad may quit for sake of Palestinian unity

Published on November 14, 2011

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad signaled on Monday he is ready to step aside to help reconcile the two rival factions of the Palestinian national movement and pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections.

Report: Ariel Sharon is responsive, moves fingers

Published on October 23, 2011

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is responsive and has gained weight, his son told The New York Times.

In Putin’s return, Russian Jews see stability

Published on October 4, 2011

Was Vladimir Putin’s carefully choreographed plan to return to Russia's presidency in 2012 a big blow to democracy or a victory for stability?

Australia’s deputy PM supports boycotted Israeli business

Published on August 29, 2011

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister visited an Israeli business that has been targeted by supporters of the Israel boycott.

Hamas rejects Fayyad nomination for prime minister

Published on June 12, 2011

The Hamas-Fatah reconciliation appeared to be in jeopardy after Hamas rejected Fatah's nominee for prime minister, Salam Fayyad.

Heed the lonely voice of reason of Canada’s prime minister

Published on June 1, 2011

Pundits already are busy deciphering the performance of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his new foreign policy team at the just completed Group of Eight Summit in France. The G-8 meeting was convened amid pivotal crises ranging from global debt to human rights to nuclear energy safety, and how to nurture the complex Arab Spring impacting on 400 million people in the Middle East.

Palestinian Authority prime minister suffers heart attack

Published on May 23, 2011

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad suffered a heart attack while in Texas for his son's college education, his spokesman told the Associated Press. Fayyad felt chest pains Sunday and went to an Austin hospital, where he had a heart attack, AP reported. He underwent catheterization to open a blocked artery and likely will be released from the Seton Medical Center in two days, according to the spokesman.

Netanyahu: Israel would object to any withdrawal to 'indefensible' borders

Published on May 19, 2011

Israel appreciates President Obama’s commitment to peace. Israel believes that for peace to endure between Israelis and Palestinians, the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state. That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress.

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron calls on Hamas to recognize Israel

Published on May 5, 2011

British Prime Minister David Cameron during a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu called on Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist and join peace negotiations. Cameron and Netanyahu met Wednesday night; the Israeli leader traveled to France on Thursday. According to a statement released Wedneday night by Cameron, the two leaders discussed the Fatah-Hamas unity deal.

Canada re-elects Stephen Harper, its pro-Israel prime minister

Published on May 3, 2011

Canada's staunchly pro-Israel prime minister, Stephen Harper, was re-elected by a wide margin. Harper, who heads the Conservative Party, has gone from heading two successive minority governments to a healthy majority.

Shalit family to PM: Your refusal to free Gilad signs his death sentence

Published on April 21, 2011

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to strike a deal that would secure the release of Gilad Shalit is equivalent to signing the abducted Israeli soldier's death sentence, a missive from the Shalit family said on Thursday.

PM’s pressure reportedly tables talks on E. Jerusalem construction

Published on April 11, 2011

Discussions on new construction in eastern Jerusalem have been postponed reportedly due to pressure from the Prime Minister's Office. The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee tabled its talks scheduled for this week on projects to build nearly 1,000 apartments in Har Homa and 600 in Pisgat Ze'ev until May 5, Haaretz reported.

“YouTube World View” live interview with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Published on March 30, 2011

In the footsteps of President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu will participate today in YouTube's World View Project on a live broadcast, answering questions submitted by users from all over the world.

Tunisia Jewish leader meets interim PM over safety concerns

Published on February 15, 2011

Tunisia's Jewish community is concerned for its security in the wake of anti-Jewish protests outside of the capital's main synagogue, a community leader said. The head of the Tunisian Jewish community, Roger Bismuth, met over the weekend with the country's interim prime minister, Mohammed Ghanoucci, and requested better security for the country's 1,500 Jews, the French news agency AFP reported.

Israeli diplomats’ strike damages international ties

Published on January 12, 2011

A strike by Israeli Foreign Ministry employees has broadened, halting defense-related exports and freezing assistance for Israelis abroad. The strike, which began several weeks ago and has added sanctions on a weekly and now daily basis, has included refusing to cooperate with other ministries such as the Prime Minister's Office, the Mossad and the army; disrupting diplomatic mail service; and refusing to cooperate on visits of dignitaries and state delegations. Earlier this month, a delegation of 500 that included business leaders and was led by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had to be canceled due to a lack of cooperation from Foreign Ministry personnel. A visit scheduled for next month by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and several of her Cabinet ministers to attend the annual joint Israel-Germany Cabinet session is in danger of cancellation.

Ariel Sharon moved to ranch first time since coma

Published on November 12, 2010

Ariel Sharon was moved to his ranch for the first time since he fell into a coma in January 2006.

P.A’.s Fayyad shuns ban, attends Jerusalem dedication

Published on November 2, 2010

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad attended dedication ceremonies for a school in eastern Jerusalem, despite an Israeli ban.

Israel bans PA prime minister

Published on November 1, 2010

Israel has banned the Palestinian Authority prime minister from attending an official PA event in eastern Jerusalem.

Israel marking Rabin assassination

Published on October 19, 2010

The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin "must not be forgiven or forgotten," Israeli President Shimon Peres said at a candlelighting ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the tragedy.

Ariel Sharon going home

Published on September 22, 2010

Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for nearly five years, is expected to be moved from an Israeli hospital to his Negev ranch.

Disraeli: The curious case of England’s Jewish prime minister

By Rabbi David Wolpe
Published on December 31, 2008