Palestinian Islamist group Hamas re-elects Meshaal as its leader

Published on April 2, 2013

Hamas re-elected Khaled Meshaal on Tuesday as the Palestinian Islamist group's leader after a marathon vote, a Hamas official said.

March 5: Election Day

By Rob Eshman
Published on February 27, 2013

I belong to a small, elite club that I would like to invite you to join.

Senate confirms Hagel as secretary of defense

Published on February 26, 2013

The Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel as President Barack Obama's new secretary of defense on Tuesday, after an unusually acrimonious confirmation fight that threatened to complicate his work as civilian leader at the Pentagon.

Senate clears way for vote on Pentagon nominee Chuck Hagel

Published on February 26, 2013

The Senate cleared the way on Tuesday for the likely confirmation of Chuck Hagel as President Barack Obama's new secretary of defense.

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.

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.

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.

Analysis: The consequences of Israel’s vote

Published on January 22, 2013

A few observations about the Israeli election results:

Netanyahu claims election win despite party losses

Published on January 22, 2013

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged the bruised winner of Israel's election on Tuesday, claiming victory despite unexpected losses to resurgent center-left challengers.

Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu take 31 seats; Yesh Atid comes in second

Published on January 22, 2013

Initial Israeli exit polls show the combined Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu ticket won the highest vote total while the new center-left Yesh Atid unexpectedly came in second.

Economy more than anything drove Jewish vote, poll data shows

Published on January 17, 2013

The economy was the strongest determinant for Jews who voted for Barack Obama, according to an analysis of polling data.

Peres using Facebook to urge young people to vote

Published on January 7, 2013

Israeli President Shimon Peres released a Facebook application to encourage young Israelis to vote.

Egypt’s contentious Islamist constitution becomes law

Published on December 26, 2012

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi signed into law a new constitution shaped by his Islamist allies, a bitterly contested document which he insists will help end political turmoil and allow him to focus on fixing the economy.

The children’s game our leaders play at our expense

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on December 5, 2012

Israel’s U.N. blunder

By David Suissa
Published on December 3, 2012

It’s never a good thing to look like a loser. That applies to countries as well as people. Consider Israel, a winning country on so many fronts: It’s on the cutting edge of high tech, turns deserts into farmlands, wins awards at film festivals and boasts one of the liveliest, most open societies in the world.

Does the Jewish vote still matter?

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on November 14, 2012

Does the Jewish vote still matter and if so, how? Exit polls indicate that 70 percent of Jews voted for President Obama, compared to roughly 39 percent of white voters overall. However, with California and New York, which have large Jewish populations, guaranteed to go Democratic, the Jewish vote may have mattered only in Florida.

RJC urges unity after Obama win, notes GOP’s Jewish gains

Published on November 7, 2012

The Republican Jewish Coalition called on all Americans to "come together to craft real solutions to the very serious problems our country faces today" after President Obama won re-election.

Palestinians show lukewarm reaction to Obama’s re-election

Published on November 7, 2012

Palestinians reacted lukewarmly to the news of President Barack Obama’s re-election for a second term, saying they are not hopeful this will improve their situation.

Fighting over every percentile: Arguing about the Jewish vote and exit polls

Published on November 7, 2012

President Obama’s Jewish numbers are down, but by how much and why?

Election day in Los Angeles

By Jay Firestone
Published on November 6, 2012

Election day snapshots

Published on November 6, 2012

Nettie Price voted for Obama in 2008, and in the past the registered independent has voted mostly a straight Democratic ticket. But not this year. Standing outside her polling place at Castle Heights Elementary School in Beverlywood, Price said this time she voted a straight Republican ticket, based on one issue: economics.

Pics and quotes from Sinai Temple

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 6, 2012

From Boca to Delray, Florida’s much-discussed Jewish voters finally have their say

Published on November 6, 2012

At approximately 10 a.m. on Election Day, a black sedan pulled up to the polling station at the J.C. Mitchell Elementary School.

Security could intimidate, so Sinai Temple moves polling places outdoors

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 6, 2012

Polling places often move around from year to year, but normally not on Election Day itself, as happened to the polls at Sinai Temple this year.

Americans vote after long and bitter presidential campaign

Published on November 6, 2012

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney battled down to the wire on Tuesday, mounting a last-minute Election Day drive to get their supporters to the polls in a handful of states that will decide the winner in a neck-and-neck race for the White House.

A response to a stiff-necked playwright

Published on November 5, 2012

David Mamet recently asked the following questions of “Jews planning to vote for Obama.” Herewith, my responses.

Five challenges facing the American pro-Israel community in the next four years

Published on November 1, 2012

The American pro-Israel community has a lot of work to do. While many pro-Israel organizations in the United States, including AIPAC, Christians United for Israel, Stand with US and Hasbara have been extremely effective in defending the Jewish State, there is always more we can do. Here is a list of the five greatest challenges facing the American pro-Israel community in the next four years.

Obama or Romney?

By Rob Eshman
Published on November 1, 2012

Either way, you’re going to have to suck it up. Whether you pick Obama or Romney, you are voting as much for imperfection as for promise.

Prop. 34: Repeal the death penalty

Published on November 1, 2012

Jewish tradition has always championed the idea that justice is a fundamental necessity. When the Torah commands us, “Justice, justice shall you pursue,” the repetition is to teach that not only we must have just ends, our means to those ends must be equally just.

For Obama campaign, trying to put to rest persistent questions about ‘kishkes’

Published on October 26, 2012

The moment in the final presidential debate when President Obama described his visit to Israel’s national Holocaust museum and to the rocket-battered town of Sderot seemed to be aimed right for the kishkes.

Down to the wire, Romney resurrects moderate posture that attracted Jewish support

Published on October 26, 2012

Mitt Romney’s record as a moderate Republican governor would seem to have made him ideally suited to peel off Jewish votes from President Obama. The problem is that he spent much of the past half decade running from that past.

Netanyahu-Barak spat stokes early Israel vote talk

Published on October 3, 2012

Friction between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak over relations with the United States fuelled talk on Wednesday of an early Israeli election.

Netanyahu: ‘It’s not about elections in America, but centrifuges in Iran’

Published on September 19, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dedicates much of his time to thinking about how to handle the Iranian nuclear issue, considering it a rapidly approaching existential threat. Not surprisingly, it was also the main topic of a wide-ranging interview he gave with Israel Hayom before Rosh Hashanah. Here is what the Israeli leader had to say:

In campaign for Jewish votes, GOP has the money, Dems have the history

Published on September 11, 2012

In the battle for Jewish votes this November, both parties acknowledge the other’s advantage: Republicans have the money and Democrats have the history.

At Democratic convention, a focus on Jewish swing voters as key to election win

Published on September 4, 2012

Jewish swing voters could make or break President Obama’s bid for reelection.

Amid roasted pigs, country music and rabbinical blessings, Romney seeks to define himself

Published on August 28, 2012

Whole barbecued pigs, cheerleaders and elegies to skinny-dipping farmers' daughters. That was the organized noise Sunday night at the opening bash of the Republican National Convention at Tropicana Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.

Where’s the tough love for Obama?

By David Suissa
Published on August 22, 2012

When it comes to criticizing Israel, liberal supporters of Israel routinely quote the Jewish value of self-criticism. Try telling a pro-Israel critic the following:

Romney, Ryan and Florida Jews

By Raphael Sonenshein
Published on August 15, 2012

In 1992, Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts mounted a strong campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. The pundits considered him a brainy guy who was willing to take on the sacred cows of Social Security and Medicare. Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas, by contrast, seemed like a flawed candidate. Tsongas stung Clinton by calling him “pander bear.”

Ryan hailed by Jewish GOPers, organizations see him as a face of budget confrontations

Published on August 14, 2012

Anointing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney attached a name and face to his fiscal policy. Jewish Republicans, including the House majority leader, say they are thrilled with Wisconsin's Ryan emerging as the ticket's fresh face, hailing the lawmaker as a thoughtful and creative budget guru bent on taming out-of-control federal spending.

How Ryan will motivate Jewish voters

By Douglas Bloomfield
Published on August 13, 2012

Mitt Romney's choice of Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate on the Republican ticket will help win Jewish votes. For the Democrats.

Editorial Cartoon: Star of Mitt

By Steve Greenberg
Published on August 8, 2012

House leadership, following ban on commemorative resolutions, blocks Munich 11 vote

Published on July 26, 2012

The House Republican leadership blocked a vote calling for a moment of silence to memorialize Israeli athletes and coaches slain at the 1972 Olympics.

Panel votes to recognize West Bank college as full university

Published on July 17, 2012

The West Bank will have its first full university, pending the go-ahead of the Israeli military.

Support for Ariel school as university comes before vote

Published on July 16, 2012

Israel's Education Minister expressed public support for turning the university center at Ariel into a full university, and the Finance Ministry announced extra funding in advance of a committee vote on the issue.

Jewish Dems’ call on GOP to cut off Adelson’s giving revives civility talk

Published on July 10, 2012

Sheldon Adelson, whose cash and rhetoric has hit candidates hard this election cycle, just got swiped himself.

A good deed for health care in a weary world

Published on July 9, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act is far more than a narrow legal decision. It is a decisive affirmation of what is right. Health care surely is right -- and a right.

Berman gaining pro-Israel, Jewish vote

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 5, 2012

Why I voted against the tobacco tax

By Dennis Prager
Published on June 27, 2012

A few weeks ago, California voters narrowly rejected another tax increase not only on cigarettes, but also on those mass murderers — cigar and pipe smokers. As expected, proponents of Proposition 29 blame its defeat on all the money tobacco companies spent on ads against the proposition. Whenever a candidate or vote supported by progressives is defeated, the loss is attributed to money. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was not recalled?

Vote result delay frays Egyptian nerves

Published on June 21, 2012

Allegations of fraud delayed the result of Egypt's presidential election on Thursday, fraying nerves as the Muslim Brotherhood, which claims victory, called for street protests against moves by the ruling generals to deny them power.

Egypt’s election: an argument without resolution

Published on June 19, 2012

When the clock ticked 9 a.m. on Sunday in the poor neighborhood of Boulak in the Greater Cairo governorate of Giza, Ahmed Hassan was having difficulty finding transportation to the polling station miles away.

House rejects increase to U.S.-Israel energy cooperation funding

Published on June 8, 2012

The U.S. House of Representatives voted down a Democratic procedural motion to the energy appropriations bill that would have provided additional funds for U.S.-Israel energy cooperation programs.

Romney to meet with Jewish donors

Published on May 23, 2012

Mitt Romney is meeting with about 30 major Jewish donors to his presidential campaign as part of a "constituents day."

Israel becomes target in Egypt’s presidential vote

Published on May 17, 2012

Israel has become a punching bag for politicians vying for votes in Egypt's presidential election, playing on popular antipathy in Egypt towards its neighbor, but the realities of office are likely to ensure a 33-year-old peace treaty is not jeopardized.

Obama vs. Romney: The Jewish debate

Published on May 15, 2012

On May 5, President Barack Obama kicked off his re-election campaign in front of a crowd of 14,000 people at Ohio State University. Obama presented his new campaign slogan, “Forward,” and strongly criticized his presumed Republican opponent Mitt Romney.

Iron Dome: Israeli necessity, American priority, strategic imperative

Published on May 8, 2012

For years, Sderot was a city under siege, the target of non-stop rocket attacks launched by Palestinian terrorists from Gaza. School was halted, synagogues were silenced and in a community defined by courage, the fragments of rockets and mortars – the vehicles of attempted murder aimed at innocent Israelis – were plain for all to see. Sderot became a living museum of terror.

Reform movement spearheads faith letter to Obama on discrimination

Published on May 3, 2012

Nearly two dozen faith groups joined an initiative led by the Reform Jewish movement calling on President Obama to reconsider his decision not to issue an anti-discrimination executive order.

Obama’s Jewish support rises

Published on April 30, 2012

President Obama enjoys the support of three-fifths of American Jews, according to the latest American Jewish Committee (AJC) survey, a significant improvement over where he stood half a year ago in the organization’s polling.

Romney’s triumph eases GOP Middle East policy rhetoric

Published on April 17, 2012

The Republican primaries are effectively over, and gone with them is the sharp-edged rhetoric and departures from past U.S. policy on the Middle East.

West pushes U.N. Syria vote despite Russian criticism

Published on April 13, 2012

Western powers brushed aside Russian criticism of a U.S.-drafted Security Council resolution authorizing an advance team of U.N. observers to monitor Syria's fragile ceasefire and said on Friday they hoped to put it to a vote this weekend.

Canada mounted intensive campaign against U.N. Palestinian statehood vote

Published on April 10, 2012

Canada mounted an intensive lobbying campaign last year to persuade other countries to oppose a United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood, a Canadian newspaper reported.