Israeli Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz expects the Israeli economy to begin growing again by the end of 2010. He spoke following the signing of an agreement between the Finance Ministry, Treasury, and Histadrut. Notably, he said: “I cautiously estimate that we will reach an effective braking of the crisis toward the end of 2009, […]
An op-ed in today’s New York Times condemns Jewish settlements in the West Bank for comparing their existence to Kibbutzim, small socialist collectives in Israel founded to help settle the countryside. Many Kibbutzim obtained funding from the government and praise for helping to expand the Jewish presence in Israel, with an added emphasis on settling […]
The Wall Street Journal published today an op-ed from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the future of the peace process. Amidst false claims regarding the success of Egypt as a peace broker, Mubarak asserts the need for Israel to make a few concessions while the Palestinians must obtain a unity government. The piece, and Egyptian stance […]
Generally when we think of Israel and discrimination, we consider the treatment of Arabs, Palestinians, and immigrant communities. However, a new restaurant opening up in Tel Aviv portrays quite the opposite sentiment. The new restaurant, founded by a group of vegan anarchist activists, aims to oppose any type of oppression, directed at human or animal. […]
Hizballah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah met Thursday night with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt to discuss the aftermath of the June 7 parliamentary elections. The apparent Shiite/Druze reconciliation comes nearly two weeks after Hizballah’s March 8 block failed to win a majority in parliament. Hizballah candidates had a solid showings in their districts, however, and its […]
In order to understand the influence of religion in legislation considered by the Knesset, take a look at an anti fur-importation bill intended to promote humane treatment of animals. The legislation would mandate one year prison sentences for any individual caught importing dog, cat, and rabbit fur. Proponents of the bill claim that some animals […]
A new report from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs evaluates the new, hastily put together Palestinian Authority government led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. The article outlines opposition to Fayyad and illustrates the inability of any leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to generate support. Instead, the backing for any leader remains fickle […]
Within one week of each other Iran and Lebanon held national elections, the outcomes of which could not be more different. In volatile Lebanon, the chance for trouble before, during, and after the polling was high. With so many religious sects, ethnicities, and political parties, as well as its recent history of violence between them, […]
The Los Angeles Times published today the latest critique of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s speech from earlier this week, calling the statesman a “roadblock to Middle East peace.” Even though Netanyahu acknowledged his support for a Palestinian state, the editorial team contends that he placed far too many preconditions that would make independence unfeasible. Notably, […]
The Israeli military continues to develop some interesting gadgets for multiple battlefield objectives,most recently a robotic snake for search and rescue, assassinations, and reconnissance applications. The newest device uses a robot that looks and moves like a snake in order to stealthily slither into hostile areas or through wreckage. The snake contains a camera and […]
Former President Jimmy Carter arrived today in the Gaza Strip as Hamas leaders welcomed him with open arms, but he left the territory amidst an assassination attempt using a road-side bomb. On his brief day-trip, Carter met with ousted Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and handed him a letter for abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from […]
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu affirmed his desire to resume negotiations with Palestinians in order to pursue a peace process that would result in a “demilitarized” Palestinian state, he said in a highly anticipated speech last night at Bar-Ilan University. In many ways, the speech offered the same pro-settlement rhetoric and hard-line stances expected from […]
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