Arab Israelis: Opportunity or Threat?
Two new studies warn of radicalization among Arab Israelis and urge robust government action.
Beware Turkish Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Erdogan needs to be handled cautiously and, yes, respectfully. He also needs to be cut down to size.
Israel: A Tale of 2 Parallel Universes
Israel seems to exist in two parallel, contradictory worlds. One is a false, hackneyed, out-of-date, and threatening universe where recalcitrant and violent Palestinian leaders are venerated, and admirable Israeli leaders are criminalized. The other universe is real, promising, forward looking, and stabilizing, and is marked by a peace dynamic that runs from Jerusalem to Dubai, Manama, Rabat, Cairo and Amman; and from Jerusalem to the most important leaders in the world.
Save the Bennett Government!
The Bennett-Lapid government answered the desire of many Israelis for leadership that is neither radical left nor radical right. And it has real achievements.
Embrace the Abraham Accords Already!
Western progressives are dissing rather than embracing the Abraham Accords. This is a tragedy
Plenty to Give Thanks For–Dayenu!
In grand perspective, see how many benefits and blessings the Heavens have showered upon Israel! It enjoys a strong economy, coronavirus and political stability (at least for the past year), diplomatic and security heft, renewed Aliyah, national resilience that stems from faith, and global Jewish support.
Hippocratic Israel Magnifies Kevod Shamayim in a Hypocritical World
The world knows only how to criticize and demonize Israel. What a shame. But at least Jews should know and appreciate Israel’s humanity. On Yom Haatzmaut, we can all add this to our calculations of kevod shamayim and kiddush Hashem (the glorification of G-d’s name in the world) that has been wrought by the State of Israel.
Erase Jordan’s False Claims in Jerusalem
Israel has good reason to fear that Abdullah and Biden are cooking-up an attempt to impose new pro-Arab “arrangements” on the Temple Mount, with Biden coming to Israel in late June to ride herd on this issue. Note: King Abdullah has no claim to “custodianship” over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
When the Going Gets Tough…
… the tough get going. When this country is under attack, Israel’s friends need to be more determined than ever to defend it.
Why Bother?
President Biden should not come to the Mideast without a useful agenda that includes truly confronting Iran.
Abdullah Attacks Abraham Accords
Jordan seeks to influence the Biden administration to ice the Abraham Accords in favor of the Palestinians. That would be a mistake. Expansion of the accords can only improve, rather than impede, prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. The accords need not “sideline” the Palestinians if the Palestinians don’t sideline themselves.
Israel’s Democratic and Jewish Soul is NOT at Risk
Beware false election narratives from both the left and right. Do not let radical electioneering disfigure a noble reality. Israel continues to be a free, enlightened, creative and exciting place.
9 Landfills for Lapid
Which policies will Yair Lapid choose to adopt during his time as PM? Here are my nine “landfills” — policy suggestions for the period in which Lapid fills-in for Bennett.
Good Morning, President Biden
Wakey, wakey! Time for a course reversal. Consider the grand drama of Israel reborn, and don’t go weak-kneed on Iran.
Beware: Future Israeli Arab Riots
WHAT WE REALLY NEED, MUCH MORE THAN A COMPTROLLER’S REPORT ON POLICE FECKLESSNESS, IS A NATIONAL PLAN TO ROOT OUT THE SOURCES THAT ARE FUELING EXTREMISM AND VIOLENCE IN PARTS OF THE ISRAELI ARAB COMMUNITY.
Tisha B’Av: Repeat Reflections
Tisha Be’Av, the mournful commemoration of Jewish national destruction and self-destruction which falls this weekend, hasn’t quite reached the status of Yom Kippur as a day of reflection and repentance. But it should.
The War between the Wars
Israel’s necessary strategic posture is ferocious, in addition to peace-seeking. Get used to it.
JCPOA 2.0.: Coming Any Day Now
More Bugs; No New Features
Brave and Brazen EU 20
On Europe’s insolence towards Israel and its willfully blind reverence for the Palestinians.
Butt OUT!
Washington and Brussels have no business second-guessing Israel’s security operations.
Imagine: Israel-The Role Model for Arab Countries
On their second anniversary, it can be said that the Abraham Accords constitute an ideological breakthrough of Biblical magnitude.
Multiple Political Choices for 5783: A Quiz
Which of the following political, security, and domestic events can be expected in Israel, the Mideast, and around the world this coming year? Take this quiz and calculate the 5783 political future you need to be prepared for. (My answers are at the bottom of the article.)
Vote your Conscience
FORGET THE “THRESHOLD! BE STRATEGIC AND PRINCIPLED, NOT TACTICAL AND CYNICAL,
Nobody to Vote For?
Consider one of the lesser-known parties running for election to Knesset. They serve as an antidote to widespread cynicism about Israel’s political system.
Ten Tips for Netanyahu
Israel must reject the hypocrisy of foreign leaders from Washington to Paris who threaten to downgrade their ties with Israel if Ben-Gvir gets a seat in cabinet.
Radicals with “Ben-Gvir-Phobia” Committed to Crashing Israel’s Diplomatic Relations
I'm less concerned about the direction of the emerging direction of the new government than I am about the hysterical reactions to it from foreign governments and hard-left observers.
Sacks, Carlebach, and Kahane
Remembering 3 Remarkable and Relevant Rabbis
Dicey Diplomacy with Israel’s Gulf Allies
I told interlocutors in the Arabian Gulf last weekend that Israel firmly will assert its sovereignty and governance in the face of Israeli Arab and Palestinian lawlessness. That is what most Israelis expect of their new government! At the same time, I assured Israel’s Emirati and Bahraini allies that Israel will do so without racist incitement and delegitimizing rhetoric, and without crude demonstrations of its power, but rather with finely calibrated tools and from an approach of maximum willingness to dialogue. (I hope that I am right….)
Ascending the Temple Mount for the First Time
My first “aliyah” this week to “Har HaBayit” was scary, emotional, fascinating, and infuriating. And necessary.
The Nasty Sport of Second-Guessing Israel
In Washington and other capitals, an ungenerous spirit has set in.