The True Faces of the Enemy

Hamas
{image_1}Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We were re-exposed to our enemies’ true face…They have no intention of compromising with us; they want to destroy the state…”

Our Right to Build

{image_1}The State of Israel has all sorts of assets, but the sympathy of the European countries is not among the important ones. It is certainly not as important as another asset we tend to overlook: our independence. The world's empathy is important when rockets are fired at Israel from the south, but it is more important to take out those who are doing the firing. The same goes for the diplomatic arena: if attacked, we must return fire. 

Hypocrisy at the United Nations

{image_1}In an astonishing display of hypocrisy, numerous UN country delegates gave impassioned speeches on November 27 objecting to resolutions criticizing the murderous regimes of Iran, North Korea, and Syria. The delegates said they rejected the very notion of singling out countries, and then they proceeded, mere moments later, to adopt a resolution—which many of them also co-sponsored—singling out democratic Israel. 

UN Votes in Favor of Palestinian Upgrade

{image_1}On November 29, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution to upgrade Palestine from an “entity” to the status of a “non-member observer state.” The final vote tally was 138 in favor, 41 abstentions, and 9 opposed. The countries who voted in opposition were Israel, US, Canada, Czech Republic, Panama, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and Palau. Britain and Germany were among the nations that abstained.

Purim—A Story of Redemption

{image_1}All the holidays on the Jewish calendar are extraordinary, but Purim is arguably the most joyous of them all. During Purim, Jerusalem’s streets are crowded with costumed people of all ages—princesses, priests, and pirates, and an endless parade of others. It’s a festival of celebration and remembrance where the Jewish people recall the time, 2500 years ago, when God delivered His people from destruction. 

The Versatile Pumpkin—with a Jewish Flair

{image_1}As I write this, we have just finished the fall holiday season here in Israel, and as you read it, you may be preparing for the celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year. Many of the foods found on Israel’s holiday table may be very different, but some dishes can easily make the transition. One of those versatile foods with an incredible Jewish history is pumpkin!

UK Media Acknowledges Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

{image_1}When The Guardian, a newspaper in the United Kingdom, printed an article that mistakenly described Tel Aviv as the capital of Israel, legal action taken by HonestReporting forced them to print a retraction. HonestReporting, which monitors news around the world for anti-Israel bias and inaccuracy, then took on the UK’s Press Complaints Commission (PCC) and won that round too. As a result of these legal proceedings, the PCC has sent a clear message for the UK media—Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government and its capital!

Israel’s Golden Paralympic Hero

{image_1}For the second time in his life, Noam Gershony grabbed the headlines of all Israeli media after beating David Wagner of the United States in straights in wheelchair tennis at the Paralympic Games in September in London. It took the 29-year-old Israeli with the winning smile less than an hour to wrap up a 6–3, 6–1 victory against the top seed in the quad singles final.

Sukkot Blessing at the Western Wall

{image_1}It was estimated that from 70,000 to 100,000 people came to the Kotel (Western Wall) in October to participate in, or to watch the traditional Sukkot [Feast of Tabernacles] “Blessing of the Cohenim” [or Priestly Blessing as instructed in Numbers 6:22–27].

Israel: World’s 6th Healthiest Country

{image_1}Israeli breakfasts—eggs, salad, cheeses, juice—are known for their freshness and nutrition. According to a new report, it would seem that by starting the day on a healthy kick, Israelis tend to veer toward a strong lifestyle.

You Want Fanatics to Have Nuclear Weapons?

FROM THE VOICE OF REASON

{image_1}Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked whether he believed a “containment strategy” would work on Iran, as was done with the Soviet Union in its time. Netanyahu responded: “I think Iran is very different. They put their zealotry above survival; they have suicide bombers all over the place. I wouldn't rely on their rationality…

Immigrants Helping Immigrants

{image_1}Many times over the years, we have published articles on the immigration of Ethiopian Jews, also called Falashas. The stories of how they arrived back in the 1980s and ‘90s are some of the most dramatic and amazing in the history of Jewish immigration. But their struggles do not end upon arrival. Coming from a strong tribal culture into a technological, modern nation has been extremely challenging.