Since its rebirth 72 years ago, Israel has navigated a grim reality. “If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summed up the situation. For this reason, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) exists. At any given time, tens of thousands of Israelis form part of
Continue Reading »When work began on the Fifth World Holocaust Forum to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz–Birkenau death camp, organizers planned for 10 world leaders to be in attendance, 15 if the heavens smiled down on the event. Yet on January 23, 2020, delegations from 49 countries converged on Jerusalem for the
Continue Reading »Israel’s Independence Day, Jerusalem. It is well past midnight, but the capital is more alive than ever. From the Old City to Jaffa Street—and all across the country—Israel celebrates. Standing on the crowded streets amid a thousand other revelers, it is easy to be swept up in the merriment. Foreigners and natives alike dance together
Continue Reading »In 2006, an exquisite painting by Gustav Klimt sold for the staggering sum of US $135 million. The painting was owned by Maria Altmann, a Holocaust survivor who was born in Vienna and escaped to Los Angeles during the war. It was a portrait of Altmann’s aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer, decorated in gold and silver leaf,
Continue Reading »As tensions between Iran and the United States simmer, the Islamic Republic continues proclaiming its goals to wipe Israel off the map and punish the US for standing with the Jewish state against Iranian aggression. The friction culminated in clashes in December and January that led to multiple Iranian strikes on American targets in Iraq
Continue Reading »The long-awaited “Deal of the Century”—US President Donald Trump’s proposal aimed at bringing decades of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to a close—was revealed on January 28. In the months since the detailed 180-page plan saw the light, world leaders, governments, experts, international bodies, forums and leagues have all commented, speculated and weighed in
Continue Reading »Jerusalem is one of the most amazing cities on earth, constantly in the global public eye and a destination for millions of pilgrims every year. This is interesting, since it is certainly not the most densely populated city, with less than a million people, or even the largest, covering less than 50 miles2 (129 km2).
Continue Reading »In a small community in central Israel, something momentous is about to happen: a mother golden retriever is ready to give birth to a litter of puppies. For dog-lovers everywhere, the birth of puppies is always eventful, but these particular puppies are destined for greatness—they will be raised solely as guide dogs for the
Continue Reading »In Hebrew, the president of Israel is known as the nasi, which can also be translated in the Bible as “prince.” It’s a fitting title for a role imbued with limited official power but potentially significant influence. While presidents in Israel can never become king like a prince in England, the president holds both ceremonial
Continue Reading »The stroke of midnight on December 11 sealed a fate that Israelis had dreaded. With every avenue for a majority government—and the prime minister to lead it—exhausted, the short-lived 22nd Knesset (Parliament) officially dissolved, sending Israel to the polls for the third consecutive round of national elections in one year, a first in the modern
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