Chicago and other charades

As a non-American, I am always astounded when every four years millions of dollars are spent in hosting Hollywood style political extravaganzas. Read more

Eulogies

The accepted protocol when speaking at a funeral is to praise the deceased’s achievements and overlook any negative traits. Read more

Israeli Government divided by US ceasefire proposal

The Israeli government is divided over a US proposal for a ceasefire, with leaders of the Orthodox religious parties voicing support on Tuesday while far-right leaders threaten to quit the coalition. Read more

NZ leadership concerned with political language used in Israel-Hamas war statements

The New Zealand Jewish Council and the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand are dismayed at the use of inflammatory and Holocaust-related language in the political arena in New Zealand. Read more

David Southwick defends real estate portfolio

The Victorian opposition’s new cost of living spokesman has defended stepping into the role while having interests in 17 properties. Read more

Israel at 75

I have recently read two great books. “Israel’s Declaration of Independence: The History and Political Theory of the Nation’s Founding Moment” by Neil Rogachevsky and Dov Ziegler (Cambridge University Press). Just published. And the 2019 “A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion” by Tom Segev (Picador). Read more

Trust is a key factor here

The Israeli government’s proposed judicial reforms continue to advance, at the same time as being unilaterally modified by the government itself. Read more

Dangerous times, and they are of our own making

I can’t recall having seen such a tumultuous first 60 days of any new Israeli government. Read more

Frantic Frenzy

The Oxford dictionary definition of frenzy states “a period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behaviour.” Read more

Netanyahu far-right government takes power

Already dogged by criticism at home and abroad, a new Israeli government is set to be sworn in – the final stroke in Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu’s political comeback. Read more

Likud, Shas sign preliminary coalition agreement

Likud and Shas leaders signed a preliminary coalition agreement in the early hours of Thursday morning. Read more

Unpredictable politics

I realise someone has to run a country. I just wish there was another viable alternative to current politics. Read more

Netanyahu dominates Israel’s election

At a dead-end road in a crime-hit town in central Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu stands on a mobile stage enclosed by a glass wall, pledging through a window to restore law and order as the crowd chants “Bibi the king.” Read more

Giorgia Meloni and other female conservatives are today’s feminists

There is no doubt that, in historical terms, one of the left’s most important and beloved causes has been women’s emancipation, and rightly so. Read more

Running for cover

Pick one of these definitions, and you will have a perfect explanation of current developments. Read more

Naftali Bennett explains decision to dissolve the Knesset

Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett held a press conference on Monday evening that was carried on all of Israel’s broadcast networks to explain his decision, revealed to the public just a few hours earlier, to call for the dissolution of the Knesset and the holding of new elections. Read more

Deves accepts invite to Jewish Museum

Controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves has accepted an offer to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum following comments she made comparing her anti-transgender lobbying to opponents of the Holocaust. Read more

Bennett basher Kati Piasecki joins Knesset as Meretz MK

The Meretz party’s Kati Piasecki will soon become a member of the Knesset. She will replace Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi who was appointed Israel’s new consular general in Shanghai. Read more

Netanyahu announces: no plea bargain, staying in politics

Opposition leader Member of Knesset (MK)Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that he will continue to lead the Likud party and stay in politics, amid reports of contacts for a plea deal in his trial. Read more

Government approves commission of inquiry into submarine purchase affair

Israel’s government voted on Sunday in favour of the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the purchase of submarines for the Navy, which was allegedly entangled with corruption. Read more

With Bennett watching, Gantz and Lapid are bringing Israel back towards a two-state paradigm

Israel may have a right-wing prime minister, but Naftali Bennett is not positioning Israel’s diplomatic priorities. Read more

Political life after the budget

For the first time in three years, the State of Israel has a budget. Read more

Bennett, with six seats in Knesset, calls to limit ultra-orthodox political power

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has generated a political storm in Israel calling to “limit the political sway” of the ultra-Orthodox in Israel. Read more

PM Bennett: world powers should not be fooled by Iran on nuclear weapons

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a number of remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday. Read more

The budget of Israel Ministry of Religious Affairs increased by 100 million shekels

An additional 100 million Shekels (A$42 million) have been allocated to the budget for Israel’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Read more

Religious politics

The personal attacks on Naftali Bennet coming from the Charedi parties in Israel because he has been instrumental in excluding them from power and has stood up to their blackmail are disgusting. Read more

Female politicians agree much work remains in gender equality fight

Australian federal Labor shadow minister for education and training Tanya Plibersek agreed with former Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon that despite both Israel and Australia having had female prime ministers the political glass ceiling remains firmly in place in both countries. Read more

NZ heads to the polls

When New Zealand entered its second lockdown in August it led to the election being postponed for nearly a month – from the original date of September 19 till October 17. Read more

When rabbis should not keep quiet

The former chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Sacks, has come in for some stick over remarks he recently made about religion and politics. Read more

Media polls show Yamina to grow; Likud and Blue and White to slip

Media polls released on Thursday show that if Israeli elections were held today, Yamina would grow, while the Likud and the Blue and White parties would slip. Read more

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