Open Zion

Kerry’s Task: Close the Incredulity Gap

Joel Braunold — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:15:00 GMT

Despite promising developments, the Israeli and Palestinian publics are no closer to believing that peace is on its way. Here's what Secretary of State John Kerry must do to close the 'incredulity gap.'

"No Light Between the U.S. and Israel”

Shaul Magid — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:00:00 GMT

Shaul Magid reviews the scholar Rashid Khalidi's latest book, and finds that the author agrees with some unexpected figures.

Learning from Israeli Druze Hamad Amar

Samuel Lebens — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Samuel Lebens on how politician Hamad Amar is helping Israeli Druze youth feel part of the wider Israeli society, without giving up on the traditions, beliefs and rituals that make the Druze distinct.

Press Advocates: Israeli Report On Al-Dura Affair "Absurd and Unacceptable"

Ali Gharib — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Ali Gharib on an Israeli government report to discredit a 13-year-old media story.

What Israel Really Thinks About Syria

Yaakov Katz — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:45:00 GMT

Yaakov Katz on how Israel's calculations about Syria are changing.

MKs: Let Feiglin Enter the Temple Mount

Orly Halpern — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:45:00 GMT

"In the Border Police, [murderer at the Beersheva bank, Itamar] Alon learned not just how to shoot but how to behave rudely, violently and to solve problems with weapons while receiving respect and glory for doing so."
--Haaretz's Gideon Levy looks at the string of Israelis who serve in Israel's Border Police and later feel they have license to act violently also outside of the Palestinian Territories.

Two States: Israel’s Official Position Or Not?

Sigal Samuel — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:00:00 GMT

Does the Israeli government officially support a two-state solution or not? Sigal Samuel on the Israeli politicians who say no, and on J Street's call for clarity.

NGO Monitor's Selective Attacks on Groups Opposed to U.S. Policies

Ali Gharib — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Ali Gharib on a right-wing Israeli group's selective targeting of U.S. subsidies for activities in Israel and Palestine.

The Next Arab Idol: Palestine's Boy Wonder and Stereotype Buster

Maysoon Zayid — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:45:00 GMT

Mohammed Assaf, the undeniable breakout star of Arab Idol 2013, is the face of Palestine that Netanyahu and friends refuse to admit exists.

Does The Israeli Government Support Two States?

Orly Halpern — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT

Orly Halpern rounds up the news from Israel.

Yoffie’s Red Lines and Selective BDS

Mira Sucharov — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:15:00 GMT

Mira Sucharov asks how Rabbi Eric Yoffie's parameters for deciding who gets to speak in synagogues would apply to the sticky question of selective BDS.

How Lapid Reflects The Ill-Defined Israeli Center

Emily L. Hauser — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

Emily Hauser takes apart the claims Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid made about a two-state peace in his recent interview with the New York Times.

Women of the Wall's Opposition Lifts from the Settler Playbook

Sigal Samuel — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Women of the Wall's opposition is borrowing from the lexicon of terror employed by radical Israeli settlers against Palestinians—and that borrowing is no coincidence, writes Sigal Samuel.

Was It Irresponsible of Israel to Apologize to Turkey?

Brent E. Sasley — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Brent Sasley explains why Israel's apology to Turkey over the deaths on the Mavi Marmara in 2010 is an example of the Jewish state acting responsibly, whatever rightists may think.

At U.S. Behest, Europe Delays Labeling Settlement Products

Ali Gharib — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Ali Gharib on American pressuring Europe to lay off Israel for its settlement project.