News Analysis: Even After Unity, Questions Still Abound

By Hillel Fendel

United Right Party leaders (Credit: Arutz Sheva/Twitter)

It's now final - almost: The two largest parties right-of-the Likud will be running together in the upcoming elections – but it is not clear whether this union will also include additional smaller parties.

One major advantage of the union thus far is that it will spare much election campaign mud-slinging between the members.

Interview with Oriya Reshef: On Life and Mission

Oriya Reshef grew up in Bet El, attended Bet El's Jeanie Gluck High School Academy for Girls, and currently lives with her husband and children on a very special mountain next to the town.

In this interview, Oriya talks about her feelings living in a high-conflict zone, the beautiful aspects of growing up in Bet El and raising her kids here, and her hopes for the future.

[Interview conducted by Sharona eshet-Kohen]

Oriya with her husband and two children

One Year ... Massive Change!

Check out these photos from last year and this year of our construction of the new IDF Preparatory Academy -- the difference is insurmountable!

(Note in the top left corner of each photo the same fence around the site -- it's precisely the same angle in each photo!)

Apologies for This Sensitive Topic, But...

Wake Up! Internet Alarm!

[by Yedidya Meir, Besheva, translated by Hillel Fendel]

It's a bit awkward for me to write about the dangers of the internet, but I have no choice.

1.  I so much don't feel like writing about this. Why should I get myself involved in this dirt? Isn't it something for teachers and rabbis to talk about, privately? Who am I to preach? I would much rather write nice snuggle pieces about Gush Etzion, or about Avigdor Lieberman's ridiculousness in simultaneously attacking the hareidim who don't enlist and the religious officers who are taking over the IDF.

But the truth is: The above points don't really matter. I seem to be in a position to do this, and many have asked me why I don't, and Pirkei Avot teaches that where there's no man, overcome your embarrassment and be a man. So here goes.

News Analysis: Time to Take Back Sebastia

[Based on an article originally published by the Yesha Council, translated and edited by Hillel Fendel]

If you've not yet gotten to visit the Ancient Samaria National Park, you've never seen archaeological beauty in your life. On proud display there are findings from the ancient city of Shomron, which served as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel (as opposed to Judea), and the glorious remains of the town of Sebastia. The tall round basilica pillars standing there amid the other findings have become the unchallenged trademark of the site – a national heritage site of the State of Israel.

However: Over the past year, the Palestinian Authority has declared the site its own! It announced that Sebastia is the most important historical "Palestinian" site in its territory. It has even listed the site as a World Heritage Site of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, totally ignoring the city's Jewish past. The PA has also begun massive development at and around the site, causing damage to the archaeological treasures there. The works underway are of course in direct violation of the Oslo Agreements, which stipulate the preservation of historic and religious sites, as well as coordination with Israel.

News Analysis: Have No Mercy on the Cruel!

By Yaakov "Ketzaleh" Katz and translated by Hillel Fendel

In the name of "proportionality," the State of Israel refrains from deterrence and punishment when our enemies burn our fields, steal our cars, and harass us in countless ways.