Why Israel's Judicial Reforms are the Embodiment of Democracy

 by Hillel Fendel

Once again, Israel features widely in the world media (tell me something I didn't know…) – and this time because of the fear of its new judicial reforms. Some have gone so far as to call the new program, championed by new Justice Minister Yariv Levine, the "end of Israeli democracy" and similar apocalyptical forecasts. 

The facts, of course, not only belie this unwarranted alarmism, but actually tell precisely the opposite picture. Let us therefore clear up the situation so that our readers abroad can know, and spread, the situation as it truly is. 

48 Hours Until New Gov't Sworn In: Bibi's Final Headaches

by Hillel Fendel

With less than two days to go before the new government is sworn in this Thursday, its designated head, Binyamin Netanyahu, still has plenty of work ahead of him before it can happen.

Among his difficult tasks will be to appoint the Foreign Minister, the Knesset Speaker, and Minister of Justice, and to deal with the controversies generated by recent remarks made by MKs of the Religious-Zionist party. 

Sorting Out Kinks Just Before the New Govt.

by Hillel Fendel

It appears that the new Netanyahu government – "full-steam to the right," he has called it – is actually likely to be sworn in by next week (Hanukah), or immediately afterwards. 

The new coalition took a major step this morning (Tuesday) by choosing a new Knesset Speaker, Likud MK Yariv Levine, who held the post in the previous Likud-led government. His Speakership will be temporary, however, as he will likely be named as Justice Minister in the new government; his replacement as Speaker is not yet known for certain.

Latest News from the Bet El IDF Prep Academy

Update from Rav Yair Rosenthal, Educational Director of the Bet El IDF Prep Academy

Our monthly theme for this past month of Heshvan was "Taking Responsibility," and many of our activities – in addition to the usual many daily classes, prayers, and Torah study – centered around it. The cadets took part in a variety of experiences featuring volunteer work and education empowerment. 

Why Smotrich Is So Insistent

by Hillel Fendel, based on articles originally published in Besheva

We had hoped that the new nationalist government would be formed quickly and easily. We wanted to see the outgoing government become a historical footnote as soon as possible – the government of which the 30 terrorism victims of 2022 - the most since 2015 - were just one of the many damages of its failed policies.

We also thought that a year and a half of successful cooperation in the opposition by the parties of the future government would continue when they finally reached their mutual goal. But it seems that not. Netanyahu is not succeeding in respecting his partners' needs, and in particular, as is his custom, he wishes to minimize the role of the religious-Zionist public in his government.