BIG construction at Bet El Institutions

This week we provide you a construction update directly from the Director of Bet El Institutions himself, Yoel Tzur...

We're currently in the process of expanding the cafeteria in the Yeshiva of Higher Learning, although the copious rainfall has caused some breaks in the work. We hope to complete the project in about two months!

Additionally, we expect to receive approval next week for a third dormitory, after which we plan to begin construction in the area immediately (with such a quickly growing student body, we don't have time to waste).

The ground floor of the Bet El IDF Prep Academy has already been approved by the builder as ready for use, next week the second floor will be approved, and the third floor is expected to gain approval in about one month. At the moment we're also working on installing two elevators.

And lastly, at the Bnei Tzvi Boys High School, we're currently in the process of getting approval by the town council's engineering department to build an additional dormitory (we finished construction on the most recent one this past year and we're already running out of space again!).

Blinken's Atrocious Ramallah Press Conference

by Hillel Fendel

US President Joe Biden has been widely criticized for his actions, or inaction, regarding China, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, and other global hot spots. This has unfortunately left little time for the criticism he and his administration so well-deserve for their mistreatment of the United States' closest ally: Israel.

Let us consider last week's visit by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to Israel and Ramallah, shortly after the Palestinian terrorist stabbing attack in which six Israelis and one foreign worker were murdered.

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.