JPost.com - Susan Hattis Rolef Reporter

Poverty in Israel – and the PM’s expenses

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:22:37 GMT

Think About It: OECD figures published last week indicate that among the 34 members of the organization, the rate of poverty in Israel is the highest.

Think About It: Confronting sexual harassment

Sun, 12 May 2013 21:35:25 GMT

For well over a decade there were rumors of a “senior television personality” who was sexually harassing women co-workers.

Ongoing crises in Knesset-government relations

Sun, 05 May 2013 22:16:33 GMT

Think About It: Lapid was constantly heckled, and wasn’t given the opportunity to finish a single sentence.

Think about it: Lapid and the haredim

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:30:30 GMT

Problem is not hatred of haredim, but unwillingness of Yair Lapid to continue to let them make a mockery of some of the basic obligations of citizens.

Think About It: Celebrating Independence Day

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:15:35 GMT

"Independence Day itself was this year, as in previous years, a rather ambivalent experience".

Think About It: Debating 1948: Toward reconciliation

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:09:34 GMT

The topic is explosive any day of the year, but certainly several days before the Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars, and the celebrations of Independence Day.

Slowing down the rat race of private members bills

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:40:27 GMT

Every so often, someone accuses our Knesset members of submitting an excessive number of private members’ bills.

Think about it: The end of consociationalism

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:40:01 GMT

My personal feeling is that consociationalism is not yet dead in Israel, and might eventually enjoy a comeback.

Think about it: The new government, full half of the cup

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:56:32 GMT

There are quite a few aspects of this government, for someone like myself to feel positive about.

Think About It: Bad losers

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:47:36 GMT

Will Shas’s political leaders manage to prevent the party from falling apart after the old rabbi is gone?

The Red-Dead canal, or back to nature?

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 21:23:45 GMT

Think about it: Utilizing the differences in altitude between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean and Red Seas has captivated imaginations of many.

Think about it: Ageism

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 23:06:39 GMT

Addressing the issue of ageism; are jobs only open to the younger generation?

Is Finance Ministry dominance ending?

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 21:20:53 GMT

The current situation with regards to Finance Ministry control over policy and its budgetary implications is not a healthy one.

Think About It: Two German-Israeli co-productions

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:48:33 GMT

Two German-Israeli co-productions at the Cameri and Habimah theaters

A third term for Netanyahu

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:16:54 GMT

On Saturday night President Shimon Peres assigned the task of forming Israel’s 33rd Government to Netanyahu for the third time.

Think About It: 50 new MKs, 19 from Yesh Atid

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:50:09 GMT

Assuming that the situation in Israel is at least approaching the latter case, it will be interesting to see how Yesh Atid in general and Yair Lapid in particular fare over the next four years.

Think About It: Bracing for Israel’s ‘Super Tuesday’

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 22:49:13 GMT

We have a general idea of what the results will be, but the details might still hold some surprises.

Think About It: Witch-hunt or proper neutrality?

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 22:03:46 GMT

The ethos of neutral and apolitical service expected from civil servants in general and Knesset employees in particular is vital for the proper functioning of our democratic system.

Post-election plan for the Center-Left

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:31:15 GMT

Think About It: There is no reason to believe that as long as Netanyahu has a Right-religious majority, he will voluntarily opt for a softer, more liberal course, which is apparently contrary to his DNA.

Think About It: In defense of Naftali Bennett

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:11:56 GMT

Despite my warm words about Naftali Bennett, don’t get me wrong – there is no chance I will vote for him.

Think About It: Guns, homicide and the US debate

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 21:42:13 GMT

While firearm-related homicides in Israel occur at one-seventh the US rate, in the case of all forms of homicide the proportion is two fifths.

Is Israeli diplomacy an election propaganda tool?

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:18:44 GMT

Think About It: I have no doubt that if Hans Morgenthau were still alive today, Israel’s “diplomacy” would have flabbergasted him. Being inflexible and boorish simultaneously can be lethal.

Think About It: The limits of direct democracy

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:59:07 GMT

In short, while the idea of direct democracy is trendy, voting in elections is still a citizen’s main tool to have some influence.

Think About It: The primaries that were

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 23:09:49 GMT

Though the current Labor list is certainly less security minded than any of its predecessors, it is no more “extreme Left” than it is “Center.”

Think About It: We elect them – but to do what?

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:52:44 GMT

The more extreme the ideological positions held by an MK, the more likely he is to actively promote them in the Knesset.

Think About It: Shylock and pigheadedness

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:26:41 GMT

What the Israeli Left argues is that there is another approach, and that this alternative approach is not anti- Zionist, neo-Zionist, defeatist or an expression of self-hatred.

Think About It: Who’s afraid of social democracy?

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 22:51:04 GMT

Today, “socialism” in all European-style democracies (including Israel), is in fact “social democracy” that accepts the mixed economy in which the state and private entrepreneurs share in the running of the economy and society, each in the spheres where its marginal advantage is greatest.

Pre-election politics as moving fractals

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:31:12 GMT

Think About It: The approaching Israeli general election, and what sort of political alignments will be created, reminds me of a moving fractal, where the image before one’s eyes keeps changing, but the basic pattern simply repeats itself in various scales and variations.

Will Netanyahu-Liberman alignment make a difference?

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:22:35 GMT

Think About It: I have difficulty seeing this alignment leading to complete union between the parties. On the contrary, I would not be surprised if in the course of the 19th Knesset the united parliamentary group will split.

Will Netanyahu change the status of the settlements?

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:40:39 GMT

My guess is that once again Netanyahu will climb down from the tree that he inadvertently climbed.

Think About It: New elections – and what then?

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 21:47:14 GMT

My greatest hope is that should the Labor Party joins the next Coalition, it will insist on manning the Ministries of the Interior, Education, and Labor and Welfare.

Think About It: The Knesset’s winter session

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:36:44 GMT

The Knesset session that will open right after Succot will undoubtedly spend most of its time in the process of dissolving itself.

Think About it: Netanyahu and the US election

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:10:56 GMT

Israel-US relations are in need of serious repair, and upcoming elections will play an important role.

Netanyahu and the US presidential election

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:22:28 GMT

Israel-US relations are already in need of some serious repair, and let us just hope that we are not in a situation of “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again.”

Think About It: The fall of Nochi Danker

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:10:00 GMT

Unless a miracle occurs and Dankner manages to find an investor, all one can do is hope the process is controlled.

Whither Shas?

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 22:22:20 GMT

Even if Ovadia Yosef lives to the ripe old age of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who passed away several weeks ago at age 102, his day will come. By the look at things, after the old rabbi’s passing, Shas will simply disintegrate.

There is no consensus regarding the Oslo Accords

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 22:48:22 GMT

Though the Oslo Accords did not bring the longed-for peace, it was part of a process that changed Israel’s standing in the world for the better.

Has the legalistic approach overstepped itself?

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:33:45 GMT

Think About It: The legalization of our lives has reached monstrous proportions, and complex, contorted legal arguments and provisions have taken precedence over norms, moral principles and common sense.

Think About It: Teaching of civics in our schools

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:16:36 GMT

The public debate on the content of the curriculum for the teaching of civic studies in Israel is serious and impressive in its depth and openness.

Think About It: Children’s books and social justice

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 23:13:13 GMT

Isn’t it preferable to try and emphasize those values that we all share, in the assumption that we still do share some values?

More than just a storm in a teacup

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 21:25:07 GMT

Now Neubach is under fire again, the main criticism against her is that she has a “strange” inclination to be critical of the government.

Think about it: The golden boy of Israeli theater

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:09:19 GMT

While Tiran is not as obnoxious as Maestro Daniel Barenboim in his expressions of disapproval regarding Israel’s policies in the West Bank and its treatment of the Palestinians, he does not conceal his opinions.

Rules of ethics for public figures, and Ehud Olmert

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 23:11:59 GMT

As long as Ehud Olmert refuses to understand that his public conduct was ethically problematic, his return is not welcome.

Think About It: Where’s the money?

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:18:26 GMT

We all receive services from plumbers, electricians, etc., who are willing to charge us less if we agree to forgo the documentation.

Kadima’s initiatives – reason for hope, or doomed to fail?

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 22:04:22 GMT

Think About It: Mofaz’s main motive in joining the coalition was the grim predictions of all opinion polls regarding Kadima’s performance if elections were held immediately.

Think About It: The futile comptroller's report

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:58:18 GMT

Report does not only deal with the sad state of the firefighting system, but alludes to much broader governance problems.

Who’s afraid of Richard Wagner?

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:44:34 GMT

In 1984 Rina Litwin and Hezi Shelah published a book under title Who’s Afraid of Richard Wagner.

The importance of history

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 23:24:01 GMT

When we are not ignoring history altogether, we look at events only in terms of how they affected the Jewish people

The African refugee problem in perspective

Mon, 28 May 2012 22:02:49 GMT

There is a saying in Hebrew to the effect that “a shared problem is half a consolation.”

Cellphones, tycoons and the market economy

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:43:55 GMT

The cellphone service providers cannot be blamed for doing everything in their power to cash in.

The new national unity government

Sun, 13 May 2012 21:21:59 GMT

I believe that the new coalition deserves to be given a fair chance.

The outpost and the rule of law

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:25:07 GMT

New settlement activities have accelerated despite the fact that Israel had accepted that a viable Palestinian state would be delineated.

Inter-Jewish racial prejudice and discrimination

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:03:30 GMT

There can be no denying that on the Ashkenazi-Oriental axis the situation has much improved compared to the early days of the state.

Basic Law: Legislation

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:45:22 GMT

If the law is to be passed, hopefully the Knesset will be wise enough to pass it in an improved form.

Freedom of speech, multiculturalism and Islamism

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:50:31 GMT

Those who threaten Israel's liberal-democratic nature also don't recognize the Supreme Court's supremacy.

MK Noam Schalit?

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:18:19 GMT

It's impossible to know whether members of Labor Party will vote Schalit into the party list toward the elections to the 19th Knesset.

From hated politician to beloved president

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:02:26 GMT

Peres is the most popular figure in Israel today, with 81% of the public expressing satisfaction with his performance.

The current higher education language war

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:33:06 GMT

from the very beginning, despite the undisputed predominance of Hebrew in, a language problem emerged.

Who's a fascist and who's a Zionist?

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:27:39 GMT

The Jerusalem District Court will have to determine whether those who accuse Im Tirzu of Fascist inclinations are guilty of libel.

Calling the Knesset lobbyists to order

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:57:21 GMT

Many MKs seem to have assumed the role of the lobbyists’ lobbyists.

Have the Israeli Arabs remained silent on Syria?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:28:55 GMT

Israeli media has been posing the question of why we are not hearing any condemnations from Israeli Arabs.

Students should visit Hebron

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:16:05 GMT

Even if the historical sites will not remain under Israeli sovereignty after a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, young Israeli Jews should be exposed to them.

Another biennial budget?

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:52:37 GMT

The original reason for biennial state budgeting was rather prosaic – most state legislatures simply convened only once every two years.

The French water report

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:29:35 GMT

While the report's basic facts presented appear fair, the conclusion relating caused an uproar in Jerusalem.

An upswing in Israeli racism

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:04:50 GMT

This month’s events produced at least four news items that appear to relate to racism and intolerance.

How will it all end?

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:27:32 GMT

There are only four options that will ultimately decide the fate of the territories

The case of Haneen Zoabi, and the rule of law

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:23:14 GMT

The legal limitations on running in elections, which were first enacted in 1985, were originally directed primarily against MK Meir Kahane.

Foreign Ministry not improving Israel image

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:52:28 GMT

What was the foreign ministry trying to achieve with aggressive response to the Europeans’ latest condemnation?

Only words

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:44:24 GMT

Young Israelis do not seem to understand the fundamentals of maintaining a democratic country.

Restrictions on anonymity

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:55:13 GMT

"In most cases anonymity has no justification, and contributes to the growing shallowness of the public discourse."

'Exclusion of women is form of violence'

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:41:24 GMT

A trend is developing in the National Religious community of excluding women from the public domain in the name of “modesty."

Tzohar rabbis and the right to get married in Israel

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:18:11 GMT

Israel’s marriage laws are a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Reducing dangers to Israeli democracy

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:38:37 GMT

Right-wing protesters have the right to criticize the government, but they should make sure their goals are to preserve Israel’s democracy, not to shut down dissent.

The limits of brinkmanship

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:59:48 GMT

Despite the differences between the Greek and Israeli situations, the use of brinkmanship by both countries as is dangerous in both cases.

Israel – Jewish state or state of the Jewish people?

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:52:23 GMT

It is high time a serious debate took place on what exactly we mean by “the national state of the Jewish people,” in both religious and civic terms.

Whither the social protest?

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:10:35 GMT

Now that the Gilad Schalit roller coaster is over, it is time for the country to turn its attention back to the social protests.

The passing of Steve Jobs

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:09:32 GMT

In some ways, the gadgets the Apple founder created have become a social nuisance.

How to get yordim to come home

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:29:07 GMT

New TV campaign aims to get those Israelis who live abroad to return home.

So what’s your plan, Mr. Prime Minister?

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:59:51 GMT

Netanyahu’s speech to UN made it seem like Israel is facing Masada-like situation; we need an alternative ending to national suicide.

Deciding between Shelly and Amir

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:34:29 GMT

Peretz’s Israel and his frame of reference is not made up exclusively of secular, Ashkenazi youngsters and old-timers.

Sheldon Adelson vs. Channel 10

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:04:47 GMT

Though both Channel 10 and the freedom of speech received an unpleasant blow, it is Adelson’s reputation that has suffered most.

Where will the money come from?

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:06:17 GMT

One place to consider is Israel’s vast black market economy.

Can she lead? Shelly Yacimovich and the Labor party leaders

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:28:52 GMT

Yacimovich’s admirers support her because of her clear expression of positions on issues, and her incredible track record as MK.

Are we in for early elections?

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:30:06 GMT

It looks like no matter who heads the government, there is a serious problem of governability, which is largely the result of the political fragmentation.

Political reactions to the social protest

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:17:06 GMT

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reacted to the public protest in a manner that raises serious doubts about his political instincts.

Renewing the social contract

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:56:13 GMT

Some ideas expressed by the demonstrators are naïve and even childish, but they have brought a breath of fresh air into this hot summer.

Redefining secular-religious relations in the IDF

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:18:32 GMT

The debate is not about the secular force in the IDF wanting to exclude religious men from service, but primarily about how to prevent the inevitable increase in the number of religious personnel from threatening the status and role of women in the IDF, and from taking advantage of the army for purposes of religious indoctrination via the Chaplaincy Corps.

Will Knesset put rights groups, foreign gov'ts in the dock?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:40:12 GMT

Israel Beiteinu and some in the Likud are ushering in a new era of McCarthyism.

A superfluous law

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:01:23 GMT

Whatever one might think of boycotts as a means of protest, they are certainly not foreign to our society.

Labor drive invites corruption

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:26:38 GMT

New Labor Party "members" unlikely to vote for the party in national elections cast doubt on the legitimacy of a recent membership drive.

National unity, democracy and the heritage of the Altalena

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:52:32 GMT

Faith in democracy prevented civil war 63 years ago. Will it do the same in the future?

Wanted: A policy on our Arab citizens

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:35:25 GMT

Israel must increase the identification of Arab citizens with the state in those spheres relevant to a person who is not Jewish and not a Zionist.

Deny at your peril

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:54:49 GMT

There are too many political forces in Israel that, to the present day, insist on disavowing the complex reality of our history, especially if it strengthens the Palestinian narrative.

The enigmatic Avigdor Lieberman

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:18:55 GMT

Of the many enigmatic figures in Israeli politics, none surpass Avigdor Lieberman.

Looking the wrong way

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:23:20 GMT

What’s disturbing about the struggle to keep the official retirement age for women at 62 is that it assumes this is what all women want, thus prevents a serious discussion of the broader issue.

The conversion bill anomalies

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:32:37 GMT

In a modern democracy, should there really be a law on what constitutes a legally acceptable religious conversion?