Herb Keinon

Herb Keinon is a senior contributing editor and analyst, writing extensively on diplomacy, politics and Israeli society. He has been at the paper for 35 years, 20 of those as its diplomatic correspondent, and during this time has covered up close the major stories that have shaped the nation for more than three decades: from the first intifada to the withdrawal from Gaza; the massive immigration of Soviet Jews to the Rabin assassination; the Ariel Sharon premiership to that of Benjamin Netanyahu. Keinon also writes a popular monthly "light" column on daily life in Israel. A collection of these columns, French Fries in Pita, was published in 2014. Keinon lectures widely in Israel and around the world on political and diplomatic developments in the country. Originally from Denver, Keinon has a BA in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an MA in journalism from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

YAIR LAPID (left) and Naftali Bennett share a smile at the Knesset in 2013.

Why did Lapid launch 'doom campaign' before election was even called? - analysis

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police following an assault on two female Israeli soldiers in Bnei Brak, central Israel, February 15, 2026.

Bnei Brak shows Israel must address structures that enable 'fringe' violence - analysis

US President Donald Trump makes an announcement at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 12, 2026.

Trump’s intervention turns Herzog’s pardon dilemma into a diplomatic trap - analysis


President Isaac Herzog brings Israel’s embrace to Australian Jews as protests rage outside

DIASPORA AFFAIRS: Despite protests, Herzog’s trip to Australia underscored Israel's solidarity with the Jewish community following the Bondi Beach massacre.

'We are one big family, and when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain.’ President Isaac Herzog used his trip to Australia to act as Israel’s comforter-in-chief for the stricken community after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December.

Herzog responds to Trump request for Netanyahu pardon: ‘I am president of Israel’

President Isaac Herzog responded to US President Donald Trump's push to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu mid-flight as he returned from a four-day visit to Australia.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz at the President residence in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025

In Australia, President Isaac Herzog tells anti-Israel demonstrators to protest Iran instead

Herzog said it was “obscure and odd” that heavy police protection was needed to ensure Jews could gather peacefully with the president of Israel.

ISRAEL'S PRESIDENT Isaac Herzog speaks during his state visit to Australia following a deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia, February 12, 2026.

Herzog meets lone soldiers and families in closed-door Melbourne gathering

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the last day of Herzog’s visit to Australia, underscored both the pride and the unease felt by Diaspora families whose children chose to join the IDF.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets students at Moriah War Memorial College during his state visit following a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, February 10, 2026.

Watch: Herzog calls for ‘new beginning' in Israel-Australia relations as protests persist

The Australian PM thanked Herzog for the "comfort" he brought to their Jewish community, hosting the Israeli president at the Parliament House as several hundred people protested the visit outside.

 Israel's President Isaac Herzog and the First Lady Michal Herzog plant an olive tree in the gardens at the Embassy of Israel on February 11, 2026 in Canberra, Australia.

'Don’t be afraid, stand proud,' President Herzog tells Australian Jews during Australia trip

President Isaac Herzog participated in two public events with Australian Jews during his visit, the first one since the Bondi Beach attack where 15 people were killed.

President Isaac Herzog during his visit to Australia.

Herzog: Anti-Israel protesters don’t represent Australia’s silent majority

During his recent visit to Australia, President Isaac Herzog said one of his goals is to put relations with the country "back on track."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets students at Moriah War Memorial College during his state visit following a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, in Sydney, Australia, February 10, 2026.

Herzog condemns ‘Globalize the Intifada’ as anti-Israel chant rings out in Sydney

President Herzog visits Bondi Beach to console victims of the massacre and address rising antisemitism amid protests and diplomatic tensions in Australia.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks after laying a wreath for victims of the December 14, 2025 gun attack at the Bondi Pavilion, in Sydney on February 9, 2026.

Talking to Tehran: Why US returned to the negotiating table as Iran was at its weakest

MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS: That is a question many are now asking, alongside other questions that reflect a deeper sense of confusion: Wasn’t the issue Iran’s killing of protesters, not centrifuges?

Iranians hold banners during the annual al-Quds Day in Tehran, Iran, March 28, 2025

The IDF’s haredi pivot: From integration to accommodation - analysis

Facing an acute manpower shortage, the IDF has concluded that if it wants haredim to enlist, accommodation is required.

A haredi protestor yells at IDF soldiers during a protest in Tel Aviv on February 4, 2026.