Sam Halpern

Sam is a senior field reporter at The Jerusalem Post where he has worked since June 2023. He is a James Madison University alumnus where he graduated cum-laude with a degree in English and minors in Creative Writing and Environmental Studies.

Israeli envoy to the Christian world George Deek.

Many Christian Arabs proud to be part of Israeli society, ambassador to Christian World says

 A kid plays on a phone.

Israel's Attention Revolution fights child smartphone addiction, spreading nationwide

Israeli singer Noam Bettan performs at the RootOne Big Tent event in Rishon Lezion. July 12, 2026.

Nearly 5,000 come together in Israel's largest teen Diaspora-Israel solidarity event


'Not forgotten': US envoy Huckabee, Yarden Bibas dedicate tree to murdered Bibas family

"The sacrifice that your family made for the people of Israel is one that obviously is not being forgotten," Huckabee told Yarden and Ofri during the dedication. 

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and former Gaza hostage Yarden Bibas at the My Tree in Israel event in Moshav HaYogev. July 9, 2026.

As US-Iran peace prospects crumble, return to heavy fighting up to Trump, CENTCOM, Huckabee says

“I wouldn’t be overconfident if I were the Iranians that they will be able to make this work well for them,” Huckabee said.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee speaks during the Jerusalem Summit, a conference on antisemitism and Christian support for Israel, at the Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Jerusalem, June 11, 2026.

Only clans can govern Gaza after Hamas disarmed, NCAG will fail, MidEast expert says - interview

“Only the clans can run Gaza. But for this, you have to get rid of Hamas first,” he said, speaking after the Pulse of Israel conference in Jerusalem.

Palestinians gather on the beach front in Gaza City on July 3 2026.

Israel 'will return to the whole of Gaza,' should 'erase' Oslo Accords, Smotrich says

“Gush Katif is small,” Smotrich told Pulse of Israel podcast host Avi Abelow. “We will return to the whole of Gaza in a big way.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026.

Iran targeted civilians as tactic of war, new report pushes IRGC accountability - interview

Adv. Uri Morad said that Iran’s missile campaign targeted civilians as a tactic of war, and argued that senior Iranian leaders should face legal action.

Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on March 23, 2026.

Tel Aviv’s Shuk Olim brings out dozens of immigrant entrepreneurs to showcase goods

“Every single booth has an oleh with a story, and they're selling their products from the small business that they opened here in Israel after their aliyah,” said Devon Conway of Nefesh B'Nefesh.

Shoppers browse goods at Nefesh B'Nefesh's Shuk Olim event in Tel Aviv. June 25, 2026.

WATCH: Maccabiah opening ceremony kicks off in Jerusalem, thousands of athletes in attendance

Both President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the crowd during the ceremony, bidding the Jews who had come from around the world a warm “welcome home.”

Israeli participants at the 2026 Maccabiah games, Jerusalem, July 1, 2026.

Israeli gov't recognition of Armenian Genocide fulfills 'moral duty,' senior bishop says

“It means a lot for the State of Israel, for the Jewish people," Baghdasaryan said. "It was really the moral duty for the State of Israel to recognize the Armenian genocide.”

Bishop Koryun Baghdasaryan.

Tel Aviv to establish new 'beit oleh' to support immigrants, lone soldiers, vice-mayor says

The house will be “a place where they can come and work, have Shabbat dinners, celebrate the holidays, receive lectures, do shows, have parties, and organize,” Tel Aviv Vice-Mayor Guy Avner said.

Jewish immigrants fleeing the war in Ukraine, on a rescue flight sponosred by the IFCJ, arrive at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on March 6, 2022.

Social media star Montana Tucker to host Maccabiah Games delegation parade - interview

"This is Israel. This is what being Jewish means,” social media star Montana Tucker said of the Maccabiah Games.

Montana Tucker in front of an artistic rendering of the stage at the 2026 Maccabiah Games.