This is the Forward’s coverage of Israel, the Jewish state in the Middle East founded in 1948.
Israel
The Latest
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Life ScarJo’s Other SodaStream Problem: The Sexist Ad
No matter where you stand on Israeli politics, it’s hard not to see Scarlett Johansson’s decision to become a spokesperson for SodaStream as a bold choice. Unfortunately, this boldness didn’t make its way into the commercial itself. Instead, the ad relies on the most cliche, ickily retro advertising tropes imaginable. If you are reading this…
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Fast Forward Is Yair Netanyahu Dating Non-Jewish Norwegian Woman?
The son of Benjamin Netanyahu is not dating a non-Jewish Norwegian girl, an official in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office reportedly told the head of the haredi Orthodox Shas party. Israel’s Channel 10 reported Wednesday that the official told Aryeh Deri in a meeting that Yair Netanyahu, 23, and Sandra Leikanger, 25, who both study…
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News French Court Rules Boycott of SodaStream Illegal
A pro-Palestinian group’s campaign to boycott the products of the Israeli SodaStream company violates French law, a Paris court ruled. The ruling was handed down on Jan. 23 by the French capital’s Tribunal for Grand Instances, which fined the group about $9,000 and ordered it to remove calls to boycott SodaStream and its agents from…
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Fast Forward President Obama Threatens Iran Sanctions Veto in State of Union
President Obama talked up Mideast peace talks and warned Congress he would veto any Iran sanctions bill during a State of the Union address that mostly focused on domestic issues. He said the goal of the “difficult” negotiations between Palestinians and Israel is “lasting peace and security for the State of Israel – a Jewish…
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Opinion Love Israel. Oppose BDS. Reject SodaStream.
As counterintuitive as it may be, when you see Scarlett Johansson’s Super Bowl ad on Sunday, promoting a product that lets you make carbonated drinks at home, try to see through bubbles and think about the future of the Middle East. There is nothing wrong with the product itself. Under normal circumstances, I would buy…
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Fast Forward Israel Sending Team of Five Athletes To Sochi Olympics Next Month
Israel will be sending five athletes to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, starting next month. Evgeni Krasnopolski, 25, a Ukraine native who grew up in Israel, will skate in the pairs competition with Andrea Davidovich, 16, of Vermont. The pair, who train in Hackensack, N.J., finished seventh in the senior pairs competition at the…
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Opinion Can a Government Video Fight Racism in Israel?
A new anti-discrimination video campaign by Israel’s Ministry of Justice sends an important social message and packs a powerful emotional punch. But that doesn’t mean it’s enough to do the enormous job of eradicating racism in the Jewish State. Still, it’s a start. Discrimination on the grounds of race, religion or religious group, nationality, country…
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Israel News SodaStream Boss Admits West Bank Plant Is ‘a Pain’ — Praises Scarlett Johansson
If he could turn back the clock, SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum would “never” have established a production plant on an Israeli Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. In fact, he said, its location has turned out to be “a pain in the ass.” “We’re here because we’re here — for historical reasons,” Birnbaum told…
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Fast Forward Unarmed man who tackled Bondi Beach Hanukkah attacker identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed
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Fast Forward First Puka Nacua, now Mookie Betts: Why do sports stars keep getting antisemitic around a Jewish streamer?
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Fast Forward After MIT professor’s killing, Jewish influencers spread unverified antisemitism claim
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Opinion I grew up believing Australia was the best place to be Jewish. This Hanukkah shooting forces a reckoning I do not want.
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Fast Forward In Reykjavik, Hanukkah offers a chance for Iceland’s tiny, isolated Jewish community to come together
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Opinion When my children decorate for Hanukkah, I don’t just see pride. I see pluralism in action.
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Fast Forward ‘The most Australian name’: Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach attack, embodies a nation’s grief
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