This is the Forward’s coverage of Israel, the Jewish state in the Middle East founded in 1948.
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Opinion Why Birthright Next Was Doomed From the Start
Well, I hate to say I told you so. The news that Birthright Next is apparently winding down – its leadership is leaving, its flagship program is shutting down — has come as a surprise to many. But not to those who have followed the program closely, and watched its revolving door of talented staff…
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Culture This Israeli Dad Watches Porn All Day — It’s His Job
OHR YEHUDA, Israel (JTA) – During working hours, while his 4-year-old son is at nursery school, closes the door to his small home office — less to keep out the noise than to prevent his mother-in-law from walking in on him while he’s watching pornography. It’s not as outlandish as it sounds: Watching X-rated films…
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Fast Forward Benjamin Netanyahu Praises Gaza War ‘Spirit’ on Israel Independence Day
In his Independence Day address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised troops’ fighting spirit in Gaza. Netanyahu’s praises came in the Hebrew-language version of a video released by his office at the start of Israel’s 67th Independence Day, which this year falls on April 23. The English-language version contains no such reference but celebrates the…
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Culture There’s a British Royal Buried in Jerusalem — And 9 Other Things You May Not Know About Israel
JTA) — Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, falls on April 23. In honor of the Jewish state’s 67th birthday, we present, in no particular order, 10 little-known aspects of its history. 1) El Al used to fly to Tehran. Iran and Israel enjoyed mostly good relations up until the Islamic revolution that overthrew the shah…
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News Does Israel’s Anti-Boycott Law Muzzle Free Speech?
Six years ago, Neve Gordon was a prominent backer of the movement to boycott Israel due to its policies toward the Palestinians. Today, when asked whether he still supports the boycott, the Israeli professor says simply, “No comment.” Gordon has a good reason to be reticent. In mid-April, the Israeli high court largely upheld a…
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Fast Forward Cornel West to speak at UCLA Despite Protests
(JTA) — Academic and author Cornel West, an outspoken critic of Israel, will remain as a speaker at a UCLA conference honoring the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, despite protests from the campus Jewish community. The May 3 conference, titled “Moral Grandeur & Spiritual Audacity,” is organized by the UCLA Jewish studies department. Among the…
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The Schmooze Bob Dylan Lyrics Cause Uproar at Israeli Memorial Day Ceremony
“I hope that you die / And your death’ll come soon.” These lyrics, taken from Bob Dylan’s 1963 anti-war anthem “Masters of War,” when they were recited today at a Memorial Day ceremony in Israel. The event was held at Oranim College of Education, near the northern city of Haifa, which is partially subsidized by…
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Fast Forward Palestinian Revenge Victim’s Name Removed From Israeli Terror Memorial
Israel will remove the name of a slain Palestinian teen from a national monument to “Victims of Terrorism” in response to a request from his family, a government spokesman said on Wednesday. The addition of sixteen-year-old Mohammed Khudair’s name to the monument had prompted protests on both sides of the conflict, with a group representing…
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News That whites-only, no Jews allowed Arkansas community is legal, says state’s attorney general. How?
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Opinion As an Israeli political scientist, I resisted thinking this war was a genocide. Here’s what changed my mind
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Opinion I have the answer to Jon Stewart’s toughest question about Israel
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News In a first, Orthodox rabbinical school ordains an out gay rabbi
In Case You Missed It
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Fast Forward What does the Star of David represent? A new ruling offers a legal answer
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BINTEL BRIEF I prepare bodies as part of my synagogue’s burial society, but I’m an anti-Zionist. Is that OK?
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Books Amid the terror of war in Ukraine, a stirring debut novel demonstrates the power of love and art
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Opinion Hamas should release all the hostages. But it’s foolish to think that would end the war
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