Some Jewish Democrats and community activists are concerned at what they see as fresh signs that the party is distancing itself from Israel. New York's Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said at a July 22 town hall meeting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "does not have a plan for peace.” In Massachusetts, Jewish Democrats were riled by a recent attempt by some party activists to promote a position more critical of Israel. In California, critics of Israel brought about the adoption of an anti-Israel resolution at the Democrats’ latest state convention.
Posts filed under Politics
What Jewish voters need to know before Election Day
With only a few weeks remaining before the presidential election, and the start of early voting in most states, Jewish voters may still be weighing their decisions. JNS.org looks at the candidates’ positions and what they’ve said over the past year on major issues that may be important to Jewish and pro-Israel voters.
Europe's "Most Notorious Jew-Baiter," It's a Tie
Jew-baiting these days is a globally competitive field. The Middle East, Latin America and Asia could all put up credible candidates for the title of most notorious Jew-baiter, writes JNS.org columnist Ben Cohen.
Jewish and Christian Israel supporters discuss anti-BDS efforts in Knesset
“In each and every generation they rise up against us to destroy us,” Israeli MK Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid) reminded a packed Knesset hall earlier this month during the premier joint meeting of the Knesset Caucus to Fight Delegitimization of Israel and the Christian Allies Caucus. The focus of the event: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), and how Jewish and Christian supporters of Israel can work together to quash the economic warfare movement against Israel.
British Labour Party engulfed by convergence of the far left and anti-Semitism
Jewish leaders in the United Kingdom have voiced their displeasure with the Labour Party amid an anti-Semitism scandal within its ranks that continues to engulf the country’s second-largest party. With the reported suspension of at least 50 Labour members for anti-Semitic comments over the past two months, British-Jewish voters are also indicating that the scandal may have damaged their perception of the liberal party. Although the Labour Party’s candidate for London mayor, Sadiq Khan, defeated Conservative Party candidate Zac Goldsmith in the city’s May 5 election, results from other local and regional elections around the U.K. on the same day showed losses for the Labour Party among Jewish voters, including in Manchester, home to the country’s second-largest Jewish community.
Netanyahu fires Lapid, Livni after failed meeting to salvage Israeli coalition
A meeting on Monday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yair Lapid (leader of the Yesh Atid party), intended as a bid to salvage Israel’s coalition government, ended in a stalemate. As a result, a new election is expected in the country. On Tuesday, Netanyahu proceeded to fire Lapid as well as Hatnuah leader and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.
Rand Paul changes course on Israel funding
Although the 2016 presidential election is still a long way off, prospective candidates are already testing the waters for possible presidential bids—primarily candidates considering running in the currently wide-open Republican race. Thus when Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky), one of the most visible potential contenders in 2016, said that he had never proposed to cut foreign aid to Israel, many in the pro-Israel community took notice.
Obama rallies Jewish support, calls American values into question
In a speech designed to solicit the Jewish vote, Obama’s praise for his administration’s record on Israel meets sharp criticism.
Obama’s UN Speech: Meaningful Support for Israel, or Hollow Talk?
President rejects Palestinians’ unilateralist course, but former ambassador John Bolton and former governor Mike Huckabee say America should have acted more aggressively leading up to the statehood bid.
Year in Review 5771
A comprehensive recap of the past year in the Jewish world and beyond
‘Not Easy Calls’: The Intersection of Shabbat and High-Profile Careers
JointMedia News Service spoke with U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, boxer Dmitriy Salita, and former NFL offensive lineman Alan Veingrad about the choices faced by Sabbath observers with demanding professional lives.
Washington Walkthrough 9-13-11
The latest Jewish-related news coming out of Washington, DC
Washington Walkthrough 10-11-11
This edition: Decoding Obama’s Holiday Message; Who is Holding the UN Accountable?
From ‘Culture Clash’ to Inclusion
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are increasingly joining the Israeli workforce and the IDF.
What They're Saying on Bachmann, Gaddafi and Coco
Notable and quotable in the Middle East and the Jewish world.