Arad Nir

Arad Nir Is the head of the foreign news desk and international commentator for Channel 2 News, the largest news provider in Israel. Arad has covered international politics and diplomacy, ethnic conflicts around the world and interviewed various world leaders, decision-makers and opinion leaders. He teaches TV journalism at the IDC Herzliya and Netanya Academic College.

Israel | Apr 15, 2015

Turkey commemorates Holocaust, ignores Armenian issue

Istanbul commemorated Jewish musicians who continued to create even when persecuted by the Nazis, in a ceremony reflecting the Turkish policy line of tolerance vis-a-vis minorities, as long as the question of Armenian genocide is not raised.

School children from Turkey's Jewish community leave notes on a symbolic railway track during a commemoration event on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at Etz Ahayim Synagogue in Istanbul January 27, 2013. The International Day of Commemoration, which was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to honour Holocaust victims, occurs annually on January 27. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION ANNIVERSARY) - RTR3D1Z7

Israel | Mar 30, 2015

Is Erdogan changing his tune on Israel?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's silence during the recent Israeli election campaign, despite controversial remarks about the Palestinians, and the reopening of a synagogue in Edrine might signal a change in Ankara's policy toward Israel.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan arrives for a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, March 3, 2015. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR4RUU5

Israel | Mar 16, 2015

Europe prepares for post-election Israel

Indications that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might lose the elections have driven some 200 foreign correspondents to Israel as the European Union follows closely.

Isaac Herzog (C), co-leader of the centre-left Zionist Union party, speaks to the media after voting for the parliamentary election at a polling station in Tel Aviv March 17, 2015. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's march towards becoming the longest-serving leader of Israel could be halted on Tuesday in an election that has exposed public fatigue with his stress on national security rather than socio-economic problems. Surging rhetoric against Iran and the Palestinians has done little to close Net

Israel | Mar 3, 2015

US persuaded Turkey to include Israel in NATO drills

Leaked emails between the Obama administration and Turkish senior officials reflect US efforts at reconciling Israel and Turkey — when the latter objected to Israel's participation at a NATO sea drill.

Soldiers maneuver close to an helicopter aboard the Italian aircraft carrier "Giuseppe Garibaldi" during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operation codenamed "Unified Protectors" on June 15, 2011 in the Mediterranean sea. AFP PHOTO/ MARCELLO PATERNOSTRO (Photo credit should read MARCELLO PATERNOSTRO/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel | Feb 23, 2015

Academics call on Israel to 'choose Europe'

A new document by Israeli experts on the European Union calls upon Israel's next government not to distance itself from Europe, but to seek special relations with the world's largest commercial bloc.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket January 12, 2015 near the Porte de Vincennes in Paris, where four hostages were killed on Friday. On the wall (L) we can read the four names among the 17 victims of the shootings by gunmen from last week's terror attacks in France along with "I am Hyper Cacher, I am a Policeman, I am Charlie." Jewish schools and synagogues in France have been promised extra protection, by the army if necessary, after killings by Islam

Palestine | Jan 20, 2015

Netanyahu responds to Erdogan's provocations

For a long time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attacks against him and Israel, but with the upcoming elections he has apparently decided to abandon his self-restraint policy to prevent being perceived as weak.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he delivers a speech during the launch of his Likud party election campaign in Tel Aviv January 5, 2015. Netanyahu was re-elected head of the right-wing Likud party last week, overcoming his first hurdle toward winning a fourth term in office in a March general election. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR4K5IA

Palestine | Jan 8, 2015

Why US, EU should intervene in Israeli elections

The United States and European Union should explain to Israeli voters what is at stake at the international level in the March elections.

New High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini (C) gives a speech during a visit at the memorial site where late Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, in November 1995, in the Israeli Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on November 7, 2014. Mogherini is on an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories during which she has held talks with officials from both sides. AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit shou

Israel | Dec 1, 2014

Israel: Turkey insincere about mending fences

Several emissaries are trying to reconcile Turkey and Israel, but the latter feels that resetting relations requires a sincere change of approach: an end to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's declarations against Israel and to his support for Hamas terror.

Turkish demonstrators shout anti-Israel slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul November 5, 2014. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4D076

Palestine | Oct 14, 2014

Can Israel, Palestine exist as parallel states on same land?

Contrary to what politicians on both sides are willing to admit, the Israeli and Palestinian people can live together side by side, and might accept an idea of having two parallel, “overlapping” states established on the same land.

The Dome of the Rock is seen in the background as Israeli policemen stand guard before Palestinian men begin to pray in the Arab East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Ras al-Amud September 26, 2014. Israeli police declared an age limit on Friday for Palestinians wanting to enter the Old City, only allowing males above the age of 50 and all females to enter. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTR47U0S

Israel | Sep 16, 2014

Europe needs to coordinate its anti-jihadist measures

Israeli security experts warn that the Schengen Area — which allows Europeans to move freely around the continent — makes it easy for jihadists returning home from Syria or Iraq to move around and plan attacks.