Is Israel's 'startup nation' a mirage?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, economist Dan Ben-David warns that despite Israel's world-leading high-tech, its productivity remains among the lowest in the developed world, threatening rate of growth and quality of life.

Israel

Turning to Talmud, young Israelis find a 'Game of Thrones'

The secular yeshiva offers young Israelis the opportunity to search and interpret Judaism and tradition, while defining a Jewish secular identity.

Israel

Likud leaders claim Netanyahu blocks settlements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu freezes construction in settlement blocs, hoping to keep the diplomatic process underway — not for the sake of reaching an agreement — and reduce international pressure.

Palestine

Israel adjusts to Syrian insurgents on Golan border

Israel is assessing the consequences and contingencies for dealing with Syrian insurgents on its northern border and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's holding on to power.

Israel

Attack on Israeli journalists might indicate shift to violence

The attack of two Israeli journalists in the West Bank town of Beitunia might indicate that despite the apparent lack of Palestinian interest in a surge of violence, a third intifada could erupt.

Palestine

Israel threatens NGO's tax status for political stand

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the chairman of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Raphael Walden, says that his NGO, which cares for Palestinians and African refugees, might lose its tax benefit status over its criticism against government policy.

Palestine

Netanyahu focused on stopping Rivlin's bid for president

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to believe that only a new law, guaranteeing that the head of the biggest party is mandated to form the government, will secure his seat next time around.

Israel

IDF killing of Palestinians on Nakba Day a warning

The failure of diplomatic negotiations undermines the Palestinians' motivation to maintain security coordination with the IDF, as was the case in the shooting at the Bitunia checkpoint, where two Palestinians were killed.

Palestine

Poor Tel Aviv neighborhood mourns soccer defeat

Impoverished south Tel Aviv residents felt like there had been a death in the family the day after the Bnei Yehuda soccer team suffered a defeat that relegated it to Israel’s second-tier National League.

Israel

Israeli Arabs, Jews rally to save organic olive grove

Jews and Arabs together are battling Israeli authorities to save their fragile organic olive grove from electrical lines planned to pass over their lands to avoid military training zones.

Israel

Israelis see Iran nuclear breakout possible in 2-3 months

According to Israeli security officials, retired Gen. Uzi Eilam's contention that Iran is years away from becoming a nuclear state is inaccurate, an assessment shared by US and European intelligence agencies.

Israel

Netanyahu rides nationalist wave

In an interview with Al-Monitor Vice President of the Israel Democracy Institute Mordechai Kremnitzer associates the anti-Arab feelings prevailing within the Israeli public and the recent flow of nationalistic bill.

Israel