Tag Archives: Elections

It is election season in Israel with all the attendant empty promises, scandals, and political jockeying. Bayit Yehudi head and Education Minister Naftali Bennett took his deputy, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, and left the party, forming a new party simply called “The New Right”. I have not been able to …

I want to begin with a request for assistance for the Legal Grounds Campaign, which I co-chair.  We are running a campaign to have Israeli citizens living here in Israel sign on as members (no cost). We hope to secure a large membership base: this will increase our effectiveness as …

“Thunderbolt!” Of a political nature. I referred in my last posting to the campaign circus that was about to begin.  Turns out it is likely to be even more of a circus than I had anticipated.  There is a feeling in many quarters that we could really do without that …

Leadership comes in various forms. Just over a week ago saw the Zionist Federation of Australia’s 10th Biennial Jewish Educators’ Conference. Hundreds of participants gathered for a unique event in the Jewish world. Back in 1997 when it was conceived and then first held in 1998 there was no such …

I hope and trust that my readers will understand: my postings are less frequent and possibly shorter because I am giving priority to my work on the Legal Grounds Campaign.  Once again, I invite anyone who would like to know more to contact me. ~~~~~~~~~~ There is no way I …

Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. The Israeli elections are getting close, and with only three weeks to go before polling, the entire country is in full campaign mode. There has been plenty of analysis about the different parties (of which …

Where to begin in these days of turmoil, both at home and abroad? I think I’ll start at home, with the weather.  A major winter storm is due to start here within hours.  It is predicted that the north, Jerusalem, and high places in Judea and Samaria will see considerable …

I comment every year at this time about the difference between the way the secular new year and the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) are celebrated.  In the Jewish tradition it is a time for prayer and introspection. This year in particular, I think, the difference is marked.  For the …

Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. It is usually around this time of year that I write a piece summing up the year in Israel, filled with highs and lows, the difficulties and the triumphs. As I reflect on 2014, it …

From the desk of Dr. Ron Weiser AM. Many commentators have placed the blame for the seeming leadership paralysis in Israel on “the system”. As we all know, there is no such thing as a democratic system that always operates smoothly and easily. Israel is not alone in this, indeed …

I am currently preparing for the arrival of family, and so have only a brief moment to write.  The next three days I will be devoting myself to Chanukah (and Shabbat) and family – which is, quite frankly, a double lifesaver for me. Simply wanted to update my readers, with …

It’s official.  Last night the Knesset voted – 93 in favor, no votes against and no abstentions – to disband itself.  We are in a campaign period.  A huge amount of jockeying is now taking place with regard to possible mergers of parties, timing of the Likud primary (which Netanyahu …

…….A triumphant Mr Abbott declared Australia “under new management and open for business” in his victory speech on Saturday night, pledging to create a competent, trustworthy government. Tony Abbott was gracious in victory.  The man who was labelled  a few years ago as ‘unelectable’ was elected. I wish I could …