A simple(ish) guide to an unprecedented political crisis
The Political System
Israel is a parliamentary democracy. In the heart of its political system is the Knesset — the Israeli parliament. The Knesset is formed of 120 members, elected every 4 years. These members of Knesset (MKs) are part of various political parties.
The American or British political system is largely formed by two parallel lines. In the U.S, the majority of voters are either Republican or Democrat. In the U.K, the majority of voters are either Conservative or Labour. In Israel, the different parties form a semi-circle in terms of political agenda. Represented in the Knesset are parties from the radical…
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The science of early memories gives some fascinating answers
I was almost six years old when the Gulf War broke. International coalition forces waged war in Iraq, and as a result, Iraq attacked Israel with long-range powerful Scud missiles. I vividly remember the sirens. I remember putting on the gas mask that was distributed to all Israelis due to fear of a chemical attack. I remember constantly having to rush to the “sealed room” — my parents’ bedroom, which had its windows sealed with duct tape to protect against a nerve gas attack. I remember an unfinished dinner with my favorite food that was interrupted by sirens. …
The US and Europe see a dramatic spike in antisemitism during the Israeli-Gaza war
The Jewish Lockdown
I called Alison for a short interview after yet another attack in London. “I couldn’t sleep”, she told me nervously, “I’m too scared”. Alison shared with me a term that she had just heard a few moments before our talk — ‘ The Jewish Lockdown’. “The Jews are frightened to leave their homes. Some are taking the Mezuzahs off their door. Others are not going to kosher markets for fear of being attacked”, She said.
Alison is Jewish, she lives in a London suburb where 12%…
On May 12, Israel faced its most difficult day in years, with two wars spiraling out of control
I was born in Israel. I lived in Tel Aviv for 28 years before moving to London eight years ago. I am a journalist working for Israel’s leading television channel. In the past 18 years, I’ve covered wars, riots, terror attacks, and mass demonstrations. I’m a cynic; as a veteran field reporter, you have to be. On May 12, for the first time, I cried for my country.
I’m not here to say that Israel is perfect. It isn’t. I’m not here to advocate. This essay is written from my heart, with my perspective, and to the best of my…
Dr. Sarah Halimi was beaten and thrown out of a balcony, her killer will not face trial
Dr. Sarah Halimi was 65-years-old, a retired physician and teacher. She was a French Orthodox Jew, with 3 children and many friends. Everyone who knew her says she was a good person.
On the night of April 4th, 2017, Sarah was sleeping alone at her 3rd-floor apartment in the Belleville district of Paris. It is a social housing project, Halimi has been living there for 30 years. She was the only Jewish person to have lived in the building at the time.
On the same April night, Kobili Traoré, a 27-year-old drug dealer who was addicted to cannabis, was watching…
The extraordinary story of baby Hessy Levinsons
In the spring of 1935, a woman went into a shop in Lithuania. She wanted to buy a birthday card for Hessy, her niece who lived in Germany, and would soon turn 1-year-old. The woman looked at the birthday cards section and suddenly saw something that made her gasp in shock.
“Where did you get this picture from?”, the woman asked the shopkeeper. “Oh that’s not just a picture”, the shopkeeper replied with excitement. “That’s a real baby, a Berliner baby!”. The woman paid for the postcard and sent it to her niece.
The baby on that postcard, the cute…
Measuring the vaccine against the disease
In an ideal world, vaccines would only prevent diseases and not also cause them. In an ideal world, a vaccine would be categorized as “effective” or “not effective” and not as “relatively beneficial.” Unfortunately, the world is far from ideal and far more complex.
The European health regulators faced the same difficult question for the second time in recent weeks: Which outweighs the other: the risks of the Covid-19 vaccine or the risks of the disease?
After cases of serious and unusual blood clots in people who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine were reported in the…
The rich European football clubs wanted their own league, it backfired spectacularly
This is not a story about football (European football or soccer for you American readers). I mean, it is, but at its core, it really isn’t.
Let me explain.
The Champions League is the most popular private clubs sports event in the world. The tournament draws 380 million viewers from more than 200 countries. Winning the Champions League is the most lucrative, most prestigious, and most reputable accomplishment for a local team and for its football players.
The tournament, which is organized by UEFA (Union European Football Associations), was created in 1955 but was successfully rebranded in 1992. …
A big crisis might help solve an even bigger one
In March 2020, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, tried his best to turn bad news into sounding more optimistic. “Let me start with the good news first”, He said in a video statement. “We all would be able to celebrate the Olympic games Tokyo 2020, even if it's only in 2021”.
It wasn’t the most elegant try, and unfortunately, it didn't work. The Olympic Games were postponed only twice before, both due to two world wars. Although Bach tried to sound cheerful, postponing the 2020 Tokyo…
Life lesson from the late Prince Philip
When he turned 90, Prince Philip gave a lengthy interview to the BBC. Reflecting on his entry into the world of the British royals, and specifically, as being Royal Consort to the Queen, the Duke said:
“There was no precedent. If I asked somebody, ‘What do you expect me to do?’ They all looked blank. They had no idea.”
There was no ‘rule book’ for royal spouses, no guidelines or how-tos. Prince Philip, could, if he chose to, sit idly by, wave nicely, smile to the cameras, and unveil a few plaques.
“He had a choice between just tagging along…
Elad Simchayoff
I love writing about what I love. Journalist. Always curious. Israeli born, London based. Father, Husband, and a dog person.
