It’s not because of the economy or the “Jewish State” bill—it’s because Netanyahu’s coalition members just can’t get along.
Israel is headed for an election, less than two years after the last one. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Finance Minister Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party, and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni on Tuesday and said he will disperse the Knesset as soon as possible. The decision makes this the second-shortest Knesset term in Israeli history. Continue Reading
Lahav debates whether the Palestinians really want peace and the appropriate response to Palestinian terrorism.
From 8:30, listen to Lahav discuss a bill to limit prisoner releases, increased punishment for rock-throwers and Gilad Erdan’s appointment as Interior Minister.
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Listen to Lahav Harkov talk about vehicular terrorist attacks in Jerusalem and the battle for the Temple Mount here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p029nlz9
Sipping a vanilla milkshake at a Tel Aviv café surrounded by hi-tech offices, he recounted a conversation with his frequent ally, Bayit Yehudi faction chairwoman Ayelet Shaked, that exemplifies the poisonous atmosphere in the coalition: “She said she just wants the winter session to be over already – and it only starts next week!” Still, the end of the always-lengthy summer recess marks at least one change Levin sees as positive – Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Ze’ev Elkin will replace him as coalition chairman.
“One of the things that most concerns me about no longer being coalition chairman is what I will do when I’m not being threatened on the phone every day that someone will leave the government or vote against the government,” he said sarcastically, but clarified: “This happened every day. I’m not exaggerating.”
Levin has been in the Knesset for fewer than six years, but he already misses the good old days: “What’s missing in politics today is responsibility.” Continue Reading
Is Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu bluffing on elections? How tense will the Knesset’s upcoming winter session be?
Lahav talks about the impact of Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s surprise departure and whether or not the coalition is in crisis. Listen here: http://www.jpost.com/Not-Just-News/Frontlines-Podcast-Why-the-weather-could-push-through-an-Iran-deal-375758
If Lady Gaga lives for “Applause,” as she sings, then she got one hell of an injection of life-force from the crowd in Tel Aviv Saturday night – and the pop star certainly reciprocated.
An adrenaline shot, laced with Gaga’s brand of insanity and sex appeal, was exactly what the Israel’s “non-stop city” needed for its first major concert by an international act after a summer in which rockets from Gaza forced it to cancel performances by acts like Neil Young, the Backstreet Boys and Lana del Rey.
The crowd of over 25,000 seemed desperate to lap up some of the indefatigable pop star’s vitality and Gaga obliged, giving more and more to the audience for nearly two hours until she broke down crying, with black mascara-stained tears streaming down her face at the end of her encore song, “Gypsy.” Continue reading
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From 13:40 Knesset Reporter Lahav Harkov explains how domestic public opinion and the politics of war are playing out. On a lighter note, she also discusses how some Knesset members got roped into an international viral video trend.
For download link: http://www.jpost.com/Not-Just-News/Frontlines-Podcast-The-US-Israel-relationship-in-crisis-372654
Small business owners and employees in Ashkelon were unimpressed after Finance Minister Yair Lapid approved on Wednesday funding for indirect damages to businesses harmed by the security situation.
“What a downturn. I used to have no time to breathe there were so many customers. This really hurt us.
People are afraid to come – I understand it. People won’t even go to the bank. It’s stressful,” Shalom Moshe, manager of a minimarket in Ashdod’s Shimshon neighborhood, said.
Then, Moshe turned back to “Tehillim against tillim” – “Psalms to protect from rockets.” Continue reading
Shalom Moshe reads “Tehillim against tillim” (psalms against missiles) in an empty kiosk in Ashkelon
Lahav Harkov 