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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Israel Elections Demonstrate A Robust Democracy

Israel Elections Demonstrate A Robust Democracy

JEWISH LIGHT EDITORIALPublished October 3, 2019

Even after its second election in six months, Israel’s political picture remains muddled. And yet, the very messiness and apparent chaos and drama after its complicated parliamentary elections are strong proof that its system remains robust and its...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and then-Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman speak to the media, Jan. 10, 2017. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

Netanyahu and Liberman will meet to discuss unity government

Marcy OsterPublished October 2, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Liberman, who prevented Netanyahu from forming a coalition government following elections in April, will meet to discuss a unity government.The meeting, confirmed by Liberman in a social...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Benny Gantz flank Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the president's residence in Jerusalem, Sept. 23, 2019, They met to discuss forming a unity government. Photo: Haim Zach/Israeli Government Press Office

Netanyahu and Gantz cancel meeting on unity government as each side says the other refused to compromise

Marcy OsterPublished October 2, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz was canceled as their parties accused each other of being unwilling to compromise in efforts to form a unity government in...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Benny Gantz flank Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the president's residence in Jerusalem, Sept. 23, 2019, They met to discuss forming a unity government. Photo: Haim Zach/Israeli Government Press Office

Unity talks between Likud Party and Blue and White end with no progress on erev Rosh Hashana

Marcy OsterPublished September 29, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Talks between the Likud party and Blue and White toward forming a unity government ended hours before the start of Rosh Hashanah with no progress.Following the talks on Sunday morning, both sides blamed the other for intransigence.Netanyahu...

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin addresses staff and students at the the Robert M. Beren Machanaim Hesder Yeshiva, Sept. 1, 2019. (Gershon Ellinson)

Netanyahu didn’t win Israel’s election. So why is he getting the chance to form a government?

Josefin DolstenPublished September 26, 2019

(JTA) — As votes were counted following last week’s election in Israel, many saw the results as a loss for longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.After all, Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud Party won fewer seats than the Blue and White party of...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, is presented with the mandate to form a new government by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Sept/ 25, 2019. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Netanyahu nominated to form Israel’s government

By Sam Sokol, JTAPublished September 25, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will get his second try this year to form Israel’s government after talks aimed at creating a unity government broke down.President Reuven Rivlin tasked Netanyahu with forming a government on Wednesday...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Benny Gantz flank Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the president's residence in Jerusalem, Sept. 23, 2019, They met to discuss forming a unity government. Photo: Haim Zach/Israeli Government Press Office

Netanyahu and Gantz agree to hold negotiations for a unity government

Marcy OsterPublished September 23, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz have agreed to hold negotiations to form a unity government.The heads, respectively, of the Likud and Blue and White parties announced the negotiations late Monday night following a...

Arab Joint List recommends that Benny Gantz form the next government

Marcy OsterPublished September 22, 2019

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Arab Joint List recommended to President Reuven Rivlin that Blue and White head Benny Gantz be tapped to form the next government in order to end the political career of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Joint List head Ayman Odeh...

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