Tom Derek Bowden, Israel’s ‘English Goy’ in 1948 War, Dies at 98
He was sent to British Palestine to help put down the 1936 Arab Revolt, later taken prisoner by the Nazis, and then fought for Israel, fearing 'another Belsen'
Israel Independence Day
Israel's Education Ministry Backs Barring Girl From Singing Over Opposition by 'Religious Public'
A municipality official at a Tel Aviv suburb fired after prohibiting a girl from performing as many Orthodox Jews believe religious law prohibits men from listening to women sing
Drafts of Israel’s Declaration of Independence Cannot Be Auctioned, Top Court Rules
The drafts were written by Jerusalem lawyer Mordechai Beham in 1948 and put up for auction by his sons - starting at a quarter million dollars. Court says they're state property
Kids on Tanks and Selfies Galore: Israelis Celebrate Independence Day at Gun Show
'The IDF is one of the state's most important values,' a mother explains why she brought her family to shoot a sniper's rifle at the Armored Corps museum. But a frustrated soldier admits: 'I have no idea why they’re doing it'
In Israel Prize Speech, Bennett Says 'Those Who Don't Fail Big Will Never Have Courage to Win Big'
Outgoing education minister, whose party didn't make it into new Knesset, gave a final speech at official event marking the end of Independence Day celebrations
This Woman Took in 52 Arab and Jewish Children – and Received One of Israel's Highest Honors
Marie Nachmias escaped the German invasion of Tunisia and had nearly 100 biological descendants, but it's the dozens of foster children she took in that earned her the honor of lighting an Independence Day torch
Thousands of Arab Israelis March on Empty Palestinian Village to Commemorate Nakba
The village of Khubbayza was destroyed in the 1948 war and remains unpopulated. This is the 22nd year that a 'march of return' is held on Israel's Independence Day
'The Jewish People Reached Their Peak:' Ben-Gurion’s Postcard Day After Israel's Founding
Writing to his lifelong friend, Shlomo Lavi, Israel's first prime minister describes the malaria swamps he found upon arrival: 'Although our sons are fighting on the frontlines, our heart is happy at the sight of great progress'
Israel Celebrates 71st Independence Day in Torch-lighting Ceremony
Israeli President Rivlin calls to 'heal the fissures and mend the cracks between tribe and tribe and between man and man'
Analysis Israel Independence Day 2019: A Time for Dwindling Hope, a Time for Growing Fears
The clear and present danger isn’t from Iran or Palestinians but rather, as Walt Kelly noted: 'I have met the enemy, and he is us'
Opinion Should Germany Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day?
Despite Angela Merkel’s commitment to recognizing Germany’s post-Holocaust debt to the Jewish people, engaging ordinary Germans with the reality and complexity of Israel is a losing battle to ignorance, and hostility
A Photo Album From the State of Israel’s First Year
Pictures from a private collection offer a glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary people in an extraordinary time
Israel Announces 3-day West Bank and Gaza Closure for Independence Day
Borders will close overnight Monday and reopen overnight Thursday
Pittsburgh Jewish Community Leader to Light Israel's Independence Day Torch
Since the massacre that took the lives of 11 congregation members, Jeffrey Finkelstein has worked to strengthen bonds between Israel and Diaspora Jews
A Young Israeli Soldier's Long-lost Account From the Doomed '48 Battle for Jerusalem's Old City
In an old box, I found a harrowing testimony dictated by a soldier who lost an eye in an unexpected battle for the survival of Jerusalem's Old City. That soldier was my father
Has the Diaspora Jewry Brand Become Too Toxic for Israel?
A mere two years after she introduced it, Miri Regev has already snuffed out the tradition of Diaspora torch-lighters being invited to an Independence Day ceremony in Israel. She may have saved her successor a headache
Opinion Nation-state Bill Isn't Racist – It Preserves the Legacy of Israel's Founding Fathers
It is not respectable to submit this bill to the vote in such a cynical way, which degrades its ideological, Zionist and Jewish content
More Than 1,000 NYPD Officers on Duty for Israel Day Parade
The annual event will make its way down Fifth Avenue on Sunday. No specific threats have been made against the parade, which celebrates Israel’s statehood
Opinion Independence Day 70 Years From Now
There could be one ceremony consisting entirely of praise for the achievements of the joint state or federation. Or do you prefer more planes and fireworks and less peace?
'We're Finished With You': Sara Netanyahu Lashed Out at Likud Minister for 'Cooperating' With Israeli President
Witness describes situation as 'disgraceful, embarrassing'
Sixty-seven Things Gideon Levy Loves About Israel
Yom Kippur, Israeli wine, and Gaza. Haaretz's Gideon Levy was sent out on a mission to find 70 things he loves about Israel and came up with 67 – and that wasn’t easy, either
Opinion Israel’s Make-believe Independence
Its citizens are in constant fear of the next war. The country is totally dependent on its main ally. Is Israel genuinely independent?
Opinion Israel Will Not Survive Netanyahu. And That's a Good Thing
In all of his proud intransigence, Netanyahu may be creating the very conditions for a radical new Holy Land, a future Israeli-Palestinian confederation.
Opinion Idol Worship on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl
‘We kept faith with Zion,’ said Netanyahu on Independence Day eve. He’s proud the Jews kept faith with a piece of land? Aren’t religious groups supposed to keep faith with God?
Opinion David Grossman’s Mistake, Natalie Portman's Success
How sad that our national author — a man who has served as our conscience — must learn a lesson in morality from a Hollywood actress
Opinion Israel 2048: Long Live the State of Tel Aviv
In 30 years, Israeli liberals will be living behind walls and no longer try to convince others of the justice of their cause, insisting instead on the right to exist cut off from the nationalist public