Yehuda Ben-Meir

The complete support for the budget from the main parties in Israel's governing coalition is anything but routine. The finance minister deserves much appreciation.

Treasury officials do not understand the essence of democratic decisions.

Despite what you may have heard, the shift toward more centrist and personal politics in the recent election is good news for Israel.

The vote supporting the Palestinian UN bid is first and foremost a protest vote by Western countries against the Israeli government's bad policy in recent years. This is the rotten result of the actions of the government and Likud's leaders.

There's a lot of room for improvement in Israeli society, but Gideon Levy's article does an injustice to the State of Israel, the Jewish people and the truth.

It is impossible to allay apprehensions regarding the decision makers' judgment. But this does not detract from the leaders' authority to make decisions, even fateful ones.

Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party never intended to abandon its deal with ultra-Orthodox rabbinical leaders and political wheeler-dealers.

Even if thousands converge on Ulpana, it will not prevent the evacuation of the five buildings, but it will deepen the chasm between the settlers and the overwhelming majority of the nation.

How can we demand of Egypt and Jordan that they honor peace agreements when Israel shows contempt for its commitments?

There is broad and deep support around the world for our national rights in this land - on the condition, however, that Israel respect the personal and civil rights of Palestinians residing and making their lives in these areas.

In the coming days, the High Court of Justice will have to issue a ruling on one of the most difficult and important issues ever been brought before the bench: the state's agreement with the residents of Migron.

We could have a special arrangement whereby every year we allow a limited number of geniuses to devote themselves to Torah study as a profession. Beyond that, every young man must be drafted - this is a sacred principle.

If we want to survive, we must make it clear to them, in actions and not words, that their neighborhoods are not extraterritorial.

Benjamin Netanyahu is, indeed, a democrat; he will be tested by his determined stand against the murky wave of those Knesset members who 'want to rule.'

The nation should hug the Shalits tightly, but our not ignore the harsh feelings in hundreds of Israeli families who lost their dearest ones in the murderous terror attacks.

What is erupting from the hearts of hundreds of thousands of citizens, and what sends them out to the streets, is not economics, but rather morality and values. Social justice is not an economic concept. It is, at base, a normative one.

If there is anyone who should apologize it is Turkey, for the provocation of a terror organization to which its government was a partner. But in the sphere of diplomacy and security we must be wise, not just right.

A prime minister who really wants to lead a far-ranging diplomatic process cannot put together a coalition that will impede any move on the peace process.

Israel can demand that the world not talk to Hamas and the members of the Palestinian government representing Hamas, but it cannot demand that there be no communication with those who talk to Hamas, or even those who sign agreements with it. Even after the reconciliation agreement, if it is ever implemented, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not Hamas.

Certain people stopped the man who headed Shin Bet's Jewish department from obtaining the organization's top spot; such conduct is unacceptable and should be condemned.

The completely disproportionate assault on Amidror by members of this camp crossed every red line, proving that the extreme left is no less delusional and dangerous than the extreme right.

In a properly run country and in a responsible government, a prime minister is not supposed to be attentive to the public's feelings, he's supposed to be completely focused on the needs of the people and the country.

Lieberman may not be a racist or a fascist, but he is divisive, a demagogue and a populist - and that is just as bad.

Those who think that the world will forget about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are living with illusions.

The total ineptitude of moves to extend the freeze has damaged Israel's image. But to be fair, the U.S. administration is as much to blame as Israel.