The Nakba narrative now dominates

The Palestinian ‘disaster’ framed much of the UK media’s coverage of Israel’s 60th

Anyone tuning into Jeremy Bowen’s documentary Birth of Israel, reviewed below, would instantly recognise the progress the revisionists and the Palestinians have made in framing the history of the Jewish state. No longer is it sufficient to record how Ben-Gurion and his generals repelled five Arab armies in the aftermath of the United Nations vote in favour of the Jewish state.

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Film, discussions and guest speakers lined-up for Northwood's Israel 60 celebrations

Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue is running a six-week programme of events commemorating Israel’s 60th birthday.

The weekly sessions include films, discussions and guest speakers, including Leo Baeck College principal and historian Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein, whose subject was the challenges now facing Israel. The programme culminates with a celebration party.

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IDF chief at camp tribute

The March of the Living, an annual gathering of young Jews at Auschwitz, will be led by IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi this week in honour of Israel’s upcoming 60th anniversary. Some 10,000 participants will vow to fight all forms of genocide and discrimination at the ceremony, due to take place at the site of the former camp on Thursday.

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Israeli ambassador speaks of hardships

Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor told an audience of 200 people of the dangers that Israel faces. Speaking at the annual UJIA fundraising dinner at Etz Chaim Synagogue Mr Prosor said: “Day in, day out, Israel is under fire.” UJIA regional director Howard Foreman said that the event was planned as a celebration of Israel’s 60th and to show how communities benefit from UJIA donors.

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How my voice gained confidence with Israel’s

The accomplished novelist, born in Jerusalem in 1939, narrates a personal literary journey

On the hero in Israeli literature

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How we went from two cheese to 900

60 years of Israeli food

Amos Oz wrote in his haunting memoir A Tale of Love and Darkness that the first time he went to France as a young author, his hosts refused to believe him when he said that Israel had only two kinds of cheese: white cheese and yellow cheese.

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Shouting for identity, unity… and gold medals

Israel has successfully used competitive sports to advance priorities such as integrating immigrants and nurturing a sense of national identification among Israelis themselves and Jews worldwide. Sport has also been highly effective in promoting coexistence between the country’s Jews and Arabs.

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The day peace died

The Oslo Accords promised a new era of hope. Paul Lester talks to the rock star who saw those hopes dashed late on November 4, 1995

If The Oslo Accords of August 20, 1993, were a new ray of hope for the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, then controversial rock star Aviv Geffen’s performance during a peace rally in the centre of Tel Aviv on November 4, 1995, saw those hopes dashed in one night.

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The 1967 six-day war: a sweetness that turned into ashes

The 1967 six-day war 

The outgoing editor of Ha’aretz recalls the drama of a war that Israel was winning — and confronts his own fears for the future

Not bloody likely,” the callow nineteen-year-old grandly dictated to the telegram clerk at the post office on Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road, a week or so before the Six-Day War. In Golders Green, my parents received the cocky cable with a mixture of pride and trepidation.

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From long-life tomatoes to camera pills

60 years of invention

Israel is a land flowing with more than just milk and honey. If you have ever purchased long-lasting tomatoes, used a device to pluck the hairs from your legs, or sent an instant message, thank Israeli technology.

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