Arutz Sheva

Originally in Hebrew · 40 stories

Gush Etzion Doubles Its Number of Communities in Three Years Under Smotrich

A ceremony in Gevaot marked land regularization and zoning approval for more than 800 homes. Officials said Gush Etzion has doubled its number of communities from 14 to 28 in three years.

General15m ago

A Tearful Encounter Becomes a Lesson in Jewish Connection and Outreach

Rabbi Natanel Darmon describes a tearful meeting with an Israeli worker in Europe who felt cut off from Hebrew, family, and Jewish identity. He uses the story, the red heifer, and the anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s passing to argue for proactive Jewish outreach.

General21m ago

Why Israel's Education System Is Called the Most Dangerous Monopoly

An opinion column says Israel's state-run education system is a harmful monopoly that should be privatized. It argues that vouchers, more school autonomy and performance-based pay would improve teaching, reduce bureaucracy and better serve students.

General24m ago

Rabbi Joel Ben-Nun Says Israel Rarely Achieves Complete Victory in War

Rabbi Joel Ben-Nun argues that every Israeli war since 1948 produced gains but not complete victory. He says the current war has exposed deep internal division, created battlefield unity, but still has not ended with full defeat of Hamas or Iran.

Politics26m ago

From Altalena to 'little by little': Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda's lesson on Jewish unity

An Israeli essay reflects on the Altalena affair and Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook’s response to it. It argues that his teaching that redemption comes “little by little” means patiently uniting broken pieces of reality into one whole. The piece says that lesson remains relevant amid today’s national frustration and division.

Culture30m ago

International Sushi Day Inspires an Easy Salmon and Avocado Roll Recipe

On June 18, International Sushi Day, Master Chef shared a simple kosher recipe for salmon and avocado sushi rolls. The guide includes ingredients, step-by-step preparation, a tip for handling rice, and a reader giveaway for a זוגי meal at Miuka in Mamilla.

Security39m ago

Declassified Knesset records show Rabin warned months before Entebbe hijacking

The Knesset Archive has declassified committee minutes showing that Yitzhak Rabin warned in March 1976 about a possible hijacking-for-prisoners scheme involving detainees in Kenya. Three months later, the Air France hijacking to Entebbe unfolded with the same prisoners among the demands, and later committee sessions show Rabin urging secrecy and expressing doubt about an Israeli rescue.

Security51m ago

Reservist Alexander Filin Killed in Southern Lebanon Explosion, Seven Others Wounded

Staff Sgt. (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, of Haifa, was killed in an explosion in southern Lebanon, and seven other IDF personnel were wounded. The army is investigating whether the blast was caused by an IDF device or by an enemy charge, while the IDF also reported other recent deadly and wounding incidents in Lebanon.

Culture1h ago

Why the Writer Says He Refused Football’s ‘Celebration’

The writer says he stopped watching football years ago because he sees professional soccer as a time-consuming ritual, not real refreshment. He argues that the sport captures attention, energy, and family time, while truer forms of rest are freer and more nourishing.

Politics1h ago

Coalition Seeks Fast-Tracked Draft Law After Ultra-Orthodox Demand

Israel’s coalition plans to fast-track a shortened draft law that would keep only the draft evaders amnesty clause. Knesset legal adviser Shagith Afik opposes the move, while ultra-Orthodox parties still want the daycare bill instead.

Security1h ago

Friends of Yehuda Sherman Press Ahead With Settling the Land in His Memory

Friends of Yehuda Sherman are trying to establish new Jewish outposts in Judea and Samaria in his memory. Two farms, Kוכב יהודה and Shaagat Yehuda, continue despite repeated Israeli security force evacuations. The activists say they will keep building because the land and the area’s security importance demand it.

General1h ago

Father Recounts Son’s Death and the Biggest Funeral Ever Held in the Golan

Shimon Shalev of Alonei HaBashan recounts his son Shahar’s death in Operation Protective Edge and the extraordinary funeral that followed. He says Shahar was buried in Hispin after no burial site could be found near the settlement, and calls it the largest funeral ever held in the Golan.

Politics8h ago

U.S. and Iran digitally sign ceasefire memorandum, pact takes effect immediately

The United States and Iran digitally signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war, and it took effect immediately. The 14-point deal sets phased obligations for both sides, including U.S. sanctions relief and Iranian nuclear commitments, before a final agreement is approved by the UN Security Council.

General8h ago

Rabbi David Stav Says Family Harmony Sometimes Requires Boundaries

Rabbi David Stav said his family relations with haredi relatives require compromise, including using badatz-certified catering at his son's recent wedding so everyone could attend. In a new podcast interview, he argued that preserving family ties sometimes means avoiding sensitive topics and setting clear conversational boundaries.

Politics10h ago

Lebanon’s Shiites Face an Uncertain Post-Nasrallah Future

The article examines why Lebanon’s Shiite community has not turned against Hezbollah after Hassan Nasrallah’s killing. It says southern Lebanon has suffered heavily and Hezbollah has become a burden, but deep sectarian and historical fears still shape Shiite behavior.

Politics10h ago

Jerusalem Officials Warn U.S.-Iran Understanding Eases Pressure Too Soon

Israeli officials criticized a forming U.S.-Iran agreement, saying it eases pressure on Tehran too soon and weakens the military threat. They also opposed clauses tying Iran to Lebanon and warned that regional talks on Iran’s ballistic missiles would not adequately curb the threat to Israel.

General10h ago

Ariel University awards honorary doctorates to seven, including Hanoch and Efrat Daum

Ariel University awarded honorary doctorates to seven figures on Wednesday, including Efrat and Hanoch Daum, in a ceremony at its campus. The honors recognized achievements in science, security, society and culture, and Daum joked to his mother, “At least now I’m a doctor.”

Politics10h ago

Yoram Ettinger: Past US-Israel clashes were far harsher than today’s tensions

Yoram Ettinger told Channel 7 that recent U.S.-Israel tensions are mild compared with past clashes. He cited multiple cases, from Ben-Gurion to Netanyahu, where Israeli defiance of American pressure, in his view, eventually boosted Israel’s standing and U.S. respect.

World11h ago

Aid groups warn construction equipment makers could face war-crimes liability over Lebanon demolitions

The Guardian says Israeli military bulldozers used in southern Lebanon could expose manufacturers to war-crimes liability. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say the demolitions may amount to war crimes, while Israel says the sites were Hezbollah targets.

General11h ago

Ashkelon yeshiva head recounts how his school became a wartime aid hub

Rabbi Avihua Fishfeder says Ashkelon’s Hesder Yeshiva became a wartime aid center after the Simchat Torah 5784 attacks. It provided food, logistics and emotional support to residents, families and soldiers, and now plans to expand its work.

World12h ago

U.S.-Iran draft outlines sanctions relief, $300 billion aid package, and 60-day deal window

A leaked U.S.-Iran principles document outlines a 60-day path to a final deal. The draft would end the U.S. naval blockade, lift sanctions, and unlock at least $300 billion in economic aid, while Iran pledges not to develop nuclear weapons.

Health12h ago

Police probe baby food contamination as store managers are summoned

Police will question managers of two Zol U’Bigadol branches after Prinoq baby-food purees sold there were found to contain sedative substances. The branches allegedly operated without licenses and in poor sanitary conditions, while the Health Ministry confirmed anesthetic substances in lab tests and the Knesset Health Committee will discuss the case.

Economy13h ago

Former land authority chief says housing relief depends on building more, faster

Bentzi Lieberman says Israel’s housing crisis can only be solved by rapidly expanding supply, especially in the Galilee and Negev. He criticizes slow planning, poor service at the Israel Land Authority, and the state’s past decision to curb construction in central Israel. He says the market is now cooling, but argues a new government-led push is still needed.

Culture13h ago

David Schocken revisits Jerusalem and finds a more open path into Judaism

David Schocken, from the family that founded Haaretz, describes a personal journey into Judaism after revisiting his traumatic childhood memories of Jerusalem. In a Channel 7 interview, he says fear, curiosity, and a new appreciation of love have shaped his encounter with Jewish tradition.

Politics13h ago

Balad to pursue joint Arab list with Hadash and Ta'al, excluding Ra'am for now

Balad said it will first try to form a joint list with Hadash and Ta'al, after talks with Ra'am collapsed. The party says it may later attempt to bring Ra'am back into the alliance, while Hadash and Ra'am dispute why the negotiations stalled.

Security13h ago

IDF Kills Hamas and Islamic Jihad Operatives Who Took Part in Oct. 7 Massacre

The IDF said it killed four militants in strikes across Gaza, including two Hamas operatives, a Hamas platoon commander, and a Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander. It said all had taken part in the Oct. 7 attacks and had continued terror activity during the war.

Politics14h ago

Boaz Lieberman: Israel Must Preserve Its Sense of Common Purpose After the War

Boaz Lieberman says a reserve soldier he met embodied Israel’s wartime sacrifice and shared responsibility. He warns that after moments of unity, Israeli society quickly returns to divisive camp politics, and says the country’s future depends on preserving the spirit of “we” after the war.

Politics14h ago

High Court Restores Full Activity to Second Authority Council Despite Mass Resignations

Israel’s High Court ruled that the Second Authority Council will keep functioning despite six resignations. Communications Minister Shlomo Karai denounced the decision and said it had no legal validity.

Politics14h ago

Thousands of Gur Hasidim Protest Near Beit Lid Military Prison; Rebbe Joins Rarely

Thousands of Gur Hasidim protested outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid on Wednesday over the arrest of a community draft evader. Gur Rebbe Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter attended unusually, and Rabbi Haim Dandrovitz denounced the authorities and defended Torah students.

General14h ago

Second Muslim prayer room opens on Route 6

The Al-Aqsa Association opened a second mobile Muslim prayer room on Route 6 near Baqa al-Gharbiyye and Jatt. It said the facility is meant to let drivers pray during travel and that more prayer rooms are planned.

General14h ago

Chief Rabbinate releases exam results in record time of about six weeks

The Israeli Chief Rabbinate published results from part of its May exam session in 36 working days, well before its 90-day obligation. More than 3,800 candidates took the exams, and the Rabbinate said process improvements enabled the faster turnaround.

General15h ago

Three-Month-Old Rescued From Locked Car in Geva Binyamin Area, Condition Stable

A three-month-old baby was rescued from a locked car in Geva Ze'ev on Wednesday evening. Firefighters broke a window, Magen David Adom treated her, and she was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in stable condition with signs of heatstroke.

Politics15h ago

High Court Orders Reopening of Rabbinical Council Selection Process

Israel’s High Court ordered the Rabbinical Council to reopen the process for choosing representatives to rabbi examination committees. The ruling affects local authorities where rabbi appointments are still unfinished and sets new deadlines through June 26.

Politics15h ago

Amit Segal Accuses Police and Media of Discriminating Against Ultra-Orthodox Protesters

Amit Segal accused police, media and politicians of treating ultra-Orthodox protesters differently during a Route 4 protest on Wednesday morning. He said road blockages are criminal, but enforcement and public reactions must not be selective or driven by contempt.

Politics16h ago

Expert Urges Israel Not to Panic Over US-Iran Developments

Dr. Tzvi Mozer urges Israel not to panic over the US-Iran talks and to preserve freedom of action, especially in Lebanon. He says Trump has been unreliable and warns Israel to wait for the final text before judging the deal. Mozer also calls for calm, firmness, and internal unity.

Security16h ago

New footage shows police using smoke grenades and batons against Haredi protesters near Bnei Brak

New footage from Route 4 near Bnei Brak shows police beating Haredi protesters after using smoke grenades. The Jerusalem Faction, Rabbi Yaakov Markovitch, and MK Meir Porush accused police of excessive and selective force and called for legal and parliamentary action.

General16h ago

Chief Rabbi Says He and Sephardi Counterpart Serve as “Public Servants”

At Rabbi Yitzchak Vardi’s installation as chief rabbi of Kiryat Ono, Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar said he and Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef are “servants of the public.” Bar also praised Vardi’s years of community service and said humility is essential for leadership.

Politics16h ago

Haredi Hesder Yeshiva Leaders Propose One-Year Halt to Arrests and Wider Draft Options

Haredi hesder yeshiva leaders proposed a one-year suspension of arrests for yeshiva students and draft evaders, paired with expanded enlistment measures. They sent the plan to Netanyahu, Katz and Bismuth, saying it could broaden support and satisfy legal tests.

Politics16h ago

Herzog Plants Tree in Gush Etzion as New Settlement Is Planned

President Isaac Herzog visited Gush Etzion on Wednesday during events marking 80 years since Kibbutz Masuot Yitzhak. He toured Gevaot and Kfar Etzion, met longtime residents, and planted a tree at old Masuot Yitzhak as plans move ahead for the new settlement Masuot Har.

Politics16h ago

Aviivi Hints at Entering Politics After Leaving Security Group

Amir Aviivi, who recently left the Bithonistim movement, hinted that he may enter politics and said more will be known within one or two months. In the interview, he sharply criticized Gadi Eisenkot, the Second Lebanon War, and the IDF’s handling of manpower and ultra-Orthodox enlistment.