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Friday, May 10, 2013
Sivan 1, 5773
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The Times of Israel

The one-stop news site
covering Israel, the region and
the Jewish people worldwide

Founding editor:
David Horovitz

Fair, fresh and fast

The Jewish world's
fastest-growing
news site

Topic: Obama cabinet

February 28, 2013
3:10 am

US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, is accompanied by France's President Francois Hollande after their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. (photo credit: AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Hagel, Kerry offer softer tone on foreign policy

New secretary of defense suggests US ‘can’t dictate to the world,’ while secretary of state calls Iran’s government ‘elected’

By Haviv Rettig Gur

February 25, 2013
6:45 am

Louis Farrakhan speaks during the Saviours' Day annual convention in Chicago on Sunday (photo credit: AP/Paul Beaty)

Farrakhan focuses on economics at annual address

Nation of Islam leader briefly touches on Israel but mostly steers clear of politics in 3-hour speech

February 9, 2013
11:02 pm

Republican Chuck Hagel, US President Barack Obama's choice for defense secretary, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (photo credit: AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

Democrats stand their ground on Hagel nomination

Sen. Levin decries Republican demands for additional financial disclosure; Republicans lack the votes to prevent confirmation

By Haviv Rettig Gur

January 31, 2013
8:59 am

Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with Chuck Hagel in the White House on January 7, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

In first test, Hagel toes administration line on Iran, Israel

In written statements ahead of Senate confirmation hearings, defense nominee warns ‘the window for diplomacy with Iran is closing’

By Haviv Rettig Gur

January 28, 2013
4:43 am

US President Barack Obama, center, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speak with ”60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft, left, at the White House on Friday (photo credit: AP/CBS)

Obama praises Clinton on her way out of Cabinet

Joint interview fuels speculation that the former first lady will run for top job in 2016

January 22, 2013
12:42 am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listening as President Barack Obama speaks during a meeting in Washington in March 2012 (photo credit: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

‘Netanyahu-Obama relationship must be healed’

US Jewish leader: Obama’s reported statement about Israel’s ‘best interests’ was ‘payback’ for Netanyahu’s alleged support for Romney

By Haviv Rettig Gur

January 21, 2013
11:22 pm

US President Barack Obama gives his inaugural address on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, January 21, 2013. (photo credit: AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Obama offers domestic roar, foreign policy whimper

President dedicates a 287-word tangent to global affairs, suggesting the US will tread lightly and raising questions about previous pledge to do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop Iran

By Haviv Rettig Gur

January 15, 2013
7:02 pm

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on September. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Key pro-Israel senator will support Hagel

Chuck Schumer says Obama defense nominee promised to do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons

By Haviv Rettig Gur

January 10, 2013
7:19 pm

President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Monday to announce his nomination of John Brennan, second from the right, as the new CIA director, and former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel, second from the left, as the new Defense Secretary. (photo credit: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Opposition to Hagel isn’t dying down after nomination

While most observers believe Obama’s defense nominee will be confirmed, he still faces stubborn resistance from progressive Democrats and many Republicans

By Haviv Rettig Gur

January 7, 2013
6:07 pm

Former senator Chuck Hagel (left) shakes hands with Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta in May 2012. (photo credit: CC BY Glenn Fawcett, DoD, Flickr)

Jewish Democrats insist defense policy will ‘start and stop’ with Obama, not Hagel

Republicans signal possible acceptance of president’s choice of Hagel for defense; Senate Republican leader McConnell: ‘He ought to be given a fair hearing, and he will be’

By Haviv Rettig Gur

December 28, 2012
9:53 pm

Sen. Chuck Hagel at the Forum on the Law of the Sea Convention in Washington, D.C., on May 9, 2012. (photo credit: Glenn Fawcett/Department of Defense)

How the Hagel nomination battle became a fight over the Israel lobby

Many Democrats want a Democrat for defense secretary. Many Republicans are angered by Chuck Hagel’s political independence. And most senators disagree with his policy positions. Yet his supporters insistently frame opposition to Hagel’s nomination as the pernicious agitation of a hardline Israel lobby

By Haviv Rettig Gur

December 19, 2012
1:36 am

Sen. Chuck Hagel at the Forum on the Law of the Sea Convention in Washington, D.C., on May 9, 2012. (photo credit: Glenn Fawcett/Department of Defense)

Opposition to Hagel appointment unites pro-Israel advocates, women’s groups, Republicans

‘Jewish lobby’ comment, suggestion to negotiate with Hamas, objection to labeling Hezbollah a terrorist organization dog Defense candidate

By Haviv Rettig Gur