Israel-US relations

Israel's Consul General in New York Asaf Zamir speaks at a JNF-USA event on October 28, 2021. (Shahar Azran)

Interview

Israel’s new man in NY: Bring on the broad — but legitimate — criticism of Israel

Consul General Asaf Zamir says providing US youth with tools to sell both progressive and Zionist identities requires explaining conflict’s complexity more honestly than in past

New US envoy says ‘absolutely won’t’ visit settlements, to avoid inflaming tensions

By Jacob Magid

Palestinian relatives carry the body of Omar As'ad, 80, at his funeral; As'ad was found dead after being detained and handcuffed during an Israeli raid, in Jiljilya village in the West Bank, on January 13, 2022. ((JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP)

January 15, 2022, 4:58 pm

Echoing State Dept, US lawmakers urge probe into citizen’s death after IDF arrest

5 Democrats in House, Senate express outrage and demand investigation after Palestinian Omar As’ad, 80, found dead at construction site where he was left after a brief arrest

By Jacob Magid

US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Richard Nides speaks during his swearing in ceremony as new ambassador to Israel, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, December 5, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 14, 2022, 9:53 pm

New US envoy says ‘absolutely won’t’ visit settlements, to avoid inflaming tensions

Breaking from annexation-backing predecessor, Tom Nides tells Hebrew paper he’s entering job with ‘no ideology,’ says unlike Trump, Biden believes US must care for Palestinians

By Jacob Magid

January 14, 2022, 6:37 pm

Israel’s new man in NY: Bring on the broad — but legitimate — criticism of Israel

Consul General Asaf Zamir says providing US youth with tools to sell both progressive and Zionist identities requires explaining conflict’s complexity more honestly than in past

By Jacob Magid

Palestinian-American Amr Abd al-Majid As'ad, who died while in Israeli custody on January 12, 2021. (Courtesy)

January 12, 2022, 11:34 pm

US seeks clarification after Palestinian-American, 80, dies following IDF arrest

State Department spokesman says his office has been in touch with Omar As’ad’s family following fatal heart attack he suffered after he was allegedly beaten while in IDF custody

By Jacob Magid and Aaron Boxerman

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Republican-Alabama) discussing opportunities between the Us and Israel with Heather Johnston and Ari Sacher in his office in Washington in 2021 (courtesy)

January 7, 2022, 8:40 pm

From Iron Dome to supply chains, US Christian group quietly shaping US-Israel ties

After bringing House leaders to the West Bank and securing missile defense funding, the Alabama-based USIEA sees Abraham Accords countries replacing China as pharma suppliers

By Lazar Berman

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, accompanied by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, right, speaks at bilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington, Oct. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

January 3, 2022, 4:59 pm

Israel will keep US in the loop on major economic deals with China — report

Jerusalem officials said to weigh adjusting relationship with Beijing to please the Americans

By TOI staff

British Ambassador to the United Nations Karen Elizabeth Pierce listens to speakers during a meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

January 1, 2022, 11:48 pm

UK warned it would recognize Palestine if Israel annexed West Bank, book reveals

Weeks before Netanyahu’s July 2020 target for controversial move, British envoy to US surprised American counterparts with threat, said it would lead to others following suit

By TOI staff

An undated photograph of a Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy transport helicopter, which Israel signed an agreement to purchase from the United States on December 30, 2021. (Lockheed Martin)

December 31, 2021, 11:06 am

With Iran in mind, Israel signs deal with US for heavy choppers, refueling planes

Weapons sale to cost $3.1 billion, with the funds coming from military aid Washington provides to Jerusalem

By Judah Ari Gross

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett holds a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on December 19, 2021. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)

December 28, 2021, 11:53 am

Bennett: Israel is not opposed to a ‘good’ nuclear deal with Iran

PM says Israeli officials are not ‘automatic naysayers’ to the Vienna talks, but a positive outcome appears highly unlikely

By Amy Spiro

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett leads a cabinet meeting in Kibbutz Mevo Hama on December 26, 2021. (Gil Eliyahu/POOL/Flash90)

December 28, 2021, 9:30 am

Not ruling out COVID lockdown, PM warns: ‘Storm of contagion’ moments away

In radio interviews from quarantine, Bennett also says Israel will not automatically reject a nuclear deal reached with Iran in Vienna

By Amy Spiro

International passengers arrive at Miami international Airport before they are screened by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) using facial biometrics to automate manual document checks required for admission into the US on November 20, 2020, in Miami, Florida. (AP Photo/ Lynne Sladky)

December 27, 2021, 10:34 pm

US envoy tames Israeli excitement over progress on visa exemption

After Israeli official says airport entry for Palestinian Americans will be eased, removing obstacle to adding Israel to Visa Waiver Program, Nides says ‘lots of work’ remains

By Jacob Magid

Travelers seen exiting Ben Gurion International Airport, as Israel opens its borders and allows tourists to enter the country, after months of being shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, November 1, 2021. (Tomer Neuberg/FLASH90

December 26, 2021, 4:44 pm

Israel to ease entry for Palestinian-Americans, officials say

Improved treatment of US citizens of Palestinian descent is a key US demand in talks with Israel on joining Visa Waiver Program

By Jacob Magid

Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli leads a Labor party faction meeting at the Knesset on October 4, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

December 23, 2021, 6:17 pm

Allied with the right, Labor’s Michaeli insists she’s keeping peace hopes alive

Transportation minister says she won’t okay West Bank projects that harm 2-state solution, and her ties with US progressives will be critical to rebuilding bilateral relationship

By Jacob Magid

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, December 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

December 23, 2021, 3:27 am

US national security adviser says deadline for Iran talks coming ‘within weeks’

Jake Sullivan’s visit to Israel said to calm some of Israel’s concerns; gaps between Jerusalem, Washington ‘smaller than we’d expected,’ official tells news site

By TOI staff

President Isaac Herzog speaks during a ceremony for graduates of the Israeli Air Force's pilot course, at the Hatzerim airbase in southern Israel, on December 22, 2021. (Screen capture: YouTube)

December 22, 2021, 4:31 pm

Herzog: With or without a deal, Iran’s nuclear program ‘must be neutralized’

President calls Islamic Republic ‘a ticking time bomb that threatens Israel and the whole Middle East’; Gantz says Jewish state working with allies to determine how to proceed

By TOI staff