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Eric Cortellessa
Eric Cortellessa
Eric Cortellessa covers American politics for The Times of Israel.
White nationalist Jason Kessler speaks at a rally near the White House on the one-year anniversary of the Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
August 13, 2018, 5:19 am
The day it rained on the white nationalists’ parade
One year after neo-Nazis and Klansmen descended on Charlottesville for a 'Unite the Right' rally, they were barely able to stir up a quorum in the nation's capital
By Eric Cortellessa
US President Donald Trump speaks about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a meeting with Republican lawmakers and cabinet members on tax cuts at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 17, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM)
August 11, 2018, 8:49 pm
Trump marks Charlottesville anniversary with tweet condemning racism
US president says last year's rally 'resulted in senseless death and division,' calls for 'peace to ALL Americans!"
By Eric Cortellessa
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert speaks during a briefing at the State Department in Washington, August 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
August 10, 2018, 2:04 am
US condemns Hamas rocket attacks, supports Israel’s right to defend itself
State Department official calls for 'an end to the destructive violence,' blames terror group ruling Gaza for the enclave's humanitarian crisis
By Eric Cortellessa
President Donald J. Trump signs an EO on Iran Sanctions in the Green Room at Trump National Golf Club Monday, August 6, 2018, in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
August 6, 2018, 6:50 pm
Trump reimposes Iran sanctions, says goal is ‘maximum pressure’
President says he remains open to meeting with Iranian regime, accuses it of continuing 'to spread bloodshed, violence, and chaos'
By Eric Cortellessa
US President Donald Trump listens during a campaign rally at Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
August 2, 2018, 11:04 pm
Trump administration releases millions in frozen aid to PA security forces
The US has quietly spent some $42 million in the West Bank since May; State Department official says this serves US interests; other programs still being evaluated
By Eric Cortellessa
A Transportation Security Administration officer checks travelers luggage to be screened by an x-ray machine at a checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Friday, May 27, 2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
August 2, 2018, 9:22 pm
TSA mulling end to security checks at small US airports, but ‘no decision’ yet
CNN reports agency formed working group to shutter passenger screening at more than 150 small and medium-size American airports; officials slam plan as 'so dangerous'
By Eric Cortellessa
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listens as US President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, June 21, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
August 1, 2018, 4:56 am
70 House Democrats urge Trump administration to restore Gaza aid funding
J Street-backed missive asks White House to 'immediately take action' to alleviate suffering in coastal enclave
By Eric Cortellessa
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the White House, on July 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
July 30, 2018, 10:18 pm
Trump says he’s willing to meet Iran’s leaders without preconditions
After threatening Tehran via Twitter, US president declares himself ready for bilateral talks with Iran 'anytime they want'
By Eric Cortellessa
Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, US president Jimmy Carter, center, and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin clasp hands on the north lawn of the White House as they sign the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, March 26, 1979. (AP/Bob Daugherty)
July 29, 2018, 11:38 pm
Newly released minutes show US pressure on Israel to leave West Bank in ’78
Marking 40 years to Camp David accords, the Center for Israel Education is rolling out memos detailing negotiations that led to Israel-Egypt peace treaty
By Eric Cortellessa
Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the close of a three-day conference on religious freedom at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
July 26, 2018, 10:32 pm
Mike Pence condemns anti-Jewish attacks in Europe
Addressing religious freedom conference, US vice president bemoans French and German Jews being warned not to display their religion in public
By Eric Cortellessa
President Donald Trump speaks during the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States National Convention Tuesday, July 24, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
July 24, 2018, 10:05 pm
After Twitter outburst, Trump says he’s ‘ready to make a deal’ with Iran
Two days after US president delivers all-caps threat to Tehran, he now signals a willingness to negotiate a 'real deal'
By Eric Cortellessa
Rabbi Dov Haiyun in Jerusalem on July 19, 2018 (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
July 21, 2018, 8:31 am
Rabbi’s arrest signals Israel ‘no longer for all Jews’ — US Conservative leader
Steven Wernick says 'infuriating' detention of Dov Haiyun for performing weddings outside Rabbinate 'gives the impression of a religious police'
By Eric Cortellessa
Right-wing Jewish activists protest outside a joint ceremony for families of Israeli and Palestinian victims on Israeli Memorial Day, in Tel Aviv on April 21, 2015. The flag reads 'The land of Israel only for the people of Israel'. (Tomer NeubergFlash90)
July 20, 2018, 12:44 am
ADL raises alarm over Israeli democracy after nation-state bill
Watchdog joins other US Jewish groups in concern over Jewish state's treatment of minorities, but backs law's determination of state symbols
By Eric Cortellessa and TOI staff
Reform leader Rabbi Rick Jacobs (Robert A. Cumins/JFNA via JTA)
July 19, 2018, 8:13 am
Reform and AJC leaders bitterly criticize Israel’s nation-state bill
AJC 'deeply disappointed' by new legislation; Reform's Rick Jacobs bemoans 'sad and unnecessary day for Israeli democracy'
By Eric Cortellessa
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, speaks at the ADL Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on November 6, 2014 (courtesy ADL)
July 16, 2018, 8:46 pm
ADL urges hate crime probe of man who sought to ‘kill all Jews’ in condo fire
Walter Edward Stolper, 72, captured with more than 28 gasoline containers, sulfur powder and potassium nitrate he planned to use to torch building where he faced eviction
By Eric Cortellessa
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