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Eric Cortellessa
Eric Cortellessa
Eric Cortellessa covers American politics for The Times of Israel.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attends the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 5, 2017. (GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
June 22, 2018, 12:16 am
Kushner and Greenblatt discuss Gaza, Trump’s peace plan with Qataris
In Qatar, US envoys and emir hold talks on humanitarian relief for Palestinians and administration's efforts to revive negotiations
By Eric Cortellessa
US Ambassador to the United Nation Nikki Haley speaks at the US Department of State in Washington DC on June 19, 2018. (AFP Photo/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)
June 20, 2018, 6:31 am
Haley: Human Rights Council nations back Israel — but only behind closed doors
After announcing withdrawal from UN body, US ambassador calls it 'an organization unworthy of its name' in scathing op-ed
By Eric Cortellessa
L-R: Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer, US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy Dina Powell and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman meet in Tel Aviv on August 24, 2017. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
June 16, 2018, 1:51 am
Trump’s peace envoys add stops in Jordan, Qatar to next week’s Mideast trip
Jason Greenblatt and Jared Kushner scheduled to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to 'get some ideas' for US peace plan
By Eric Cortellessa
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during a UN Security Council emergency session on Israel-Gaza conflict at United Nations headquarter on May 30, 2018 in New York City. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images/AFP)
June 13, 2018, 6:53 am
UN to vote on resolution bashing Israel, with US pushing for Hamas condemnation
The General Assembly on Wednesday will consider a measure lambasting Jewish state for Gaza deaths. Haley seeks amendment denouncing terror group's violence and incitement
By Eric Cortellessa and Agencies
US special envoy Jason Greenblatt (L) attends the launch of a project to improve access to wastewater treatment and water for Palestinian farmers, on October 15, 2017, in the West Bank city of Jericho. (AFP Photo/Jaafar Ashtiyeh)
June 10, 2018, 7:54 am
Trump’s Mideast envoy calls for top Palestinian negotiator’s ouster
After Saeb Erekat pens a scathing op-ed accusing US of being Israel's 'partner in occupation,' Jason Greenblatt says time has come for 'other Palestinian perspectives'
By Eric Cortellessa
US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman arrives at the inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018. (AFP Photo/Menahem Kahana)
June 6, 2018, 6:53 am
US says envoy right to criticize Gaza reporting, entitled to free speech
State Department spokesperson backs David Friedman comments in which he told reporters to 'keep your mouths shut'; says he and ambassador to Germany can make partisan comments
By Eric Cortellessa
US President Barack Obama (left) walks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after their meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2011. (Avi Ohayon/Government Press Office/Flash90)
June 6, 2018, 4:59 am
In new memoir, ex-Obama aide bemoans a manipulative Netanyahu ‘not on the level’
Ben Rhodes' book 'The World As It Is' dishes on 8 acrimonious years of US-Israel ties, when the PM, he says, proved adept at turning Jewish leaders against the president
By Eric Cortellessa
Lydia Macy, 17, left, and Mira Gottlieb, 16, both of Berkeley, Calif., rally outside of the Supreme Court which is hearing the 'Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission' today, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
June 5, 2018, 3:40 am
Jewish groups decry Supreme Court ruling in gay wedding cake case
Reform Movement and NCJW say court could have bolstered rights, but ADL takes solace in fact that decision won't affect other cases
By Eric Cortellessa
US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman in a Times of Israel interview at the US Embassy, Jerusalem, May 30, 2018 (Matty Stern, U.S. Embassy Jerusalem)
May 31, 2018, 11:53 pm
J Street urges Senate to probe Friedman over comments on settlements, Democrats
Liberal Mideast advocacy group demands investigation of US envoy after he tells Times of Israel West Bank communities not illegal and Republicans support Israel more than Democrats
By Eric Cortellessa
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during a UN Security Council emergency session on Israel-Gaza conflict at United Nations headquarter on May 30, 2018 in New York City. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images/AFP)
May 31, 2018, 12:37 am
US blasts Security Council as measure condemning Hamas blocked
Kuwait says its resolution calling for protection of Palestinians is more relevant than US draft on rocket attacks; Haley calls failure to condemn 'outrageous'
By Eric Cortellessa and AFP
Charles Koch speaks in his office at Koch Industries in Wichita, Kansas, May 22, 2012. (Bo Rader/The Wichita Eagle via AP, File)
May 28, 2018, 1:50 am
Could Charles Koch become the George Soros of the right?
With the GOP mega-donor funding academic projects run by those hostile to Israel, Jewish Democrats hope to leverage stigma into an attack on Republicans who take Koch money
By Eric Cortellessa
Philip Roth (Douglas Healey/AP)
May 25, 2018, 4:47 pm
The story behind Philip Roth’s final days
Literary giant's anointed biographer Blake Bailey shares the details of Roth's long struggle with coronary artery disease, and of his prolific -- and profound -- writing life
By Eric Cortellessa
Members of the National Socialist Movement, one of the largest neo-Nazi groups in the US, hold a swastika burning after a rally on April 21, 2018 in Draketown, Georgia. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP)
May 24, 2018, 1:04 am
New legislation seeks to define anti-Semitism in US education system
Congress members say bipartisan bill will provide schools with tools to fight expressions of hatred
By Eric Cortellessa
Illustrative: Palestinians try to retrieve items from the rubble of a house after it was destroyed by IDF tractors near the West Bank village of Sussiya in 2011. (Najeh Hashlamoun/Flash90)
May 23, 2018, 10:49 pm
74 Democratic lawmakers urge Netanyahu not to raze Palestinian villages
In letter, PM told demolishing Sussiya and Khan al-Ahmar would counter shared values, endanger Israeli democracy
By Eric Cortellessa and TOI staff
US President Donald Trump (L) is welcomed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on May 23, 2017. (Thomas Coex/AFP)
May 23, 2018, 12:50 am
White House mulling possible move against Palestinian mission over ICC push
Administration official says Palestinian attempt to initiate war crimes proceedings against Israel at The Hague being 'reviewed' for possible repercussions on status of PLO embassy
By Eric Cortellessa
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