Jacob Magid

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US correspondent based in New York

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani is seen leaving the Coburg Palais, venue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) meeting aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna, on December 3, 2021 (Joe Klamar/AFP)

December 4, 2021, 9:52 pm

US official: Iran backtracked on all compromises; we’re preparing for no deal

Official warns more sanctions likely if Iran kills negotiations, says China and Russia were also taken aback; Mossad chief heads to Washington for talks as nuclear crisis deepens

By AFP and Jacob Magid

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a press conference during an Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) meeting, in Stockholm, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. (Jonathan Nackstrand/Pool Photo via AP)

December 3, 2021, 11:11 pm

Blinken says nuclear talks halted because Iran ‘doesn’t seem serious’

Secretary reiterates that US won’t allow Tehran to drag out negotiations while advancing with its nuclear program and that Washington will pursue other options if talks fail

By Jacob Magid

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Composite/AP)

December 3, 2021, 1:43 am

Blinken initiated call with PM, amid doubts Israel actually called off Atarot plan

US dismayed to find East Jerusalem housing project back on docket of planning committee’s agenda for next week, after Israeli officials leaked that plan was shelved, sources say

By Jacob Magid

Illustrative: An Israeli police officer stands guard as a religious Jew in army uniform visits the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, in the Old City of Jerusalem on August 3, 2021. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo, File)

December 2, 2021, 11:46 pm

19 countries drop support for UN resolution omitting Jewish tie to Temple Mount

Resolution only referring to holy site by Muslim name still passes overwhelmingly, but tally not as lopsided as 2018 result, which Israeli envoy says is cause for optimism

By Jacob Magid

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield during a news conference at United Nations headquarters, on March 1, 2021. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

November 30, 2021, 9:54 pm

US envoy to Security Council: Settlement building has ‘reached a critical juncture’

Thomas-Greenfield also raps top UN body for disproportionate focus on Israel, but says it can play productive role by opposing terrorism, urging positive steps for Palestinians

By Jacob Magid

Israel Military Intelligence representative in Washington Danny Citrinowicz in Arlington, Virginia in 2016. (Courtesy)

November 30, 2021, 4:33 pm

He led IDF intel gathering on Iran, was ignored and fears Israel is now paying price

Danny Citrinowicz, ex-head of Military Intelligence research, says politicians’ inability to adopt a nuanced approach led to ‘colossal’ policy failure, sped up Tehran’s nuke effort

By Jacob Magid

Architects' plans for a new neighborhood at the site of the abandoned Atarot Airport. (Jerusalem Municipality)

November 25, 2021, 11:43 pm

Israel backs off housing project at Jerusalem’s Atarot airport site amid US pressure

Officials notify White House they won’t move forward with plan to build 9,000 units on abandoned plot at northern tip of the capital, across the pre-1967 Green Line

By Jacob Magid

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 Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

November 24, 2021, 2:48 am

US lawmakers launch bipartisan push to drop visa requirement for Israeli travelers

50 House members pen letter to Biden’s cabinet members urging them to add Israel to Visa Waiver Program, a move the White House has already vowed to pursue

By Jacob Magid and JTA

Illustrative. An Israeli woman uses her phone in front of a building in Herzliya that housed the NSO Group intelligence firm, on August 28, 2016. (Jack Guez/AFP/File)

November 23, 2021, 10:02 pm

Apple sues NSO Group for targeting users as spyware firm’s woes mount

Tech firm says it’s seeking permanent injunction to ban Herzliya-based company from using any of its software; Apple security head warns that those who weaponize its tech will pay

By AFP and Jacob Magid

APalestinian boy rides a donkey in the E-1 area near the West bank settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim, Dec. 5, 2012. (Sebastian Scheiner/AP)

November 23, 2021, 12:52 pm

Dozens of US lawmakers urge Blinken to prevent settlements in sensitive E1 area

In letter to secretary of state, Congress members say construction will prevent a viable two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

By TOI staff and Jacob Magid

Israel's Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked arrives at the US Department of Homeland Security in Washington on November 17, 2021. (Shmulik Almani/Interior Ministry)

November 19, 2021, 1:01 am

Shaked: Bringing more countries into Abraham Accords will require US incentives

Interior minister insists no Israeli gestures to Palestinians necessary to broaden normalization deals, says Israel’s policy on settlements is to agree to disagree with Washington

By Jacob Magid

Seyyed Kazeemi and Sajjad Kashian. (US Treasury Department)

November 18, 2021, 9:32 pm

2 Iranians charged with threatening US voters in 2020 election; 4 others blacklisted

US officials say goal of operation wasn’t to change outcome but to sow confusion, create perception results couldn’t be trusted, though Treasury says it foiled effort

By AP and Jacob Magid

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked meets with Alejandro Mayorkas, the US Secretary of Homeland Security, on November 18, 2021. (Shmulik Almani/Interior Ministry)

November 18, 2021, 7:22 pm

Israel will be added to US Visa Waiver Program by 2023, minister predicts

Ayelet Shaked says she’s optimistic after meeting with US homeland security secretary, insists Israel won’t have to offer something in exchange

By Jacob Magid

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas meets with US Ambassador the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield in the West Bank city of Ramallah, November 17, 2021. (Wafa)

November 18, 2021, 1:09 am

US envoy presses Abbas on human rights, prisoner payments during Ramallah meet

PA president denounces Israeli decision to blacklist Palestinian human rights groups, thanks Linda Thomas-Greenfield for US condemnations of Israeli settlement approvals

By Jacob Magid

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield tours Israel's southern border, with IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on November 16, 2021. (US Mission to the UN/Twitter)

November 16, 2021, 11:14 pm

Touring northern, southern borders, US envoy pledges Iron Dome replenishment

Army provides Biden’s UN envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield with rundown of security challenges stemming from Iran; meeting Gantz, she urges him to avoid settlement building, evictions

By Jacob Magid