The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 03 Sep 2026 02:16:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Lazar Berman | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/ 32 32 Group closely tied to Norway’s government secretly met with top Hamas officials in 2021 https://www.timesofisrael.com/group-closely-tied-to-norways-government-secretly-met-with-top-hamas-officials-in-2021/ Sun, 16 Aug 2026 07:55:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3876845 NOREF, founded and funded by Oslo, discussed mediating between EU and terror group in undisclosed Gaza meeting, Hamas documents show; 'Contact does not imply endorsement,' says organization

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]]> Bjorn Lomborg: Energy, climate, and the fight for a better world https://www.timesofisrael.com/bjorn-lomborg-energy-climate-and-the-fight-for-a-better-world/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:08:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3878068&preview=true&preview_id=3878068 The Iran war emphasized how reliant we are on fossil fuels; a leading Danish thinker explains how we should think about energy needs, global warming, and the welfare of mankind

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]]> Trump says US to maintain blockade, as Iran vows to keep Hormuz closed until demands met https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-us-to-keep-up-blockade-as-iran-vows-closed-hormuz-until-demands-met/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:10:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3878558 Tehran denies reports of ceasefire extension, saying there's 'nothing to extend'; 30 countries condemn Islamic Republic's executions, say they're used to 'silence dissent'

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]]> Lebanese PM says Israel breaching international law as Katz boasts of ‘destroying all houses’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-pm-says-israel-breaching-international-law-as-katz-boasts-of-destroying-all-houses/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:02:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3878395 Drawing US rebuke, defense minister vows Israel will be in southern Lebanon for the long term; Israel denies agreeing with Beirut on which nations will verify Hezbollah disarmament

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]]> Board of Peace’s Gaza envoy denies financial deal with Hamas: ‘Not on the table’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/board-of-peaces-gaza-envoy-denies-financial-deal-with-hamas-not-on-the-table/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:43:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3878221 $400 million will pay 'legitimate' contractors, severance to Hamas civil servants not hired by new technocratic government, sources tell ToI; NCAG to audit Hamas books

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]]> Mecca defense pact isn’t meant to challenge Israel, at least not on the battlefield https://www.timesofisrael.com/mecca-defense-pact-isnt-meant-to-challenge-israel-at-least-not-on-the-battlefield/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:04:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3877293 Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey aren't going to go to war for each other. But they do want to show the US and Iran that they are ready to lead in a region they see as destabilized by Jerusalem

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]]> Israeli intel on Iranian plot said to have spurred decision to sneak Trump off Air Force One https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-intel-on-iranian-plot-said-to-have-spurred-decision-to-sneak-trump-off-air-force-one/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:03:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3877745 WSJ says intelligence from Israel indicated that Iran planned to take down plane with shoulder-fired missiles; Rubio and other aides remained onboard despite threat

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]]> Israel and Venezuela renew consular relations for first time since 2009 https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-and-venezuela-renew-consular-relations-for-first-time-since-2009/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:54:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3877670 After 17-year diplomatic break, countries say they will reestablish ties, continue 'cooperation stemming from' Israel's humanitarian mission after deadly June double earthquake

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]]> Iran digs in on demands over Hormuz as mediators assert progress made toward deal https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-digs-in-on-demands-over-hormuz-as-mediators-assert-progress-made-toward-deal/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:09:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3877616 Iranian official says strait won't reopen unless US ends Gaza and Lebanon wars and releases frozen Iranian assets; Pakistan says sides 'close to some sort of an arrangement'

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]]> Israel said to tell US it will keep targeting Oct. 7 terrorists as Gaza disarmament stalls https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-tell-us-it-will-keep-targeting-oct-7-terrorists-as-gaza-disarmament-stalls/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 23:35:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3877086 Trump teases a 'good response' to Netanyahu's rejection of roadmap for disarming Hamas, though none appears; Board of Peace says talks ongoing and plan advancing despite the setback

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]]> New Colombian government recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over Golan Heights https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-colombian-government-recognizes-israels-sovereignty-over-golan-heights/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:52:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3877026 South American country is just 2nd in world after US to endorse Israeli claim over territory captured from Syria in 1967; FM Sa'ar thanks Bogota for 'historic decision'

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]]> Huge quake hits west Colombia, killing at least 73 people and collapsing buildings https://www.timesofisrael.com/huge-quake-hits-west-colombia-killing-at-least-73-people-and-collapsing-buildings/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:11:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3877016 Israel offers 'to assist Colombia with whatever is needed' in quake that comes days after new president is inaugurated, and less than 2 months after twin quakes in Venezuela

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]]> Daily Briefing Aug. 10 – As PM rejects Gaza deal, Israel quietly begins reconstruction https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-aug-10-as-pm-rejects-gaza-deal-israel-quietly-begins-reconstruction/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:44:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3876773&preview=true&preview_id=3876773 Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman on the Gaza peace plan, the long game of chicken being played between US and Iran and a new defense pact signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

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]]> Board of Peace envoy says full execution of Gaza plan only ‘guarantee’ Oct. 7 won’t recur https://www.timesofisrael.com/board-of-peace-envoy-says-full-execution-of-gaza-plan-only-guarantee-oct-7-wont-recur/ Sun, 09 Aug 2026 22:28:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3876570 Nickolay Mladenov tells Channel 12 disarmament plan is 'not built on trust,' but complete verification of progress; White House said not worried about Netanyahu's rejection of plan

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]]> Netanyahu rejects Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan, insists he can stand up to US president https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-rejects-trumps-15-point-gaza-plan-insists-he-can-stand-up-to-us-president/ Sun, 09 Aug 2026 14:53:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3876402 PM stresses Israel's categorical opposition to Board of Peace's deal that Hamas agreed to, saying IDF won't withdraw from any part of Strip until terror group fully disarms

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