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Sue Surkes

Sue Surkes

Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter
Yosef Levy hands out tickets and charms at a Shas stall outside a polling station in Ofakim, a right-wing religious stronghold in southern Israel, October 27, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
November 12, 2026, 9:47 am
As support for Shas fractures in its Mizrahi heartland, far-right Ben Gvir reaps rewards
In southern Netivot, residents laud Otzma Yehudit leader for controversial clampdown on Palestinian prisoners’ conditions and gun license expansion, blame ‘leftists’ for October 7
By Sue Surkes
The Leviathan natural gas platform off Israel's northern Mediterranean coast. (Fred Arzoine, Environmental Protection Ministry)
November 9, 2026, 2:07 pm
New US oil company joins gas exploration off Israel’s shores
Texas-based Murphy Oil to serve as operator, entering Mediterranean for first time and joining Israeli Ratio in fourth round of exploration
By Sue Surkes
From left: Ahmed, Zen, and Bilal Al-Qassassi, Nimr Abu Schiban, and Einad Al-Qassassi; in Rahat, southern Israel, October 27, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
October 27, 2026, 5:11 pm
‘He’s united Arab Israelis’: Ben Gvir’s harsh policies drive high turnout in Arab towns
The aftermath of October 7, 2023, and subsequent political discord drives changing voting patterns in southern Israel, from communities attacked during massacre to Bedouin hamlets
By Sue Surkes
The Reichman family flies into Ben Gurion Airport from San Francisco to vote, October 26, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
October 26, 2026, 4:57 pm
Carnival atmosphere at Ben Gurion Airport as thousands of Israelis come home to vote
Opposition bloc lawmakers and activists out in force, coalition representatives nowhere to be seen, while some 60,000 non-residents exercise their civic duty
By Sue Surkes
A national service volunteer (left) helps a resident of Perach Village for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in central Rosh Ha'ayin to practice voting in an accessible voting booth within the facility. (Perach Israel)
October 25, 2026, 7:00 pm
Mastering the meaning of a ballot at a village for adults with disabilities
Staff at Perach Community Village in Rosh Ha’ayin teach residents about democracy and choice, while respecting strict independent voting rules
By Sue Surkes
The lizard tail trapped in roughly 99 million year-old amber from northern Myanmar that zoology student Dolev Fabrikant spotted in the collection of Tel Aviv University's Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. (Dolev Fabrikant)
October 25, 2026, 4:08 pm
Lizards have been shedding tails to stay safe for 99 million years, Israeli research finds
Tel Aviv University student finds evidence locked in tiny piece of amber; lizard tails keep wriggling long after detachment, distracting predators while the animal escapes
By Sue Surkes
Outgoing Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman speaks at the annual Jerusalem conference of ‘Besheva,’ a weekly publication group for the national religious, Jerusalem, February 17, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 24, 2026, 12:40 pm
Fighting for her legacy, Environment Minister Silman responds to green groups’ criticism
Slammed for foot dragging, withholding funds from environmental NGOs and attacking them as subversives, Silman responds to Times of Israel: ‘Tell me if someone else did as much as me’
By Sue Surkes
The 'Bustan' (Orchard) at the Holon Design Museum's new exhibition, The Circle, September 9, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
October 23, 2026, 1:12 am
Exhibit tackles role of design in cutting waste, protecting planet
Design Museum in central Holon encourages visitors to feel part of Earth, consider their consumer choices
By Sue Surkes
Nuclear fusion. (Image developed by the Energy Ministry with help from AI)
October 22, 2026, 5:00 pm
Energy Ministry says Israel must act now to ensure place in global nuclear fusion race
Officials say country currently has a competitive advantage but urgently needs funds to stay relevant
By Sue Surkes
Yeshiva students study at the Kamenitz Yeshiva in Jerusalem on August 19, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 15, 2026, 2:50 pm
Funding Haredim and others threatens Israel’s status as advanced economy, researcher claims
Calling for single education system and funding transparency, Prof. Dan Ben-David reveals benefits for Haredim outstripped funds for hospitals and higher education combined in 2024
By Sue Surkes
The Arnovitz family in Koh Samui, Thailand, July 2026. (Courtesy)
October 13, 2026, 3:59 pm
Busy couple launches app to help parents record kids’ magic moments
With 300 days of reserve duty behind him, Gabi Arnovitz had little time to write down the funny things happening at home with his two young boys, so he made an app
By Sue Surkes
General view of a water desalination facility in southern Israel, September 2, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
October 13, 2026, 11:39 am
State pays over NIS 50 million to supply private desalination plants with equipment
With desalination system not yet fully operational due to microalgae contamination that started last month, Water Authority says filtering membranes it purchased are for emergency use only
By Sue Surkes
Shopping at a supermarket in Jerusalem a day before the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, September 10, 2026. (Rachel Alroey/Flash90)
October 12, 2026, 2:47 pm
Supermarkets raised prices 5 times faster over last 4 years than previous 4 — study
Tel Aviv University researchers say chains took advantage of wartime conditions to drive up prices while the public and government were distracted
By Sue Surkes
Idit Etinger of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, outside her temporary home in Kibbutz Ruhama, southern Israel, October 5, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
October 7, 2026, 6:52 pm
On the Gaza border, third anniversary of October 7 revives traumas of war and terror
With 90% of evacuated southern residents back home, they describe relying on strong communal ties amid continuing uncertainty and pain
By Sue Surkes
Built by Israel with funds deducted from Palestinian tax revenues, this plant at the Meitar crossing on the Green Line filters rock dust from wastewater before the latter reaches the Shoket wastewater treatment plant in Israel, July 14, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
October 2, 2026, 11:56 pm
Suspected arson shuts Negev sewage plant, sending raw wastewater into streams
Some 30,000 cubic meters a day expected to flow through waterways for weeks; plant officials reportedly link attack to refusal to pay protection money, citing past incidents
By Sue Surkes and ToI Staff
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