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Dov Lipman

Dov Lipman was elected to the 19th Knesset in January 2013, making him the first American born MK in 30 years. He holds a masters degree from Johns Hopkins University and is the author of seven books about Israel and Judaism.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks on the phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 8, 2009. Credit: Pete Souza/White House.

Obama’s revisionist ‘Promised Land’

In his new memoir, the former U.S. president misleads readers in a way that will forever shape their negative perspective of the Jewish state.

Dov Lipman

Nov. 26, 2020

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud Party and Benny Gantz of the Blue and White Party at the Knesset on May 17, 2020. Photo by Alex Kolomoisky.

New unity government pledges to continue corona response, apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

During the swearing-in ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared to the Knesset that “the public wants a unity government, and that’s what the public will get. We decided to avoid a fourth election that would have wasted 2 billion shekels.”

Dov Lipman

May 18, 2020

The Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on May 4, 2020. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/POOL.

Will the Israeli Supreme Court doom Netanyahu-Gantz unity government?

The judges made it clear that they do not rule regarding political agreements. They rule on laws, and since the laws in the coalition agreement have not yet been voted into law, they will not issue rulings about them.

Dov Lipman

May 4, 2020

Election posters hung by the Blue and White Party show candidate Benny Gantz and Likud candidate, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Feb. 18, 2020. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.

Ins and outs of Israel’s unprecedented national emergency unity government

Details on the forthcoming new Israeli government, to be formally signed next week after Yom Ha’aztmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Its first order of business will be to pass legislation to set the Netanyahu-Gantz rotation in motion.

Dov Lipman

April 21, 2020

Blue and White Party election posters show leader Benny Gantz and Likud head Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's third round of elections within a year, Feb. 18, 2020. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.

Differences on key issues threaten to bog down Netanyahu-Gantz unity talks

Implementation of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria under the Trump peace plan, the distribution of senior government posts and the appointment of a new Knesset Speaker are reportedly three of the major sticking points threatening to send Israel back to the polls.

Dov Lipman

March 31, 2020

Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz passes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a memorial ceremony in the Knesset marking 24 years since the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, on Nov. 10, 2019. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Whirlwind week ends with unity government in Israel, Netanyahu remaining at the helm

Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu will serve as prime minister for 18 months before handing the premiership as part of a rotation to Blue and White challenger Benny Gantz.

Dov Lipman

March 26, 2020

Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein gives a press statement in Israel's parliament in Jerusalem on Jan. 12, 2019. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Edelstein’s sudden resignation as Knesset speaker leaves country’s political future uncertain

Yuli Edelstein told JNS that “the Knesset bylaws are clear that following an election, the vote for speaker does not have to be done until a new government is formed.”

Dov Lipman

March 25, 2020

Israeli Supreme Court president Esther Hayut arrives to a hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on March 19, 2019. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90.

High Court orders Edelstein to schedule a two-day turnaround vote on his replacement

Knesset reopens amid tight restrictions after Chief Justice Esther Hayut overturns Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein’s controversial decision to shutter it due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dov Lipman

March 23, 2020

Unity talks continue despite Knesset shutdown, COVID-19 crisis

The goal of the negotiations is reportedly a broad, 105-member government, with a rotation agreement between Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz for the premiership.

Dov Lipman

March 19, 2020