Josh Hasten

Israeli Jewish Youth Build Bridges of Understanding Before Joining the Army

“Mechina Hannaton,” whose student body includes post-high-schoolers from diverse backgrounds throughout Israeli society—religious, secular and everyone in between. Credit: Omri Salner

“Mechina Hannaton,” whose student body includes post-high-schoolers from diverse backgrounds throughout Israeli society—religious, secular and everyone in between. Credit: Omri Salner

Students from every background imaginable study at the Hannaton Educational Center pre-military academy in the Lower Galilee, learning how to embrace diversity in Israeli society and explore coexistence with Arab neighbors.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Israel Sends Teams to Help in Surfside, Florida

An IDF engineering team along with a United Hatzalah psychotrauma and crisis response unit have traveled from Israel to Surfside Florida, to help in the rescue efforts and to work with the families of those still trapped in the rubble of this week’s condo building collapse. Whether it’s an earthquake in Haiti, a tsunami in Asia, or any other natural disaster, or emergency situation, time and time again Israel has proven to always be there. Our prayers are with the community of Surfside. This plus all the latest news from Israel on today’s edition of Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.

Photo Credit: United Hatzalah spokesperson

Posted by Josh Hasten in Israel Uncensored

Evyatar Community in Samaria May Face Government Evacuation

A view of the Evyatar community, in northern Samaria, on June 16, 2021. Photo by Sraya Diamant/Flash90.

A view of the Evyatar community, in northern Samaria, on June 16, 2021. Photo by Sraya Diamant/Flash90.

The IDF this week rejected the submission of master-plan documents towards full legalization sent to the Civil Administration by the Shomron (Samaria) Regional Council on behalf of the small community of Evyatar, which is under their jurisdiction, leaving residents scrambling to prevent the forced evacuation of the community and destruction of their houses in the days ahead.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Delayed EU Report Admits PA Textbooks Incite Against Israel

After an unexplained delay, the European Union finally released a report acknowledging that Palestinian Authority textbooks encourage violence against Israel and the Jewish People. The textbooks in question are being directly funded by the EU, in addition to the salaries of the teachers who are spewing the hatred contained in the books. The question now is, will the EU withhold funding to the PA, or continue business as usual despite the reports findings? This topic, plus all the latest news from Israel, on this week’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.

Posted by Josh Hasten in Israel Uncensored

Will Bennett-Lapid Government Have Political Power to Address Israel’s Contentious Issues?

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett with Minister of Justice Gideon Saar during a swearing in ceremony of new Israeli parliament members at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 16, 2021. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett with Minister of Justice Gideon Saar during a swearing in ceremony of new Israeli parliament members at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 16, 2021. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Yamina Party head Naftali Bennett was sworn in as Israel’s 13th prime minister on Sunday evening with a razor-thin 60 Knesset member majority. At the same time, Yesh Atid Party head Yair Lapid was sworn in as Israel’s 14th prime minister and will serve as the alternate prime minister, slated to take over for Bennett in two years’ time.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim Marks a First in Israeli Basketball History

Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim basketball team, June 2021. Credit: Courtesy.

Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim basketball team, June 2021. Credit: Courtesy.

For the first time in Israeli professional basketball history, a team from over the so-called “Green Line” has secured a spot in Israel’s second-highest tier league—known as Liga Leumit, or the National League—by finishing the “tier three” league standings as No. 1.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Razor-Thin Coalition Takes Over Under New PM Bennett

Amidst jeers from his detractors, new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was sworn in last night as Israel’s 13th Prime Minister, with a razor-thin majority of support from 60 MK’s. From his new perch as head of the opposition, former Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that his Likud Party would be back leading the country shortly. A turbulent Knesset session featured nearly constant hecklers from Bennett’s political foes when he spoke, while Netanyahu’s speech also faced some interruptions. Will the government last a full four years? What are some of the obstacles in Bennett’s path? And how about the looming Iranian threat? These topics and more news from Israel on this week’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: U.S. Secretary of Defense / Chris Yunker

Posted by Josh Hasten in Israel Uncensored

Yamina and Likud Weigh in on Government Coalition

On today’s special edition of Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, interviews with Jeremy Saltan, English Operations Director for the Yamina Party and Danny Seaman, Political Analyst and long-time Likud supporter. Saltan says that the upcoming wide-ranging government coalition headed by Naftali Bennett will be even more right-wing than governments led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Seaman argues that it is inconceivable that Bennett is slated to be Israel’s next prime minister as his party only secured seven seats in this past election. Listen to both interviews to get a true understanding of what Yamina and Likud representatives/supporters are saying respectively, as Israel inches closer to a new government.

Photo Credit: Adi Cohen Zedek (עדי כהן צדק) / U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders

Posted by Josh Hasten in Israel Uncensored

Prime Minister Bennett?

Last night, Yamina party head Naftali Bennett announced that he will be forming a governing coalition with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and other anti-Netanyahu parties in order to unseat the Prime Minister. Unless something dramatic happens over the next few days, it looks like Bennett will become Israel’s PM for the next two years, followed by Lapid for the following two. The move angered many right-winger voters who accused Bennett of breaking an election promise that he would not serve under Lapid. Does Prime Minister Netanyahu have any more rabbits under his hat or is this the end of his current 12 year run (15 years in total) as Israel’s PM?

Photo Credit: The Israel Project: Mati Milstein

Posted by Josh Hasten in Israel Uncensored

Indiana Governor Visits Israel to Show Support, Foster Continued Economic Ties to Hoosier State

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, May 2021. Credit: Imagine Indiana/Flickr.

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, May 2021. Credit: Imagine Indiana/Flickr.

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb is on his way back home after a whirlwind two-day visit to the Jewish state, arriving at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to further ties between Israel and the Hoosier state.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate