The Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies
Preface
Within the Israeli society, the Mizrahi-Ashkenazi polarisation has resurfaced, this time more acutely than ever. The recent period has seen a renewed debate over issues, which some thought had disappeared. Beyond doubt, this debate has taken on various dimensions and is driven by several motives. Particularly on the Mizrahi side, political motives have promoted identity politics, which entails clear implications in the electoral process. Other factors relate to the Mizrahi identity and culture. To enhance their status and keep injustices visible on the Israeli scene, factors also involve a discussion of the historical discrimination, which has affected the Mizrahi Jews in Israel. Although it eventually gives rise to the Mizrahi identity, this motive is not triggered by any considerations of identity politics.
In mid-February 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the USA and met with US President Donald Trump. The visit removed obscurities over the essence and future of bilateral relations in the interval between the outgoing Obama’s and incoming Trump’s administrations. It can be said that, under Trump, the relations between Israel and the USA might be characterised by ideological and political harmony in regard of assessing regional and international orders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently faces investigation, on pain of admonition, in two cases:
1. Case No. 1000, concerning the receipt of presents or gifts from business people, including Jewish businessman Arnon Milchan, in violation of the law.
2. Case No. 2000, concerning the sessions held between Netanyahu and Arnon (Noni) Mozes, owner of Yedioth Ahronoth, and involving suspicions of bribery between both parties.
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"The Limits of the Actual Impact of Recent Protest Petitions on the War: 'Citizen Priorities' Versus 'Security Priorities'"
The Repercussions of the War against Gaza on Israel's Relations with Russia and Turkey: Will There Be Fundamental Changes?
On the collapse of the concept of "moving away from America and the West and replacing them with new friends": "Netanyahu was looking for comfortable political partners, even at the cost of harming Israel's national security."
