Tag: Israel

Israeli Leaders Rebuff Moody’s Outlook Cut, Protests Persist

JERUSALEM—Israel’s government on Saturday rebuffed an outlook downgrade on the country from credit ratings agency Moody’s, while tens of thousands of Israelis returned to the streets to protest against a planned overhaul of the country’s judiciary. Moody’s report issued on Friday marks the latest warning about a potential economic backlash to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s…


[PREMIERING 4/15 at 4 PM ET] The Importance of Israel’s Safety

In this episode of Counterculture, Danielle explains the importance of Israel as a historical center of meaning. She interviews Ze’ev Orenstein about the state of Israel today, a growing fear of terrorist attacks as the Middle East is strengthened by China, as well as the historical importance of Israel to many religious people. …


Former Knesset Member Says: ‘Patience, Compassion, Truth, and Love Are What Wins’

TEL AVIV, Israel—Ronit Tirosh attended Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 8. Tirosh headed Israel’s Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports also, until 2012, was a member of the Knesset, Israel’s governing body. Tirosh is now a full-time lecturer at Reichman University and a grandmother. Tirosh said she enjoys learning about other cultures. “I once went…


Shen Yun ‘So Authentic and so Noble,’ Says Opera Singer

TEL AVIV, Israel—Daniella Lugassy, an opera soprano, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the The Shlomo Lahat Opera House on April 12, and felt transported. Ms. Lugassy said she hadn’t known what to expect prior to seeing Shen Yun, but when the curtains went up she was in awe. “The feeling  was…


Shen Yun ‘Transported Me to a Land of Wonders,’ Says Singer

TEL AVIV, Israel—Doron Stein, a partner at accounting firm BDO, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Israeli Opera House and left enchanted. “The performance showcases amazing art that, as we hear here, is 5,000 years old. It’s very, very rare,” he said after the April 12 matinee.  Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the 5,000…


Shen Yun ‘So Incredible and so Precious,’ Says Magazine Editor

TEL AVIV, Israel—Udit Belkine, a journalist and editor, brought her young daughter to Shen Yun Performing Arts to experience art that aims to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. The little one was on the edge of her seat the whole time, Ms. Belkin said. “The story is so full,” she said after seeing a…


Washington Braces for Diplomatic Fallout Amid Fears of Further Intel Leaks

U.S. federal agencies are scrambling to contain the diplomatic fallout after scores of classified documents pertaining to Ukraine—and other U.S. allies—were leaked online by as-yet-unknown actors. “U.S. officials across the interagency are engaging with allies and partners at high levels over this,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said at an April 10 press briefing. According…


Netanyahu Reinstates Israel’s Defense Minister After Firing Him

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on April 10 that he has reinstated his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, after firing him for criticizing the Israeli leader’s efforts to change the country’s judiciary. “In the last days, we worked together and stood together around the clock on all the fronts against the security challenges,” Netanyahu told…


China, Russia Seeking to Subvert the US-Led Middle East Order: Expert

By brokering peace deals in the Middle East, China and Russia seek to subvert the American-led Middle East order, according to Brandon Weichert, author of “Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower.” On March 10, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced they would resume diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China. Shortly after, Russia brokered a separate…


China, Russia Seek to Subvert the US-Led Middle East Order: Expert

By brokering peace deals in the Middle East, China and Russia seek to subvert the American-led Middle East order, according to Brandon Weichert, author of “Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower.” On March 10, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced they would resume diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China. Shortly after, Russia brokered a separate…