The Jewish Week | Israel News

Tel Aviv — With polls giving him a big lead over a fractured opposition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the odds-on favorite in Israel to win re-election if the Knesset decides to hold elections a year ahead of schedule at the end of the summer.

After months of denying speculation that he was mulling moving up a vote from October 2013, Netanyahu said early this week he would be discussing possible dates with party leaders.

Tel Aviv — Video images of a high-ranking Israeli army officer striking a pro-Palestinian demonstrator with the butt of his M-16 rifle touched off a storm of controversy in Israel this week, prompting a round of condemnation by politicians and a spate of soul searching among commentators.

Netanya, Israel — For Jews all over the world the Passover seder is traditionally a time to relish friends and family over a festive holiday meal.

For terror victims — especially those who survived and lost loved ones in the Park Hotel massacre 10 years ago this month — Passover and other family-oriented holidays are often filled with grief and longing.

Tel Aviv — As actor George Clooney campaigned in Washington about the growing turmoil in Sudan, fear is heightening here about the uncertain fate of some 700 South Sudanese who the government says must leave the country by the end of the month or face deportation.

Eight months ago, hundreds of migrants welcomed South Sudan’s independence with song and dance in the streets of Tel Aviv. Encouraged by statehood, many of them even accepted Israeli government assistance and plane tickets home.