Benjamin Kerstein

The facile calls to "end the occupation" misunderstand the powerful strategic and moral goals that underlie Israel's century-long

What made Leonard Cohen so powerful as a modern Jewish artist? BENJAMIN KERSTEIN suggests it might be because

He fought for grand ideas, many of which failed. He maneuvered in politics and

Michel Houellebecq's dystopian novel "Submission" was published on the day of the Charlie Hebdo attacks. As BENJAMIN KERSTEIN writes, the

Mahmoud Abbas’ speech to the United Nations on Wednesday has made the headlines for its seeming rejection of previous agreements

Israel's most nocturnal city truly comes alive when the sun goes down, BENJAMIN KERSTEIN writes. The air is filled with

He has become Israel's most successful American-born public figure—and now has launched himself into the thick

Unpopular, undeterred, undefeatable. Master of the political machine. And soon to be Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. As Benjamin Netanyahu begins his

The Global Pogrom has taken lives, legitimized violence, and spread fear among Jews across Europe and beyond. But as BENJAMIN

The terror attacks in Paris earlier this month led to a historic outpouring of support. But

Operation Protective Edge had a profound effect on the Israeli psyche.
Disillusioned toward the

BENJAMIN KERSTEIN puts the hardest question on the table: Has Jewish life around the

In a quiet corner of Israel’s most secular city lies holy ground: a cemetery containing some of the greatest leaders

Another round of peace talks, another round of failure. BENJAMIN KERSTEIN explores the grinding psychological burden of a conflict that

Ariel Sharon embodied much of what Israelis have come to look for in a leader: Secular, bold, creative, and willing

Twenty years after the dramatic handshake on the White House lawn that heralded

Small countries can contribute a lot to the world cultural stage. BENJAMIN KERSTEIN explores the precedents in the last half-century—and

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A besotted poet, a melody everyone thinks is ripped off, and an ancient people looking for a home; all add