Every few weeks, Meretz USA's staff writes a news update, analyzing and summarizing recent news events, and linking to news articles selected from those posted daily on the Meretz USA website. Below, you will find an archive of these analyses, with the most recent on top. We invite you, after reading these news analyses, to send us your reactions or suggestions about what you'd like to see us write about in future weeks. You can send these suggestions to mail@meretzusa.org.

News

An Aversion to Conversion

The tragically divisive "conversion bill", now making its way through the Knesset, rightfully has American Jews up in arms. If passed, the bill would reinforce the State-sanctioned religious monopoly already held in Israel by the Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox (haredi) minority and further distance the country from the "freedom of religion" guaranteed by its Declaration of Independence.

But the blistering response to the bill issued this week by the Reform and Conservative movements, as well as the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the American Jewish Committee, also demonstrates a curious irony in the American Jewish-Israel relationship: It's apparently acceptable to slam the Israeli government, as long as it's about policy within the Green Line, not beyond it.

In Memory of Rabbi Bruce Cohen, Interns for Peace

Rabbi Bruce Cohen died on August 3, 2010. A Reform Rabbi, he was the founder and long-time director of Interns For Peace which strove to improve relations between Jews and Arabs in Israel and beyond. Many members of Meretz USA were involved with and supported IFP over the years and knew Bruce Cohen personally. Dina Charnin, a new board member of Meretz USA, worked as an IFP intern and also in the NY office in the early-mid 1980's.

Meretz’s Summer of Renewal

Meretz renewal campaign logo
Still smarting from the drubbing it received at the polls in the February 2009 elections, Israel's New Movement-Meretz party has marked the summer of 2010 as its time of renewal.

Spearheading a membership drive that ends on August 30, Meretz leaders - including MKs Chaim Oron, Nitzan Horowitz and Ilan Gilon, and former MKs Naomi Chazan, Abu Vilan and Mossi Raz - have been crisscrossing the country, addressing crowds large and small, seeking to solidify the party's base and re-grow its rank and file.

It won't be easy, but it's crucial that the party succeed, since Meretz today represents the last true bastion of progressive Zionism in Israel's Knesset (notwithstanding the smattering of progressives in Labor and Kadima).

Israel's Secular-Religious Divide: A Geological Case Study

When I was studying Earth science back in the 10^th grade, learning to identify the characteristics of various rocks and minerals, I never imagined that, one day, this seemingly bland branch of scientific inquiry could become the generator of political controversy.

Why we criticize

Meretz USA's statement earlier this week on the Gaza flotilla incident generated plenty of strong reaction. We appreciate all your feedback during these trying times.

Liberal Zionism, Illiberal Israel

In a landmark essay published last week in The New York Review of Books, Prof. Peter Beinart profiles an American Jewish establishment in deep denial.

The blockade of Gaza: Nutmeg and national security

In response to a court petition by the Israeli NGO, Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, the government of Israel has for the first time admitted that it has specific written guidelines for its Gaza Strip blockade which outline which goods it will, and which it will not, allow into Gaza, and in what quantities.

Does proximity bring us any closer to peace?

By Meretz USA Executive Director, Ron Skolnik

Proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians are set to begin next week. Now hit the snooze button.

I don't mean to be snide, or to belittle the sincere efforts of President Obama and his team. And I don't even mean to say that no talks are better for the Middle East than the upcoming indirect ones. Communication trumps violence any time.

The Threat of Deportation from the West Bank

Last week, Haaretz correspondent, Amira Hass, reported on two new IDF orders that amend the legal definition of the terms "infiltrator" and "infiltration" with regard to the occupied West Bank (not including East Jerusalem).

The security establishment vs. the fourth estate?

Following the lifting of a four-month gag order, Israel's print and electronic media were finally permitted this week to report on the case of Anat Kam, the former IDF soldier who had been under secret house arrest since December on charges of "serious espionage".

According to press reports, Kam provided "highly classified" documents to Haaretz journalist, Uri Blau, who used them to reveal, in 2008, that the IDF had approved assassinations in the West Bank in defiance of High Court of Justice guidelines.