Category Archives: OPINION

Sa’ar’s new budget is the first step toward correcting 77 years of mistakes in neglecting Israel’s effort to explain itself to the world, which is more important than ever. By GIL HOFFMAN JANUARY 3, 2025 14:28 GIDEON SA’AR (photo credit: Shalev Mann) There was a movie in 1985 called Brewster’s Millions, in which Richard Pryor played minor league pitcher Montgomery “Monty” Brewster, who accepted a challenge to spend $30 million in 30 days in order to inherit $300 million from his great uncle. Thirty years later, new Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar finds himself in a similar place. Once the state budget passes into law, Sa’ar will receive $150 million for Israeli public diplomacy – half of what Brewster won, but 20 times more than the pathetic amount the government previously

Experts point to maladministration and decaying infrastructure as reasons for Joburg’s failure to achieve world-class status. As City of Joburg mayor Dada Morero this week reflected on challenges and resilience in his year-end appraisal of the metro’s performance, experts yesterday said Joburg has struggled to live up to its aspirations of being a world-class city. At the core of challenges faced by Johannesburg is its failure to address its financials, water security and decaying infrastructure. In his 2024 assessment of the city’s performance, Morero said the city was marked by “challenges and resilience” – conceded that pressing issues included the ongoing strain on infrastructure, especially water systems, “which has resulted in significant service interruptions in various parts of the city”. Joburg marked with ‘challenges and resilience’ “This has tested our

Money may earn a commission when you click on the products and services below. Opinions are our own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how they appear. Learn more about how we make money. When shopping, do you opt for quality (buying a few expensive items with long lifespans) or quantity (picking up several cheaper options even though you know they won’t last)? Your answer to this question can say a lot about the state of your overall finances as well as your personality, new research suggests. While low price tags may initially lure quantity-focused shoppers, these folks tend to spend more in the moment and accrue more debt in the long run. “Buying more [things] makes it harder to track spending,” says Rodrigo Dias, an assistant marketing

We owe it to our brothers and sisters to bring them home, now. Their candle isn’t out yet. By JPOST EDITORIAL DECEMBER 27, 2024 05:54 Former hostages speak at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. (photo credit: Paulina Patimer) It may sound like a broken record to say, but it will be necessary until it happens: The hostages have to come home. Not only that – the hostages must come home so they can begin to heal. Those who are still alive are living in “inhumane conditions, including physical, emotional, and psychological torture,” reads a draft report by the Health Ministry, which was published on Thursday. The report is currently nearly completed. Next, it will go to the Justice Ministry for final touches before it is submitted to the United Nations to

Whatever path forward is chosen, the Houthis will need to suffer more serious blows because, currently, they feel emboldened. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN DECEMBER 24, 2024 14:46 A Houthi pictured at a rally to show support for the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen December 20, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH) Overnight, the Iranian-backed Houthis launched a ballistic missile at Israel. This is the fourth attack in two weeks. There were also Houthi missile attacks on December 21, December 19, and December 16. The Houthis are increasing their attacks and showing they are not deterred by Israel’s strikes or Israel’s rhetoric. Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Arrow air defense battery that intercepted the missile overnight. “We will not accept the fact that the Houthis continue to fire at the State

In the heart of Ghana’s Birim North District, Newmont’s Akyem Mine stands as a beacon of opportunity and inclusion, empowering local community members to thrive. Among these stories of transformation is that of Dorcas Oppong, a determined woman from the Afosu community, whose journey embodies Newmont’s unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. Dorcas joined Newmont one and a half years ago through the Learnership Programme after working for seven years with ATS, Newmont’s former catering services provider. Her career took a remarkable turn when she witnessed women operating heavy machinery at Newmont’s site. “I saw the women operating the machines and thought, this machine, and this single human being—come to talk of a lady—is operating it. Then I thought, I would also like to sit in the same machine one

There is a general mood that the future is brighter than the immediate past, bringing unique opportunities to chart a positive momentum.  By ROBERT SINGER DECEMBER 20, 2024 16:30 Israelis protest for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip near Yokneam, northern Israel, November 30, 2024. (photo credit: Dor Pazuelo/Flash90) As 2024 draws to a close, the latest survey conducted by the Center for Jewish Impact, in collaboration with the Geocartography Knowledge Group, paints a sobering yet insightful picture of Israeli public sentiment.  The survey, which canvassed 500 Israeli men and women across diverse sectors of society, reveals both pressing concerns and glimpses of hope, capturing a nation navigating complex challenges at home and abroad.  One of the most striking findings from the survey is the widespread

So many are suffering from the consequences that war has; not only war, but watching friends, family, and loved ones be decimated on October 7. By JPOST EDITORIAL DECEMBER 20, 2024 05:54 Tired pensive military man feeling worry and despair overhead view. Psychological trauma and PTSD treatment at therapy session. Tired pensive military man feeling worry and despair overhead view (photo credit: INGIMAGE) A handful of research, reviews, and data have come out in the aftermath of October 7, exposing the mental health crisis Israel is currently experiencing, and it is devastating. Out of the thousands of lone soldiers who have served in the reserves since the start of the war and who need treatment, only 500 have received treatment. The Hostage Family Forum revealed that the psychological harm of

In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations increasingly recognize that employee experience (EX) is critical in driving long-term growth and success.  Employee experience encompasses every interaction an employee has with their workplace, from onboarding and career development to recognition and work-life balance.  Prioritising EX isn’t just about keeping employees happy—it’s about fostering a culture that supports engagement, productivity, and innovation. In this blog, we’ll explore why investing in employee experience is key to organizational growth. Boosting Employee Engagement and Productivity Employee engagement is a vital contributor to productivity and business success. Engaged employees are more motivated, committed, and willing to go the extra mile to help their organization succeed. By investing in a positive employee experience, businesses can improve engagement levels, enhancing productivity. Offering personalized benefits, recognition, and career development opportunities

“We believe that the entire matter of establishing a commission of inquiry should be addressed after the war ends,” the government representative’s said. By URI SELLA DECEMBER 11, 2024 12:45 The Nova Massacre Scene (photo credit: Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90) The High Court of Justice discussed a petition on Wednesday calling for the establishment of a National Commission of Inquiry into the events of October 7.  Relatives of October 7 victims and hostages held in Gaza captivity were present at the discussion. Among them were Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, and Ilana Gritzewesky, his partner. They were joined by Eyal Eshel, the father of Roni Eshel, an IDF observer who was killed on October 7, and Chagit Chen, the mother of Itay Chen, whose body is held in

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 What you need to know: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights would, seven decades later, become the backbone of justice systems worldwide, ending epochs of unquestioned barbarism, under which countless injustices had been perpetuated. International Human Rights Day marks 74 years today, having first been observed on December 10, 1950, exactly two years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was promulgated on the same date, December 10, 1948. Thus today is a very important day globally, as, using the words of the United Nations, “it commemorates the anniversary of one of the world’s most ground-breaking global pledges (UDHR).” This ground-breaking pledge is of utmost importance as it protects everyone from the dangers and possibilities of being treated as less human or as less deserving

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), has nominated Rawhi Fattouh to take over if he cannot continue in his post due to poor health. As Israel continued its war on Gaza – killing more than 44,000 people and injuring and starving countless others – criticism of Abbas and his presidency heightened. Abbas, 89, who also leads the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), was elected president of the PA in 2005, a year after then-leader Yasser Arafat died. So why is he nominating a successor now and how would the succession process go? Rawhi Fattouh arrives to attend the inauguration ceremony of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkiye on June 2, 2023 [Metin Aktas/Anadolu via Getty] First, what’s the Palestinian Authority? The PA was established as an interim

If you care about Israel’s future—and I know you do—then it’s time to act. Meet with the rabbis. Challenge them. Urge them to find solutions.   By ZVIKA KLEIN NOVEMBER 21, 2024 21:23 Using donations to force change in Haredi draft row. (photo credit: Dall-E) I recently returned from a visit to the United States—a fascinating time to be there, fresh off the 2024 presidential elections, with the Trump administration gearing up for its second act. One morning, I found myself praying in a modern Orthodox synagogue. As the service concluded, the rabbi announced that a rabbi from Israel, representing a haredi yeshiva, had come to collect donations.   Normally, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. After all, supporting Torah learning is a deeply ingrained value in Jewish

John Prescott, who has died aged 86, was a figurehead of New Labour, who was also instinctively sceptical of some of its instincts. He was a bridgehead to Labour’s traditional working class roots who saw the value in, and indeed personified, championing the aspirations of the less well off. His value to Tony Blair, who swept to a landslide victory in 1997 and went on to win two further elections with Prescott at his side, was that he could reassure and lead those within Labour sceptical of its movement towards the centre. He was also a binding agent, skilled at holding the party and its sometimes warring factions together. It is not hard to see the parallels between then and now, when we once again have a plain-speaking working class