Like many Israeli politicians, Ron Dermer is an unapologetic defender of Israel’s actions, even if it might mean being undiplomatic. But like a seasoned diplomat, Dermer -- senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- knows his way through Washington’s backchannels and has cultivated relationships with senior US policymakers. Most important, say those who know him, he has Netanyahu’s ear. “Netanyahu likes him, respects him and listens to him,” said Uzi Arad, …More

Chicago Mayor and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend, taking to task the Israeli leader’s betrayal of the Obama administration. Not only was Emanuel angry about proposed settlement expansions and the cutoff of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority, he was also irate that Netanyahu would back challenger Mitt Romney in the recent elections. Israeli paper Ynet Monday reported: “The tension between the prime minister and …More

French police today arrested two alleged accomplices of gunman Mohamed Merah, whose shooting spree in Toulouse resulted in the death of three Jewish children and a rabbi. [Ynet] Orthodox Jews continue to clash with the New York City Department of Health over a proposed parental consent form for infant circumcision warning about the dangers of herpes. [NPR] Though outnumbered and outspent, a small team dubbed the "Jewish Media Hub" worked tirelessly to get Barack Obama reelected. [Times of …More

U.S. Rep. Bob Filner was elected the mayor of San Diego. Filner (D-Calif.), who is Jewish, won 51.5 percent of the vote on Tuesday to edge his Republican opponent, City Councilman Carl DeMaio, who had 48.5 percent. DeMaio conceded to Filner on Wednesday. Filner, 70, will be leaving the House of Representatives after serving 10 years; he is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He will be the first Democrat in 20 years to serve as mayor of San Diego, America's eighth most-populated city. A veteran …More

The election has not put an end to debate on how and why the Jewish vote went the way it did. [Times of Israel] Is Sheldon Adelson the election's biggest loser? [Tablet] Israel officials are appealing Olmert's corruption conviction. [Times of Israel] A man who was once thought to be the killer of Eitan Patz has been re-arrested, just after his release from prison. [Reuters] The "Ten Commandments Judge" is back in Alabama. [Reuters] Some Israeli MK's are considering putting legal marijuana to the test, …More

Four new Jewish Representatives entered the House last night, while four Senators up for reelection retained their seats for a new term. Combined with the Congressmen and women who weren’t on the ballot this year, that brings the tally to 11 Jews in Senate and 22 in the House of Representatives. Democrats Bill Schneider, Alan Lowenthal, Lois Frankel, and Alan Grayson were each elected to the House, in Illinois, California, and the last two in Florida, respectively. Grayson has served as a Representative …More

Jewish groups gave congratulations to the president this morning, wishing Barack Obama well in his second term and urging a bipartisan approach for the next four years. “The entire world witnessed again a cardinal foundation of American democracy, free elections, and the eagerness of citizens across the country to cast their votes,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “We wish President Obama every success in his second term, and salute Governor Romney for his record of public service and …More

Rob Lattin is Jspace News' Foreign Affairs Correspondent. In addition to covering foreign affairs for Jspace, Rob is a blogger on Israeli and Middle Eastern foreign policy for the Foreign Policy Association, as well as a freelance writer. He can be reached by email at rob@jspacecorp.com. The election is over and the incumbent President Barack Obama has come out victorious. This should come as a huge relief to those Jews who are basing their vote on foreign policy. As stated in previous articles, Massachusetts …More

Jewish groups are already analyzing data from last night’s election, as a reported 69 to 70 percent of Jewish voters cast their ballot for President Obama. That figure is based on exit polls and shows a decrease from 2008’s exit poll, when Obama took 78 percent of the Jewish vote. The Republican Jewish Coalition pointed to what it called an “erosion” in the traditionally Democrat-controlled Jewish demographic. “The trend in the Jewish community is unmistakable. In five of the last …More

As results were still coming in on the US election last night, Israeli leaders were waking up to the news that President Barack Obama will have four more years in the White House. It was an announcement met with general applause, though several Knesset members cautioned tighter diplomacy is needed in continuing the US-Israeli relationship. Most eyes, however, were trained on how Israeli Prime Minisiter Benjamin Netanyahu would react. Obama and Netanyahu maintain a close alliance, though media reports have …More

The Arab response to Barack Obama is one of congratulations and expectations that Arab interests will be furthered. [Times of Israel] Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair sees Obama’s victory as an opening for new Middle East peace talks. [YNet] After the election, Jewish organizations are now focusing on the fiscal troubles that the United States faces. [JPost] Some Jewish think tanks are concerned that the 70 percent of Jewish Americans who voted for Obama illustrate a disconnect between American …More

Rahm Emmanuel predicts strong ties with Israel over the next four years, in a potential Obama second term. [Times of Israel] How important is the Jewish vote? [Algemeiner] Israeli MK's take sides in the US election. [Jerusalem Post] How a Jewish statistician changed the way polling looks. [Tablet] Israel is becoming a leader in medical marijuana research. [Algemeiner] Israel considers funding punishment against Palestine for its continued UN bid. [Reuters] A synagogue in Louisiana has cut ties with the …More