by Ittay Flescher | Feb 12, 2019 | The Big Smoke Arena
NIR MEIR, SECRETARY GENERAL and CEO of the Kibbutz Movement, has publicly rejected claims he is trying to harm Habonim Dror in any way. But his declaration has been met with a sceptical response from people within the Habonim community. Speaking at the Moetza, a public members meeting in a suburb of Ramat Gan last [...] 
by Ittay Flescher | Jan 25, 2019 | The Big Smoke Arena
BENNY GANTZ, WHO HASbeen touted as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s main rival in the upcoming election, has created one of the most controversial and disturbing advertisements of the Israeli elections so far. In an apparent response to being branded as a ‘leftist’ by Likudniks for his statement that Israel should amend the Jewish Nation-State law to [...] 
by Ittay Flescher | Dec 3, 2018 | The Big Smoke Arena
SINCE THE CREATION of the modern State of Israel, West Jerusalem has been its capital. The many religious and cultural artefacts of the city, its golden yellow stone buildings, cafes, nightlife, culture and spirituality have made the city an inspiration for more poems, songs and blessings than most other places on Earth. Malcolm Turnbull and [...] 
by Ittay Flescher | Aug 16, 2018 | The Big Smoke Arena
THE DEBATE ABOUT the purpose of Zionism has never been as vociferous in Israel as it has been since the passing of the controversial nation-state law. Supporters claim it is necessary to enshrine the Jewish character of the state in law; Opponents claim it undermines Israeli democracy through its omission of the words ‘equality, democracy’ [...] 
by Ittay Flescher | Aug 2, 2018 | The Big Smoke Arena
IN THE SUMMER of 2014, Michal Shilor was studying social work. On the night before her final exam on The Components of a Welfare State, she heard kids yelling “Death to Arabs” outside the window of her apartment in the Nachlaot neighbourhood of central Jerusalem. She thought to herself: “How can I be studying for [...] 
