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  The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredim) Community in Israel: A Detailed Analysis The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, often referred to as Haredim, plays a significant role in the sociopolitical landscape of Israel. Historically a smaller minority, this community has gained increasing political influence and social visibility in recent years. Their rise has created tensions between them and the largely secular and liberal segments of Israeli society. These tensions stem from issues related to political power, economic benefits, military service exemptions, and broader cultural divisions. A. Political Representation:  Which Political Parties Represent the Haredim? The Haredi community is represented by two primary political parties in the Israeli Knesset (parliament): 1. Shas – A party that primarily represents Sephardic and Mizrahi Haredi Jews. 2. United Torah Judaism (UTJ) – A party that primarily represents Ashkenazi Haredi Jews, with UTJ itself being a coalition of two ...

  Who is Dr. Karnit Flug. Dr. Karnit Flug is an Israeli economist who served as the Governor of the Bank of Israel from 2013 to 2018, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Currently, she is the Vice President of Research at the Israel Democracy Institute and a Senior Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Brief Background: Flug was born in Poland in 1955 and immigrated to Israel as a child. She earned her BA in Economics from the Hebrew University and a PhD in Economics from Columbia University in New York. She joined the Bank of Israel in 1988 and held various leadership roles, eventually becoming Deputy Governor and later Governor . Flug is widely respected for her expertise in monetary policy , labor markets , and fiscal policy. Contributions and Expertise: Flug is known for her work in macroeconomic policy , focusing on monetary stability, fiscal responsibility , and structural reforms . She has played a crucial role in shaping Israel’s economic resp...

  Key Points from the Interview: 1. Ongoing Conflict and Casualties: Israel's bombardment of Lebanon has displaced about 500,000 people. On Wednesday alone, 72 people were killed, bringing the death toll in recent days to over 620. Israel has rejected an international call for a 21-day ceasefire. Mahdi Amel ,  who was a Marxist intellectual. And he wrote this a few months after the 1982 invasion of Beirut. And he writes: " They said that the war in Lebanon would be swift and that in a few days those who have not knelt and who understand only the language of force would kneel. They declared that there would be no salaam, but shalom, and that Israel is the Rome of our modern times. To the kings of Israel, to the scum of our nation and our foul Arab regimes, to the petty fascists and to their imperialist masters, we say: It pleases us to spit in your faces. We will fight you even with our nails. Our fists are the compass of history. And the bullet of our freedom will pierce your...

  The Hub News, Notes, Talk Read the last words of writer Heba Abu Nada, who was killed last week by an Israeli airstrike. By  Dan Sheehan October 24, 2023, 11:54am Novelist, poet, and educator Heba Abu Nada, a beloved figure in the Palestinian literary community and the author of  Oxygen is Not for the Dead , was killed by an Israeli airstrike on Friday. She was thirty-two years old. In her  final tweet , written in Arabic on October 8, the author wrote: “Gaza’s night is dark apart from the glow of rockets, quiet apart from the sound of the bombs, terrifying apart from the comfort of prayer, black apart from the light of the martyrs. Good night, Gaza.” Abu Nada was educated at Islamic University, Gaza, where she was awarded a bachelor’s degree of biochemistry. She went on to received a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from Al-Azhar University, Gaza. In 2017, Abu Nada won the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity for  Oxygen is Not for the Dead . This is o...

  De-Dollarization Overview De-dollarization refers to the process where countries reduce their reliance on the US dollar for international trade and reserves . This shift has been accelerated due to several key geopolitical and economic factors , including the Russo-Ukrainian war, U.S. monetary policy , and rising multipolarity in global geopolitics . Key Drivers of De-Dollarization 1. Geopolitical Shifts: Russo-Ukrainian War:  The sanctions imposed by Western countries, particularly on Russia, have forced it to seek alternatives to the U.S. dollar. Russia has expanded trade in local currencies (like the ruble and yuan) with key partners like China and India. US Sanctions and Trade Wars: Countries facing sanctions (such as Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea) are seeking alternative currencies or methods to circumvent dollar-based transactions. This has bolstered efforts for de-dollarization, particularly in the case of Russia and China. 2. Fed Interest Rate Hikes/Cuts: ...

  Israel's credit rating was at A1 before it was downgraded to A2 . The recent downgrades to A3 and then to Baa1 reflect the escalating economic and geopolitica l challenges the country is facing¹². Main Factors Behind the Downgrade 1. Geopolitical Risks:  The ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have significantly increased geopolitical risks¹² . The potential for a wider regional conflict involving Iran and other powers has further exacerbated these risks¹. 2. Economic Costs of War: The financial burden of the prolonged conflict is substantial. Government spending has surged , and sectors like tourism , agriculture , and construction have been severely impacted¹² . The estimated war costs through the end of next year are around $66 billion , which is more than 12% of Israel's GDP¹. 3. Budget Deficit and Debt:   Israeli's budget deficit is projected to reach 6% in 2024 and 7.5% in 2025, significantly surpassing previous targets². The d...

  Overview of Israel's Agriculture Sector 1. Total Cultivated Land: - Approximately 29.7% of Israel's land is used for agriculture¹. The country has a mix of desert in the south and more fertile , rain-fed areas in the north . 2. Main Crops - Fruits and Vegetables: Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. - Field Crops: Wheat, barley, and corn. - Flowers: Israel is a significant exporter of flowers, especially to Europe¹. In 2022, Israel ranked 9th among the countries in the world in the value of its flower exports which totaled almost $89 million .  The flowers grown most commonly are Chamelaucium (waxflower) , followed by roses , which are grown on 250 hectares ( 620 acres) of land.  In addition to flowers favored in the West such as lilies , roses , and tulips , Israel exports desert varieties . It has become a major player in the global floral industry, especially as a supplier of traditional European flowers during the wi...