'In spite of our different views, we stand in strong opposition to the new law,' petition reads, while other liberal U.S. Jews warn new law will cause drift toward BDS camp.

Planned phone call comes after complaints by Palestinian officials that they have failed to establish contact with the Trump administration.

French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy's new book, a highly idiosyncratic take on what he sees as the fundamental lesson of Judaism, also offers a surprisingly clueless view of Orthodoxy.

That so few Jews of Middle Eastern or North African origin have advanced in Israeli academia is a sad reflection of systematic, if unintended, discrimination.

Netanyahu, said to be almost euphoric about change in his relations with White House, tells Knesset committee there's a 'change of the highest order' in U.S. view of Iran. With regards to settlements, Netanyahu seeks to avoid unnecessary confrontations.

A bill has across-the-board support in the Knesset, although the Public Defender's Office fears that the move would simply drive prostitution underground.

But does it mean that a brilliant future is in store for Israel?

If the pilot program is a success and women begin serving toward the end of the year, there could eventually be all-female tank crews.