Arthur Koll, at The Blogs

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Sep 15, 2020, 3:28 PM

Trump’s Balkan agreement may harm Israel. Why did Netanyahu agree?

US President Donald Trump watches as Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti (R) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (L) sign an agreement on opening economic relations, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2020. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

The deal ruffles feathers all around with no firm certainty 2 new embassies will open in Jerusalem. Embracing it was a political favor to Trump.

Jan 21, 2020, 7:38 AM

Israel, Trump’s White House & American Jewry

As we enter the new decade, the time is right to ask how Israel can amend ties with the mostly liberal American Jewish community, while safeguarding strong relations with the White House. This is especially urgent in light of...

Apr 8, 2019, 8:28 PM

Israel Elections Redux

A single question will determine the outcome of tomorrows national elections. After all of the twists and turns, the fundamental decision of the voters remains unchanged. Should Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should serve a fifth term or not? Until calling...

Mar 10, 2018, 6:45 PM

The Polish Holocaust law – what next?

The unnecessary ‘Holocaust law’ passed by the Polish Parliament and supported by its government and president has caused significant damage, placing a wedge between Poland and Israel and the Jewish people. Irrespective of how often Polish leaders claim that the...

Mar 1, 2018, 7:24 AM

Israel must lead with the Left

True democracy is based on a changeover of governments, in which parties alternate between the opposition and government within reasonable periods of time. This ensures that different sectors in society receive expression via the government. If the changeover fails to...

Feb 28, 2018, 12:05 AM

All is not quiet on the Syrian front

The downing of an Israeli fighter aircraft by Syria’s air defense system represents an operational and propaganda success for the Assad regime. The wider picture, however, is much more complex. One take on the recent escalation is that the...

Dec 6, 2017, 5:57 AM

Tensions rise in the Middle East

The Middle East has entered a period of unusually high tensions. Currently, it appears as if there are far more threats than opportunities, and the risk of military clashes has risen. A clear example of the volatility of the situation...

Oct 1, 2017, 4:12 PM

From North Korea to Iran; the forces of global instability gain momentum

Two speeches delivered at this year's UN General Assembly attracted widespread attention, and contain clues about the world's two most potentially volatile, brewing confrontations. The speeches relate to developing crises with Iran and North Korea, and the US will...

Jun 28, 2017, 10:12 PM

A sledge-hammer blow to American Jewry

The cancellation by the Israeli government of the 2016 decision to create an egalitarian prayer plaza at the Western Wall has caused significant harm to the image of a strong alliance between Diaspora Jewry and the State of Israel. The...

Jun 5, 2017, 5:50 PM

How six decisive days spawned fifty years of indecision

The lasting legacy and central remnant of the Six Day War is the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, which continues to fester, and to divide Israeli society. Fifty years after the start of the Six Day War, it is worth reviewing...

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About Me

Ambassador Arthur Koll is the former Deputy Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He concluded his service as the head of the Media and Public Affairs Division. He is a former Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Serbia and to Montenegro and served as instructor of the National Defense College. Mr. Koll also served as Consul of the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta, USA. Ambassador Koll is a Senior Diplomatic Advisor to The MirYam Institute. Follow their work at Www.MirYamInstitute.Org