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Elana Kaminka

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Apr 9, 2026, 11:07 AM

The emperor’s old-new clothes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement, April 8, 2026. (GPO screenshot)

Not for the first time, Israelis are supposed to be resilient patriots and trust our leaders' claims about reality after six weeks of war

Sep 27, 2023, 8:52 PM

Learning trust in Basmat Tab’un

My husband and I started a tradition with our first son before his Bar Mitzvah. We set out, just the three of us, and walked a section of the Israel Trail. With my eldest, we trekked from Bet Usishkin...

Nov 24, 2021, 12:30 PM

The US gun algorithm is broken. Just ask the IDF

Illustrative. A swearing-in ceremony for new recruits to the IDF's Armored Corps on May 9, 2013. (Israel Defense Forces/File)

Unlike Kyle Rittenhouse, my son completed months of weapons training in the Israeli army - and he still doesn't have access to his gun if he's not on duty

Sep 20, 2020, 9:06 PM

Propaganda wars: Cavalry vs. blitzkrieg

Did the Polish cavalry charge German tanks, in World War II? (YouTube)

How has QAnon infiltrated the social media of my bubble of educated, liberal, middle-aged Israelis?

Mar 1, 2020, 9:56 PM

We’re asking the wrong questions

Did Bibi accept champagne and cigars from millionaires? Will Gantz form a coalition with the Joint List? Will Liberman give in to the Haredim? These are the questions occupying the press and the minds of Israel’s exhausted citizens as...

Jan 28, 2020, 12:42 AM

A gross interference

PM Netanyahu and his rival of the three-election-stalemate, Benny Gantz, have been summoned to the White House this week, apparently to hear the details of a much-touted peace initiative. Donald Trump, who is notorious for having an attention span...

Jan 26, 2020, 7:39 PM

The darkness that blinds us

A father and daughter examine the damage to the mosque burned in a "Price Tag" attack. Photo credit: Yossi Zamir, Tag Meir.

At a solidarity visit of Jews to the vandalized mosque in Beit Safafa, what can I offer other than my tears?

May 12, 2018, 1:10 AM

What History Can’t Teach Us

"Learn from history", "history repeats itself". The internal logic of these axioms blinds us to an important fact- history gives us insight into only one of the options available to leaders at any crucial junction- the one they chose....

Feb 11, 2018, 1:20 AM

Constructive Dialogue on Asylum Seekers in Israel

The debate over the deportation of asylum seekers in Israel to Rwanda has caused passions to flare and slogans to trump (no pun intended) fact. With the hope of creating a more constructive discussion, I would like to address...

Nov 17, 2016, 11:18 AM

Fire in the Brush

“Everything will be fine now. He didn’t mean most of what he said -- it was just campaign rhetoric. He’s better than Corrupt Hillary. You liberals are ridiculous -- why are you so riled up? Stop being sore losers...

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About Me

Elana Kaminka is an Israeli-American activist based in Israel. Since her firstborn son, Lieutenant Yannai Kaminka (age 20), was killed defending his base in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, Elana has become a voice for moderation and nuance on leading local and international media platforms. She believes that empathy is a muscle and developing it is a critical component of any solution to the conflict in the Middle East.

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