Haviv Rettig Gur, at The Blogs

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Apr 14, 2021, 10:39 AM

When the whole world weeps

Children at a ceremony marking Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror, in Moshav Yashresh, April 13, 2021. The letters form the word 'Yizkor,' 'Remember.' (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

On Memorial Day, we do not grieve alone. We know, in the old, deep ways of knowing, that heaven and earth grieve at our side

Apr 30, 2017, 11:53 PM

In our forgetfulness, we turned our children into heroes

A woman kisses the grave of a fallen soldier on the eve of Memorial Day at the Kiryat Shaul military cemetery in Tel Aviv, Sunday, April 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

On this day, we realize that our fallen soldiers did not really understand what they were giving up. For us

Jan 5, 2017, 9:47 PM

I will not turn the other cheek

Elor Azaria hugging his mother and father in Jaffa military court on July 5, 2016. (screen capture: Channel 2)

He'll go to the mat for Israel's judges, but he won't hand over his sons to defend a nation that doesn't deserve it

Aug 1, 2016, 8:55 PM

When ‘Israel’ matters — but Israelis don’t

The Jewish historian who said she's done with Israel managed to gloss over a century of genocide and expulsion

Jun 5, 2016, 5:08 PM

Jerusalem of iron

Israelis wave national flags as they take part in an annual march marking Israel's 1967 capture and subsequent annexation of the eastern half of Jerusalem, outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on June 5, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / AHMAD GHARABLI)

On the jubilation of return and the cost of clinging to a place that is holy to so many

May 18, 2016, 4:24 PM

My cousin’s cousin

Genetics tell us how connected Jews and Arabs are -- but then, we already knew that, didn't we?

Aug 28, 2015, 4:26 PM

A letter to those fuming that I’m a ‘leftist’

So many people have responded to my article on our bloody summer with thoughtful criticism, serious questions and kind support that I'm still trying to read it all. To all of you, thank you. Thank you for being my...

May 18, 2015, 3:02 PM

Jerusalem is a port city

Words of love, praise and awe for the city Yehuda Amichai called 'Venice of God'

Apr 29, 2015, 9:02 PM

Israel doesn’t care what you think

Delivering emergency relief to a devastated Nepal is not a bid for anyone's affection

Jul 23, 2014, 10:47 AM

Did Birthright kill Max?

That time an American Jewish journalist found herself unable to imagine what could drive another American Jew to join their fate to Israel's

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About Me

Haviv Rettig Gur is The Times of Israel's senior analyst.