Norman L. Smith

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Nov 16, 2023, 3:22 AM

Hamas’ Accessories

Most western countries’ laws regard acting as an “accessory after the fact” to a crime as a crime in itself. The elements of this crime generally require knowledge of the perpetrator’s crime and assisting the perpetrator to avoid apprehension...

Nov 1, 2023, 4:52 AM

An Open Letter to Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid M.K.

Dear Member of Knesset Lapid, It is time for you to leave the comforts of the grandstand and follow the leadership of Benny Gantz by entering the arena to help engender and project much needed national unity. Like Gantz, you...

Sep 20, 2022, 10:48 PM

Return to Mamlachtiut

With a fifth election in less than four years looming, many will once again characterize the major issue as: “Bibi yes or Bibi no.” This sound bite misleadingly focuses on Netanyahu the individual rather than the more recent pattern...

Mar 13, 2021, 12:36 AM

Prevention is Better Than Cure

It appears well understood, including by Times of Israel journalists, that the governmental powers Benny Gantz succeeded in negotiating into the coalition agreement (despite diminished leverage) are “enormous” and that consequently, “Netanyahu will most certainly try to oust Gantz” at...

Feb 17, 2021, 6:35 PM

Deja vu all over again

This amusing “Yogi-ism” aptly describes where we find ourselves. Yet another likely inconclusive election which will maintain the status quo: the State of Israel held hostage by a discredited Prime Minister on trial for serious crimes involving dishonesty and...

May 4, 2020, 3:13 AM

It’s Time to Close Ranks

While disappointment at Netanyahu remaining Prime Minister is understandable, the vitriolic criticism of Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi is misguided, unjustified and excessive. It also ignores Israel’s emerging reality and the intractable facts compelling the conclusion that Kachol Lavan...

Sep 5, 2019, 10:28 PM

Understanding the past to guide our future

Comparing the State of Israel to the former South African apartheid system is not only a reckless, harmful and false equivalence, but obscures critical lessons from which Israel can benefit. I was born and raised in South Africa. During the...

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About Me

Norman Smith is a California attorney residing in Raanana and San Diego. He is a fellow of the Wexner Heritage Foundation, serves on the National Board of the Friends of the IDF and is the founder and past Chairman of the San Diego and Orange County Chapters of the Friends of the IDF.