Ruthie Blum

Ruthie Blum is the author of the book "To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the 'Arab Spring.'" A former senior editor at the Jerusalem Post, she is currently a political affairs columnist for Israel Hayom. Originally from New York, she has been living in Israel since 1977.

 Israeli model and right-wing activist Nataly Dadon is seen arriving on the Big Brother reality TV show at Neve Ilan near Jerusalem, on January 12, 2019.

Nataly Dadon and Israel’s ‘enlightened’ misogynists - opinion

 MK Amir Ohana attends the Knesset's Mimouna on April 12, 2023.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana’s welcome words - opinion

 An El Al plane flying above the clouds.

It’s time for El Al to clip some wings - opinion


Is Hamas smelling Israeli weakness? - opinion

There’s no guarantee, therefore, that the legislation “timeout” won’t drag on indefinitely. Will terror organizations act on this opportunity?

 THE VILIFICATION of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and other top officials contributes to the sense on the part of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran that Israel won’t make it much past its upcoming birthday.

Noa Tishby’s deserved dismissal - opinion

As misguided as her portrayal of the situation may be, Tishby is free to share it. But she shouldn’t have expected the government she’s been bashing to want to keep her on as a representative.

 THEN-FOREIGN MINISTER Yair Lapid greets Noa Tishby after her appointment as special envoy to combat antisemitism and delegitimization, last April in Jerusalem.

The Hametz Law and Supreme Court coercion - opinion

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid lambasted the legislation, accusing the coalition of having dismantled the Passover holiday.

 Workers prepare matza, traditional unleavened bread eaten during the 8-day Jewish holiday of Passover, in "Yehuda Matzos" Plant in Jerusalem March 29, 2023.

Herzog's framework is capitulation, not compromise - opinion

Herzog didn’t go on to reprimand the “resistance” for its protests and appeals to foreign governments to delegitimize the state’s democratically elected officials.

 Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends a Honorary Citizenship Ceremony in Tel Aviv, March 13, 2023.

Nakba Day and diversity at the Hebrew University - opinion

Someone ought to fill in these paragons of political correctness that Nakba Day, which signifies and glorifies “tension and escalation,” is antithetical to “inclusive and respectful discourse.”

 STUDENTS CONGREGATE on the Mount Scopus campus of Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Disrupting Israeli democracy - opinion

Like the other demonstrations held recently by the anti-judicial reform movements, this one made a mockery of the concept of democracy.

 Israelis block a road and clash with police as they protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, March 1, 2023.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence is being used as a protest prop - opinion

What got lost in translation is that most of the Israelis swayed by the fear-mongering of the protest leaders have no clue about the history of their own judicial system.

 The declaration of independence on the Tel Aviv city hall.

Israel’s vilified majority isn’t swayed by the protests - opinion

All the protesters really have in common is a shared vision of Israel without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 An Israeli police officer standing near protesters near the Knesset

What Israelis can learn from Sarah Huckabee - opinion

A broader cause for Democrat concern was articulated by Huckabee Sanders. “The dividing line in America is no longer between Right or Left,” she said. “The choice is between normal or crazy.”

U.S. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., April 9, 2018.

A benchmark case of sexual misconduct - opinion

Two facts are indisputable: Himi was unfit to fill his role; and the Bar Association, like the judicial system’s disproportionate power over the Knesset, needs some serious curbing.

 Israel Bar Association Head Avi Himi carries a speach at a rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on January 21, 2023.