Herb Keinon

Herb Keinon is a senior contributing editor and analyst, writing extensively on diplomacy, politics and Israeli society.

He has been at the paper for 35 years, 20 of those as its diplomatic correspondent, and during this time has covered up close the major stories that have shaped the nation for more than three decades: from the first intifada to the withdrawal from Gaza; the massive immigration of Soviet Jews to the Rabin assassination; the Ariel Sharon premiership to that of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Keinon also writes a popular monthly "light" column on daily life in Israel. A collection of these columns, French Fries in Pita, was published in 2014.

Keinon lectures widely in Israel and around the world on political and diplomatic developments in the country.

Originally from Denver, Keinon has a BA in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an MA in journalism from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

Here, Dermer sit alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in July in Arlington, Virginia.

Ron Dermer steps out of Israel's power center, leaving a void in Jerusalem's US diplomacy

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa in the White House, Washington, DC, November 10, 2025

From pariah to partner: What the Trump–Sharaa meeting means for Israel - analysis

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/

Trump aims for Middle East recalibration with Syria, Saudi Arabia at the center - analysis


Trump’s Middle East plan: Big dreams, grand vision - but lacking details for success

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Trump’s ambitious peace plan for the Middle East offers bold goals but lacks crucial details. Can the grand vision succeed without the specifics needed for real change?

DOES THE West underestimate how ideology shapes lives in the Middle East? Here, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, flanked by US Vice President JD Vance (left) and Jared Kushner, speaks during a press conference following a military briefing at the Civil-Military Coordination Center on Tuesday in Kirya

In bid to secure fragile Gaza peace, Donald Trump sends VP Vance to Israel - analysis

Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel underscores the US's urgency to preserve the Gaza ceasefire and prevent renewed conflict with Hamas.

US Vice President JD Vance speaks to members of the media in Kiryat Gat, Israel, October 21, 2025.

Campaign season begins as Knesset winter session opens – analysis

While the government should last until 2026, few believe that it will last that long.

Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Knesset plenum on October 20, 2025.

What trials and punishments await Hamas's Nukhba terrorists in Israeli prisons? - analysis

The question of what should happen to the terrorists who committed the October 7 massacre remains at large. Now, after the release of the final living hostages, it will finally begin to be answered.

Hamas Nukhba Battalion terrorists who were captured on October 7th massacre seen in a jail cell at a prison in central Israel, where high risk Hamas and Hezbollah prisoners captured in recent war are being held, March 4, 2025.

Trump's friendship leaves Israel with little room to act as it needs

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Strong support from one president or one party is a valuable asset. However, Trump will not be in the White House forever.

EVENTS OF the past week explain why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was desperate for Donald Trump to return to the White House ahead of former vice president Kamala Harris.

IDF must ensure lessons of October 7 massacre are not lost amid the ceasefire's calm - analysis

As Israel enforces the Gaza ceasefire, every violation must be met with swift action. The early response will shape the future of peace and deter further Hamas provocations.

IDF soldiers prepare their weapons on a tank at a temporary army base opposite the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.

After the hostages’ return, Trump the director takes his bow in the Knesset - analysis

“You’ve won,” Trump told Israel, “and now you can build, you can do things you never even thought possible.”

US President Donald Trump addressing the Knesset in Israel, following the release of the last 20 living hostages from Gaza, October 13, 2025.

Hoshana Raba: A day of salvation and return for Israel's hostages - analysis

On Hoshana Raba, the final day of Sukkot, Israel celebrates the return of hostages after two years in captivity.

A woman in the colors of the US flag holds up a placard thanking US President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square on October 9, 2025

Sentiments on Trump and Netanyahu clash at the square - analysis

Why does the same crowd that cheers for Trump boo for Netanyahu?

Activists gather at Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, October 11, 2025.

A time to recover: Israel's longest war ends in relief and more questions

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Two years after October 7, Israel’s longest war ends not in euphoria but in weary relief – and with questions that will define what the ‘day after’ truly means.

OMER SHEM TOV and Amit Soussana delivered a message to the hostages still in Gaza.