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, the prime minister addresses the media on Sunday.

Netanyahu's biggest gamble: A final push into Gaza to repair Israel's broken image

Not everything you love you want all at once, says the writer.

‘What time is Shabbat over?’ - A new understanding - opinion

COULD PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with his desire to militarily occupy all of Gaza, now be telegraphing his moves to the enemy, to the benefit of Hamas? Here, the PM speaks during an event at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem last month.

Strategic mess or strategic mask? Israel's government, military at odds over occupying Gaza


Sa’ar at the UN: Clear, urgent, and barely heard - analysis

Sa’ar said the right things, but in a world where Hamas’s word is often trusted and Israel’s is doubted, there's no guarantee it will matter.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a stakeout before attending a Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York City, U.S., August 5, 2025.

Herzog heads north: Israel’s Baltic outreach in increasingly hostile EU - analysis

Herzog’s visit to these three small EU states, with a combined population of 6.1 million, reflects Israel’s effort to secure dependable allies as its standing in Western Europe declines.

Israel President Isaac Herzog and President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, August 4, 2025.

Israel's left and right are both making Jewish state a global pariah - analysis

Israel’s international standing is being battered from both ends of its political spectrum. The far Right undermines it with reckless belligerence; the far Left corrodes it with moral preening.

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir seen at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, July 17, 2025

Gaza Disengagement, revisited: Sharon’s gamble, Israel’s price

Disengagement was sold not just as a diplomatic move, but as a security one. Pulling out of Gaza, Ariel Sharon argued, would save lives.

Former prime minister Ariel Sharon is seen in an archive image taken during the 1980s

Gaza's strategic disaster: Israel risks leaving identity in the hands of its enemies

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Diplomatic isolation and viral imagery are shaping global perceptions. Without a coherent narrative and strategy, Israel is losing control of the story.

A Palestinian flag flies in front of Downing Street as Starmer convened an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss his government’s policies on Gaza, on Tuesday in London.

Behind the curtain: Iran's unseen influence on Gaza talks - analysis

The ceasefire deal that was thought to be imminent following the IDF's success in Iran has collapsed. Instead of giving Hamas the green light to deal, it seems that Tehran sent word to double down.

Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

UN’s push for Palestinian statehood ignores Israel’s security concerns - analysis

Despite the trauma of October 7, diplomats continue to push for the outdated two-state solution, ignoring new realities and Israel's security concerns.

IRONICALLY, ALTERNATIVES to a two-state solution don’t necessarily provide any sort of protection from the violence against Israel.

A red line: Gaza starvation, int'l legitimacy force Israel's hand in aid policy - analysis

The shift reflects a growing realization in Jerusalem that Israel’s goals cannot be achieved without preserving a degree of international legitimacy.

Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, July 27, 2025

Hamas gambles with Gaza’s future, leaving Israel with the blame

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: How international condemnation of Israel gives Hamas hope and a reason to keep dragging its feet.

Some Gazans reportedly are going days without food. Hamas could end their misery immediately by agreeing to a ceasefire deal that’s on the table, but has yet to. Here, people make their way along al-Rashid street in western Jabalya on Tuesday, toward trucks carrying humanitarian aid.

Why Likud booting Edelstein will come back to bite it? - analysis

While Edelstein has given no indication of his next political move and has remained loyal to the Likud, it is not inconceivable that he seeks a new political home.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on February 12, 2023.