Along with several Times colleagues in Jerusalem, I cover Israeli politics, society and culture. I also cover Palestinian affairs with a focus on the Palestinian minority in Israel. I am particularly interested in political, societal and generational change in Israel and how the various sectors of the population interconnect and compete for influence in a deeply divided country facing significant domestic and external challenges, and where there is no separation of religion and state. I write news stories, analysis pieces and more colorful features. To do so, I interact with officials and people from all walks of Israeli life, often traveling around the country. I also follow Israeli popular culture and enjoy writing stories about cultural events that stir internal debate.
I joined The Times’s Jerusalem bureau in 2007 after 17 years as a journalist for other news outlets, primarily covering Palestinian affairs for The Jerusalem Report, an independent magazine. I have been based in Jerusalem for more than 30 years. I was born, raised and educated in England. I speak fluent Hebrew and working Arabic. Over the years I have covered wars, Palestinian uprisings and rounds of peace talks, multiple elections and the 2019 Eurovision contest in Tel Aviv. I have also covered Israeli movies, television and exhibits that have had an impact locally or have been of wider interest. I have written two books, most recently “The Land of Hope and Fear: Israel’s Battle for Its Inner Soul.”
All Times journalists are committed to upholding the standards of integrity outlined in our Ethical Journalism Handbook. Covering the Israeli-Palestinian story comes with particular challenges, given the conflicting narratives going back many decades and the passionate, clashing agendas held by many of the people living this story and observing it. Aware that every word counts in such a charged environment, I always strive to be accurate, honest and fair. I try to take constructive criticism while blocking out superfluous noise. After so many years covering this story, I try to remain humble, to listen and to learn. There is always more to learn.
Email: [email protected]
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The World Food Program delivery, containing food for 25,000 people, was the first since Oct. 7 to go directly from Israel into the northern Gaza Strip, where many people are at risk of starvation.
By Adam Rasgon, Lars Dolder, Victoria Kim and Michael Levenson
This was featured in live coverage.
By Lars Dolder, Adam Rasgon and Adam Sella
The United Nations experts also said that they had “clear and convincing information” that hostages seized in Israel on Oct. 7 had been sexually abused in Gaza, and that they had looked into reports of abuse of Palestinians in Israeli detention.
By Farnaz Fassihi and Isabel Kershner
Inspired by the unity they experienced in the military, thousands of reservists returning from the front line in Gaza are organizing for political change.
By Isabel Kershner
The divergent goals of President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are playing out as negotiators try to reach a hostage deal.
By Peter Baker and Isabel Kershner
Amid signs of progress toward a pause in the fighting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces planned to keep pushing into Gaza.
By Thomas Fuller and Isabel Kershner
This was featured in live coverage.
By Isabel Kershner, Aaron Boxerman and Ronen Bergman
This was featured in live coverage.
By Mike Ives and Isabel Kershner
Conditions at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip were described as desperate after Israeli forces raided it in search of Hamas militants.
By Isabel Kershner, Vivek Shankar and Talmon Joseph Smith
The largely symbolic move followed proposals by international allies that were discussed during recent cease-fire negotiations in Cairo.
By Isabel Kershner