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JAILED US CONTRACTOR WAS TRYING TO SET UP SATELLITE LINK FOR CUBA’S JEWS
REVIEW REVEALS ALAN GROSS WANTED TO ESTABLISH UNCENSORED INTERNET SERVICE FOR
JEWISH COMMUNITY
By Desmond Butler 13 February 2012, 8:07 am
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USAID worker Alan Gross arriving at a Havana courthouse for his trial in March
2011. (photo credit: AP Photo/Franklin Reyes, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Piece by piece, in backpacks and carry-on bags, American aid
contractor Alan Gross made sure laptops, smartphones, hard drives and networking
equipment were secreted into Cuba. The most sensitive item, according to
official trip reports, was the last one: a specialized mobile phone chip that
experts say is often used by the Pentagon and the CIA to make satellite signals
virtually impossible to track.
The purpose, according to an Associated Press review of Gross’ reports, was to
set up uncensored satellite Internet service for Cuba’s small Jewish community.
The operation was funded as democracy promotion for the U.S. Agency for
International Development, established in 1961 to provide economic, development
and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of U.S. foreign policy
goals. Gross, however, identified himself as a member of a Jewish humanitarian
group, not a representative of the U.S. government.
Cuban President Raul Castro called him a spy, and Gross was sentenced last March
to 15 years in prison for seeking to “undermine the integrity and independence”
of Cuba. U.S. officials say he did nothing wrong and was just carrying out the
normal mission of USAID.
Gross said at his trial in Cuba that he was a “trusting fool” who was duped. But
his trip reports indicate that he knew his activities were illegal in Cuba and
that he worried about the danger, including possible expulsion.
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One report says a community leader “made it abundantly clear that we are all
‘playing with fire.'”
Another time Gross said: “This is very risky business in no uncertain terms.”
And finally: “Detection of satellite signals will be catastrophic.”
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The case has heightened frictions in the decades-long political struggle between
the United States and its communist neighbor to the south, and raises questions
about how far democracy-building programs have gone — and whether
cloak-and-dagger work is better left to intelligence operatives.
Gross’ company, JBDC Inc., which specializes in setting up Internet access in
remote locations like Iraq and Afghanistan, had been hired by Development
Alternatives Inc., or DAI, of Bethesda, Maryland, which had a
multimillion-dollar contract with USAID to break Cuba’s information blockade by
“technological outreach through phone banks, satellite Internet and cell
phones.”
Judy Gross and Peter J. Kahn, respectively wife of and lawyer for U.S.
government contractor Alan Gross, arrive at the courthouse in Havana in March.
(photo credit: AP/Javier Galeano)
USAID officials reviewed Gross’ trip reports and received regular briefings on
his progress, according to DAI spokesman Steven O’Connor. The reports were made
available to the AP by a person familiar with the case who insisted on anonymity
because of the documents’ sensitivity.
The reports cover four visits over a five-month period in 2009. Another report,
written by a representative of Gross’ company, covered his fifth and final trip,
the one that ended with his arrest on Dec. 3, 2009.
Together, the reports detail the lengths to which Gross went to escape Cuban
authorities’ detection.
To avoid airport scrutiny, Gross enlisted the help of other American Jews to
bring in electronic equipment a piece at a time. He instructed his helpers to
pack items, some of them banned in Cuba, in carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
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He once drove seven hours after clearing security and customs rather than risk
airport searches.
On his final trip, he brought in a “discreet” SIM card — or subscriber identity
module card — intended to keep satellite phone transmissions from being
pinpointed within 250 miles (400 kilometers), if they were detected at all.
The type of SIM card used by Gross is not available on the open market and is
distributed only to governments, according to an official at a satellite
telephone company familiar with the technology and a former U.S. intelligence
official who has used such a chip. The officials, who spoke on condition of
anonymity because of the sensitivity of the technology, said the chips are
provided most frequently to the Defense Department and the CIA, but also can be
obtained by the State Department, which oversees USAID.
Asked how Gross obtained the card, USAID spokesman Drew Bailey said only that
the agency played no role in helping Gross acquire equipment. “We are a
development agency, not an intelligence agency,” he said.
Cuba’s communist government considers all USAID democracy promotion activities
to be illegal and a national security threat. USAID denies that any of its work
is covert.
Gross’ American lawyer, Peter J. Kahn, declined comment but has said in the past
that Gross’ actions were not aimed at subverting the Cuban government.
Cuban authorities consider Internet access to be a matter of national security
and block some sites that are critical of the government, as well as pages with
content that they deem as counterrevolutionary. Most Cubans have access only to
a severely restricted island-wide Intranet service.
Proponents of providing Internet access say it can undermine authoritarian
governments that control the flow of information to their people. Critics say
the practice not only endangers contractors like Gross, but all American aid
workers, even those not involved in secret activities.
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“All too often, the outside perception is that these USAID people are
intelligence officers,” said Philip Giraldi, an ex-CIA officer. “That makes it
bad for USAID, it makes it bad for the CIA and for any other intelligence agency
who like to fly underneath the radar.”
Even before he delivered the special SIM card, Gross noted in a trip report that
use of Internet satellite phones would be “problematic if exposed.” He was aware
that authorities were using sophisticated detection equipment and said he saw
workers for the government-owned telecommunications service provider conduct a
radio frequency “sniff” the day before he was to set up a community’s Wi-Fi
operation.
USAID: NO COVERT WORK
U.S. diplomats say they believe Gross was arrested to pressure the Obama
administration to roll back its democracy-promotion programs. The Cuban
government has alleged without citing any evidence that the programs, funded
under a 1996 law calling for regime change in Cuba, are run by the CIA as part
of an intelligence plan to topple the government in Havana.
While the U.S. government broadly outlines the goals of its aid programs in
publicly available documents, the work in Cuba could not exist without secrecy
because it is illegal there. Citing security concerns, U.S. agencies have
refused to provide operational details even to congressional committees
overseeing the programs.
“The reason there is less disclosure on these programs in totalitarian countries
is because the people are already risking their lives to exercise their
fundamental rights,” said Mauricio Claver-Carone, who runs the Washington-based
Cuba Democracy Advocates.
USAID rejected the notion that its contractors perform covert work.
“Nothing about USAID’s Cuba programs is covert or classified in any way,” says
Mark Lopes, a deputy assistant administrator. “We simply carry out activities in
a discreet manner to ensure the greatest possible safety of all those involved.”
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The U.S. National Security Act defines “covert” as government activities aimed
at influencing conditions abroad “where it is intended that the role of the
United States Government will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly.”
USAID’s democracy promotion work in Cuba was spurred by a large boost in funding
under the Bush administration and a new focus on providing communications
technology to Cubans. U.S. funding for Cuban aid multiplied from $3.5 million in
2000 to $45 million in 2008. It’s now $20 million.
Gross was paid a half-million dollars as a USAID subcontractor, according to
U.S. officials familiar with the contract. They spoke only on condition of
anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case.
USAID head Raj Shah said democracy promotion is “absolutely central” to his
agency’s work. The Obama administration says its Cuba programs aim to help
politically repressed citizens enjoy fundamental rights by providing
humanitarian support, encouraging democratic development and aiding the free
flow of information.
U.S. officials say Gross’ work was not subversion because he was setting up
connections for Cuba’s Jewish community, not for dissidents. Jewish leaders have
said that they were unaware of Gross’ connections to the U.S. government and
that they already were provided limited Internet access. USAID has not said why
it thought the community needed such sensitive technology.
Asked if such programs are meant to challenge existing leaders, Lopes said, “For
USAID, our democracy programs in Cuba are not about changing a particular
regime. That’s for the Cuban people to decide, and we believe they should be
afforded that choice.”
Others disagree.
“Of course, this is covert work,” said Robert Pastor, President Jimmy Carter’s
national security adviser for Latin America and now director of the Center for
Democracy and Election Management at American University in Washington. “It’s
about regime change.”
HARD TO MISS
Gross, of Potomac, Maryland, was a gregarious man, about 6 feet (1.8 meters) and
250 pounds (113 kilograms). He was hard to miss. He had bought a Rosetta Stone
language course to improve his rudimentary Spanish and had scant knowledge of
Cuba. But he knew technology. His company specialized in installing
communications gear in remote parts of the world.
Gross’ first trip for DAI, which ended in early April 2009, focused on getting
equipment in and setting up the first of three facilities with Wi-Fi hotspots
that would give unrestricted Internet access to hundreds of Cubans, especially
the island’s small Jewish community of 1,500.
To get the materials in, Gross relied on American Jewish humanitarian groups
doing missions on the island. He traveled with the groups, relying on
individuals to help bring in the equipment, according to the trip reports.
Three people briefed on Gross’ work say he told contacts in Cuba he represented
a Jewish organization, not the U.S. government. USAID says it now expects people
carrying out its programs to disclose their U.S. government funding to the
people they are helping — if asked.
One of Gross’ reports suggests he represented himself as a member of one of the
groups and that he traveled with them so he could intercede with Cuban
authorities if questions arose.
The helpers were supposed to pack single pieces of equipment in their carry-on
luggage. That way, Gross wrote, any questions could best be handled during the
X-ray process at security, rather than at a customs check. The material was
delivered to Gross later at a Havana hotel, according to the trip reports.
USAID has long relied on visitors willing to carry in prohibited material, such
as books and shortwave radios, U.S. officials briefed on the programs say. And
USAID officials have acknowledged in congressional briefings that they have used
contractors to bring in software to send encrypted messages over the Internet,
according to participants in the briefings.
An alarm sounded on one of Gross’ trips when one of his associates tried to
leave the airport terminal; the courier had placed his cargo — a device that can
extend the range of a wireless network — into his checked bag.
Gross intervened, saying the device was for personal use and was not a computer
hard drive or a radio.
According to the trip reports, customs officials wanted to charge a 100 percent
tax on the value of the item, but Gross bargained them down and was allowed to
leave with it.
“On that day, it was better to be lucky than smart,” Gross wrote.
Much of the equipment Gross helped bring in is legal in Cuba, but the volume of
the goods could have given Cuban authorities a good idea of what he was up to.
“Total equipment” listed on his fourth trip included 12 iPods, 11 BlackBerry
Curve smartphones, three MacBooks, six 500-gigabyte external drives, three
Internet satellite phones known as BGANs, three routers, three controllers, 18
wireless access points, 13 memory sticks, three phones to make calls over the
Internet, and networking switches. Some pieces, such as the networking and
satellite equipment, are explicitly forbidden in Cuba.
Gross wrote that he smuggled the BGANs in a backpack. He had hoped to fool
authorities by taping over the identifying words on the equipment: “Hughes,” the
manufacturer, and “Inmarsat,” the company providing the satellite Internet
service.
The BGANs were crucial because they provide not only satellite telephone
capacity but an Internet signal that can establish a Wi-Fi hotspot for multiple
users. The appeal of using satellite Internet connections is that data goes
straight up, never passing through government-controlled servers.
AWARE OF THE RISKS
There was always the chance of being discovered.
Last year, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked about clandestine
methods used to hide the programs and reports that some of them had been
penetrated.
“Possible counterintelligence penetration is a known risk in Cuba,” the State
Department said in a written response to AP. “Those who carry out our assistance
are aware of such risks.”
Gross’ first trip to Cuba ended in early April 2009 with establishment of a
communications site in Havana.
He went back later that month and stayed about 10 days while a site was set up
in Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city.
On his third trip, for two weeks in June 2009, Gross traveled to a city in the
middle of the island identified by a U.S. official as Camaguey. He rented a car
in Havana and drove seven hours rather than risk another encounter with airport
authorities.
Gross wrote that BGANs should not be used outside Havana, where there were
enough radio frequency devices to hide the emissions.
The report for Gross’s fourth trip, which ended early that August, was marked
final and summarized his successes: wireless networks established in three
communities; about 325 users; “communications to and from the U.S. have improved
and used on a regular basis.” He again concluded the operation was “very risky
business.”
BACK TO CUBA
Gross would have been fine if he had stopped there.
In late November 2009, however, he went back to Cuba for a fifth time. This time
he didn’t return. He was arrested 11 days later.
An additional report was written afterward on the letterhead of Gross’ company.
It was prepared with assistance from DAI to fulfill a contract requirement for a
summary of his work, and so everyone could get paid, according to officials
familiar with the document.
> ‘I am deeply sorry for being a trusting fool. I was duped. I was used’
The report said Gross had planned to improve security of the Havana site by
installing an “alternative sim card” on the satellite equipment.
The card would mask the signal of the BGAN as it transmitted to a satellite,
making it difficult to track where the device was located.
The document concluded that the site’s security had been increased.
It is unclear how DAI confirmed Gross’ work for the report on the final trip,
though a document, also on Gross’ company letterhead, states that a
representative for Gross contacted the Jewish community in Cuba five times after
his arrest.
In a statement at his trial, Gross professed his innocence and apologized.
“I have never, would never and will never purposefully or knowingly do anything
personally or professionally to subvert a government,” he said. “I am deeply
sorry for being a trusting fool. I was duped. I was used.”
In an interview with AP, his wife, Judy, blamed DAI, the company that sent him
to Cuba, for misleading him on the risks. DAI spokesman O’Connor said in a
statement that Gross “designed, proposed, and implemented this work” for the
company.
Meanwhile, the 62-year-old Gross sits in a military prison hospital. His family
says he has lost about 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and they express concern about
his health. All the U.S. diplomatic attempts to win his freedom have come up
empty and there is no sign that Cuba is prepared to act on appeals for a
humanitarian release.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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* 1
July 2: Halevi says Rafah campaign will ‘take time’ as IDF works to root out
Hamas
* 2
July 3: Israeli officials say latest Hamas response workable, but allege PM
harming talks
* 3
Off-duty soldier killed, another wounded in terror stabbing by Arab citizen
at Karmiel mall
* 4
July 1: Israeli forces destroy kilometer-long terror tunnel in central Gaza
* 5
Macron’s implicit endorsement of ‘antisemitic,’ ‘pro-Hamas’ far left shocks
French Jews
* 6
New Gaza famine report reveals grim March predictions were vastly exaggerated
* 7
Iranian general says itching to carry out another direct missile attack on
Israel
* 8
Biden told Netanyahu ‘I’m out’ if Israel retaliated for Iran missile attack –
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July 4, 2024
Current Top Stories
Live
Fires rage in Galilee, Golan Heights after massive Hezbollah rocket and drone
attack
By Elana Kirsh and ToI Staff
Hezbollah launches 200 rockets, 20 drones in major assault * PM, Biden to speak
* Lebanese report: Hostage deal proposal has clear wording on ceasefire, Rafah
plan * Soldier killed in Gaza
* 19min ago
Eisenkot doubts Netanyahu has 'strategic leadership' needed to close hostage
deal, rally coalition support
* 1hr ago
Fires rage in Galilee, Golan Heights after major Hezbollah drone, rocket
attack
* 2hr ago
IDF: Hezbollah launched some 200 rockets, 20 drones from Lebanon at north in
earlier attack
* 2hr ago
Man charged with mowing down, killing Israeli cycling champion while drunk
and unlicensed
Hezbollah fires 200 rockets, launches 20 drones in major attack on north
By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies
Assault comes after killing of top commander in terror group; IDF carries out
strikes in Lebanon in response
Senior Hezbollah commander killed in IDF strike in southern Lebanon
By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies
Major GPS disruptions in Middle East coming from IDF airbase — NY Times
By ToI Staff
Opposition party head appears to urge nuclear action to stop Iran’s atomic
program
By ToI Staff
Netanyahu to speak with Biden as Israel studies Hamas response to hostage deal
offer
By Lazar Berman
PM will hold meeting with negotiators, security cabinet to formulate response
amid some optimism from senior officials
Israel says it’s studying latest Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal
By Jacob Magid and ToI Staff
Live updates (closed)July 3: Israeli officials say latest Hamas response
workable, but allege PM harming talks
By Jacob Magid and ToI Staff
Report says IDF brass backing truce even if it leaves Hamas in power; PM: Won’t
happen
By Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
Interview
‘We challenge the narrative that Hamas are good Muslims,’ says Bedouin hostages’
relative
By Gianluca Pacchiani
Bashir Ziyadne has been lobbying for the release of two family members held in
Gaza, protesting the Israeli government’s perceived inaction and the Arab
world’s indifference
No summer break for his family during ceaseless push for deal, says hostage’s
brother
By Jessica Steinberg
Protesters block major highways as they call for elections, hostage deal
By ToI Staff
Opposition, hostage families press coalition to nix upcoming 3-month Knesset
recess
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
2 IDF officers killed in northern Gaza, as dozens of terror targets razed in
Shejaiya
By Emanuel Fabian
Cpt. Elay Elisha Lugasi and Cpt. Roy Miller are killed in separate battles,
raising ground op toll to 324; anti-aircraft missile fired from Gaza hits home
in evacuated Kfar Maimon
Only 2 or 3 people know location of Hamas leader Sinwar – report
By ToI Staff
IDF probe said to find pre-Oct. 7 intel should’ve been enough to thwart Hamas
attack
By ToI Staff and Emanuel Fabian
ToI podcast
Daily Briefing July 4: Day 272 — UK set to elect new PM who celebrates Shabbat
By ToI Staff
Editor David Horovitz on recent Hezbollah rocket barrages, freeing of Shifa
Hospital head to Gaza and lack of hostage release deal, and a long weekend of
elections
New Hebrew-language i24 aims to be Israel’s 1st 24/7 news channel. Will anyone
watch?
By Amy Spiro
After cutting back on English, French and Arabic broadcasts, the network is
still barred from broadcasting in Israel via cable, but is banking on a
government reform to move ahead
Labour tipped for historic win as UK voters head to the polls
By Joe JACKSON
Keir Starmer’s opposition party predicted to win nearly three times as many
seats in parliament as ruling Conservatives; key tabloid The Sun backs
challenger for prime minister
AnalysisHow UK’s Starmer shook off predecessor Corbyn’s far-left legacy — and
unpopularity
By Robert Philpot
From Israel and its critics to the Day of Rest, Jewish storylines feature in UK
election
By Jacob Judah
88-year-old grandmother of Israeli MK beaten in France, called ‘dirty Jew’
By Stuart Winer
New Hope lawmaker Sharren Haskel warns if France doesn’t protect its Jews from
radical Islam, other French people will be next to suffer
Shin Bet said to reprimand agent who signed off on Shifa director’s release to
Gaza
By ToI Staff
Agency chief reportedly presents findings of internal probe to Netanyahu after
outrage over freeing of hospital head
After 40 years, novelist John Irving returns to Jerusalem, where new novel is
partly set
By Ethan Freedman
Award-winning author speaks at the Mishkenot Sha’ananim cultural center,
nostalgic about his time in Israel but not revealing much about about his
work-in-progress ‘Queen Esther’
Off-duty soldier killed, another wounded in terror stabbing by Arab citizen at
Karmiel mall
By Emanuel Fabian
Assailant from nearby town of Nahf shot dead by slain victim Sgt. Aleksandr
Iakiminskyi; members of terrorist’s family, some of whom work at mall, arrested
IDF drone hits cell planting roadside bomb in West Bank, killing 4 terror
operatives
By Emanuel Fabian
Activists use ersatz settlement to show they’re ‘willing and ready’ to resettle
Gaza
By Jeremy Sharon
Right-wing, religious activists have established and rebuilt a proto-settlement
on border with Strip three times since June 25: ‘We’d be happy to do this in
Gaza given the chance’
‘The nation demands occupation’: Minister shares post calling for conquest of
Sinai
By Sam Sokol
Report: State Attorney to expand inquiry into lawmakers’ incitement against
Gazans
By ToI Staff
New regulations hinder donations of gear to Israeli soldiers, charities say
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
A policy meant to cut red tape at Israeli ports creates ‘insurmountable
bureaucratic hurdles’ for volunteer organizations importing badly needed
equipment from abroad
‘I’m not leaving’: Biden rejects pressure to quit, as Democratic governors back
him
By Agencies and ToI Staff
US president hammers the message that ‘I’m in this race to the end’ in meetings
with party officials, amid attempt to salvage his reelection bid after poor
debate performance
Biden tells ally he may not be able to salvage presidency bid — NYT
By Reuters
2 new polls show Biden falling further behind Trump following election debate
By Jason Lange
Good for the Jews? Here are the candidates who could replace Biden on the ticket
By Ron Kampeas
While US president is still insistent he will seek reelection, discussion is
underway about other possible Democratic nominees after debate debacle. Here are
their Jewish stories
Ahead of runoff, famed Nazi hunter says French far left more dangerous than far
right
By Sylvie Corbet and JEFFREY SCHAEFFER
Serge Klarsfeld says he’ll vote for Macron’s centrist alliance, but those faced
with only a choice between the two poles should pick ‘a party which supports
Israel’
Far-right Le Pen would be ‘excellent’ as French president, says Likud minister
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Israel announces largest appropriation of state land in West Bank since Oslo
Accords
By Jeremy Sharon
‘We are thwarting the danger of a Palestinian state,’ declares Smotrich as Civil
Administration also set to approve 6,000 new settlement housing units
Halevi slams settler attack on troops demolishing illegal outpost; government
silent
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
Settlers attack security forces evacuating illegal outpost in West Bank
By Jeremy Sharon
More Headlines
Anti-Israel protesters occupy roof of Australia’s parliament, unfurl banners
By Agencies
European venture capital firm closes $220m fund with focus on Israeli startups
By Sharon Wrobel
Despite wartime deficit, Knesset approves allocation of ‘surplus’ coalition
funds
By Sam Sokol
Roger Waters claims ‘no evidence’ of Oct. 7 Hamas rapes, insists he’s not
antisemitic
By ToI Staff
Italian PM condemns her far-right party’s youth wing for glorifying fascism
By AP
Man accused of murdering Detroit synagogue leader says he found her dead
By Ed White
Religious phrases okayed on army headstones, including appeal for divine
vengeance
By Canaan Lidor
UW-Milwaukee chancellor to quit; he was panned for handling of anti-Israel
protests
By AP and ToI Staff
Reconstructionist Judaism affirms support for progressive Zionism amid recent
divides
By Jackie Hajdenberg
176 gravestones vandalized in 2 Jewish cemeteries in Ohio
By Andrew Lapin
Top Ops
Sarah Sassoon
Why I am not protesting
As long as the rhetoric on the Right is no different from that of the Left, my
heart remains shattered. They aren’t calling for unity; I am
Mark Levenson
Literary antisemitism is bad and getting worse
The Authors Guild did nothing for Jewish writers who are lately being harassed
and blacklisted, but there is something you can do
Rob Charry
Remembering Rabbi Andrew Sacks, a champion of religious pluralism in Israel
Known as a ‘rabble-rouser,’ he fought for egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall
and non-Orthodox converts to Judaism
Kally Rubin Kislowicz
Say yes (please?) to the dress
Buying my daughter’s off-the-mannequin finery reminded me that I forget Hebrew
when I feel things, but oh, what a shopping experience!
Alon Tal
Antisemitism is in the air at Stanford University
A visiting professor on campus, I thought reports of Jew-hatred and anti-Israeli
bias were overblown. A new report demonstrates how wrong I was
Michael Oren
The brutal syllogism of this war is a deathtrap for Israel
Hezbollah won’t accept a ceasefire unless Hamas does. Hamas will not agree to a
ceasefire. Hence, Israel will go to war against Hezbollah.
Gary Gilbert
What Acre can teach US student protesters
Though I was within easy range of Hezbollah rockets, I felt less under attack in
the mixed Arab-Jewish city than on my American college campus
Cheryl Levi
What Rashida Tlaib knows, or how to win when you’re losing
The US rep didn’t bother trying to convince Congress that Hamas casualty stats
are accurate. She gets the power of drama
Dov Maimon
Who will protect France’s Jews?
After the first round of the latest elections, the country may be heading toward
an ungovernable future
Bishara A. Bahbah
US Muslims could hand Trump a victory
Backing the Republican now in return for a promise to support a ceasefire in
Gaza would give my community a seat at the table
Sarah Raanan
‘What made you move to Israel?’
I don’t always get into how I came to be aware of my Jewishness as a child in
the UK, or that here, I never need explain
Irwin Keller
How to disagree as Jews in a time of deep schisms
The epic disputes between the schools of Shammai and Hillel offer a model for
hearing the divine in our opponent’s words
Today's Daily Briefing
Day 272 - UK set to elect new PM who celebrates Shabbat
listen to the podcast
Latest Articles
* 11 seconds ago
Trump calls Biden an ‘old, broken-down pile of crap,’ says VP Harris ‘so
f***ing bad’
* 38 minutes ago
New regulations hinder donations of gear to Israeli soldiers, charities say
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Full Coverage 2023-2024 Israel-Hamas war
* New regulations hinder donations of gear to Israeli soldiers, charities say
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
* Daily Briefing July 4: Day 272 — UK set to elect new PM who celebrates
Shabbat
By ToI Staff
* Netanyahu to speak with Biden as Israel studies Hamas response to hostage
deal offer
By Lazar Berman
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Full Coverage What Matters Now
* What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: The rebellion from within Likud
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* What Matters Now to Prof. Jan Grabowski: Appropriation of Holocaust terms in
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Full Coverage Liveblog
* Fires rage in Galilee, Golan Heights after massive Hezbollah rocket and drone
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* July 3: Israeli officials say latest Hamas response workable, but allege PM
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* July 2: Halevi says Rafah campaign will ‘take time’ as IDF works to root out
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Stories of the civilians and soldiers who have fallen in the Israel-Hamas war
*
Those we have lost
Silvia Mirensky, 80: Argentine immigrant who loved kibbutz life
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Omer Hermesh, 47: Son of ex-MK and devoted Hapoel Tel Aviv fan
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Suhaib Abu Amer Razeem, 22: Minibus driver from East Jerusalem
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Yehonatan Hagbi, 18: Animal lover dreamed of being a veterinarian
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Omer Zadikevitch, 50: IT specialist with a deep love of surfing
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Roni Shitrit, 24: Traveled to music festival to watch the sunrise
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Staff Sgt. Noam Elimelech Rojtenbarg, 24: Ex-Haredi slain at rave
By ToI Staff and AFP
*
Those We Have Lost
Staff Sgt. Or Mizrahi, 21: A third tragedy for his immediate family
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Maj. (res.) Moshe Leiter, 39: Father of 6 training to be a doctor
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Lior Waitzman, 32: Netflix soundman was training for Ironman
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Master Sgt. Daniel Kastiel, 24: Always charged ahead
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Abi Korin, 56: ‘An Argentinian with great joy for life’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Alina Vaisberg, 17: High school student who loved TikTok
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Ram Sela, 32: ‘Gentle giant,’ born on the 1st day of the Gulf War
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Dvir Karp, 46, Stav Kimchi, 35: Murdered trying to protect kids
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Sgt. Yael Leibushor, 20: Nature lover dreamed of hiking Israel Trail
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Michel Yoav, 46: Rave attendee leaves behind wife and children
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Sofia Bongart, 21: Beloved sister attended rave with bestie
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Cpl. Noa Marciano, 19: Soldier known for ‘dimples and smiles’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Noa Glazberg, 43: Devoted daughter ‘never stopped laughing’
By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown
*
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Taken captive: David Cunio, abducted from burning house
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Bar Kupershtein, last seen tied up by Hamas
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Edan Alexander, told mother he was safe
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Yosef-Haim Ohana, helped injured at Supernova rave
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Tsahi Idan, terrorists promised daughter his safe return
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ofer Calderon, initially escaped through window
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*
Those we are missing
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By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Or Levy arrived at festival minutes before onslaught
By AP
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Shlomo Mansour, as his wife of 60 years escaped
By ToI Staff
*
Those who are missing
Taken captive: Doron Steinbrecher, ‘They’ve arrived, they have me’
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ohad Yahalomi, shot in the leg by terrorists
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Yagev Buchshtav, could hear terrorists outside his window
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Matan Zangauker, ‘is a survivor’
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Idan Shtivi, reached rave just before Hamas attack
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Segev Kalfon, last seen running across Highway 232
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Eviatar David, IDed in a Hamas photo on Telegram
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Eli Sharabi from Kibbutz Be’eri
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Romi Gonen, after being shot in car by terrorists
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Karina Ariev, told parents ‘continue your lives’
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Sagui Dekel-Chen spotted first incoming terrorists
By ToI Staff
Tales of the Times
The quirky, improbable, infuriating and uplifting
*
Shooting for the top
American Orthodox basketball star to join Israeli team
By jacob gurvis
*
Moving with the audience
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*
Lock horns
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*
New-old
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*
Pyramid-itis?
Egyptian tomb find may shed light on ancient diseases
By AFP
*
Southern comfort
Artists from south pine for home in Jerusalem performance
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*
Spreading light
Family menorah saved from Holocaust is donated to Yad Vashem
By Jessica Steinberg
*
War through a lens
‘Fauda’ creators, other filmmakers working on October 7 films
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Movies in shadow of war
Jerusalem Film Festival announces Israeli lineup for July event
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Master of his domain
‘I missed you!’: Seinfeld roasts another anti-Israel heckler
By ToI Staff
*
Pulp friction
Ban on date imports said to pit UAE against Israel’s Agriculture Ministry
By ToI Staff
*
Timeless style
Vogue Germany’s next cover model is a 102-year-old Holocaust survivor
By PHILISSA CRAMER
*
Funny mode
US comedian Modi books Tel Aviv show after selling out in Jerusalem
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Season vs season
Tel Aviv studio partners with Jim Henson Company on animated series
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Yada yada yada
Seinfeld ridicules pro-Palestinian heckler during show
By ToI Staff
*
Director action
Anti-Israel activist accosts Tarantino, calls him ‘Zionist sh*t’
By Stuart Winer
*
Heavenly humor
Pope Francis tells visiting comedians it’s okay to ‘laugh at God’
By Giada Zampano
*
Paws for thought
Israeli trainer and her dancing dog wow US TV talent show
By ToI Staff
*
Rock bottom
Nubian ibex rescued from 10-meter-deep sinkhole
By Sue Surkes
*
Going medieval
Troops use trebuchet to launch incendiaries at Lebanon
By Emanuel Fabian
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