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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 11: Biden introduces Zelensky as Putin, corrects himself; later mixes up
Harris, Trump names
* 2
Failure and slaughter: IDF’s Be’eri probe shows army’s colossal errors,
residents’ bravery
* 3
July 12: White House to reportedly host Netanyahu for meeting with Biden
* 4
Report: Israel, Hamas to cede control of Gaza to PA-linked force in deal’s
2nd phase
* 5
July 10: Gallant says pursuing hostage deal is right thing to do, Israel can
deal with the risks
* 6
In France, Bernard-Henri Lévy fights a lonely battle on behalf of a solitary
Israel
* 7
Israeli parents killed as Hezbollah rocket hits their car in Golan Heights
* 8
Netanyahu said hardening stance on hostage deal based on intel that Hamas
‘weakened’
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July 13, 2024
Current Top Stories
Live
PM says ‘not absolutely certain’ Deif killed but vows Israel will get all Hamas
leaders
By Elana Kirsh and Michael Horovitz
IDF still checking if top Hamas commander killed, but believes intel was
accurate * Senior officials say strike likely to increase pressure on terror
group, even if talks delayed
* 12min ago
Egyptian officials: Truce-hostage talks frozen until Israel shows it is
serious
* 23min ago
Asked about firing Gallant, PM says he doesn't fire ministers; does not
endorse state inquiry into Oct. 7
* 28min ago
Hamas deputy chief denies Muhammad Deif killed in Gaza strike
* 31min ago
Anti-government protesters block 2 streets in Tel Aviv
IDF strike targets Hamas military chief Muhammad Deif; group claims at least 90
killed
By Emanuel Fabian
Arch-terrorist’s fate unconfirmed; army says Deif and head of Khan Younis
Brigade were hit in fenced-off Hamas area surrounded by dozens of operatives; no
hostages believed in vicinity
ExplainerMuhammad Deif: Oct. 7 architect evaded Israel for decades, survived 7
bids to kill him
By ToI Staff and Reuters
Army hits Gaza depot storing Oct. 7 paragliders; intercepts aerial targets near
Eilat
By Emanuel Fabian, ToI Staff and Agencies
IDF says it killed Shejaiya battalion deputy chief, found Hamas command room at
UNRWA site
By Emanuel Fabian, ToI Staff and Agencies
Marching to Jerusalem for Sat. night rallies, families demand PM ‘stop
sabotaging deal’
By ToI Staff
‘We’re all for settling the score with the Hamas murders, but not at the cost of
our loved ones,’ says hostage’s mother after marchers hear news of strike on
Hamas military chief
Rescued hostage recounts abuse by Hamas captors, emotional reunion with family
By ToI Staff
Netanyahu’s office denies report Israel open to pullout from Gaza-Egypt border
By ToI Staff, Reuters and Jacob Magid
On 3rd day of 4-day march from Tel Aviv, hostage families near Jerusalem, demand
deal
By ToI Staff
4 IDF troops hurt, including 1 seriously, as north peppered with rockets and
drones
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
Projectiles cause damage in Kiryat Shmona and another community along Lebanon
border; military strikes Hezbollah operatives and rocket launchers
Hostage families decry Netanyahu’s handling of ceasefire talks in wake of new
demands
By ToI Staff
Israeli officials involved in the negotiations accuse PM of holding up deal, as
Hamas member says terror group is still insisting on written guarantees that
Israel can’t resume war
Reports: PM working to prevent accurate transcription of his wartime discussions
By ToI Staff
Netanyahu said hardening stance on hostage deal based on intel that Hamas
‘weakened’
By ToI Staff
Live updates (closed)July 12: White House to reportedly host Netanyahu for
meeting with Biden
By Michael Bachner and ToI Staff
Reporter's notebook
As volunteers step in for state, Gaza border towns begin rebuilding from Oct. 7
ashes
By Natan Galula
In the aftermath of the Hamas invasion and as war continues, official aid for
affected communities is unpredictable – and so is manpower. But residents are
determined to return
Argentina brands Hamas a terror group, citing October 7 and its close ties to
Iran
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Milei vows ‘unwavering commitment to recognizing terrorists for what they are’;
move comes days before 30th anniversary of AMIA bombing, which Buenos Aires has
blamed on Tehran
Obituary
World famous Jewish sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer dies at 96
By Amy Spiro
Talk show host, who became a cultural icon decades after surviving Holocaust and
fighting for Israel’s independence, was fond of citing her grandkids to say
‘Hitler lost and I won’
Bernie Sanders calls to back Biden despite ‘US support for Israel’s horrific
war’
By AFP
Independent senator publishes op-ed urging Democrats to rally behind president’s
reelection bid, says Biden may not be ideal choice ‘but he will be the
candidate’
Biden insists he’s ‘not going anywhere’ while trying to revive struggling
campaign
By Jeff Mason and Makini Brice
Donors to freeze some $90 million in pledges if Biden remains on ticket, NYT
reports
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Iranian president-elect calls for improved relations with Europe
By AFP
Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian claims EU reneged on commitments to mitigate
sanctions following US withdrawal from nuclear deal, but he is looking to turn a
page in relations
Poll finds 72% of Israelis think Netanyahu should quit over Oct. 7 failures
By ToI Staff
44% believe PM must resign immediately, 28% say after war; 64% in favor of
hostage-ceasefire deal; respondents say premier is Israeli with greatest
responsibility for Hamas onslaught
Ben Gvir is preferred successor to Netanyahu among backers of PM’s current bloc
— poll
By ToI Staff
Attorney general raises concerns over Ben Gvir’s pick for police chief
By ToI Staff
Aunt says hostage niece’s return was miracle, but she’ll keep fighting until all
are home
By Jessica Steinberg
Roxanne Saar, whose niece Gali Tarshansky was held captive and nephew Lior was
killed at Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7, says PM’s attitude toward hostages ‘like a
knife in the gut’
IDF computer chief: 3 billion cyber attacks against Israel since beginning of
war
By ToI Staff
All attacks were intercepted and no computer systems were compromised, says
Mamram commander Col. Racheli Dembinsky
ICJ to deliver opinion on Israel’s ‘occupation of Palestinian territories’ next
week
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Non-binding ruling on legal ramifications of Israeli actions in East Jerusalem,
West Bank and Gaza may intensify international pressure on Israel over war with
Hamas
Ministers to vote Sunday on extending male mandatory IDF service to 3 years
By ToI Staff and Sam Sokol
Government order will effectively cover the next eight years; with
ultra-Orthodox exempt from service, watchdog slams decision as ‘scandalous’ and
a ‘moral injustice’
Top rabbis order yeshiva students to ignore IDF call-ups amid brewing coalition
crisis
By ToI Staff
‘An insatiable curiosity’: Reservist killed in Gaza fighting gets posthumous PhD
By Diana Bletter
Widow, parents of Zechariah Haber, 32, collect Tel Aviv University diploma;
biologist sought to improve crop productivity in harsh climatic conditions;
others to continue his research
ToI podcast
What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: Israel’s poignant, powerful protest
culture
By ToI Staff
As thousands of hostage families and their supporters march from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem, ToI’s senior analyst delves into the history and efficacy of Israeli
protest movements
Liat Kimchie Braude51-year-old mother of six from Kibbutz Mefalsim
'Life is still a big question mark, and I'm slowly understanding that it won't
go back to how it was, and we need to grow something new'
By Tamar Mor Sela
‘This was a place of joy’: Time stands still in empty bedrooms of hostages held
in Gaza
By Oded Balilty and Melanie Lidman
Families reflect on significance of captives’ inner sanctums, some of which bear
witness to October 7 onslaught, while others exude an untouched tranquility
Be’eri security team member told PM ‘hundreds of terrorists here’ at 11 a.m. on
Oct. 7
By ToI Staff
‘A manifesto on replacement theory’: GOP mass deportation plan alarms Jewish
groups
By Ron Kampeas
Several organizations say policy appears steeped in theory which has antisemitic
overtones, vow to challenge it: ‘We understand precisely where this hate and
extremism can lead’
More Headlines
UNRWA says it’s raised enough funds to continue operations through September
By AP
Delta amends uniform rules after flight attendants’ Palestinian pins cause storm
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Prosecutors: New Jersey white supremacist’s ‘ultimate dream’ was synagogue
attack
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
Orthodox NYPD recruit to be honored with top award at graduation ceremony
By Luke Tress
US socialist group pulls backing for AOC after she hosts panel on antisemitism
By Luke Tress
Brazil police: Intel agency under Bolsonaro spied on officials with Israeli
software
By Eléonore HUGHES
ObituaryMordechai Rosenstein, illuminating Jewish calligrapher, dies at 90 in
Pennsylvania
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Dutch court: Government not violating weapon exports ban to Israel by supplying
US
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US religious freedom drive backs Jewish couple barred from Christian adoption
agency
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Income from employment in Arab Israeli society grows faster than other sectors –
study
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Top Ops
Kenneth Jacobson
Hezbollah and the international community’s silence
Somehow, the world only started caring about displaced citizens when they
weren’t just from Israel
Sam Lehman-Wilzig
The paradox of anti-immigration policy
In the West, right and left buck the science on immigration, while Israeli
openness is a winning formula for national success
Nancy Ancowitz
Dear G_d, I used to believe in You
If You actually created the universe, parted the Red Sea, and even gave us
little miracles like latkes, why don’t you stop people from killing each other?
Pinchas Goldschmidt
Are Jews really racist against gentiles?
I never thought I’d have to revive a century-old defense against an officially
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(Hukat)
Michael Oren
Israel is losing the north
A zero-tolerance policy for Hezbollah rockets is the first step to saving the
country, and its borders, as we know it
Erica Brown
Hersh’s letter
To bring the hostages home, we are storming the heavens by writing a new Torah
scroll together – a community of words that bring redemption
Marc Kornblatt
In Nothing We Trust
What is true? I ponder the hostages, Bibi’s trial, Biden’s well-being, Trump’s
claims, and my ’friend’ from Gaza who doubts the events of October 7th
Alison Epstein
‘Bomb Shelter Selfies’: 10 years and counting
A decade after Operation Protective Edge, Anglo-Israelis still take pictures for
our Facebook group, with good humor and a focus on the positive
Tova Herzl
In times of crisis, protests are a right and a duty
A growing majority of the public opposes the government, but this is not
reflected on the streets. No wonder – we are drained!
Jeremy M Staiman
Better than Vegas: Angels close to home
That time we were up 600 NIS, then down 700, and finally pleased to end off
better than we had begun
Stephen M. Flatow
Way to go, Netanel
When we first learned of his diagnosis, I was furious with God. Hadn’t our
family suffered enough?
Sharonne Blum
We too are fighting a war, right here in Melbourne
The slogans scrawled all over make me feel like the city itself is screaming at
us – until people with megaphones ramp up the violence
Today's Daily Briefing
Day 281 – Israel’s poignant, powerful protest culture
listen to the podcast
Latest Articles
* 36 minutes ago
Bernie Sanders calls to back Biden despite ‘US support for Israel’s horrific
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* 1 hour ago
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* 3 hours ago
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Full Coverage 2023-2024 Israel-Hamas war
* Delta amends uniform rules after flight attendants’ Palestinian pins cause
storm
By Agencies and ToI Staff
* Aunt says hostage niece’s return was miracle, but she’ll keep fighting until
all are home
By Jessica Steinberg
* Uprooted: Liat Kimchie Braude, 51, from Kibbutz Mefalsim. This is her story
By Tamar Mor Sela
See All
Full Coverage What Matters Now
* What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: Israel’s poignant, powerful protest
culture
By ToI Staff
* What Matters Now to Rachel Gur: Lowering the cost of living for the little
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By ToI Staff
* What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: The rebellion from within Likud
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Full Coverage Liveblog
* PM says ‘not absolutely certain’ Deif killed but vows Israel will get all
Hamas leaders
By Elana Kirsh and Michael Horovitz
* July 12: White House to reportedly host Netanyahu for meeting with Biden
By Michael Bachner and ToI Staff
* July 11: Biden introduces Zelensky as Putin, corrects himself; later mixes up
Harris, Trump names
By ToI Staff
See All
Full Coverage ToI Original Video
* Supernova massacre survivors dance again
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* Jerusalem’s marathon ‘sleep-in’ protest
See All
Those we have lost
Stories of the civilians and soldiers who have fallen in the Israel-Hamas war
*
Those we have lost
Staff Sgt. Lavi Lipshitz, 20: Soldier who saw life through a camera lens
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Addir Mesika, 23: Charged at terrorists to save girlfriend and friends
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Staff Sgt. Adi Danan, 20: Squad commander with ‘sparkling eyes’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Igal and Amit Wachs, 53 & 48: US-Israeli brothers killed defending town
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Shoshi Brosh, 75: Grandmother with ‘a blossoming garden’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
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By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Gil and Or Tasa, 46 & 17: Father, son murdered on same day in two locations
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Eitan Snir, 21: Took a final selfie at rave Oct. 7 morning
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Gil, Inbar Buyum, 55 & 22: Father and son set out to protect kibbutz
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Lt. Col. Yehonatan Tzor, 33: The ‘invincible’ renaissance man
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Petru Boscov, 35: Moldovan caregiver was like ‘family’ to patient
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Eynav Levy, 32: Mom of toddler leaves ‘legacy of love and light’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Dudi Turgeman, 26: Partygoer ‘didn’t waste a minute of life’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Maya Haim, 22: Had tickets to fly to South America
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Odaya and Dolev Swissa, 33 & 34: Murdered in front of their daughters
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Nitzan Libstein, 19: ‘Should have been our prime minister’
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Sgt. Osher Barzilay, 19: MDA volunteer planned to be a brain surgeon
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Shachar Kadman, 34: Scientist who made waves in food tech
By ToI Staff
*
Those We Have Lost
Maor Gratzyani, 21: Partygoer with captivating blue eyes
By ToI Staff
*
Those we have lost
Maayan Mor, 30: Loving aunt who ‘spread positive energy’
By ToI Staff
Those we are missing
The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Agam Berger, seen being led to a car, still dressed in her
pajamas
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: Yarden Bibas, injured on his head at abduction
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: Yagev Buchshtav, could hear terrorists outside his window
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Matan Angrest, turned 21 while held hostage in Gaza
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Eliya Cohen, dragged from a pile of dead bodies
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Maxim Herkin, was attending his first trance rave
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: UK citizen Emily Damari from her Kfar Aza apartment
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Tal Shoham, held captive separately from family
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Amazon employee Sasha Trufanov
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Eden Yerushalmi, hid in car with two dead friends
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: Gadi Moshe Mozes, expert potato farmer, ‘saba’ to all
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Devoted uncle and Nir Oz resident Yair Horn
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: US citizen Keith Siegel, driven to Gaza in his own car
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: Daniella Gilboa, identified by the shirt she wore
By ToI Staff
*
Those we are missing
Taken captive: Ziv Berman, from his home in Kfar Aza’s young generation
neighborhood
By ToI Staff
Tales of the Times
The quirky, improbable, infuriating and uplifting
*
Big break
Israeli bassist leaves indie band Big Thief for ‘interpersonal reasons’
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Political power couple
Soros’s son to marry Hilary Clinton’s former adviser Huma Abedin
By Jackie Hajdenberg
*
Masked singer
Eden Golan reveals she had to wear disguise in Malmo during Eurovision
By ToI Staff
*
Jews for Jesus
Scorsese series casts 5 Israeli actors as Jesus, other Christian saints
By ToI Staff
*
Modern Maccabees
Mayim Bialik producing movie on Yeshiva U’s basketball win streak
By jacob gurvis
*
Carving out a memory
Furniture designs of October 7 victim to get own space near Tel Aviv
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Forget-everything films
Jerusalem Film Festival to open with comic ‘Thelma’
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Reading the room
Herzliya libraries, now open on Shabbat, see subscriptions spike
By ToI Staff
*
Shooting for the top
American Orthodox basketball star to join Israeli team
By jacob gurvis
*
Moving with the audience
TLV Dance event reframed with Israeli troupes only
By Jessica Steinberg
*
Lock horns
Tel Aviv to fine hurry-up honking
By Stuart Winer
*
New-old
IAA offers sneak peek tours of long-awaited new campus
By Gavriel Fiske
*
Pyramid-itis?
Egyptian tomb find may shed light on ancient diseases
By AFP
*
Southern comfort
Artists from south pine for home in Jerusalem performance
By Jessica Steinberg
*
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
Scroll to view more
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