SHIR PERETS

Shir Perets is a Breaking News Desk Manager at The Jerusalem Post. She grew up in central Israel and is a graduate of Bar-Ilan University, where she studied English literature and communications. When she isn’t writing, Shir can be found painting, building Legos, feeding stray cats, or singing along to Taylor Swift.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister and chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party tours at Htikva market, in Tel Aviv ahead of the upcoming general elections, September 18, 2026.

Israel Election 2026: What does Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit stand for?

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett attends an election campaign event for his B'Yachad party, in Ramat Hasharon, August 20, 2026

Bennett unveils 'Confrontation Line Law' proposing expanded tax, municipal benefits for North

Avigdor Liberman leads Yisrael Beytenu, it is polling at around 10 seats.

Netanyahu, Katz attack Liberman over call to establish Israeli-Jordanian confederation in West Bank


First-time Jewish voters could account for up to 12 Knesset seats in upcoming election - poll

Despite a strong ideological tilt toward the Right, support was divided among a wide range of parties rather than concentrated in a single political camp.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Yashar party and a former IDF chief of staff, speaks during an election campaign rally in Nordiya, Israel, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2026.

Trying açaí at Oakberry Jerusalem: A not-so-sweet treat with sweet company - review

If you love that distinct açaí tang, you’ll probably walk away thrilled. If you’re more of a milkshake-and-cookies person like me, temper your expectations for the bowl itself.

Açaí: Tart, earthy, and not exactly what I was expecting.

Mysterious Bolivian 'weird cat' recognized as new species, marking first discovered in over century

Its path to scientific recognition began in 2016, when Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz received a call from the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary about what staff described as an unusual cat.

A Leopardus tilcayo cat, a newly identified species through research led by National Geographic Explorer Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, walks at the Senda Verde animal refuge in the Yungas region, Bolivia, September 1, 2026.

Israel Election 2026: What are you voting for when you choose a party hovering at the threshold?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

 A man casts his vote in the Israeli general elections, at a polling station in Jerusalem, on November 1, 2022.

NYT deletes line saying Israelis ‘view themselves’ as Oct. 7 victims, citing 'editing error'

The sentence appeared in a Monday article by NYT correspondent Isabel Kershner examining the backlash in Israel against the NAZA film.

 A photo illustration shows a cozy morning scene features the international edition of The New York Times alongside a cup of cappuccino with latte art and a notebook.

Israeli team to compete in Texan 'Meat Up' with kosher Wagyu shawarma - with all the fixings

The Israeli team will also include chef Charlie Fadida and chef Yehuda Amar, a former contestant on Israel’s Master Chef who now lives in Miami, alongside grilling enthusiasts and meat lovers.

 Black Iron's wagyu beef

Eisenkot rejects claim he promised Ra'am a place in future coalition during Bedouin meeting

The denial followed an N12 report in which northern Bedouin local authority heads who met Eisenkot on Tuesday claimed he had promised to bring Ra'am into a government he would lead.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Yashar party and a former IDF chief of staff, speaks during an election campaign rally in Nordiya, Israel, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2026.

Lapid calls on Netanyahu to convene defense budget committee, release NIS 11b. to IDF

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Netanyahu to convene the defense budget committee and release NIS 11 billion for urgent military purchases.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with opposition head Yair Lapid, June 17, 2025

The final frontier: US reveals Space Force has 'on-orbit space control weapons' for first time

Meink declined to say whether the weapons were kinetic, meaning systems designed to physically damage or destroy a target, or non-kinetic systems such as electronic warfare capabilities.

A satellite

Six Israeli cities ban live chickens for Yom Kippur kapparot, animal rights org. urges more to join

Animal rights group Let the Animals Live says Tel Mond, Yeruham, Mevaseret Zion, Yavne, Kiryat Bialik, and Rishon Lezion have joined the initiative to ban live chickens for kapparot.

A man performs the ancient Jewish ritual of kaparot