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.

At an animal shelter, teenage volunteers from the youth club care for and walk beagles from pharmaceutical laboratories that are awaiting adoption, in Yvre L Eveque, France, September 6, 2025.

Over 150 beagles rescued from testing at Wisconsin facility, marking over 2,000 released this year

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid speaks during a press conference as part of the B'Yachad party election campaign in Tel Aviv, central Israel, August 19, 2026.

Lapid: Israel's foreign relations 'disaster,' must be considered integral part of national security

Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attends a Likud party conference ahead of the party’s primary elections, in the southern city of Ashdod, August 2, 2026.

Knesset Speaker Ohana says he's 'glad, proud' Likud defied High Court on repeating comptroller vote


Israeli authorities detain PA's Jerusalem Affairs minister for questioning - report

The detention was made at Ashraf Hassan Abbas al-Awar's home in the Silwan neighborhood in east Jerusalem.

Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ashraf Hassan Abbas al-Awar.

A-G proposes delaying Oct. 7 inquiry decision as government 'hasn't established one anyway'

Baharav-Miara said the election period would get in the way of a decision and noted that the current government had not established one anyway.

Attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara at a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, in the Israeli parliament on September 30, 2025.

Israel Election 2026: What does Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party stand for?

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

(L-R) Religious Zionist Party (RZP) MK Simcha Rothman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shake hands at the RZP primaries ahead of the 2026 Israeli  election, in Jerusalem, July 26, 2026

Palestinians say settlers want to ‘expel us, kill us’ as Jewish extremists return to Kusra

Palestinian residents who remain in the area told KAN News that they still feel threatened by Jewish extremists in the area.

Israeli settlers gather outside a Palestinian home in Qusra, in the West Bank, August 15, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a video.

'This is what occupation looks like': MK Cassif says IDF tried to prevent him from entering Kusra

“This is exactly what apartheid looks like. This is exactly what occupation looks like. We will continue to fight against the terror of the occupation and for a just peace," Cassif said.

Hadash-Ta'al MK Ofer Cassif says the IDF attempted to delay him from entering Kusra by declaring it a 'closed military zone,' August 14, 2026.

IDF to probe soldiers' conduct in West Bank's Kusra, investigate time taken to evacuate extremists

According to N12, the IDF will also look into the manner in which the Palestinian families of the town were evacuated on Thursday after being instructed to leave.

Settlers near Kusra blocking a road with rocks.

Katz orders IDF to prepare to transfer West Bank civilian enforcement to police after Kusra chaos

According to Katz, the proposed plan would shift responsibility for civilian law enforcement and public order involving the Israeli population in the West Bank from the IDF to the police.

Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Stable West Bank keeps Israel secure, State Dept. says as Huckabee calls settlers ‘terrorists'

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee used unusually strong language to condemn Israelis involved in violence against a Palestinian family in Qusra, calling them "Israeli terrorists."

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, June 30, 2026; illustrative.

'Real Right, real enlistment': Former UN amb. Gilad Erdan announces name of new 'Unity Party'

Former Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan announced on Tuesday that his new right-wing party will be called the Unity Party, with the slogan "Real right. Real enlistment."

Gilad Erdan announces new political party with Yuli Edelstein on August 6, 2026.

Israel elections 2026: What does Tropper and Hendel's Zionist Home–The Reservists stand for?

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

Former ministers Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel unveil the platform of their newly launched The Zionist Home-The Reservists party on August 5, 2026.