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Sue Surkes

Sue Surkes

The Times of Israel

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Israel has sufficient oil and petroleum reserves, for now — energy expert

Israel has sufficient oil and petroleum reserves, for now — energy expert

But with costs rising, gasoline prices could go up by NIS 1 per liter, or $1.21 per gallon, next month unless Finance Ministry cuts fuel tax to soften...

latest 10

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Haifa refinery says more missile attack damage found near site, but most production online

Haifa refinery says more missile attack damage found near site, but most production online

Facility will take ‘few days’ to restore; Haifa’s deputy mayor urges government to close refineries as soon as possible: ‘Playing Russian...

friday 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

USA Today names Rachel Goldberg‑Polin as a Woman of the Year

USA Today names Rachel Goldberg‑Polin as a Woman of the Year

Lauding mother of slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, paper says her ‘cadence, her analogies, her stories, remind us of what it’s...

19.03.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Divine Providence: Serving and former mayors of Rhode Island capital celebrate bar mitzvahs

Divine Providence: Serving and former mayors of Rhode Island capital celebrate bar mitzvahs

Brett Smiley and David Cicilline join 11 others in a group ceremony after 18 months of study for those celebrating the rite of passage as adults

19.03.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Anxiety symptoms, lack of trust in adults, rising in children as war drags on

Anxiety symptoms, lack of trust in adults, rising in children as war drags on

Veteran NGO reports marked return of symptoms such as bedwetting, nightmares, apathy and withdrawal in children who had already improved from previous...

18.03.2026 30

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Arab Israelis experiencing higher distress levels in war than Jews — study

Arab Israelis experiencing higher distress levels in war than Jews — study

Survey undertaken during current Iran war shows Arabs feel greatest losses in economic stability, social connections, emotional resilience, faith and...

18.03.2026 30

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

3,500 people evacuated, 10,946 damage claims filed since start of latest Iran war

3,500 people evacuated, 10,946 damage claims filed since start of latest Iran war

State comptroller report shows most evacuations from Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Beit Shemesh and Beersheba, with half of damage claims coming from Tel Aviv...

18.03.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak closes two nature reserves to public

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak closes two nature reserves to public

With two wild gazelles already dead, Nature and Parks Authority, Agriculture Ministry, draw line around northern Israel region hit by new strain of...

17.03.2026 30

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Family fundraises for poodles badly hurt in Iranian missile attack

Family fundraises for poodles badly hurt in Iranian missile attack

Surgery for Tsili and Gili expected to cost tens of thousands of shekels, and owner Danielle Haroush ‘can barely make ends meet,’ says sister

16.03.2026 30

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

War will not interrupt annual migration of millions of birds through Israel — expert

Even the conflict will not stop birds from rushing to get the best nesting spots in their usual breeding areas, says KKL-JNF chief ornithologist

10.03.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Traumatized nation: Organizations step into breach left by overwhelmed mental health system

Post-October 7 initiatives sprang up like mushrooms after the rain. Now, not-for-profits are building coalitions, mapping who is providing what to...

10.03.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

SPNI calls to freeze ‘land grab’ retroactively legalizing Galilee farm buildings

Nature society says Agriculture Ministry plan to legitimize illegal structures on lands equivalent in size to Tel Aviv-Jaffa includes areas in nature...

09.03.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Employers of Filipina caretaker killed by Iranian missile remember ‘angel on Earth’

Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera was pregnant with first child when killed by an attack on Tel Aviv. ‘The public should know how special she was,’ says...

02.03.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Israeli who survived 9/11 and October 7 now faces down Iranian missiles in Dubai

Chicago native Deborah Benson-Ben Aderet is stranded in the United Arab Emirates while her two daughters weather the war in their southern Israel home

02.03.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Not waiting for state okay, 2 kibbutzim buy lockable, bulletproof doors for safe rooms

Armor-plated doors haven’t yet been approved by army for home use, but opting for survival over protocol, Nahal Oz and Kerem Shalom install them...

26.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

The way the kurkar crumbles? As deteriorating cliffs pose a danger, politics bogs down repairs

After part of a coastal rock face collapses in Herzliya, those tasked with protecting these ridges call for cash – and a single coordinating body to...

26.02.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Heeding green groups’ demand, High Court orders government to justify climate targets

Following Monday hearing on green groups’ petition, court demands the state define its ‘bottom line’ for emissions cuts, report on climate steps...

24.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In first, environmental NGOs petition High Court against government’s climate policies

Petitioners demand interim injunction to compel government to explain why emissions cut target for 2030 is 27% and not 43%, as set by the UN to cap...

23.02.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Rising Mediterranean pushes groundwater up into Tel Aviv basements

Water Authority’s head of hydrology urges planners, developers to prepare for a rarely discussed climate change threat to urban infrastructure

23.02.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Israeli researchers find humans, turtles, share key brain function going back 320 million years

Turtles found able to grasp that same object seen from different angles is not a different object, an important trait for defense against land-based...

19.02.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

State report finds Israel unprepared to ensure gas keeps flowing during emergencies

State comptroller appears to urge government to rethink decision to close Haifa refinery, but office claims it is just seeking to guarantee energy...

17.02.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Climate change likely to bring more dust storms, earlier in the year, expert says

Assaf Hochman of Hebrew University’s Earth Sciences Institute warns increase in dust clouds will affect Israeli agriculture, public health

16.02.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

New postage stamp salutes elite IDF engineering unit Yahalom

Marking 30 years since establishment, unit has operated in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, destroying tunnels, helping to rescue hostages and handling...

16.02.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site reopens after NIS 25 million facelift

New-look Christan holy site in West Bank includes wide wooden deck for safe access to water, new shower and changing facility, a prayer pergola, and...

11.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Customs agents nab infected lemon tree, averting ‘disaster’

Resident of central Holon in his 70s tries to smuggle sapling from Thailand infected with disease that has wiped out citrus groves across US, Asia,...

11.02.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Red tape, lack of coordination, delaying Gaza border rehab, state comptroller finds

Audit says funds sitting unused or going to waste due to bureaucracy, failure to consult with locals; state also criticized for not helping those...

10.02.2026 30

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Rights groups call on Interior Ministry to freeze deportation of Ethiopian migrants

With Foreign Ministry warning against travel to Tigray, groups say Ethiopia still too volatile to be safe

10.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

US soldiers who served near Gaza adopt abandoned dogs

After service members bonded with three adult dogs and seven puppies during war, 2 animal rights groups partner to fly the animals to the new owners,...

09.02.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Trading security for spirituality, former official co-launches pilgrimage route to Jerusalem

After an epiphany on a dreary morning, Golan Rice quits El Al job, sets out to co-found the Way to Jerusalem for pilgrims from all walks of life to...

07.02.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Amid Finance Ministry dairy reform, besieged Gaza border farm’s fate is curdling, says CEO

Outgoing head Avi Fraiman, who has spent 43 years working at Kibbutz Alumim’s milk farm, says the government should target big food cartels...

04.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Shoppers face empty milk shelves as dairy farmers ramp up fight against proposed reform

Producers agree to resume raw milk supply to processing companies for the time being, though protest convoys to Jerusalem still planned for Wednesday

04.02.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Farmers threaten to stop supplying milk in protest at dairy reform

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hits back at ‘communist’ industry, says when there is real competition from imports, such threats will...

02.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

A third of Israel’s butterfly species threatened, with three already extinct

‘Preserving butterflies is not just about preserving beauty and color, but about the stability and health of ecosystems on which we all...

02.02.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Ahead of annual report, Climate Forum heads say even in wartime, they battle for change

In a joint interview before presenting findings to president, chair and CEO of environmental group discuss post-Oct. 7 programs, local government, and...

29.01.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Desalination plant in central region goes into full operation

Soreq B in Rishon Lezion will produce 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually; with other plants, will meet 70-80% of the country’s...

25.01.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Marking a global first, Israel’s new Sea Turtle Rescue Center comes out of its shell

Complex with world’s only breeding group to open next month with guided tours that will showcase researchers’ efforts to stave off...

24.01.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Kibbutz Be’eri chooses single burned-out house to bear testimony to October 7

Home on community’s periphery belongs to the Dvori family, who were overseas when Hamas went on killing spree; other wrecked structures...

15.01.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Banned elsewhere in the West, Israel permitting farmers to use feces as cattle feed

Animals Now launches PR campaign against practice, but Agriculture Ministry says ‘adapted feeding solutions’ required when grazing land is...

12.01.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Over 50,000 Dutch tulips brighten Gaza border communities

Bulbs supplied by Netherlands-based organization, Christians for Israel, which says flowers symbolize roots of Jewish people in the Land of Israel...

11.01.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Turkey says 3 police officers, 6 terrorists killed in raid on Islamic State cell

Police storm house where ISIS members were hiding in Yalova province, south of Istanbul; last week, officials said group was plotting attacks on...

29.12.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Pirate waste fires choke Israelis and Palestinians as ministers play game of hot potato

Ahead of upcoming elections, lawmakers wake up to citizens’ protests as Environmental and Defense ministries battle over turf and Treasury...

29.12.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Over 20 civil society, green, health bodies call for changes to key budget bill

Organizations want removal of proposed planning changes with environmental, health implications from catch-all Economic Arrangements Bill that limits...

28.12.2025 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Environment Ministry inaugurates new facility for recycling building waste

Located in Kedumim in northern West Bank, the facility separates materials that can be used again for new building and infrastructure projects,...

24.12.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Redacted Epstein file release falls short of expectations, sparks criticism

Initial release includes mostly photos, including many with Clinton, but lots of the files are blacked out or missing, leading victims and lawmakers...

20.12.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Study of prehistoric botanical art in the Levant suggests ancient man could do math

Analysis by Hebrew University researchers shows 8,000-year-old Halafian pottery sherds bearing symmetry and numerical patterning in images of trees,...

20.12.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Israeli NGO among 36 organizations calling for global reform of live animal shipping

Groups urge International Maritime Organization to improve conditions for animals shipped for slaughter, citing threats to animal welfare, human life...

18.12.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

‘Stay indoors’: Health Ministry tells central town to shelter due to toxic waste fires

In rare move, ministry instructs some Shoham residents to close windows, turn off air-conditioning to protect themselves from pollution from illegal...

17.12.2025 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

New Israeli fossil research shows some winged dinosaurs lost ability to fly

Study of molting patterns in fossilized colored feathers suggests evolution of dinosaurs and birds was ‘more complex than previously...

16.12.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Israeli scientists say artificial rock weathering can remove CO2 from atmosphere

Hebrew University experts continue in footsteps of researcher who built special reactor that flushes CO2, seawater through stone columns, but science...

15.12.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In an ancient oasis in Bukhara, a tiny Jewish community relies on its Muslim neighbors

Once a highly influential Jewish hub on Central Asia’s Silk Road, the urban center is now home to just several hundred Jews, who despite a lack...

12.12.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes