Amid escalating tensions and evolving diplomatic overtures, the relationship between Israel and Syria has entered yet another complex phase. In wake of the fall of the Assad regime, tentative diplomatic signals come against a backdrop of intensifying military activity. In a sweeping historical study published in Israel Studies (Vol. 29, Issue 2), Professor Elie Podeh of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers an insightful look into over seven decades of clandestine and public efforts to achieve peace between Israel and Syria.

In a world where cars symbolize freedom, some Israeli families are finding liberation in going without them. A new study from the Hebrew University explores the surprising motivations of middle-class parents in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem who choose to live car-free—not out of necessity, but by design. Their reasons range from fear of driving to a desire for healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and more independent children. These “outlier” families offer powerful insights that challenge transportation norms and open new avenues for policy and planning.

Prof. Netta Barak-Corren of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Law and the Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality has been selected to join the European Research Council’s (ERC) prestigious “Ambassadors for the ERC” program. Professor Barak-Corren recently won an ERC Starting Grant to launch EmpiriCon, a pioneering research project that addresses the lack of empirical grounding in constitutional law.