Bibles & Rifles

Israeli Jewish Orthodox soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion ‎(also known as Nahal Haredi brigade), are seen during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Ammunition Hill national memorial site in Jerusalem, on May 31, 2012. The unit, part of the Israeli Defense Forces Kfir Brigade, was created by a group of rabbis in cooperation with the IDF and Israel's Ministry of Defense, as a venue for young men who wish to serve the national interests of the state of Israel while adhering to the highest religious standards.

Yamato - The Drummers of Japan

Members of the Japanese drummer band "Yamato - The Drummers of Japan" perform during the opening night of the 2012 Israel Festival, at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, on May 24, 2012.

Facing a looming deadline

Jewish settlers attend a special mass prayer at the Ulpana neighborhood in the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the Palestinian West Bank city of Ramallah, on May 21, 2012. Israel's Supreme Court has set a July 1 deadline for a scheduled evacuation, and demolition, of five structures that were illegally built on land classified as private Palestinian property in the Ulpana neighborhood.

Portrait: "Omar Epps"

American actor Omar Epps is seen during a meeting with Israeli media in Jerusalem, on May 13, 2012.

I visited the Knesset and all I got were some (fill in the blank) hand gestures

In case you blinked, here's a quick recap of political events in Israel over the last couple of days.

Portrait: Merav Michaeli

Israeli Journailst and TV presenter Merav Michaeli, April 30, 2012.

Nothing like the smell of general election in the afternoon

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, on May 3, 2012.

Radio broadcaster Menashe Amir for Monocle magazine

A story I shot for Monocle Magazine about Radio broadcaster Menashe Amir. Words by Adi Schwarz.

Portrait: Yitzhak Navon

Yitzhak Navon, Israel's fifth President, poses for a photograph at his office in Jerusalem, on March 25, 2012.

Faking Fame

Fans react as they participate in the Season 4 Finale of the Israeli version of Big Brother reality-television show, at the Neve Ilan studios, on April 2, 2012.