海角大神

President Joe Biden鈥檚 approach to international alliances and shared values has helped inject a renewed sense of purpose into NATO. But could its focus become too diffuse?

Russia and the United States are at a nadir in their relations. Russians hope that Wednesday鈥檚 summit between the countries鈥� leaders will establish a baseline understanding of each other鈥檚 red lines.

The killing of a Muslim family in a hit-and-run incident is forcing Canada to face up to its darker side and take steps to eradicate Islamophobia.

In a mirror of the U.S. as a whole, America鈥檚 largest Protestant denomination is a house divided on issues of race, gender, and politics.聽Can it continue to stand?

Growing interest in historic urban sites of Black history is a corrective to their displacement by urban redevelopment. These tours also highlight the resilience of Black communities in the past.聽

The opening speech of a newly elected leader can not only set a new tone for a democracy, but can also help to heal its broken politics. On Sunday, for example, when Israel鈥檚 lawmakers chose Naftali Bennett as the new prime minister, his talk to the Knesset was one of gratitude and generosity, just the necessary antidotes for years of hate-driven divisions within Israeli society.

Mr. Bennett began with a prayer of thanksgiving and then proceeded to praise the very person that he and his coalition partners so badly wanted to oust as prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. 鈥淓xpressing gratitude is a fundamental principle in Judaism,鈥� he reminded Jewish Israelis, and then thanked Mr. Netanyahu for his years of service and for emboldening Israel鈥檚 political, security, and economic strength. And he said this even after Mr. Netanyahu vowed to bring down the new government, and his supporters heckled the new prime minister in parliament.

That turn-the-other-cheek aspect of the speech may seem unusual in politics, which often focus on a person over deeper social trends. But as the founding editor of The Times of Israel, David Horovitz, wrote, 鈥淭he new coalition can only be a government of national healing. Otherwise, it will not be a government at all.鈥� As part of that healing, Mr. Bennett asked those supporters who might celebrate his coalition鈥檚 victory to not 鈥渄ance on the pain of others.鈥�

The new prime minister also praised the 鈥減olitical generosity鈥� of his coalition partner, Yair Lapid of the centrist, secular political party, Yesh Atid, or 鈥淭here Is a Future.鈥�

Mr. Lapid鈥檚 humility in allowing Mr. Bennett to become prime minister first 鈥� even though Mr. Lapid鈥檚 party won 10 more seats than Mr. Bennett鈥檚 party 鈥� was crucial in forming the diverse coalition of eight parties. Only if the coalition survives the next two years will Mr. Lapid become prime minister. For his part, Mr. Lapid (who is now foreign minister) said 鈥渇riendship and trust鈥� were foundational for the coalition to govern.

The coalition鈥檚 survival depends on how well it focuses on common-ground actions that can unite Israelis rather than taking the usual course of many politicians to take advantage of policy divisions for temporary political gain. Such actions include passing a state budget 鈥� after two years of stalemate. On issues that divide Israelis, the coalition says it will practice restraint.

鈥淲e will do all we can so that no one should have to feel afraid,鈥� Mr. Bennett said. 鈥淲e are here in the name of good and to work.鈥� Other democracies riven by politics can take note of this new tone in Israel.