Sam Halpern

Sam is a senior field reporter at The Jerusalem Post where he has worked since June 2023. He is a James Madison University alumnus where he graduated cum-laude with a degree in English and minors in Creative Writing and Environmental Studies.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and former Gaza hostage Yarden Bibas at the My Tree in Israel event in Moshav HaYogev. July 9, 2026.

'Not forgotten': US envoy Huckabee, Yarden Bibas dedicate tree to murdered Bibas family

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee speaks during the Jerusalem Summit, a conference on antisemitism and Christian support for Israel, at the Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Jerusalem, June 11, 2026.

As US-Iran peace prospects crumble, return to heavy fighting up to Trump, CENTCOM, Huckabee says

Palestinians gather on the beach front in Gaza City on July 3 2026.

Only clans can govern Gaza after Hamas disarmed, NCAG will fail, MidEast expert says - interview


Israel 'will return to the whole of Gaza,' should 'erase' Oslo Accords, Smotrich says

“Gush Katif is small,” Smotrich told Pulse of Israel podcast host Avi Abelow. “We will return to the whole of Gaza in a big way.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026.

Iran targeted civilians as tactic of war, new report pushes IRGC accountability - interview

Adv. Uri Morad said that Iran’s missile campaign targeted civilians as a tactic of war, and argued that senior Iranian leaders should face legal action.

Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on March 23, 2026.

Tel Aviv’s Shuk Olim brings out dozens of immigrant entrepreneurs to showcase goods

“Every single booth has an oleh with a story, and they're selling their products from the small business that they opened here in Israel after their aliyah,” said Devon Conway of Nefesh B'Nefesh.

Shoppers browse goods at Nefesh B'Nefesh's Shuk Olim event in Tel Aviv. June 25, 2026.

WATCH: Maccabiah opening ceremony kicks off in Jerusalem, thousands of athletes in attendance

Both President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the crowd during the ceremony, bidding the Jews who had come from around the world a warm “welcome home.”

Israeli participants at the 2026 Maccabiah games, Jerusalem, July 1, 2026.

Israeli gov't recognition of Armenian Genocide fulfills 'moral duty,' senior bishop says

“It means a lot for the State of Israel, for the Jewish people," Baghdasaryan said. "It was really the moral duty for the State of Israel to recognize the Armenian genocide.”

Bishop Koryun Baghdasaryan.

Tel Aviv to establish new 'beit oleh' to support immigrants, lone soldiers, vice-mayor says

The house will be “a place where they can come and work, have Shabbat dinners, celebrate the holidays, receive lectures, do shows, have parties, and organize,” Tel Aviv Vice-Mayor Guy Avner said.

Jewish immigrants fleeing the war in Ukraine, on a rescue flight sponosred by the IFCJ, arrive at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on March 6, 2022.

Social media star Montana Tucker to host Maccabiah Games delegation parade - interview

"This is Israel. This is what being Jewish means,” social media star Montana Tucker said of the Maccabiah Games.

Montana Tucker in front of an artistic rendering of the stage at the 2026 Maccabiah Games.

Father of child murdered in Sbarro bombing slams Jordan, demands terrorist extradited - interview

“She's been free in Jordan longer than my daughter was alive," Arnold Roth said. "There's something very, very wrong going on, and there are no secrets. It's very clear who can fix the problem.”

Ahlam Tamimi waves as she arrives at Queen Alia international airport in Amman, late October 18, 2011.

Tackling terror indoctrination in Palestinian schools key to ending 'Pay-for-Slay,' panelists say

“Why are people terrorists?" Fleur Hassan-Nahoum asked. "Because they're indoctrinated."

Children return to school at an establishment run by United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus in the West Bank on August 29, 2018.

US-Iran deal means Israel will be ‘in this s*** a lot longer,’ Jerusalemites say

Some Israelis indicated that, with the MoU, which is set to be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday, they saw an emerging rift between the US and Israel.

People walk on Jaffa Street in central Jerusalem, June 15, 2026.