Dov Boris Khenin
Israeli politician, lawyer and activist (born 1958)
| Dov Khenin | |
|---|---|
| Image | |
| Born | 10 1 1958 (age 68 years old (as of 2026)
) Petah Tikva, Israel |
| Died | |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, activist |
| Known for | Former Knesset member for Hadash; co-founder of Standing Together |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Dov Khenin (born 10 January 1958), also known as Doc Khenin, is an Israeli politician, lawyer, and activist. A prominent Jewish-Israeli communist and former member of the Knesset for the left-wing Hadash party, he supports a two-state solution based on equality and the Green Line borders. He opposes the dissolution of the Jewish state, viewing binational one-state scenarios as unrealistic, and criticizes armed Palestinian resistance while condemning Israel's military occupation.[1][2]
Early life and education
Dov Khenin was born in Petah Tikva to David (Sasha) and Shulamit (Shula) Khenin. His father was a leading figure in the Communist Party of Israel (Maki) and Hadash. His mother was a preschool teacher and Communist activist. His paternal grandfather was a Chabad-Lubavitch Hasid. Khenin was named after his paternal uncle, who was killed in the Holocaust.[1][3]
He grew up in Tel Aviv, attended Tchernichovsky elementary school and Municipal High School 'H'. As a youth, he joined the Young Communist League (Banki). During his IDF service, he refused deployment to the West Bank and Gaza Strip on ideological grounds, serving as a staff sergeant.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
In 2008, he ran for Mayor of Tel Aviv on a left-wing environmental platform, receiving a significant share of the vote. He resigned from the Knesset ahead of the April 2019 elections to continue activism outside parliament.[4]
Khenin served in the Knesset from 2006 to 2019 as a Hadash representative, later part of the Joint List, as its sole Jewish MK for much of his tenure. He ran for Tel Aviv mayor in 2008.[1] He co-founded Standing Together, focusing on Jewish-Arab solidarity.[5]
Political positions
One-State vs. Two-State
Khenin advocates a two-state solution as the viable path to peace.[6]
- Two-State Vision: He supports an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel on 1967 borders, partitioned Jerusalem, and full equality for Arab citizens in Israel.[2][6]
- One-State Stance: He calls one-state advocates "totally separated from reality", favouring ending occupation and mutual independence over a single state.[2]
The Dissolution of the Jewish State
Khenin does not support dissolving the Jewish state. He recognises self-determination for both peoples and opposes erasure of either nation's existence.[2][6]
The Palestinian Resistance
Khenin condemns the occupation but prioritises non-violent mobilisation and peacebuilding over armed struggle, arguing violence aids extremists. He promotes solidarity via Standing Together.[6][5]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 ECFR profile
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mondoweiss, 2009
- ↑ Dov Khenin personal website (dovblog.org)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedToI - ↑ 5.0 5.1 +972 Magazine, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Links interview