Donald H. Harrison

Historian says Israel can remain Jewish and democratic

By Alex Traiman/JNS.org WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent controversial remark that Israel risks becoming “an apartheid state” in the absence of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shined a spotlight on the perceived demographic threat to Israel—a threat that some experts say is not based on current reality. The […]

Historian says Israel can remain Jewish and democratic Read More »

Jewish History, Middle East

Cardin concerned over press repression in 6 countries

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)—In advance of World Press Freedom Day, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and U.S. Representative Chris Smith (NJ), Co-Chairman of the Commission, addressed the deterioration of media freedom in Ukraine, and the continued presence of criminal defamation: On the situation in

Cardin concerned over press repression in 6 countries Read More »

Middle East, USA

Israel advocate says pro- Palestinians excel on campuses

  By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Former IDF Lt. Hen Mazzig, who coordinates Israel advocacy for StandWithUs’s Pacific Northwest Chapter on 15 college campuses in and around Seattle, Washington, says the American Jewish community may be too focused on interacting with present-day elites, while pro-Palestinian advocates are building a constituency among the college

Israel advocate says pro- Palestinians excel on campuses Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Cantor: Select Committee on Benghazi necessary

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) released the following statement Friday, May 2,  on a House Select Committee on Benghazi, which House Speaker John Boehner said he planned to create if the House membership approves next week. “For nearly two years, House committees have aggressively investigated what happened the night four brave

Cantor: Select Committee on Benghazi necessary Read More »

Middle East, USA

Twice weekly flights possible between Tel Aviv, Baku

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Press Release)– Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman met in Baku with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and discussed with him the strengthening of bilateral relations, Lieberman’s office announced Thursday, May 1.  During the meeting, FM Liberman stated that Israel views the relationship with Azerbaijan as one of special importance, and praised Azerbaijan

Twice weekly flights possible between Tel Aviv, Baku Read More »

International, Middle East, Travel and Food

Reflections on Italian and Israeli tourism

By Ira Sharkansky PADUA, Italy — Living in Israel has several advantages that are not widely promoted among those trying to attract tourists or new residents. You can live a Jewish life, immersed in a rich culture and discussions of things that have been argued for more than two millennia, without having to visit a synagogue.

Reflections on Italian and Israeli tourism Read More »

International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Travel and Food

JNS news briefs: May 2, 2014

  Israeli population rises to 8.18 million (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Days before Israel’s 66th Independence Day, the Israeli population reached 8.18 million people, according to a report by the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics. This is more than 10 times the size of the population (806,000) when independence was declared in 1948. Israel’s Jewish

JNS news briefs: May 2, 2014 Read More »

International