By James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Syrian civil war has passed an inflection point and Washington is running to catch up. While it may be too late for the United States to have a decisive impact on the ground, there is still time to salvage an American role in the end game and, hence, an […]
U.S. has dwindling options in Syria Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Scandals are prominent in Israeli media only two weeks before the national election. Neither is new, and both are being fanned by political activists concerned to use what they can to garner votes for themselves or the party they are supporting, as well by media personalities who know how to recognize
Barak-Ashkenazi feud now figure in election politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –What seemed absolutely certain two weeks ago is much less so today: though it’s still likely that Binyamin Netanyahu will head a coalition after the elections on January 22 and thus continue as Prime Minister, other possibilities have now emerged. The leaders of three centrist parties – Sheli Yachimovitch of
Some electoral reverses for Netanyahu Read More »
Middle EastHagel, amid controversial record on Israel, to be nominated for defense secretary (JNS.org) President Barack Obama’s defense secretary nominee will be former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel, who has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for his record on Israel, according to media reports that surfaced Sunday. Hagel chairs the Atlantic Council think tank, which
JNS news briefs: January 7, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s easier to talk about politics, even to teach it, than to practice it. This was amply demonstrated by Michael Ignatieff, academic and TV personality, who had a less than successful spell as the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party. He spoke about it at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem
Israel democracy needs face-to-face voter contact Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Several of my columns commenting about the United States have produced angry responses, claiming that I do not understand, that my “opinions” are tainted, and that if I do not value the United States I should give up my citizenship. What I think these responses reveal is yet another side of the United
The intellectual right, yea obligation, of independent thought Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Peter Huessy In the decade since the attacks of 9/11, the United States and its allies have portrayed terrorism as primarily al Qaeda-centric. This, in turn, has led, logically, to a search for the origin of the terrorism aimed at us. Thus, after 9/11, many American analysts wondered, “Why do they hate
Al Qaeda only one element of worldwide terrorism Read More »
Middle EastNetanyahu to ambassadors: Palestinians must declare conflict over for peace accord (JNS.org) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lecturing to Israeli ambassadors about regional concerns at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, said Palestinian claims of a “right of return” spell the end of Israel and prevent a peace agreement from being reached. “Hamas could take over the
JNS news briefs: January 4, 2013 Read More »
InternationalWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) on Thursday, Jan. 3, noted a recent poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press that shows the continuing large gap in support for Israel between Republicans and Democrats. The poll, taken in mid-December, asked, “In the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians,
Poll finds conservatives favor Israel, liberals less so Read More »
USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin NEW YORK –My eyes watered and my throat tightened as I disembarked at Newark Liberty Airport and gazed upon the renewed New York skyline and the curative, colossal sight of the One World Trade Center tower. It was certainly a joyous journey: a daughter marrying in my native Israel, a connection
Gratitude on returning to the Land of the Free Read More »
USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Israel’s largest political block (the unholy alliance between Netanyahu’s Likud and Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu) appears to believe what voters abroad have known for a long time: women can make a difference to the outcome of elections. That’s why it’s accusing its serious rival on the right, Naftali Bennet’s Habayit Heyehudi
What role will women play in Israel’s election? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The election is boring, but the formation of the next government may be more exciting. Voters are shifting a bit between parties, mostly on account of two new parties in the center and a newly energized party on the right. What is boring is that the major blocs made up
Israel’s election math Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastYemen reportedly detains Israeli man accused of spying (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Arab media outlets reported on Wednesday that Yemeni security forces recently arrested a man with both Israeli and Yemeni citizenship on suspicion of spying for the Mossad. According to reports from Yemen, the man, known as Ali Abdullah Muhsin Al-Haimi Al-Sayaghi or Ibrahim
JNS news briefs: January 3, 2013 Read More »
InternationalReport: Arabs could outnumber Jews in Israel and Palestinian territories by 2020 (JNS.org) On top of Hamas terrorism, the Iranian nuclear program, the implications of unrest in Syria and the rise of an Islamist government in Egypt, another growing challenge Israel faces in 2013 and beyond is a demographic one. The Jewish state could lose
JNS news briefs: January 2, 2013 Read More »
International