By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Here’re more indications that the greatest danger to the future of the Jewish people, and thus to Judaism, may come from within. What follows are hints of the ominous evidence I gleaned on the first of a two-day conference in Jerusalem under the title, “New Understandings of Gender, Love […]
Demographics point to a Haredi majority among Israeli Jews Read More »
Middle EastHawaii’s Jewish lieutenant governor to replace senator known for pro-Israel record (JNS.org) Brian Schatz, the Jewish lieutenant governor of Hawaii, will rise to the rank of U.S. senator to replace the late Daniel Inouye, who was known for a strong pro-Israel record. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday announced the appointment of Schatz,
JNS briefs: December 27, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Evelyn Gordon If there were a prize for the Arab country that has done most to promote Arab-Israeli peace recently, I’d seriously consider nominating Saudi Arabia. Admittedly, that’s a counterintuitive choice: Riyadh doesn’t even recognize Israel and shows no signs of doing so anytime soon; moreover, it finances the spread of extremist
Glimmer of recognition of Israel’s problems in Saudi papers Read More »
Middle EastTerror infrastructure dismantled in Ramallah (JNS.org) The Israel Security Agency, in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces, uncovered infrastructure of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization in the Ramallah area, Israel Hayom reported. The cell allegedly planned on abducting Israelis, according to documents recently released for publication. Detained members from the
JNS news briefs: December 26, 2012 Read More »
InternationalObama considers others for defense secretary after Hagel controversy (JNS.org) U.S. President Barack Obama is considering several other candidates for the post of defense secretary after his administration received heavy criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike for considering former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel for the role, National Journal reported. Hagel currently chairs the Atlantic Council think
JNS news briefs: December 25, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Twice in recent days I’ve run afoul of American parochialism. You’ve already read more than enough about my encounter with gun control enthusiasts. The second is with Reform and Conservative Jews, brought about by an article in the New York Times that bemoans the inability of Reform and Conservative women
Non-Orthodox Jews should not expect U.S. customs in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastKnesset speaker slams foreign lawmakers over visit to Hamas-ruled Gaza (JNS.org) Reuven Rivlin, speaker of the Israeli Knesset, said he would boycott an Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) delegation set to arrive in Israel next month after IPU announced that it would include the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on its itinerary, Israel Hayom reported. According to its
JNS news briefs: December 24, 2012 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I’ve tried to convince my American friends how out of step they are on firearms. Being number one in gun ownership and number one in murder does not seem to impress them. Perhaps it stimulates their pride in being different. Everyone else must be off kilter, insofar as individual freedom
An immodest proposal: A gun ghetto, perhaps Texas Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –What many feared and others hoped for may be about to happen: the Obama administration in its second term will be much tougher on the Netanyahu government than it was in the first four years. The appointment of John Kerry as the next US Secretary of State and the anticipated
Will Kerry put more pressure on Israel to negotiate? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Thirty-four parties are running in Israel’s election, but there are fewer real contenders. Prominent are Likud a bit to the right of center, and Labor a bit to the left of center. There are parties further to the right and the left, each for their true believers, plus two ultra-Orthodox
See the candidates stumble in Israeli elections Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Despite the clouds formed by the sharpening election campaign, a new star can be clearly discerned on Israel’s political firmament. His name is Naftali Bennet, the new leader of the nationalist (modern) Orthodox party, Habayit Hayehudi (the Jewish home) that can trace its origins to the once moderate National Religious Party.
The rising stardom of Naftali Bennet Read More »
Middle EastBy Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — One of the nice things about living in Japan and Taiwan over the past 20 years is that there is no gun culture, no gun violence, no guns blazing. So whenever I read about the increasing gun violence in America, I cringe. I recently read a news story
Hollywood should cut down on gun violence Read More »
USABy Yaakov Lappin Israel’s weeklong air campaign against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza last month helped establish a successful anti-rocket/missile combat doctrine, which was well-designed for that particular conflict, but which will not be applicable against Hezbollah. Despite the triumphalist cries and unceasing flow of belligerent threats coming out of Gaza, Hamas’ leadership is
Israel would not use Gaza strategy against Lebanon Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — There are many points of disagreement between Fatah and Hamas; so many that they fought an ugly civil war in 2007, leaving Hamas in control of Gaza and Fatah in control of the West Bank. It is a mistake, however, to conclude from their often violent enmity, that Fatah,
Hamas and Fatah have same goal: Israel’s elimination Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen