By Linda Sax Snaid SAN DIEGO — While my husband looked for snacks recently in an airport lounge in Atlanta, a smiling gentleman took the seat opposite me. He was on layover from Dubai, returning from a visit with one of his children. Both he and his children were educated at elite European universities. He […]
Airport encounter depressing harbinger of Mideast strife Read More »
Middle EastPosted January 19, 2012 By Samara Greenberg WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Friday, Thai authorities arrested a Lebanese native with Swedish citizenship, identified as Atris Hussein, suspected of being involved in the Hezbollah terror group and planning an attack. The arrest came after Israel and the U.S. informed Bangkok back in December that three Hezbollah operatives
Jewish Policy Center’s World News and Commentary Read More »
International
By Rabbi Ben Kamin LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Although Georgia Davis Powers is 88 years old, she remains fit, feisty, vibrant, alert, creative, and determined to be remembered as more than a woman connected romantically to Martin Luther King, Jr. The first time she ever visited Memphis was at his behest; she drove through a rainy night from
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the staples of 2011 punditry has been the “decline” of the United States. See Google’s 190,000,000 results in 0.26 seconds for “U.S.decline in power.” China in particular, pundits say, is about to eat our economic lunch, and all that’s left for us is to figure out how
Don’t bet on China surpassing U.S. economically Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I’m happy to be able to say something (almost) good about Avigdor Lieberman: he’s opposed to the extension ofIsrael’s so-called Tal Law. The law is named after a retired Israeli judge who headed a commission some years ago that recommended that haredim continue to be exempt from military service.
Netanyahu postpones decision on renewing military exemption for haredim Read More »
Middle East
By Jack Forman SAN DIEGO–Dusk is an intriguing, imaginatively-directed and very well acted 90-minute Israeli film which in Hebrew is titled Beyn Hashmashot. But a more accurate translation of the Hebrew title is “Twilight”; literally, “Beyn Hashmashot” means “between the suns”, i.e., between the sunset and the onset of evening. (In English, the onset of
‘Dusk,’ an Israeli movie, is a multi-sided morality tale Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–You want fairness from this aging academic? This is a time when I’ll side with a prominent Israeli Arab politician, who has been a source of considerable annoyance for us Jews. But fair is fair. In the last couple of days he earned my commendation. Ahmed Tibi, MD, is one
Knesset suspension of Arab member unfair Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rear Admiral Terence E. McKnight, USN (ret.) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just recently President Obama crossed the Potomac River and stopped at the Pentagon to roll out America’s newest national security strategy – Sustaining Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense. The key thesis of the strategy is that after ten years of war in the Middle
Only U.S. can keep Strait of Hormuz open Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– It’s not easy being an Israeli. It is even harder being an Israeli policymaker, especially at the top with responsibility for things domestic and foreign. Last week the problems were local, in the form of thousands of Israelis of Ethipian origin, one unhappy Israeli of Iraqi origin, and lots of angry Israeli Arabs,
Tension escalates between Israel and U.S. over Iran Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –As we give pause to the memory of Martin Luther King and his profound ethical message concerning the evils of racial intolerance, it behooves us to ask ourselves: Have we, as a religious community, fully embraced the principles that cost this great man his life? Most American
Chabad should end its discrimination against Ethiopian Jews Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–If you’re an optimist you may decide to interpret the comings and goings of the US and Israeli generals as yet another way to intimidate Iran and prevent it from manufacturing nuclear arms. If, on the other hand, you’re a pessimist, you may conclude that the frequent contacts between Israeli and
Confusion and speculation about whether war with Iran is coming Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Last week was was another occasion when Israel’s ethnic issues escaped from the closet to arouse one crowd and numerous commentators. The crowd was more than two thousand Ethiopians who demonstrated against discrimination in the town of Kiryat Malachi. The principal charge was that landlords refused to rent
Charting ethnic divides in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — He discovered something within himself to elevate his hard, quick journey (some say it was his deep love of ideas) and his uncommon vision. In truth, Martin Luther King, Jr. (born Mike King) lived a short, brutal life, filled with prison stays, bouts of depression, fear, and threats.
Martin Luther King Jr’s eventful life was all too short Read More »
USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The Washington Post ran several articles and columns this week about the emergence of once-secret U.S.-Taliban talks designed to pave the way for an American exit from Afghanistan. Writers have likened them to the talks that preceded our exit from Vietnam. Maybe, but there is another cautionary tale