By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — There is a lot of anonymous suffering in the world, even when it gets great media play. Yesterday, one could bounce around on television and/or the web and see the clear release of unparalleled tension in a Seattle woman set free in Perugia, Italy; the cri de coeur […]
Let us pray for the world’s anguished Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — For some time now, Israeli news has been leading off with the latest comments from international worthies about the need for Israel and Palestinians to agree on two states etc etc. This morning an American friend sent me a link to a Time article about the distancing of young American
West should not pressure Israelis, Palestinians on peace agreement Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– The New York Times deserves its place as one of the best newspapers of the world. Like the actions of some of American presidents, however, its commentary on the Middle East seems to reflect more ideology than cogent analysis. Thomas Friedman and Roger Cohen have been blathering on for years about
Media underestimates Erdogan’s many problems in bid for Mideast leadership Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Yaakov Lappin WASHINGTON, D.C. _ A fierce debate is gripping Israel’s defense and intelligence community over fateful questions that have arisen from the recent period of Middle Eastern turmoil. The first, most basic question concerning defense officials is: Can stable states eventually emerge around Israel from the chaos and uncertainty that has replaced the
Arab Spring could turn into an Islamic winter Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A friend forwarded to me a sermon that Rabbi Schlomo Lewis of Atlanta delivered a year ago on Rosh Hashana. A bit of Googling showed that the sermon has circulated widely. It is as strong a statement as I have seen comparing Radical Islam to Nazism, and comparing the widespread
Moderates are the radicals of Muslim world Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Nothing new or dramatic in the highly touted speeches by Abbas and Netanyahu, and nothing promising or threatening in the prodding to negotiations announced after the speeches by the Quartet of minders: US, UN, Russia, European Union. Abbas repeated himself time and again, and Netanyahu seemed tired and off the
Neither Bibi nor Abbas very surprising at U.N. Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Palestinian Unilateral Declaration of Independence is a cynical ploy that bypasses the necessary requirement for direct negotiations between the Palestinian leadership and the Government of Israel. Despite a last minute scramble by the White House intending to delay this action, it is all too likely that a vote
What are the stakes of a Palestinian UDI vote? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Barack Obama demonstrated once again that he knows how to speak. In the process, he may have regained some of the Jewish money and votes that he lost by his earlier tilts toward Palestinians, and demanding an end to construction in Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Israeli commentators called it the warmest speech
Obama may have won back some Jews with his U.N. speech Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — This is an auspicious time and place, appropriate for the awarding of two commendations. To employ the language of Genesis, this is first day (יום ראשון). It begins a week that will have the natural wonder of the autumn equinox, and the political wonder of the United Nations General Assembly.
And the winners of the disingenuousness and naivete awards are… Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — For anyone inclined to think of the Jews as inordinately concerned about their past and future, Israel is currently providing all the reinforcement necessary. It’s not quite the case that the country is in full panic. There are two items–quite different from one another–that are taking large shares of media
Domestic protesters and U.N. Palestinian supporters worry Israelis, but not overly Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A number of my columns, as well as conversations with family members, have brought forth the assertion that I am anti-American. I deny that, even while I understand why some may think it is so. I have great regard for the country where I spent the first half of my
Criticizing U.S. far different from being anti-U.S. Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO–The news that Israel’s Knesset is considering a new “Basic Law” purifying what makes the nation a Jewish state is both disheartening and bewildering. The proposed twelfth Basic Law, filed in recent weeks, collects all the basic elements of Israeli society—including its Hebrew language, national anthem, banner, and calendar—concretizing all
Beware anti-democratic legislation pending in Knesset Read More »
Middle EastBy David Bramzon LA JOLLA, California — Israel’s Consul General David Siegel addressed a large gathering at Congregation Beth El on Saturday, Sept. 10, during morning services. He was invited to speak on behalf of the San Diego Israel Advocacy Leadership Forum; a coalition of 15 non-profit organizations that have Israel education or advocacy as
Israeli consul general praises U.S., Egyptian actions following mob attack on embassy Read More »
Middle EastBy Ehud Eilam, PhD WASHINGTON, D.C. — States are evaluated through many parameters, the economic factor being a major one. Thus, the Palestinian Authority (PA) – judged by its economic progress in recent years – is almost a state, while Afghanistan is barely one. Another major criterion for assessing a state is its national security.
The Palestine-Afghanistan analogy Read More »
Middle East