By David Ogul JERUSALEM — Israel, Middle East political analyst Jim Lederman says, is the most misunderstood country on Earth. After journeying in the Holy Land for more than two weeks, I have to agree. Virtually all of the coverage on Israelin the American media is about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and/or “the occupation.” […]
Israelis daily concerns are pragmatic, not political Read More »
David Ogul, Middle East
By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO –From the time the wheels of the Boeing 747 touched the ground at Ben Gurion Airport on June 11th 2011 until they lifted off on July 1st to bring me back home, my days and nights in Israel were filled with family, friends, adventure, new experiences, so much nachas and
Critic applauds after curtain falls on her trip to Israel Read More »
Carol Davis, Middle East
By Isaac Yetiv, PhD LA JOLLA, California — Most people identify the “Middle-East problems” with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but that is only one of them, and not the most dangerous to peace and stability in the region and in the world. Today, the two poles of potential disaster for the security of the United States
Time for U.S. to leave Iraq, Afghanistan… and the U.N. Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The current screeching about high profile issues invites an effort to create some understanding of Israel’s political map. At issue is the law enacted to curb boycotts, and proposals to give politicians influence over selections of Supreme Court justices and limit overseas donations to leftist organizations. All are
Anatomy of the Knesset Read More »
Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Obama administration is withholding $800 million of the $2 billion in current aid to Pakistan, angry over the (limited) level of Pakistani pursuit of Taliban elements attacking U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The United States believes intelligence information provided to Pakistan has been shared with insurgents
U.S. alienating allies in Middle East Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Emerson Winfield Begolly, 22, of New Bethlehem, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., Thursday for allegedly soliciting Islamic extremists to engage in acts of terrorism within the United States and posting bomb-making instruction materials online. The indictment was announced by Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security;
Indictment returned against man who allegedly promoted jihad in U.S. Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Muhammed is one of my pool friends. For some years we have bantered between ourselves and with others about this and that, occasionally about politics. Recently he told me about his work with the Civic Forum Institute. This is an organization of Palestinians, with international financial assistance, involved in the promotion
Civic Forum Institute in uphill effort to promote Palestinian democracy Read More »
Middle EastTEL AVIV – After 10 years as executive director of the Peres Center for Peace, Dr. Ron Pundak is leaving the organization dedicated to building trust between ordinary Israeli and Palestinian citizens and person-to-person diplomacy with the Arab world. No reason was given in an announcement from Peres Peace Center president Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, but San
Ron Pundak departs as head of Peres Peace Center Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has been widely quoted onits position on Israel’s internal anti-boycott law, which strongly implied ZOA is completely against it. ZOA’s position is much more nuanced than that, especially after fully examining this new Law today (Wednesday) as we promised to do. Israel is under existential threat from
ZOA clarifies position on Israel’s anti-boycott law Read More »
Middle EastWashington, DC (Press Release) – Leaders from The Jewish Federations of North America weighed in Wednesday on the ongoing budget and debt ceiling negotiations and urged the Senate Democratic Steering Committee in a special meeting to protect programs that support vulnerable U.S. populations and the Jewish community at large. Many critical programs are under threat
Senators receive budget advice from Jewish Federations Read More »
USABEERSHEVA, Israel (Press Release)– A new study conducted by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev reveals that a vast majority (81 percent) of Israelis support joining the European Union (EU) and more involvement with European organizations. “The results also show that there is widespread misperception about the Israeli public’s real attitudes toward the EU,” explains BGU’s
Poll finds Israelis support joining EU Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, DC- (Press Release) –The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) congratulates Janice Hahn on her successful bid to represent California’s 36th Congressional district. In the special election held today, Hahn defeated her Tea Party-backed Republican opponent, Craig Huey, and dealt a blow to the hopes of Republican leaders who had hoped to send another extremist
NJDC hails Janice Hahn’s win in special congressional election Read More »
USASAN DIEGO – The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Americans for Peace Now (APN) and Amnesty International (AI) all have issued statements criticizing Israel’s Knesset for passing a law that assesses penalties against those backing boycotts of Israel. The statements of the three organizations follow: * Anti Defamation League The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has expressed concern about
ADL, APN, AI criticize Israel’s new anti-boycott law Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –The Knesset passed a law against those who would promote a boycott on Israel or its settlements. The anti-boycott movement began as an action against performers who refused to appear in the cultural center of Ariel, one of the large towns located over the 1967 borders. The Knesset vote
New Israeli law would penalize those who support boycott of Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East