International

Commentary: The fact is accusations against Palin were ‘blood libels’

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Without taking any partisan position, but purely on the issue’s historical merits, nothing could have been more appropriate than Sarah Palin’s use of the term “blood libel” to describe what happened to her after the Tucson killings. I know because my direct ancestors were the target of a blood libel. […]

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International, USA

Thoughts on seeing a grandson sworn into the IDF at the Kotel

By Rabbi Dow Marmur  JERUSALEM –The only reason that takes me to the shrine of the Western Wall is the company of tourists and the occasional Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Unlike some Jews who profess piety, the place doesn’t move me to prayer. In fact, the ostensibly religious hustlers who exploit it for blatantly irreligious, even discriminatory,

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Middle East

The battle for Jerusalem is being fought by real estate investors

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–You don’t have to have inside information or be blessed with special analytical talents to realize that there’re currently systematic efforts in Israel to make any division of Jerusalem in a future peace deal increasingly impossible. The fact that this is happening nominally outside government control – e.g., through legal purchase

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Middle East

Obama calls for ‘words that heal’ in aftermath of Tucson rampage

TUCSON, Arizona (Press Release)– Following is the text of a speech made by President Barack Obama at the memorial service on Wednesday for the victims of the shooting rampage the previous Saturday: THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you very much.  Please, please be seated.  (Applause.) To the families of those we’ve lost; to all

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USA

Sarah Palin bears responsibility for political climate–and should apologize

By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO– On this very day of national mourning for the atrocity of Tucson, it is regrettable that we find ourselves having to again be distracted by the indulgent and self-serving—and now appalling—proclamations of Sarah Palin. Again blabbing from her cyber-haven of Facebook and not from anyplace in the real world, Palin

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USA

Hillary Clinton betrays a misunderstanding of Muslim audiences

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s remark about how the Arizona shooting is just like September 11 is such a superb example of everything wrong with Western policy toward the Middle East. Let’s summarize the issue by coining a phrase which sounds a bit Zen but has a very practical meaning:

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Middle East, USA

EU document calls for intervention in Jerusalem against Israelis

JERUSALEM (WJC)–A leaked report has revealed that that  the 25 European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah are urging Brussels to treat East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state. The report also calls for an EU presence at the demolitions of Palestinian homes, and intervention when peaceful protesters face arrest. The confidential

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Middle East

Palestinian entrepreneur seeking new road angers Israelis with refusal to use West Bank Jewish goods

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The city of Rawabi has not made it to conventional atlases or a prominent mention in international media, but it is shaping up as a point of tension between Israel and the Palestine Authority. Last evening it was the center piece in a discussion on prime time television. The guest

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Political controversies swirl in wake of Tucson shootings

SAN DIEGO–As the nation observed mourning rituals for those slain last Saturday in the shooting rampage in Tucson and prayed for the 14 injured, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, commentaries from individuals and organizations continued to pour into news desks across the country, including that of San Diego Jewish World.   These included: Religious Action Center of

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USA

ACLJ, representing firefighter, seeks injunction against mosque near Ground Zero

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents a New York City firefighter who survived the 9-11 terrorist attacks and has filed a lawsuit to stop the Ground Zero Mosque, is asking a court to enjoin the mosque’s developers from performing any demolition or construction at the site and is

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USA

Clinton: Israelis and Palestinians want the same things, but can’t find way to trust each other

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in an interview with Taher Barake of Al Arabiya said Israelis and Palestinians want the same thing, but can’t find a way to trust each other.  Here is a transcript of that interview: QUESTION: (In Arabic.) We are honored, Madam Secretary, to have you

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Middle East