By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pastor Terry Jones is planning a rally at a Detroit-area mosque and a jury is deciding whether he has to post a bond to cover extra security local officials are planning to provide for the demonstrators. Jones doesn’t want to pay – he asked for no extra security and […]
Yes, Terry Jones is intolerant; by no means, the most intolerant Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday condemned violence in Syria and said the Syrian government must stop the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of prisoners.” There’s a problem with that word “must.” See, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot help overthrow or move away from allies,
Obama administration is not taken seriously by Syria Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — By all accounts a large number of people and organizations in Israel are trying to draft the speech they believe Prime Minister Netanyahu ought to deliver before both Houses of Congress next month. The most recent effort comes from a group of left-wing intellectuals, among them many of the
Is ‘conflict management’ the best Israel and the Palestinians can do? Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Who would have thought that we would find ourselves agreeing with the Saudi approach to events in the Middle East, while thinking our own government needs a “reset”? National Security Council Advisor Tom Donilon visited Saudi Arabia and Saudi King Abdullah brought three of his advisors to the meeting:
Saudi policy for Middle East far more realistic than U.S.’s Read More »
International, Shoshana BryenBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — There’s some controversy about President Barack Obama’s Passover message. The key passage is this: “The story of Passover…instructs each generation to remember its past, while appreciating the beauty of freedom and the responsibility it entails. This year that ancient instruction is reflected in the daily headlines as we see
President Obama’s Passover problem Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAWashington, DC (Press Release)– Congressman Brad Sherman, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, reintroduced the Stop Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program Act late last week. Sherman’s new bill would tighten economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran and its remaining business partners. Congressman Ed Royce is the lead Republican
Bill would prohibit U.S. foreign subsidiaries from trading with Iran Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The Palestinians are betting the farm. Or–Muslim friends, forgive me– throwing a Hail Mary pass. They are doing everything they can to achieve world recognition of their state, with 1967 borders, a capitol in Jerusalem, and maybe something about refugees, without bothering to negotiate with Israel about what Palestinians might
By Lloyd Levy LONDON — With all the incessant media coverage about Israel , one easily loses sight of the broader picture. Yet I have been reading a respected annual publication called “the Military Balance.” Not necessarily everyone’s chosen reading material, but it throws a fascinating insight into the miracle that is today’s Israel. By
Israel’s military capability expands as Western Europe’s declines Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle EastSan Diego Jewish World staff report BEERSHEBA, Israel — Daniel Viflich, 16, whose misfortune it was to be innocently riding a school bus on Thursday, April 7, has died of the severe injuries he sustained after an anti-tank missile was fired at the bus from Gaza. Viflich died in the Soroka University Medical Center here,
Israeli teen victim of school bus rocketing dies Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The analyst’s job is to make sense out of separate events that might be connected. If done well, it is better than a blind person trying to figure out what is that large, rough thing being felt. However it is done, there is a lack of certainty. It is best
Will U.N. endorse a government of terror? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Avigdor Lieberman says that he has been investigated by the authorities on and off since some 15 years ago WHEN he became the head of the Prime Minister’s Office during Netanyahu’s first tenure. But to date he has only been found guilty of beating up a little boy in
Israeli politics in the wake of Lieberman’s preliminary indictment Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Prior to 1948, Morocco had the largest Jewish population of North African countries. It was not one community, but several that differed in history, tradition, socio-economic traits, and language. One component traced its heritage to Jews expelled from Spain in the 15th century. Another may have been there since migrations
Ethnic politics in Israel: Moroccan and Russian Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) – Congressman Bob Filner recently announced his support for legislation to honor the memory of Jewish Chaplains who have died while on active duty in the Armed Forces. “Jewish chaplains have provided invaluable service to members of our military from various faiths for over 65 years,” said Congressman Filner. “Our country owes
Campaign to honor Jewish chaplains at Arlington gains Filner’s support Read More »
USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s an old Jewish joke about holidays – “They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.” In a more serious vein, we read at the Passover Seder, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Observant Jews give charity before holidays to ensure that people have what they
The meal that’s much more than a dinner Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA