By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Binyamin “Bibi” Netanyahu isn’t the only prime minister who avoids the media out of fear of exposing his unpopular policies; Canadians, for example, are also familiar with the phenomenon. It was, therefore, surprising that Wednesday, March 30, he offered himself to a half-hour live interview “in the hot seat” by a […]
Netanyahu attacked on his finances and leadership Read More »
Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –American core principles as articulated by President Obama are indeed a prescription for intervention everywhere – despite his firm denial. “America cannot use our military wherever repression occurs…. we must always measure our interests against the need for action.” But, he said, “We had a unique ability to stop that
Obama Doctrine: a prescription for intervention everywhere Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I find myself once again confused and conflicted, this time about Syria. On the one hand, as a liberal I’d like to see the end of yet another dictator in the region. One the other, as a Zionist I’m worried that what will come after Assad may be much
Could a new ruler in Syria be worse for Israel? Read More »
Middle East
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — At the moment in history when people are not just rebelling in the Middle East but when the opposition movements in Iran and Syria are at a high point, the fact that the U.S. government is standing by and not only doing nothing but virtually saying nothing. No, it
U.S. should denounce Syria’s Asad Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — What is the American national interest in military intervention in Libya? What is our military objective and how do we plan to achieve it? If it wasn’t clear before yesterday, it was no clearer after the President spoke. After denouncing the Iraq war “bluntly,” as he said, President Obama
Obama’s reasons for Libyan action sound like Bush’s for Iraq Read More »
USA
Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO—Facebook, a highly powerful and electrifying force, the new cyber world-house, was ostensibly meant to bring people together. I write today to share the remorse of many millions who so regret—and condemn—its recent exploitation by radical Muslim elements to simply spread hatred and potential violence against innocent citizens of Israel.
Facebook, a powerful tool, can be used for good — or bad Read More »
Middle EastBy Dov Hartuv KIBBUTZ NAHAL OZ, Israel — Places and people have their names changed from time to time. Kibbutz Nahal Oz was originally established as an army outpost in 1951. At that time the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel was just a ploughed furrow to demark where Egypt ended and Israel began.
Hebrew place names and people’s names often come with stories Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — When the pioneers of modern Zionism wanted a homeland that became the State of Israel to be a country like all other countries so that Jews could again be a “normal” people, they didn’t dream that they’d also be as racist as elsewhere in the world. Though it’s by
Racism has become a lamentable fact of Israeli life Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — For several years I’ve been telling you that under its current Islamist regime, Turkey has become less and less of a democratic state. Hundreds of peaceful dissidents have been arrested, thrown in prison, and accused of seeking to overthrow the government violently when there is no real evidence. The
Turkey moving, moving toward Islamism Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Judging a prominent politician who is also a skilled showperson is like putting on a blindfold and attempting to judge a beauty contest. One can ask for advice, listen to the contestants, maybe even touch their faces. Yet a lot will be missing. Any decision to be made will be risky in
Bibi’s politics: feint, bluster and maneuver Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel–As I’ve reported, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is horrified by White House policies in the Middle East. Indeed, he has an extra reason for being upset since it is his military forces that have to manage the Libyan mess while simultaneously fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while, on top
U.S. miscalculations make another Israel-Gaza war inevitable Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The recent murder of five members of a family in the settlement of Itamar, the continued rocket barrage deep into the Negev, and now an explosion in the centre of Jerusalem that took the life of a woman from Britain and injured many seem to have prompted partisan interpretations
Violence in Israel seems intended to ward off possibility of peace Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –The headline on the Associated Press story caught my eye immediately: “Thousands of Palestinians rally for reconciliation.” I always look for stories that contradict my assumptions so that I can examine or change them if necessary. According to the headline, this might be an important new–and positive–development. So, did thousands
Palestinians rallying for ‘reconciliation’ mean with Hamas Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The international media is filled with material on Libya and Japan, with no clear news on either. The Japan disaster is still short of apocalyptic, but not beyond catastrophe. The worrying news about Libya is that the British Prime Minister and his Chief of the Defense Staff have different war aims, while
Tensions ratchet up on Israel’s border with Gaza Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East