International

Attack on Baghdad Church part of pattern of Muslim hostility towards Christians

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Christians in Iraq have been, and not for the first time, deliberately targeted in a major terrorist attack. Indeed, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Iraq, from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to Sudan to Nigeria, Christians are being assaulted, intimidated, and murdered by militant Muslims. Yet virtually never do […]

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Middle East

Israel may be in for a period of international calm

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We have had worse days. The not so friendly United Nations published its Human Development Index, ranking  Israel number 15 among 169 countries. Norway is number 1 and the United States number 4. Israel scores higher than such decent places as Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Austria, and the United

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Will Obama be pragmatic or an idealogue in second half of term?

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel (Press Release)–What effect will the congressional elections have on U.S. foreign policy generally and Middle East policy in particular? It isn’t a matter of the individual candidates, since nobody lost or won who will have some big influence on U.S. policy in the next couple of years. The important factor

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Middle East, USA

More LGBT candidates elected this year than any before

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has  announced that more openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) candidates won election to public office in the U.S. in 2010 than in any year in America’s history. At least 106 of the group’s record-breaking 164 endorsed candidates were winners as of Wednesday morning, including Providence,

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USA

U.S. should not be afraid to compare itself with other western democracies

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The recent column on American madness produced one request to be dropped from my list, several accusations that I had turned against the homeland that nurtured me, claims for the superiority of American freedom and opportunity, an often-repeated accusation from a die-hard Democrat that I am a mad Israeli, one “Amen,”

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USA

ZOA: American voters disapprove Obama’s foreign policy

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has stated that Tuesday’s Congressional election result indicates a sweeping rejection of President Obama’s domestic, economic and foreign policy. Many polls indicate Americans’ dissatisfaction with President Obama’s handling of the Arab/Israeli situation. This election further validates that part of the message sentWednesday to President Obama to

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Travel and Food, USA

RJC lists some Jewish Republican winners across the country

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Jewish Republicans won a variety of races throughout the country, the Republican Jewish Coalition reported on Wednesday, Nov. 3. “We are very proud of our members and friends who made the choice to serve, took on tough opponents, and won the day,” said RJC Chairman Matt Brooks. “We thank them for their

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USA

Election will make little difference in world’s perceptions of the U.S.

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The day after sweeping electoral change, it is tempting to think the world is shifting on its axis.  American voters may have shifted the political axis – or righted it, depending – but it would be a mistake to think things beyond our border have changed. This is the

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Shoshana Bryen, USA

NJDC deplores politicization of U.S.-Israel relationship in some races

WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) — National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) Chairman Marc R. Stanley and President and CEO David A. Harris on Wednesday, Nov. 3, jointly issued the following statement in response to the election results: “In short, last night was a tough night for many Democrats, but there were key wins as well. “We’re

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USA

Eric Cantor appeals for support to become House Majority Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va) on Wednesday released a letter to his Republican colleagues soliciting their support to become Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.  Here is the text: Dear Republican Colleague:   Congratulations on your election and for being a major part of a new Republican resurgence.  For

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USA

Election results mixed for Jewish candidates

SAN DIEGO—Well, were the recent elections good for us Jews? Yes and no. Some Jewish incumbents lost their seats, others retained them, and some Jewish candidates will become freshmen members of Congress next term. Some Jews lost their committee chairmanships in the House, but one Jew—Eric Cantor of Virginia—appears poised to become the next majority

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Donald H. Harrison, USA

Israel suspends official travel to the United Kingdom

JERUSALEM (WJC)–Israel’s Foreign Ministry has suspended  trips of government officials to Britain out of fear that they might be arrested there for alleged war crimes. The news was announced during a visit by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague in Jerusalem. Despite assurances, successive British government have not yet repealed universal jurisdiction laws allowing private war

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Middle East