Middle East

Impossible to say who’ll win Israel’s upcoming election

JERUSALEM — Where are we now? Who knows? Indications of infections are down. The parties and religious events at Purim do not seem to have produced an increase. Widespread inoculations are the explanation. They work to prevent a spread. So we’re getting ready for a Passover close to normal. Seders with 30 or perhaps 50 members are said to be okay, if there isn’t an increase in infections before then. (ira Sharkansky, Ph.D)

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

A Bicentennial to Mark Modern Zionism

Not many Jews today recall a 19th century Jewish leader who wrote a booklet that inspired young Jews to move to the Land of Israel. The man at first believed passionately in assimilation as an answer for Jews and later, due to what he saw as rising anti-Semitism advocated a new idea, what eventually became known as Zionism. He himself met with notables all over Europe to advance his plans. The booklet made an impact and led to his chairing a movement that convened a groundbreaking convention of Jews who came from all over Europe to speak about practical ways to spark a mass Return to Zion. [Moshe Phillips]

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International, Jewish History, Middle East

Good News from Israel (March 14, 2021)

In the March 14, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
Israel re-opens to millions of vaccinated and recovered Israelis.
Israeli researchers have successfully implemented an alternative to animal testing.
An IDF medical team is on its way to treat victims of explosion in Equatorial Guinea.
An Israeli diaper cleaning system protects the environment.
Israeli cultured beef will help Brazil cut greenhouse gas emissions.
After a century, Israel’s Moshav farms are still going strong. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Dorothea: In total, this is not the Oz I knew

The latest scandal to erupt in Israel’s literary arena has been triggered by the book published by Galia Oz, the daughter of the late, greatly-esteemed writer, Amos Oz. The memoir, entitled Something Disguised as Love, burst upon the Israeli reading public in a blaze of publicity arising from its controversial revelations concerning the behavior of Amos Oz towards his daughter. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

New Zealander Speaks Against ICC Probe of Israel

The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to illegally extend its judicial gavel into areas beyond its jurisdiction and probe into Israeli actions in the disputed territories. Although the State of Israel is not a member of what has mutated into a politicized judicial club, the ICC is set to begin possible investigations into Israeli “war-crimes” in these areas. Israel has its own robust and honest judicial system which is well capable of investigating any crimes and prosecuting when necessary. Recent history proves that. [Pastor Nigel Woodley, Ph.D]

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International, Middle East

Palestinian Authority Deals Vaccines to Favorite Few

The Palestinian leadership is supplying SNL’s Michael Che with unexpected material for his Covid-19 vaccine punchlines.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers limited public services in Israel’s territories, is now accused by its own people of distributing Covid-19 vaccines to the privileged at the expense of needy Palestinians. Such an allegation should make one wonder how the Palestinians will govern their own independent state. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East

SWU presses for Jewish history in Ethnic Studies Curriculum

The stories of Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews who came to the U.S. from the Middle East should be included in the Asian-American section of California’s proposed Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum that goes before the State Board of Education on Thursday, March 18, panelists sponsored by the pro-Israel organization, StandWithUs, said Wednesday. (Donald H. Harrison)

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

The Pentagon Must Stop Using Off-the-Shelf Computers

Staying with commercial off-the-shelf systems (COTS) and the security solutions we have today is a guaranteed loser. No one can deny the appalling security record. Moreover, the public has a right to be outraged that DOD has had huge parts of its programs compromised by hacks. Take for example the F-35 and ask yourself why China has two stealth fighters (the Chengdu J-20 and the Shenyang FC-31)? [Stephen D. Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

Three major controversies ahead of Israel’s election

What’s worse?

1) The decision of the Israeli Supreme Court, authorizing the conversions to Judaism by Conservative and Reform Rabbis in Israel? 2) The onset of investigations against Israel for war crimes by the International Criminal Court? 3) The opening of Israeli schools in all grades, as well as shopping centers, restaurants, coffee houses, bars, theaters, and halls for weddings and Bar Mitvot, as well as the opening of Israel’s borders to 4,000 per day of returning Israelis and the weakening of what had been screening by a government committee of applicants and allowing the return of some 600 per day? [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]

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International, Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East

Army Resistance to ‘Iron Dome’ Imperils Overseas Bases

The other day and yet again a US forward operating base (shared with the Iraqi Air Force) at Ain al-Asad was hit by rockets.  There was one death (allegedly from a heart attack during the attack) and six injured (5 contractors and 1 US service member).  There was no prior warning and, it appears, the air defenses at the base failed to detect the threat or respond to the incoming missiles. How do we know this?  There is drone video of part of the attack that shows 6 incoming rockets.  There are no interceptor rockets or tracer rounds from the ground trying to knock down the rockets.  Hence, there was no air defense response. The big question is this:  Why didn’t the Pentagon ask Israel to supply Iron Dome systems that could have defeated any rocket, drone, artillery, mortar or cruise missile attack? (Stephen D. Bryen)

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Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021)

NETANYA, Israel — In the March 7, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

90% of Israel’s high-risk citizens are now protected against Covid-19.
The first woman-led billion-dollar Israeli company.
The UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel arrived in the Jewish State.
An Israeli kit transforms tractors into self-driving vehicles.
Israel is one of the world’s leaders in telecommuting.
An Israeli chess competition attracted players from many Muslim countries including Iran.
Israeli superheroes brought joy to sick children on the Jewish festival of Purim [Michael Ordman]

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International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast