Middle East

Hamas Has Smuggled Cruise Missiles Aimed at Israel

A war of words broke out in Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) between Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beiteinu (“Israel Our Home”) party and MK Member Shlomo Karai, from the leading Likud (“Unity”) party. At issue was the alleged leak of security information on new weapons in the hands of Hamas, the militant Islamic Palestinian nationalist movement that has run the Gaza strip since 2007. Lieberman himself is a former Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Lieberman claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister (and deputy prime minister) Benny Gantz were covering up information about precision cruise missiles and cluster bombs being produced by Hamas. [Stephen D. Bryen]

Hamas Has Smuggled Cruise Missiles Aimed at Israel Read More »

Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen

Some Palestinians Taking Softer Line on Israel Relations

A recent poll by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion shows strong sentiment against trusting Israel, but along with that various segments willing to cooperate.
• 38% would agree to returning relations with Israel to their former status, along with various reasons concerning their ability to work in Israel and other economic opportunities
• 40% would agree to the resumption of security coordination with Israel, which in fact has been agreed to by the Palestinian Authority.
• 43% would agree to the resumption of peace negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel [Ira Sharkansky]

Some Palestinians Taking Softer Line on Israel Relations Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Exporting Racism: The Latest Slander Against Israel

In April, leadership at Tufts University outside Boston was embarrassed when  it was disclosed that Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the toxic anti-Israel group with a sordid history of campus activism, had been given “The Collaboration Award” by the Office for Campus Life for the group’s role in exposing what they refer to as The Deadly Exchange—partnerships and cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and Israeli security forces. Tufts president Anthony Monaco immediately tried distancing the university from SJP’s award, saying that he “would be reviewing the awards process” to clarify why the divisive SJP—which promotes boycotts against Israel on the 200 or so campuses where it has chapters—should be hailed for collaborating at all, let alone winning an award.  [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

Exporting Racism: The Latest Slander Against Israel Read More »

Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jared Kushner to lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia, Qatar

WASHINGTON – A White House delegation, spearheaded by senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner, will travel to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week, The Jerusalem Post has confirmed. Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz, Brian Hook and Adam Boehler are expected to join the trip as well.In Riyadh, they will meet with Crown

Jared Kushner to lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia, Qatar Read More »

Middle East, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Diego Maradona, RIP

Renowned Argentinian football (soccer) star Diego Armando Maradona died of a heart attack last week at the age of 60. Maradona is generally considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and is particularly remembered for a goal he scored against England in the 1986 World Cup Quarterfinals that has been dubbed “The Hand of God” goal. He played in four World Cups, leading Argentina to victory over West Germany in 1986, and he was jointly awarded the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award along with Pele. What was Diego Maradona’s connection to Jews and/or Israel? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Diego Maradona, RIP Read More »

International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Sports & Competitions

It’s about far more than Biden – analysis

Friday’s assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh led to predictable hand-wringing from Obama administration alumni and their cheerleaders who midwifed the Iranian nuclear deal in 2015.Former CIA head John Brenner was furious: “This was a criminal act & highly reckless,” he tweeted. “Such an act of state-sponsored terrorism would be a flagrant violation

It’s about far more than Biden – analysis Read More »

Middle East, USA

FM Ashkenazi asks Swiss to urge Palestinians to negotiate with Israel

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi asked his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis to urge the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table, when the two men met in Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon.“The decision of the Palestinian Authority to renew security and civil coordination with Israel is a step in the right direction,” Ashkenazi said. “But

FM Ashkenazi asks Swiss to urge Palestinians to negotiate with Israel Read More »

International, Middle East

Iran mulls response as it prepares to bury killed nuclear scientist

TEHRAN – Debate raged in Iran on Sunday over how and when to respond to a top nuclear scientist’s assassination, blamed on arch-foe Israel, as his body was honoured at Shiite shrines to prepare it for burial.Two days after Mohsen Fakhrizadeh died from wounds sustained in a firefight between his guards and unidentified gunmen near

Iran mulls response as it prepares to bury killed nuclear scientist Read More »

Middle East

Secret MbS, Netanyahu meeting ‘failed to reach normalisation agreement’: report

A secret meeting between Saudi’s crown prince and Israel’s premier in Neom was aimed at reaching a normalisation agreement but failed, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.Despite high hopes by Israel and the US, which brokered the Jewish state’s recent Abraham Accords agreements with Gulf countries, the plan fell through.Citing unnamed Saudi advisers and

Secret MbS, Netanyahu meeting ‘failed to reach normalisation agreement’: report Read More »

Middle East

EUCOM or CENTCOM for Israel?

The United States is Israel’s ally of first choice. And Israel remains one of the few countries the US can rely on to defend itself by itself and in coordination with American interests. Today, Israel lies in EUCOM – the United States European Command – while some analysts suggest it belongs in CENTCOM – the Central Command, encompassing the Middle East and parts of Southwest and Central Asia. [Shoshana Bryen]

EUCOM or CENTCOM for Israel? Read More »

International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Iran assassination could undercut Biden’s diplomatic options

Washington (AFP) – The assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, which Tehran has blamed on Israel, risks not only sharpening tensions across the region but also severely complicating plans by US President-elect Joe Biden to resume dialogue with the Islamic republic, analysts said Saturday.Iran has accused arch-foe Israel of seeking to sow “chaos” by killing

Iran assassination could undercut Biden’s diplomatic options Read More »

Middle East, USA

Good News from Israel (November 29, 2020)

The November 29, 2020 edition of Good News from Israel includes such stories as the following.

• An Israeli-developed eye scanner can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s.
• Israel is the top country in the world for women entrepreneurs.
• Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 include 5 Israeli innovations.
• An Israeli supermarket chain is to grow fruit and vegetables at its stores.
• The 3-day Israel-Dubai business conference was a huge success.
• An Israeli judoka won Gold in the European championships.
• A 9-year-old boy found a 1st Temple period gold bead in Jerusalem. [Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (November 29, 2020) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Iranian president points finger at US, Israel for murder of physicist

Iran’s arch-enemies, the United States and Israel, are behind the fatal attack on nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, President Hassan Rowhani said on Saturday.”Once again, imperialism and its Zionist mercenaries caused bloodshed and the death of an Iranian scientist,” he said.According to Rowhani, this “terrorist attack” merely proves the fear of Iran’s enemies about the country’s

Iranian president points finger at US, Israel for murder of physicist Read More »

Middle East, USA

Israel upsets Spain’s national team 95-87 in second half comeback

Israel defeated Spain 95-87 thanks to a ferocious second half comeback to move their EuroBasket qualifying record to 3-0. After going down by 18 points in the first half, the blue-and-white used a massive third quarter shooting display from beyond the arc to pull within striking distance as Tamir Blatt and Gal Mekel couldn’t miss

Israel upsets Spain’s national team 95-87 in second half comeback Read More »

International, Middle East, Sports & Competitions