Middle East

OpEd: Trump, Bibi stand at edge of illegitimacy

We’ve long known about the problems at the top of government. Democracy or not, it ain’t easy holding together large and–inevitably– complex societies. And now the issue is highlighted in the two countries closest to me: Israel and the United States. In both cases the Prime Minister or President have reached the extreme of illegitimacy. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Dershowitz on Jonathan Pollard, U.S.-Israel Relations, U.S. Election

Famed trial attorney Alan Dershowitz said Monday in an interview with San Diego Jewish World that he hoped Secretary of State-designate Anthony Blinken would ignore any advice about Iran from former Secretary of State John Kerry “who signed the original agreement and the original agreement was a disaster for Israel.” Kerry, meanwhile, was designated by President-elect Joe Biden to lead U.S. efforts to combat climate change. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

Jewish Clergy Lobby Congress to Combat Hunger

Some families are preparing for Thanksgiving meals from which relatives and close friends will be absent because of the coronavirus pandemic.  At the same time, other families aren’t even even sure they will have enough to eat on Thanksgiving or any other day as a result of the growing hunger and food insecurity around the country, according to officials of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

Biden announces foreign policy, national security team

Washington (AFP) – US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday named the deeply experienced Antony Blinken for secretary of state, also nominating the first female head of intelligence and a czar for climate issues, with a promise to a return to expertise after the turbulent years of Donald Trump.As Trump continued to make flailing attempts at overturning

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International, Middle East, USA

Saudi official says ‘Israel normalisation talks’ did take place in NEOM, while foreign ministry denies

A Saudi official has told The Wall Street Journal that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did hold talks in the NEOM megacity on Sunday, with the kingdom’s foreign ministry strongly denying the reports.Prince Mohammed and Netanyahu reportedly held secret talks in NEOM late Sunday, according to flight data of

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Middle East, USA

Biden to name longtime aide Blinken as US top diplomat: reports

Washington (AFP) – President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate seasoned diplomat Antony Blinken as his secretary of state, a decision likely to signal a return to multilateralism after Donald Trump’s shunning of traditional allies, US media reported Sunday.A mild-mannered policy wonk who is fluent in French and plays guitar on the side, the 58-year-old Blinken

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

Olmert: Don’t let Pollard make aliyah

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert criticized former agent Jonathan Pollard on Sunday, saying he should not be welcomed in Israel.Interviewed by Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief Yaakov Katz at the Maariv newspaper’s business conference on Sunday, Olmert cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against holding a festive ceremony for Pollard when he moves to Israel soon.“With all due

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Middle East, USA

Good News from Israel (November 22, 2020)

In the 22nd Nov 20 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
In a human trial, Israeli scientists have reversed the aging process.
The UN overwhelmingly approved an Israeli-led resolution on sustainable solutions.
A 62-year-old ex-Air Force pilot will be the next Israeli astronaut.
An Israeli company has solved the problem of recycling dirty plastics.
Joint US-Israeli agriculture projects give the world huge economic benefits.
Two Israelis basketball players were selected in the NBA drafts …. [Michael Ordman]

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International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA

Israel’s Netanyahu welcomes end of travel ban on ex-spy Pollard

Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday welcomed the ending of strict parole conditions on convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, an American jailed in the US in 1985 for spying for Israel.”The prime minister welcomes the lifting of restrictions from Jonathan Pollard” and expects him to “arrive in Israel soon,” a statement from the premier’s office said.Pollard

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Middle East, USA

U.N. General Assembly follows annual hate-Israel ritual

NETANYA, Israel — Do United Nations diplomats ever read the numerous anti-Israel resolutions put in front of them?  Or do they automatically raise their hand in a five-decade automatic knee-jerk reaction? I ask because I read some of the conditions of a recently approved stab at Israel on 18 November 2020. This draft resolution had to do with treating Jewish homes in Judea & Samaria and our capital, Jerusalem, as if they belong to a non-existing country and that Israel has no right to our ancient land and our homes. [Barry Shaw]

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International, Middle East, USA