Worries that Sanders could jeopardize the party’s standing coincided with the impeachment trial, Trump’s so-called peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians, and the aftermath of the parliamentary elections in Britain. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Sanders could hurt down-ballot Democrats Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
I think we all should congratulate Mayor Catherine Blakespear and three other members of the Encinitas City Council who voted their hearts, and not their fears, in the recent battle over providing safe overnight parking spaces to 25 homeless families who are forced to sleep in their cars. [Donald H. Harrison]
Congratulations Encinitas City Council, JFS & Leichtag Foundation Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
Trump has no coherent foreign policy doctrine, no understanding of historical perspective, and no knowledge of the intricacies of various regional conflicts. He is dismissive of alliances, unbound by international agreements; he is erratic, unfettered, and issues policy directives based on “gut feelings.” Here I provide a synopsis of Trump’s foreign “policy” and the global disorder he has and continues to sow. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Trump’s many foreign policy failures Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
Here in Israel all is not sweetness and light. Far from it. I have always tried to present the more pleasant side of life in Israel, and it certainly exists, political differences notwithstanding. But the grim state of public life at present cannot be ignored. After all, what sane country has to hold three general elections in the space of less than a year? [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Stalemate casts pall over otherwise content Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
Dr. Sol Lizerbram, the Rancho Sante Fe resident who serves as the national president of Jewish National Fund-USA, says that many people are unaware that Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL) and JNF-USA are totally separate organizations, even though in the past, they were one and the same.
[Donald H. Harrison]
Clearing up confusion between JNF-USA and KKL Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
That Prime Minister Netanyahu was enthusiastic about the plan, even comparing it to the 1948 Israel’s Declaration of Independence, is understandable. As is the Palestinians’ total rejection of it. Having recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and declared the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, President Trump has now given Israel the green light to annex parts of what since the 1967 War has been disputed territory and where by now some half-a-million Israeli settlers have built their homes. The Netanyahu government will be quick to try to enact legislation to make it happen – even before the March 2 general election. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
The deal of the century — really? Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
The Jewish service corps known as “Avodah” – Hebrew for “work” – has announced that San Diego will be the fifth city in the nation where its fellows will spend a year volunteering to combat poverty, help the homeless, and work with immigrants and asylum seekers, among other projects. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Avodah’ Jewish Service Corps commits to San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
There is anger and then there is righteous anger. Peter Finch yelling out the window, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”From Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, where parts of a whole are coming undone, to Hong Kong to Puerto Rico to France and Venezuela, people are mad as hell. [Shoshana Bryen]
Global hot spots boil over with righteous anger Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
The carob tree has been appreciated for its various features throughout the ages. Nowadays, people are starting to rediscover this amazing plant. It is both a wild growing forest tree, and an easy to cultivate fruit tree. Because of this combination, the carob tree lends itself to a wide range of uses, thus making it the perfect tree to solve many of Morocco’s pressing economic and environmental issues. [By Nora Martetschläger]
Can carob save a nation? Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food
Trump is on trial, whether he concedes it or not. Bibi’s immunity is waiting confirmation or denial in the Knesset. Chances are that it’ll be denied if it gets to a vote. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Speculation rife over Trump’s deal, Bibi’s immunity Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
Anti-semitism? City Councilwoman Barbara Bry blames President Donald Trump. City Councilman Scott Sherman points his finger at the Internet. And Tasha Williamson says it’s the fault of domestic terrorists, who ought to be prosecuted with the same tenacity as are terrorists from foreign countries. The three candidates made their comments Sunday night at a forum at Temple Emanu-El skipped by Assemblyman Todd Gloria, who polls show to be the frontrunner in their race to be San Diego’s next mayor. [Donald H. Harrison]
Mayoral candidates discuss anti-Semitism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
The film 1945 and the play The Class give new meaning to the phrase “bad neighbor.” These very relevant works of performance art were among those highlighted at the 5th Kisufim (Hebrew for “longings”) conference held at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem, in November. This year’s topic was: “Writing, Memory and Vision” and it was produced in partnership with the Zalman Shazar Center, the Hebrew Writers Association, and the Matanel Foundation, among others. [Toby Klein Greenwald]
Movie, play offer gripping Holocaust stories Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Toby Klein Greenwald
After seeing so many Jews say such horrible things about him, I decided to look further into Trump’s background to learn more about his feelings toward the Jews. This is what I learned: [Dan Feinreich]
Trump family has long record of supporting Jewish causes Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USAWe have to wait until President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan is unveiled to discuss it; those already discussing are likely to be wrong. But it is worth reviewing where Israelis, Palestinians, Arab states, and Americans have been — and why this time may be different. The central flaw in the “Palestinian-Israeli peace process” has never been addressed. There has not been — and there is not now — a shared goal toward which Israelis and Palestinians can be induced to work. Instead, each side has three specific and irreconcilable objectives. [Shoshana Bryen]
What Mideast parties want ahead of a peace proposal Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA