Middle East

Netanyahu’s end? A Shakespearean tragedy

The plot is afoot. A leader is about to be toppled. Suddenly. Instantly. To go from the world stage to serve in sad opposition alongside Arabs he did not trust and religious Jews he falsely claimed to represent.

Is this the tragic political end of Benjamin Netanyahu? Truly a man who could hold his own among world leaders. Brought down by hubris, now seeing himself with two sad choices. To sit with the losers. Or to see his day in court. Power seems to have been grabbed from his hand with shocking suddenness.

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Barry Shaw, Middle East

Our Shtetl San Diego County: September 18, 2019

Items in this column include:
*Local businessmen fly to Bahamas to help victims of Hurricane Dorian
*Councilmembers Bry and Campbell often find common ground
*San Diegans will host IDF veterans as they sort out combat memories
*Bible Players to enliven services this weekend at Tifereth Israel Synagogue

Our Shtetl San Diego County: September 18, 2019 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Diary of a Benny Gantz supporter

I have to vote. If it’s the last thing I do. I’m there, I’m two minutes early. My sweat is dripping of my face as I look at the hall with twenty other Israelis my age waiting to cast their vote.  I sign a paper saying I couldn’t vote at my poll. I couldn’t, I didn’t think I’d make it there. I take care to write the information carefully. I do my best to do everything perfect. I can’t screw up again.

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Middle East, Sam Litvin

Israel’s post- election battle of egos

Likud is unable to form a right-wing government. The lack of mandates earned by the smaller right-wing and religious parties prevent that option without Liberman, and Liberman made issues with the religious parties part of his electioneering platform. So no right-religious deal is possible without the heavy Liberman climbing down from his political tree.

Gantz is unable to form a center-left coalition even with the Arab party without Liberman because Liberman has said he will not sit in any government with the current Arab politicians, most of whom he sees as anti-Israel antagonists and not part of the Israeli consensus.

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Barry Shaw, Middle East

Israel’s election results: Same as before

Binyamin Netanyahu is still not able to form a government without Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party, but the latter refuses to serve under or with the current prime minister. As the acknowledged king maker without whom there can be no majority government in Israel, Liberman  says that he wants a secular government consisting of Likud without Netanyahu; the Blue and White party led by Benny Gantz and the other generals (plus Yair Lapid); and – of course, above all – himself. Though this is by no means a perfect solution, it seems vastly preferable to the alternatives.

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Middle East

College faculties often seek to eliminate Israel

SANTA CRUZ, California (Press Release)– As students settle back onto campuses across the country, AMCHA Initiative releases a new report, The Harassment of Jewish Students on U.S. Campuses: How Eliminationist Anti-Zionism and Academic BDS Incite Campus Anti-Semitism.  The report illuminates a number of critical shifts and increases in campus anti-Semitism in the past year and includes

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Saudi, Kuwaiti Airlines accused of illegal bias

“While we understand that [the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)] will not confirm nor deny the existence of any ongoing potential investigation into Saudia and/or KAC, it appears that both airlines have simply been left to continue operating in (and economically benefiting from) the United States while brazenly flouting the nation’s laws. Nearly two years after our last communication with BIS, we have yet to see any progress towards thwarting this implementation of the Arab League boycott on our own soil and protecting Israelis within our country from such discrimination.”

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International, Middle East, USA

Attack on Saudi fields most likely came from Iraq

It is growing more certain that the attacks on the Khurais oil field and the Abqaiq oil processing center in Saudi Arabia were launched from southern Iraq and not from Yemen by the Houthis. This was made clear by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who said “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.” While Pompeo put the blame squarely on Iran, he did not say where the attacks originated. Meanwhile the Saudi Arabian Air Force launched retaliatory attacks on Houthis military sites in Yemen.

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Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen

Our Shtetl San Diego County: September 14, 2019

Items in this column include:
* Attorney Joe Leventhal becomes a candidate in 5th City Council District
* Georgette Gomez jumps into race to succeed Congresswoman Susan Davis
* Brushing up on your Jewish knowledge with a game of ‘Jew-perdy’
*A Backyard Challah Bake
* Camp Mountain Chai increases summer sessions from three to four
* Three ‘self-compassionate resolutions’ for the New Year
* And Finally, Some Fun With Numbers

Our Shtetl San Diego County: September 14, 2019 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Netanyahu is THE issue in Israel’s election

Likud means united, and so far party figures have remained firm in their public comments. Bibi is their leader.

As we get closer to the election, and Likud does not pull clearly ahead in the polls, there are reports of individuals in Likud maneuvering for what’ll be after Bibi. 

There are hints of friction between Bibi and Donald Trump, especially in connection with Trump’s efforts to converse with Iranian leaders. For some years, Iran has been at the top of Bibi’s list of antagonists, and any weakening of American resolve would be troubling.

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East