By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In a swing through America we encountered the expected range of attitudes about the national leader. At an upscale senior facility in southern California, we heard agreement in support. Admitting the dissonance of his style, but asserting his business-like mode of dealing. There was acceptance for his view that the […]
Keeping pace with U.S., Israeli politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAEuropean Commission President visits Vienna synagogue The Austrian Jewish community and the World Jewish Congress on Thursday hosted President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker for his first official visit to the Stadttempel (Seitenstettengasse Temple), the main synagogue in Vienna. Both the WJC and the Austrian Jewish Community expressed faith in the European Commission’s commitment
Editor’s E-Mail Box: October 5, 2018 (2 items) Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Barry Shaw HERZLIYA, Israel — The Swedish mega-yacht, Elida, is approaching Israeli territorial waters after a marathon sail from Gothenburg to Herzliya Marina where it is due to arrive on October 11 at 4 pm. It will be an impressive sight as the 131-foot length and its 148-foot mast height super-yacht enters the marina after
Swedish yacht, on pro- Israel mission, nears Herzliya Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle East, Travel and Food
Story and photos by Steve Kramer KFAR SAVA, Israel — Succot is probably Israel’s favorite Jewish holiday. Many Israelis take advantage of the reduced workweek and school vacation to go abroad. But even more use the time to travel throughout the country, attending the many festivals and entertainment activities. During the “middle days” of the
Touring Israel during the Succot holiday Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food
AJC and IsraAID help earthquake and tsunami stricken Indonesia The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is partnering with IsraAID, the Israeli humanitarian relief organization, to provide urgent emergency assistance to Indonesia, where a devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami struck near the island of Sulawesi. In Indonesia, with AJC assistance, IsraAID is providing essential relief, including
Editor’s E-Mail Box: October 4, 2018 (4 Items) Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
AIPAC calls for greater scrutiny and transparency in inspections of Iranian nuclear sites The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Wednesday issued the following advisory: “Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the existence of a secret nuclear warehouse in Tehran housing documents and equipment from Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The facility is
Editor’s E-Mail Box: October 3, 2018 (6 items) Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
$38 billion, ten-year U.S. aid package to Israel begins The U.S. State Department issued this advisory on Monday: “Today, as we enter the new fiscal year, the ten-year period of the $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the United States and Israel in 2016 begins. Under the terms of the MOU, the United
Editor’s E-Mail Box: October 1, 2018 (5 items) Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Facebook bans columnist Barry Shaw for anti-Abbas commentary Columnist Barry Shaw, based in Netanya, was banned by Facebook for 30 days after he posted a commentary critical of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Here is his account: “I reported on Facebook about Mahmoud Abbas’s inflammatory statements at the UN General Assembly in which he praised Palestinian
Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 28, 2018 (5 items) Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Last December, the synagogue in my Swedish hometown of Gothenburg was firebombed. One of the apprehended perpetrators is a Palestinian. He participated in the torching, he said, as a response to the United States moving its embassy to Jerusalem. Why Jewish worshippers in Gothenburg should be held responsible for President
Swedish court rewards terrorism Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK –With Syria’s civil war nearing an end with the takeover of the city of Idlib by Assad’s forces and his allies, I do not expect that Syria will soon enter a period of calm and amicably divide the spoils of the war. Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the US have conflicting
Russia, Iran, Turkey, U.S. have different goals in Syria Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
By Donald H. Harrison LA JOLLA, California – While the pro-Israel lobby does its work through public testimony, private meetings with members of Congress, and by making reportable contributions to the campaigns of candidates who support Israel, the opposing Arab lobby goes about its business in other, more subtle, ways, says Mitchell Bard, author of
Author tells SWU of workings of the ‘Arab Lobby’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen and Stephen Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The delivery of Russian S-300 air defenses to Syria threatens to broaden the war, as these advanced systems could allow wider scope for a conflict with Israel. By announcing this delivery, to be made in the coming two weeks, the Russian military appears to be on
Russian air-defense missiles may broaden Syrian War Read More »
International, Middle East, Stephen D. Bryen, USA
House adopts bill imposing stiffer sanctions on Hizballah and its allies The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for adopting on Tuesday night the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018 (S. 1595), which seeks to cut off the flow of resources to the Iran-backed terrorist group.
Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 26, 2018 (6 items) Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Itzhak Brook MD, MSc WASHINGTON, D.C. — I am a physician who specializes in pediatrics and infectious diseases, and a head and neck cancer survivor. I was born and raised in Israel, graduated from the Hebrew University School of Medicine in Jerusalem, and completed my pediatric training at Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot, Israel. I was
Israeli doctor authors guide for throat cancer patients Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA