By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The comparison of Israel and South Korea is not as strange as it may seem. Both had historical periods of poverty and national disaster, and both have achieved military credibility and economic success. They are currently very close on the World Bank’s list of the most wealthy countries. And both
Israel, North Korea … and Donald Trump Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastRussia says the proposed “de-escalation” zones in Syria will be closed to aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition. Alexander Lavrentyev, Russia’s envoy to the peace talks in Kazakhstan, said Friday in remarks covered by Russian media that “the operation of aviation in the de-escalation zones, especially of the forces of the international coalition, is absolutely not
Russia: No US Coalition Jets Allowed in Syrian De-Escalation Zones Read More »
International, Middle EastThe PA won’t pay for the Hamas-run Strip’s electricity any longer. Should Israel finance the power supply for a terrorist regime committed to its destruction? By Avi Issacharoff A. lives in the northern Gaza Strip. I have known him for years — seventeen years, to be exact. I have visited his home in the Gaza
As winds of war rise, Israel must decide whether to pull the plug on Gaza Read More »
Middle EastJustice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) are advancing revolutionary new legislation which seeks to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. At the moment, due to the fact that Israeli law does not apply in Judea and Samaria, the army Head of Central Command, which is the official sovereign entity
‘The time has come to apply the same law to all citizens’ Read More »
Middle EastU.S. Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders called out critics of Israel’s alleged human rights violations this week, noting that other Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Syria and Egypt don’t receive similar attention for their mistreatment of women and prisoners. The former presidential candidate also defended Israel’s existence, as well as the long-disputed two-state solution to
Bernie Sanders Defends Israel, Slams Saudi Arabia Read More »
Middle East, USARabbi was MK from 1996-2009 for the right-wing Moledet and National Union parties By Times of Israel staff Benny Elon, an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Israeli parliament for Moledet and the National Union between 1996 and 2009, on October 2, 2012. (Miriam Alster/Flash90) Benny Elon, a former tourism minister, rabbi
Former tourism minister Benny Elon dies at 62 Read More »
Middle East, Obituaries & memorialsGerman Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel defended his meeting last week with radical left-wing groups “Breaking the Silence” and “B”tselem” during his visit to Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu had ultimately cancelled his planned meeting with Gabriel as a result, after threatening to do so should Gabriel meet with the groups. In an interview with the German
German foreign minister defends meetings with anti-Israel groups Read More »
International, Middle East
By Michelle Janikian NEW YORK — The United States is in the grip of a devastating opioid epidemic. Nationwide, opioid overdoses caused 33,091 deaths in 2015, which increased to over 50,000 deaths in 2016. Opioids include prescription painkillers, like OxyContin and Fentanyl, and illicit substances, like heroin. A recent study found that 44% of Americans
Op-Ed: Cannabis can reduce opioid misuse Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Subsidized trips to Israel for non-Jewish student leaders have helped improve understanding of the situation in the Middle East as well as the campus climate at San Diego State University, Hillel representatives reported at a parlor meeting Thursday night in the home of Jeremy and Joan Berg. The
Campus trips to Mideast win friends for Israel Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAThe Wedding Plan written and directed by Rama Burshtein, distributed by Roadside Attractions; Hebrew with English subtitles. To be presented May 26 at Hillcrest Cinemas. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There is a scene in The Wedding Plan in which Michal (Noa Koler) is being driven to the wedding hall. She has on her
Chutzpah or faith? Bride plans wedding without groom Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The sight of officials of United Airlines dragging a helpless passenger down the aisle of an airplane as other passengers scream in shock and protest is not one that I will easily forget. Physical violence of any kind is shocking, and any time the TV news shows a violent
Reflecting on the violence around us Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Middle EastU.S. President Donald Trump told Palestinian leaders visiting the White House Wednesday that he does not think achieving peace in the Middle East will be as difficult as previously thought. Sitting down to lunch with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior U.S. and Palestinian officials, Trump said securing a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians
Trump: Middle East Peace Deal ‘Not Difficult’ Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia will be the first country President Donald Trump visits since his inauguration, the White House announced Thursday. The president will then visit Israel and the Vatican before attending previously announced summits in Belgium and Italy, the White House said. Senior administration officials, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity, said Saudi
Saudi Arabia will be Trump’s first foreign visit; Israel and Vatican will follow Read More »
International, Middle East, USAReform Judaism leaders oppose church-state changes WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — In response to President Trump’s dangerously broad executive order masquerading as protection of religious freedom, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement Thursday on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference
United States Jewish roundup: May 4, 2017 Read More »
Middle East, USA