In August of 2002, interrogators at a secret CIA-run prison in Thailand set out to break a Palestinian man they believed was one of al-Qaida’s top leaders. As the CIA’s video cameras rolled, security guards shackled Abu Zubaydah to a gurney and interrogators poured water over his mouth and nose until he began to suffocate. […]
CIA Cables Detail Its New Deputy Director’s Role in Torture Read More »
International, Middle East, USAFrench President Francois Hollande reiterated on Wednesday night that his country is committed to a “two-state solution” for the Middle East conflict. The French leader, addressing an event hosted by the CRIF umbrella grouping of Jewish organizations, said a two-state solution was the only guarantee for Israel to remain a “pluralist and democratic society”, reported
Hollande: France insists on ‘two-state solution’ Read More »
International, Middle East, USAPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, together with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy, today (Thursday, 23 February 2017), visited the Moriah College Jewish school in Sydney. They were welcomed with cheers by the pupils, who played musical instruments and sang “Jerusalem of Gold” as well as the Australian and
The letter Sara Netanyahu received Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Uncertainty is part of politics, both for activists and observers. There’s no clear metric for the extent of uncertainty, but it may be somewhere near its high point. For both the US and Israel. Someone should be managing a pool for those betting on when Donald and Bibi will go
Google counts as a political barometer Read More »
Middle East, USAIranian chess authorities have punished siblings after the brother played a match against an Israeli national and the sister did not wear a hijab in a tournament. Dorsa Derakhshani, an 18-year-old student based in Spain, did not wear the traditional headscarf in a tournament in Gibraltar earlier this month. In Iran, women are legally required
Iran Bans Teenage Chess Master Siblings From Competing Read More »
International, Middle East, Sports & CompetitionsNICOSIA, Cyprus (Press Release) — The President of Cyrus, Nicos Anastasiades, on Wednesday delivered a forceful address to an almost 100-member delegation of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations visiting the country as part of the Conference’s 43rd Annual Leadership Mission to Israel. Describing the relationship between Cyprus and Israel, the President declared,
Cyprus President calls Israel a ‘natural partner’ Read More »
International, Middle East, USAPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed the demand by two former Australian Prime Ministers that their nation recognize the Palestinian Authority as a sovereign state. Former Labor premiers Kevin Rudd and Bob Hawke issued statements ahead of Netanyahu”s state visit to Australia, calling for the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Speaking at a press conference in Sydney
‘What kind of Palestinian state do you want exactly?’ Read More »
International, Middle EastPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife landed in Australia on Tuesday evening Israel time (Wednesday morning Australia time) after a visit to Singapore. The Prime Minister will meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and with Israeli and Australian business people. Afterwards, he will attend a large event with Australian Jewish community leaders at
Netanyahu lands in Australia Read More »
International, Middle EastPalestinian outrage to soldier sentence A “green light” for “executions” No immediate comment from Netanyahu Not clear if lawyers plan to appeal Palestinians have reacted with outrage to the 18-month prison sentence handed down to an Israeli soldier who killed a wounded and incapacitated Palestinian assailant. The trial has been one of the most divisive
Israeli soldier sentence triggers Palestinian anger Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen and Stephen Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president is being asked by the Pentagon to provide U.S. ground troops to fight ISIS in Syria. If the president is wise, he will run as fast as he can the other way. There are four potential traps here: • The cost in American lives;
U.S. ground troops in Syria a bad idea Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. Bryen, USAUS Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley blasted the UN for its obsession with Israel during an address to the Security Council. “I just put out to the members of the Security Council to help me understand: When we have so much going on in the world, why is it that every single month we”re
Trump UN envoy: Why is the UN so obsessed with Israel? Read More »
International, Middle East, USALegislation prohibits vendors, suppliers from refusing to serve consumers based on where they live, unless policy is clearly stated in advance By Stuart Winer and Raoul Wootliff View of the plenum hall in the Knesset on February 06, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) In a move seen by some as a small step toward Israeli annexation of
Knesset passes ban on discrimination against settlers Read More »
Middle EastBy Khetam Malkawi – Feb 21,2017 – Last updated at Feb 21,2017 AMMAN — US President Donald Trump’s recent statements about the one-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have unleashed a stream of reactions and predictions about the potential consequences for the region, and particularly Jordan. While some observers viewed Trump’s statement as an end
Trump’s ‘one-state solution’ comment draws mixed reactions Read More »
Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — President Trump remained true to his customary flip-flopping on just about every issue when he stated during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu that he is “looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like… I can live with either one.” By
Two-state solution is the only workable choice Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA