By Joe Spier JERUSALEM –It is April 9, 2013 after a long night in the air, my plane has landed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. I have arrived in Israel a couple of days in advance of 27 Calgarians who will begin “Israel @ 65”, the Calgary Jewish Federation tour that my wife
Flashback to Jerusalem, April 2013 Read More »
International, Middle EastDuring the presidential campaign, Donald Trump spoke often about his love for Israel. Many there cheered his victory last week. Now, some Israelis are questioning that support after Trump selected Stephen Bannon as his White House chief strategist. Bannon has been called a white nationalist by House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, among others. He’s the
This is a moment of reckoning for American Jews, Haaretz reporter says Read More »
Middle East, USAPresident Barack Obama predicted Monday that his successor might keep some of his major legacy items such as the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris climate agreement, and potentially even Obamacare, stating that President-elect Donald Trump isn’t ideological. President-elect Donald Trump will find that “reality will assert itself,” Obama said during his first post-election press conference.
Obama Predicts Trump Will Maintain Iran Nuclear, Paris Climate Deals Read More »
International, Middle East, USAPresident Barack Obama acknowledged that his policy toward the crisis in Syria has not been effective. “I recognize that that has not worked,” said Obama, in response to a question regarding his Syria policy at a press conference Monday afternoon. “It is something that I continue to think about every day. And we continue to
Obama Acknowledges His Syria Policy ‘Has Not Worked’ Read More »
Middle East, USAPalestinians threaten to make life ‘miserable’ for US if embassy moved to Jerusalem (JNS.org) The Palestinians promised to “make life miserable” for President-elect Donald Trump if he decides to follow through on a campaign promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “If people attack us by moving the embassy
Middle East Roundup: November 14, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastThe Palestinian Authority is furious over a proposed law that would prohibit places of worship from using a loudspeaker system, and threatened to take Israel to the UN Security Council. A Hamas representative called the bill “a dangerous and provocative development. Any interference on the part of the Israelis will be met with disaster. No
Palestinian Authority threatens Israel over Muezzin Law Read More »
International, Middle EastThis year, the global Shabbat Project reached amazing proportions, with over 1 million Jews in 1160 cities spread over 94 countries joined in. In Israel alone, 163 cities and towns took part in the “global Shabbat” that was held on November 11-12. The Shabbat project isn’t just about Shabbat itself – it also includes pre-Shabbat
Global Shabbat breaks all records Read More »
International, Middle East, USANew Delhi (dpa) – Israeli President Reuven Rivlin arrived in India Monday on a week-long state visit during which agreements in several sectors, including education and agriculture, are expected to be signed. Rivlin, who is accompanied by his wife Nechama, a business delegation and a group of academics, is the first Israeli president to visit
Israeli President Rivlin on India visit Read More »
International, Middle EastTEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli Cabinet panel voted Sunday to endorse legislation that would silence mosque loudspeakers that broadcast the call to prayer. The vote by the Cabinet panel on Sunday means the legislation will be introduced in parliament as a bill backed by the entire coalition � improving its chances for final passage.
Israeli Cabinet panel backs ban on mosques using loudspeakers Read More »
Middle EastThe Jerusalem District Attorney’s office filed an indictment against Yitzhak Shazou, a 23-year old resident of Jerusalem, for on charges of assault with a racist motive and unlawful possession of a knife, after he attacked an Arab man who was chatting with a young Jewish woman. According to the indictment, Shazou was walking down Derech
Arab attacked over relationship with Jewish girl Read More »
Middle EastThe Jewish Austrian author Stefan Zweig corresponded with an aspiring writer for years before the Nazis rose to power in Germany. These previously unknown letters have now emerged decades after his death. Tel Aviv (dpa) – The letters from one of the most important writers of the 1920s and 1930s had sat in a bank
Uncovered letters shed light on Jewish Austrian writer Stefan Zweig Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Middle EastAfter he was beaten up by five Jewish youths in downtown Jerusalem, Ishaq abu-Jibne, a Palestinian-Arab taxi driver, has been recognized by the police as a “victim of enemy hostilities.” The incident, which happened in August, involved the Jewish youths saying, “This is our country, go work in Gaza.” Though abu-Jibne tried to leave, the
Arab taxi driver recognized as ‘victim of enemy hostilties’ Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, November 13, 2016 – Exactly where Donald Trump would take U.S. policy in the Middle East remains less than clear. During the presidential campaign, he told us that fighting ISIS would be a key priority. He even said that he “knew more about ISIS” than the generals. If his goal is to strike a
Israel: Will President Trump end a two-state solution Read More »
Middle East, USAPresident-elect Donald Trump’s aides reportedly warned President Barack Obama not to “even think about” trying to push for progress on the Israeli-Arab conflict between now and January 20. Politico quoted a “national security adviser” of Trump’s as saying Obama “shouldn’t go seeking new adventures or pushing through policies that clearly don’t match Trump’s positions.” This
Trump warns Obama: Don’t force solution on Israel Read More »
Middle East, USA