By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — “The past belongs to us; we don’t belong to the past.” I heard Amos Oz, the great Israeli writer, say this last Tuesday at a launch of a just published book on the relationship between Hebrew and European literature by Menachem Brinker, one of the stars on Israel’s intellectual […]
We own the past, not vice versa Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Some years ago, a distinguished American academic, Charles Lindblom, published an article, “The Science of Muddling Through.” A little of this, a little of that, in a context where no one is sure what must be done. Not too much in one direction or another will, at least, limit the
Maybe we should call it the ‘Muddle East’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael razes 2 terrorists’ homes in eastern Jerusalem (JNS.org) Israeli security forces on Monday razed the homes of two terrorists in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber. The demolition was carried out according to government orders. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said the first home belonged to Bahaa Mohammed Khalil Alian, one of the terrorists
Middle East Roundup ~ January 5, 2016 Read More »
Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Most people seem to be confused about Islam. Is it “a religion of peace,” or the opposite? Are Muslims who live and die for “jihad” extremists or fundamentalists, or just observant Muslims? To find out, I recently attended a lecture by Mordecai Kedar, under the auspices of “The
One Islam, but many divergent views Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer2015 marks lowest number of Israeli soldier casualties in a decade, IDF says (JNS.org) The number of Israeli soldiers who died during their service in 2015 was the lowest in a decade, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday. According to IDF Personnel Directorate data, a total of 36 soldiers died in 2015. Six were killed
Middle East Roundup: January 4, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It was possible to hope that this wave of violence was winding down. Soon after Friday prayers at the mosques, there was not much more excitement than routine stone throwing at a light rail train as it passed by an Arab neighborhood. For some time now, the management of the rail line
Tel Aviv shooter dominates Israel media Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –That Binyamin Netanyahu made alarmist statements – interpreted by many as hostile to all the Arab citizens of Israel – before the elections last March, reprehensible though they were, could have been seen as an attempt to woo Jewish Israelis to vote for his party, Likud. It seemed to have
Netanyahu and the Arabs Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Should Israelis be ashamed, or proud, that a former President is in prison for rape, and a former Prime Minister is scheduled to go to the same place for accepting bribes? Perhaps a combination of shame and pride. One on account for the crimes. Another for holding the big guys accountable. In
Katsav, Olmert and now Sarah Netanyahu? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Kenneth Bandler NEW YORK — A heinous attack in the heart of Tel Aviv has resulted in two fatalities and at least seven people wounded, several in critical condition. “Given the descriptions so far of what happened, this has all the appearances of a terrorist assault,” said American Jewish Committee (AJC) Executive Director David
Tel Aviv assault appears to be terrorism — AJC Read More »
Middle East, USAHezbollah reportedly determined to avenge arch-terrorist’s death (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The Hezbollah terrorist group will no longer “accept Israel killing its operatives” and has made up its mind to exact revenge over the recent death of arch-terrorist Samir Kuntar, Lebanese media reported Thursday. Kuntar was killed on Dec. 19 in an airstrike near Damascus.
Middle East Roundup: January 1, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastBy Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — The Yom Kippur war of 1973 was an Israeli military success to the extent that when the cease fire came into effect the Syrian invading army had been pushed back behind the 1967 armistice line and though Egyptian forces had established a beachhead on the Israeli held side of
Ashraf Marwan: Master spy for Israel or Egypt? Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastIsrael apologizes after diplomat uses Singapore flag as tablecloth (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israel apologized Thursday for the misconduct of a junior diplomat at the Jewish state’s embassy in Singapore who had used Singapore’s flag as a tablecloth during a party, sparking a diplomatic uproar against Israel. Today Online reported that the diplomat was documented
Middle East Roundup: December 31, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The video of religious Jews dancing in ecstasy over the killing of Arabs provokes another note about religion, and Jews’ contribution to the complexity. Some would say the beauty of faith in ideas beyond us. Others would say the mess. What follows might be arcane for some, and not appear
Bible did not define Jewish land borders Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–The IDF is preparing for the possibility that Russian air strikes will push Islamic State forces, currently around 40 kilometers away from the Israeli border, towards the Golan Heights in the coming months. Additionally, the IDF’s 210 Habashan Division, which defends the Golan Heights, is also closely watching an ISIS-affiliated militia, made up of
IDF prepares for possible battle with ISIS Read More »
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