By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Barack Obama has given another speech on the models of 2009 Cairo that produced a Nobel Peace Prize, and the speech on Syria’s use of chemical weapons that began aggressively and retreated to an advocacy of diplomacy. The latest came at the annual Autumn speech fest of the United Nations, […]
Obama talks about Syria; Putin acts Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)- Nearly 200 Israeli and international professional artists are showcasing their artwork in the second annual Jerusalem Biennale For Contemporary Jewish Art (September 24 – November 5). The works are featured in 10 different exhibitions held in different venues across the city that include secular and ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jewish curators and
Israel showcases contemp. art Read More »
Middle East
SANTA BARBARA, California (Press Release) — The Israeli firm IDE Americas announced it has been selected to refurbish, operate and maintain the recommissioned Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant in Santa Barbara, California. Under the city’s Design-Build-Operate (DBO) process, IDE was chosen to reactivate the plant for its proven experience, modular approach, and ability to meet the
Israeli firm to refurbish Santa Barbara de-sal plant Read More »
Middle East, The World We Share, USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Except for theology, Israel is doing great work for its people and for humanitarian advancement. People routinely order pizza online but they often have to travel to Cyprus to get married–due to rabbinic restrictions. Women are expected to deliver babies but they frequently have to stand in the
Time to abolish Israel’s chief rabbinate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastIsrael’s Shin Bet exposes Islamic State-inspired terrorist cell (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Seven Israeli Arabs were indicted before the Nazareth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday on suspicion of setting up an Islamic State terrorist cell and planning to attack police and military bases. The suspects face multiple counts of security violations, including conspiracy to commit an
Middle East Roundup: October 1, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Who was worse, Hitler or Stalin?” It isn’t a parlor game, but rather the historical equivalent of “ISIS or Iran (or proxy Syria)?” You can play it either way, but “a plague on both their houses” didn’t cut it in 1941, and doesn’t in 2015. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939
Which is worse — Iran or ISIS? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — It may seem foolish to criticize Israeli democracy at a time when the Speaker of the American House of Representatives has to resign his post in order to prevent Republican hardliners from closing down the government. Our forefathers of over 200 years ago devised a Constitution in
The problems of U.S., Israeli politics Read More »
Middle East, USAIsraeli officials: Syria will not be used as Iranian base to attack Israel (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Tuesday after landing in New York City ahead of his address to the United Nations that he will not allow Syria to be used as a base for Iranian attacks against Israel.
Middle East Roundup: September 30, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two questions have long intrigued me as a student of politics. One has occupied us on several occasions; it concerns the explanation of Israel’s democracy. Another concerns the working of another democracy, and the failure of America’s largest religious group to do better than it has in presidential politics. Neither is
Anomalies of Israeli, American politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Tensions, competition, or dust-up–call it what you will–between Russia and the US presents a fascinating subject for analysis. No doubt, the US is stronger by far economically and militarily. It was left standing at the end of the Cold War, while the Soviet Union disappeared. Now Russia is a fragment–albeit a
Russia in Middle East may deter Iran, Hezbollah Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — More than a million Jews left Russia and its Soviet empire after the latter collapsed. Most of them settled in Israel and, together with all of us, are now facing the prospect of forces of the aspiring new version of that empire under Vladimir Putin being stationed on Israel’s borders.
Israel’s new neighbors in Syria Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The present tension concerned with Syria, Cold warriors Vladimir and Barack against one another, with Bibi somewhere in the middle, brings back our memories of Jewish history, going back to when it began. We are not the only minority having to cope with more powerful others. In this neighborhood alone, the Druze,
Israel must maneuver between super powers Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastPope renews appeal for Mideast Christians (JNS.org) Pope Francis renewed his call for the international community to do more to stop the persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East and Africa during his address to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Friday. “I must renew
Middle East Roundup: September 25, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Some of us grew up in an era (now vacuum-sealed by the vitriolic American political culture) when you could disagree with a president on this or that issue but still honor his character and disposition. I like President Obama. His articulate and reflective persona, his intelligence and wryness,
Why this rabbi admires President Obama Read More »
Middle East, USA