By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– Even a fool wouldn’t dare predict the outcome of the Israeli elections on March 17, but a somewhat less confusing picture may be emerging. It entitles us to speculate, even though what follows below may, in the eyes of some, only add to the confusion. The real contest is between […]
Herzog’s and Livni’s possible coalition partners Read More »
Middle EastBy Yotam Rozenwald JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — The mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, Hussam Qawasmeh, was convicted and sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 6. The Israeli military court, sentenced him to three life sentences, and ordered him pay NIS 750,000, to the teens families, in compensation. Qawasmeh planned the kidnapping of Israeli teens:
3 life terms for planner of 3 teens’ murders Read More »
Middle EastTEL AVIV (Press Release) — Close to three million Americans aged 55 and older suffer from alcohol abuse — and this figure is expected to reach nearly 6 million by 2020. While alcohol abuse remains prevalent among them, the rate of illicit drug abuse in adults over 50 more than doubled between 2002 and 2013. Many
Alcohol and drug abuse are hazards of retirement Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationANKARA, Turkey (WJC) — Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is expected to leave his base in Doha and relocate to Turkey, Turkish press reports indicated on Tuesday. The Persian Gulf emirate Qatar has come under pressure from the international community in recent months to cease serving as a host of organizations considered by the West
Hamas leader may be expelled from Qatar Read More »
Middle East-Compiled by JNS.org- Palestinian unilateralism means Oslo Accords no longer valid, think tank says (JNS.org) The Palestinian Authority’s unilateral quest for statehood and other forms of recognition in the international arena is among 10 points illustrating why the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians are no longer valid, wrote Alan Baker, Israel’s former
Daily Jewish news briefs: January 6, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — A Russian story tells of a man who lost his only cow. In desperation he went fishing to help feed his family. He caught a fish that turned to be a fairy. It offered to grant him one wish. What did he ask for? That his neighbour should also
Palestinians seem to prefer being victims over peace Read More »
Middle East
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, will perform at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) headquarters in Paris on Monday, January 26 at the special opening concert of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year the day will also mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The concert
Jerusalem Symphony to play for UNESCO in Paris Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Yotam Rozenwald JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — Israel is preparing for the first snow storm of the 2015 winter. Meteorologists predict that this year’s storm will reach its peak on Wednesday morning, January 7, covering Jerusalem and the Benjamin region, and then spreading south to the mountains of Gush-Etzion and Hebron. Snow is expected to fall
Jerusalem area expecting winter blizzard Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The horrific attack on a school in Pakistan by Taliban gunmen that killed 132 people, mainly children, returned that unhappy country to the news headlines for a few days. But only a few it’s gone again. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. In President Obama’s defining 2009
U.S. reversals in Iraq, Afghanistan Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USABy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — What’s a factoid? According to one definition, it’s a questionable or spurious (unverified, false, or fabricated) statement presented as a fact, but without supporting evidence. (Wikipedia) Factoids are what passes for knowledge among Westerners who vilify Israel and describe it as apartheid, neo-Nazi, warmongering, and more. Advocates for
Setting straight the factoid crowd Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerIsrael arrests members of Islamic State-linked terror cell in Hebron (JNS.org) Israel security forces arrested three Arab men who were attempting to set up an Islamic State-linked terror cell in Hebron with plans of carrying out different attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. According to Israel’s Shin Bet security service, Ahmed Shahada, 22, admitted to
Daily Jewish news briefs: January 5, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Last week, while getting my nightly dose of a discussion program, I heard a political scientist talk about her research via Facebook and other meeting places on the Internet. She claimed that the number of Likes, and their changes over time, indicated the rise and fall of politicians. Maybe. Her presentation was
Internet changes form, not substance, of politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I do view myself as a centrist in politics. Or perhaps more accurately, as an apolitical political scientist. I’ve never had a strong party identification, either during that half of my life when I voted in the US, or the latter half voting in Israel. I view politics as the
Mulling options in Israel’s upcoming election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Israelis appear to like the Pope more than their Chief Rabbis. 50% of all Israelis (the highest figure in any non-Christian country) approve of the current leader of the Catholic Church and only 25% disapprove while 67% of Israelis are against the continued existence of the country’s chief rabbinate. The data
Growing disaproval for Israel’s chief rabbinate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East