By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Events surrounding Yisrael Beiteinu provide suggestive parallels to other elements of Israel’s political history, as well as to that of the US. Avigdor Lieberman was not the first Israeli politician to reach power on the backs of an immigrant community that came from a non-democratic society. David ben Gurion and
Russians repeat pattern of earlier Israeli immigrants Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Above: Bedouin girl at Al Sayed Technological High School. Below: Bedouin boys in electronics class at same school (Photos: Anav Silverman) By Anav Silverman BE’ER SHEVA, Israel — In the sandy dunes of the northern Negev desert between Arad and Be’er Sheva, 130 students who belong to a local Bedouin tribe, study at the Al-Sayed Technological
Bedouin youth flourish in new high schools Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationHamas bans Gaza orphans from peace-building trip to Israel (JNS.org) The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has barred a group of 37 orphans in Gaza from visiting Israel as part of a peace-building trip meant to heal wounds between the parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to trip organizers, the group, which included children ages 13-16,
JNS news briefs: December 29, 2014 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson ZIKHRON YA’AKOV, Israel –The tragic and sudden death in a traffic accident of our daughter’s father-in-law, Eli Goldstein, brought an abrupt and untimely stop to the life of a man who was born on the land and worked the land throughout his life. His funeral, which was attended by what seemed to
Eli Goldstein, Israeli grower, z”l Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Joe Gandelman SAN DIEGO — Get ready for our already ugly and violent 21st century to be the century of soft targets for terrorists. The number of places where people feel safe will diminish as terrorists pick new venues to increase body counts — and grab more of that new and mainstream media publicity
Twisted logic of the terrorist’s soft target Read More »
Joe Gandelman, Middle East, Travel and Food, USATEL AVIV, Israel (Press Release) – Want to determine how a couple falls in love? In Israel? A group of Tel Aviv students is utilizing the latest interactive video technology to tell a love story and give Israeli tourism a boost. The Tel Aviv University students are part of the StandWithUs Fellowship, an Israeli campus
Falling in love in Israel interactive style Read More »
Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Jeremy Ben-Ami WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a victory for those seeking political limits on art and speech in communal institutions, Washington’s Jewish Community Center has fired the artistic director of the acclaimed Theater J. His ouster caps a successful campaign by a small group of activists to shutter the theater over the content of its
J Street founder’s 3 wishes for 2015 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The political situation in Israel is volatile, particularly before a general election. Only a few days ago I could speculate about Avigdor Lieberman not only as a kingmaker but as a potential king. He had spoken about his readiness to be prime minister. At the end of the piece
Debate over Yisael Beiteinu criminal charges Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Avigdor Lieberman is Israel’s Foreign Minister, as well as the ruling head of Israel Beitenu (Israel our Home), a political party originally focused on immigrants from the former Soviet Union with campaign posters in Russian and Hebrew. Lieberman began his political career as an activist in the Likud student organization at the
Lieberman party members in bribery probe Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Caren Besner BOYNTON BEACH, Florida–Fratricide is an ugly word. It evokes the image of siblings in conflict with one another. The Old Testament is replete with stories of such disharmony, that serve both as a lesson in morality and a warning for future generations. The story of Cain and Abel, the enslavement of Joseph in
The modern war of Jew against Jew Read More »
Middle East, USABy Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — In the 19th century, Wilhelm Marr , known as “the father of modern antisemitism,” coined the word “antisemitismus.” But the pathological hatred of Jews has a long history. In the antiquity, the Pharaoh who ‘didn’t know Joseph” decreed to kill all the Jewish newborn males; and Haman
Countering the anti- Semites Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastTwo arrested in connection to Thursday’s firebomb attack (JNS.org) Two Palestinian men have been arrested in connection to Thursday’s firebomb attack that injured a girl and her father. The two men were part of a group of 12 Palestinians that were arrested overnight Thursday, according to the Israeli Shin Bet security agency, the Jerusalem Post
JNS news briefs: December 26, 2014 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Among the fascinations of politics are some oddities from various corners. Some are–fortunately–far from our daily experiences, but others are too close for complete comfort. One concerns North Korea. It is widely viewed as one of the most unpleasant of places, with a regime that cares little for its people.
Global oddities: N. Korea, Islamism, U.S. Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)– An 11-year-old girl was seriously wounded and her father lightly injured when Palestinians threw a firebomb at their car in Samaria, on Thursday evening, December 25. The young girl suffered from third degree burns to her face and upper body as the car burst into flames. The two were travelling on
Terror fire bombing leaves girl, 11, struggling for life Read More »
Middle East