By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Only the cynics are happy. Friday morning, August 2, everyone was claiming credit for the cease fire. John Kerry and Ban-Ki Moon were claiming primary authorship, and generous to note the contributions of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. The Palestinians of Gaza and Israelis were touting their accomplishments, and being equally […]
Few happy as Gaza War winds down Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Richard L. Cravatts, PhD BOSTON — As an example of what the insightful commentator Melanie Phillips referred to as a “dialogue of the demented” in her book, The World Turned Upside Down, since Israel launched Operation Protective Edge some three weeks ago, the streets of American and European cities have been crammed with activists
The moral corruption of the political left Read More »
International, Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, USASAN DIEGO (Press Release)– Philanthropists Andrew and Erna Viterbi have offered a matching gift of $1 million to help care for and shelter civilians and soldiers in the south of Israel from the rockets, mortars and tunnel infiltrations from Gaza. Announced on Friday, August 1, by the Jewish Federation of San Diego and to be
Federation announces aid campaign for Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson DOMEYROT, France –I saw the article in one of the glossy weekend supplements that comes with the French newspaper ‘Le Figaro’ which I try to read while I’m on vacation in France. The photography is beautiful, the articles intelligent, and it’s good for my French (I read it with the aid of
War is no time for a course in digital detoxing Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Maimonides raises a relevant question about the nature of repentance in his famous halachic tract, The Laws of Penitence, “How do we know whether a person has truly achieved repentance? If a person finds himself in the same situation where he now has the ability to
World must intervene to help M.E. Christians Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East
By Yael Rein WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following a 2,000 year history in the city, the last Christians left Mosul this week according to reports from local observers. The exodus comes as Islamic State (IS) militants, who captured Mosul last month, announced they would impose Sharia law in the city The group began painting the letter
IS Cleanses Mosul of Christians Read More »
Middle East
PHILADELPHIA (Press Release)–Attorney and philanthropist Murray H. Shusterman will provide $1 million in urgently needed funding to enhance campus safety at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Beer-Sheva, Israel against the back drop of round the clock rocket attacks. The new Murray H. Shusterman Gate will protect security staff, students and visitors entering BGU’s
Shusterman donates $1 million for BGU safety Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
NEW YORK (Press Releases) — World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder on Friday, August 1, condemned in the strongest possible terms the apparent kidnapping of an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip and urged Jews worldwide to pray for his safe return. The IDF suspects Second Lt. Hadar Goldin of Kfar Saba was seized
Hamas condemned for kidnap, ending cease fire Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release) — Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, on Friday, August 1, lauded the Senate leaders and the Administration for the passage of the supplemental funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system which has saved countless
Senate approves extra funding for Iron Dome Read More »
Middle East, USA
LOS ANGELES (Press Release)—NA’AMAT has sent more than $100,000 to its sister organization in Israel to support caregivers in its 233 Day Care Centers serving 18,000 children there, Elizabeth Raider, National President, NA’AMAT USA, announced Friday, August 1. “Our NA’AMAT day care centers are operational only if they have suitable ‘safe rooms’, and the required
Na’amat helps maintain day care in Israel Read More »
Middle East, USABy Steve Kramer ALPHE MENASHE, Israel — We hear a lot about “disproportionate force” these days, aimed chiefly at Israel’s incursion into Gaza as part of its Operation Protective Edge. Various world luminaries have explained how Israel is running roughshod over the “poor Palestinians”: “U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon leveled his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s
Civilian casualties? Blame Hamas Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (TNA)– Two U.S. political candidates arrived in Israel this past week to show support for IDF troops and Israeli civilians in the south living under Gaza rocket fire. California’s Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, Ron Nehring, and Delaware’s Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, Kevin Wade, tweeted about their visits, as
Nehring, Wade, tour Israel, support IDF Read More »
Middle EastHumanitarian cease-fire derailed by rocket fire on Israel (JNS.org) Sirens sounded in southern Israel on Friday morning, August 1, just two hours after the 72-hour humanitarian cease-fire agreed to by Israel and Hamas went into effect. After the cease-fire collapsed and reports emerged that an Israeli soldier may have been kidnapped, heavy barrages of rockets
JNS news briefs: August 1, 2014 Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Political analysis is best with moderation. Objectivity is not in the cards, insofar as information is partial and bound to be partisan. It helps to recognize differences in perspective. Extreme partisanship might win applause in some circles, but invites ridicule in others. Also important is to recognize sources of power,
Naivete causes strains in U.S. – Israel relations Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA