By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM–Israel’s unemployment rate has dropped to a record low in February 2014, down to 4.9% compared to 5.4% in January for people aged 25-64. According to a seasonally adjusted study released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) last week, over 3.5 million people out of 8.1 million people are employed in […]
Record low jobless rate in Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Ehud Olmert has been part of Israeli government since his first election to the Knesset in 1973. He served on key committees dealing with foreign affairs, defense and finance; had a term as a minister without portfolio, climbed to the position of Health Mister, went higher as Mayor of Jerusalem, returned
Olmert case had many twists and turns Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– A cartoon in Ha’aretz a couple of days ago showed how Abu Mazen, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, wanted Tzipi Livni, Israel’s chief negotiator with the Palestinians, to add one more name to the list of prisoners who were supposed to be released by Israel last Saturday night as
Olmert’s bribery conviction ends his comeback hopes Read More »
Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint/JNS.org JERUSALEM—When most Israeli Jews sit down for the Passover seder, they’ll wait for the kids to recite Mah Nishtana, the four questions; pucker up to inhale the bitter herbs; relish the sweet Charoset; dip herbs in salt water; sing rousing renditions of Dayenu and Chad Gadya; and knock back four cups
Taking Passover back to its roots Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Aryeh Savir JERUSALEM – a poll conducted for the Knesset TV channel reveals that the majority of Israelis oppose territorial concessions as part of a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority. 61% of the Israeli public believes that Israel should not relinquish land in Judea and Samaria in exchange for a peace agreement; 39%
Most Israelis oppose conceding territory Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It’s hard to know whether to smirk, guffaw, dismiss as not surprising and more of the same, or bemoan the dimming of American civilization due to a recent article in the New York Times about legislation in Georgia and other states in behalf of guns. The article describes a wave of pro-gun
Pro-gun legislation indicates U.S. decline Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Deborah Fineblum/JNS.org Rather than feeling a sense of loss, leaving the second Passover seder behind in the U.S., or France, or Turkey, or any other country of origin is touted as a perk of living in Israel that new immigrants to the Jewish state (olim) mention in the same breath as the universal availability
See new moon over Israel, skip second seder Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Jeremy Ben-Ami The majority of world Jewry agrees today: the future, security and character of the state of Israel all depend on reaching a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That’s why Secretary of State John Kerry’s push to achieve it is perhaps the most vital pro-Israel initiative since Bill Clinton was President. Right
Attack on J Street waste of resources Read More »
Middle East, USAGENEVA (WJC) – A call made by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) encouraging businesses to boycott Israeli settlements was strongly condemned by the World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Friday. “It is shameful that an important UN body should join the hypocritical international campaign against Israel, and it is even more lamentable that so many
Jewish groups condemn UNHRC vote on BDS Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) – AJC applauds the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for expressing serious concern about human rights violations in Iran. The Council resolution also renews the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 21 in favor, 9 against
AJC applauds UNHRC resolution on Iran Read More »
Middle EastBy Ben Cohen/JNS.org Here’s the setting: a Middle Eastern state filled with skyscrapers and luxury hotels, and blessed with a booming business environment and the close friendship of the United States. Here’s the problem: a substantial segment of its population lives with the constant threat of deportation hanging over it. Its members cannot obtain birth
Stateless Arabs in Kuwait victims of bias Read More »
Middle East
By Dmitriy Shapiro/JNS.org/Washington Jewish Week WASHINGTON, D.C. –An analysis of recent letters sent by members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to President Barack Obama pledging support for the administration’s ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program reveal subtle, but crucial differences in tone. Though the idea of a letter on Iran occupied
House, Senate subtly diverge on Iran Read More »
Middle East, USABy Morton A. Klein NEW YORK –Mahmoud Abbas has provided further proof, if any were needed, that he and the PA he heads have no interest in a genuine peace with Israel, but is only working towards Israel’s destruction. It is perfectly clear that Abbas is simply another Arab terrorist whose goal is Israel’s destruction.
Abbas proves destruction, not peace, is his goal Read More »
Middle EastBy Alex Traiman/JNS.org A recent border incident in which Israeli troops shot a Jordanian judge has highlighted the dualities of the Jewish state’s stable-yet-tenuous relations with its eastern neighbor. Judge Raed Za’eiter was shot dead on March 10 at the Allenby Bridge crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, while allegedly trying to
Israel-Jordan relations depend on latter’s monarchy Read More »
Middle East