By Aryeh Savir JERUSALEM – Israel police and Shabak announced they have arrested Aziz Musah Salam Awisat, a resident of the Jabl Mukaber neighborhood in Jerusalem, on charges that he sabotaged gas lines in buildings in several attempts to cause mass explosions. Awisat, allegedly affiliated with Hamas, is 49 and a father of six. Authorities […]
Israeli Police arrest Arab man on charges of sabotage Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Before the end of this week, the Knesset will have passed three important bills: (1) raising the number of votes before a party can gain seats from 2% to 3.15% and other changes in the composition of future governments; (2) obligating ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the army instead of allowing
Boycotted Knesset to pass 3 bills 67-0 Read More »
Middle East
NEW YORK (Press Release) –The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday, March 11, praised Norwegian Cruise Line for its “courageous and responsible” decision to cancel all port calls to Tunisia following the Tunisian government’s refusal to allow Israeli passport holders to disembark from the Norwegian Jade cruise ship. “We applaud the courageous and responsible decision of
ADL praises NCL for dropping Tunisia calls Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – In response to the ruling by Israel’s High Court of Justice (Supreme Court) on Tuesday, March 11, regarding settler claims to ownership of a large house in Hebron, Americans for Peace Now (APN) joins its Israeli sister organization Shalom Achshav (Peace Now) in calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Peace group urges Israel to stop Hebron settlement Read More »
Middle East
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Press Release)–Following is the transcript of comments by Anne W. Patterson, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and North African Affairs, at the outset of a meeting on ways to invigorate the private sector of the Palestinian Authority: I am very pleased to be here today and bring greetings and a strong
U.S. to foster business investment in Palestine Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–On a visit to lecture at the US Military Academy at West Point, I heard from the Professor and Colonel who was my host that one of the important lessons being taught was given the acronym of KISS. Keep it simple, stupid. As I’ve reflect on that since then, it tells me that the US military
Two ideas of Israeli policy, kept simple Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Anav Silverman PETACH TIKVAH, Israel (TNA) — A year since the passing of peace activist and settler Rabbi Menachem Froman, his wife, Hadassah and close family friend, Sheikh Ibrahim Abu El-Hawa, a Palestinian Muslim, recently paid public tribute to the man who was well-known for his unique peace activities in the region. Rabbi
Muslim sheikh mourns settler rabbi Read More »
Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (TNA)–Thanks to Lebanese-Qatari mediation, a group of 13 nuns captured in December 2013 by Syrian rebels were released Monday, March 10, according to a variety of news service reports reaching the Tazpit News Agency. The nuns, along with three maids, were abducted from their convent, which also serves as an orphanage,
Kidnapped nuns released at Syria-Lebanon border Read More »
Middle EastBy Aryeh Savir JERUSALEM (TNA)–Brother Rachid, a Christian cleric and a well known voice in the Arab speaking world, publicized a meticulously structured televised oration against boycotting Jews – in Arabic. Speaking on the Al-Hia (the Life) Christian channel, Brother Rachid displayed strong rhetorical talents and an intimate knowledge of history, in a clip which
Arab broadcast ridicules boycott of Jewish products Read More »
Middle EastBy Lloyd Levy EILAT, Israel — I was privileged to witness for myself the arrival of the Klos-C, the Iranian arms ship, into Eilat port on Saturday, March 8. My wife and I happened to be staying in a hotel that had a panoramic view of the port and town, and although we were some distance
Iranian arms ship docked as Shabbat ended Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle EastBy David Ogul SAN DIEGO — From conversations among a San Diego contingent of delegates to speeches by Secretary of State John Kerry, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, Arizona Sen. John McCain and others, Iran was front and center at last week’s annual AIPAC conference in Washington, D.C. And for good reason. AIPAC, America’s largest pro-Israel
AIPAC delegates question U.S. policy on Iran Read More »
David Ogul, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The members of the Israeli government, whether secular or Orthodox, don’t seem to pay much attention to the Reform and Conservative (Progressive) movements in Israel. If these seek evidence of recognition, they normally only get it through the courts, and even then it takes the government a long time to obey
Progressive Jews face Israeli apathy, hostility Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Those who comment in international relations ought to begin with an admission that they know only part of what transpires. Much is secret. Issues are argued, decided, and implemented in heavy secrecy by one or more agencies of one or more governments. What gets into the public sector is likely to be,
Spin and lies complicate int’l relations Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Editor’s Note: Jeffrey Goldberg’s interview with President Barack Obama, coming on the eve of last weekend’s AIPAC conference in Washington D.C., continues to stir a lot of commentary, both favoring and criticizing the President’s approach to the Middle East. Zara Kessler of Bloomberg View kindly extended to San Diego Jewish World the opportunity to reprint the
Obama to Israel: ‘Time is running out’ Read More »
Middle East, USA