By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Israeli politicians are preparing the public for the report that US Secretary of State John Kerry is about to present. Whether they already know what’s in it or are guessing or are working on authorized leaks isn’t clear. Here are some of the signs: *It started when Prime Minister […]
Israel preparing for Kerry report Read More »
Middle EastBy Aryeh Savir JERUSALEM–Now that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is no longer president of Iran, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is the most anti-Semitic leader in the world, according to Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs Yuval Steinitz. Speaking at the INSS (The Institute for National Security Studies) annual series on Wednesday, Jan. 30, Steinitz stated that “there is
Abbas world’s most anti-Semitic leader–Steinitz Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — On our right are religious nationalists who insist that God gave it all to us. On our left are those who claimed that we have sinned since 1967, and must withdraw from some, much, or all of the West Bank beyond the lines of 1967 in order for the Palestinians
Extremists of all kinds focus on Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Earlier this month I wrote about African illegal immigrants in Israel. In response, Rabbi John Rosove of Los Angeles put me in touch with Sigal Rozen, field worker on behalf of an organization that deals with Eritreans and Sudanese asylum seekers in South Tel Aviv. Last Tuesday, my wife and I
Eritreans, Sudanese, local Israelis cope in Tel Aviv Read More »
Middle East
GOLAN HEIGHTS, Israel (TNA) –For the past three years a brutal civil war has been waged in Syria. The main victims of this internal conflict are the Syrian civilians themselves. According to the United Nations, at least 120,000 Syrians have been killed in the fighting over the past three years. Since the outbreak of the
Israel treats wounded Syrians at border hospital Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– Sarah Netanyahu’s reputed objections to Naftali Bennett joining her husband’s government – after the near-spectacular success of Bennett’s Habayit Hayehudi party in last year’s elections – may have been vindicated, even though her opposition was personal and the present rift between the prime minister and Bennett is ideological and political.
Israel’s Cabinet tussles over Palestinians Read More »
Middle East
NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) On Tuesday, Jan. 28, welcomed the statement issued by Scarlett Johansson on her role as a spokesperson for the Israeli company SodaStream, and commended her “principled opposition” to the anti-Israel BDS movement. As a reaction to the recent SodaStream announcement that Johansson will appear in their new Super
ADL a fan of Scarlett Johansson Read More »
Middle East
Editor’s Note: Following is a summary report by an Iran Task Force co-chaired by Ambassadors Eric Edelman and Dennis Ross that was issued Monday, Jan. 27, by the Gemunder Center of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Preventing a nuclear-capable Iran remains the most pressing national security challenge
Agreement made nuclear Iran more likely–JINSA Read More »
Middle East
By Sean Savage/JNS.org The U.S.-brokered Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiations have yet to yield any tangible results. Serious disagreements remain over key issues such as borders, refugees, security, and the status of Jerusalem. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a surprise visit to Jordan’s King Abdullah to discuss these issues. While Jordan officially supports a two-state
Does Jordan truly want an independent Palestine? Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration is angry that Senate proponents of additional sanctions against Iran (to be instituted if the interim accord expires without a final agreement) appear to be more skeptical of Iranian promises than the president and Secretary Kerry are. The administration is angry as well that signers, particularly Democratic
Are Obama, Kerry blaming Jews for Iran failures? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Department of State has designated Ziyad al-Nakhalah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Ziyad al-Nakhalah is the Deputy Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a group that was designated
U.S. designates Ziyad-al-Nakhalah as terrorist Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– As Ari Shavit’s book, My Promised Land, was published in English abroad (a Hebrew translation is said to be on its way), it took some time before I could get hold of a copy here. It was in great demand and stores quickly ran out. I’ve now finally read it:
‘My Promised Land’ changes one mind about Iran Read More »
Middle East
By Anav Silverman DAVOS, Switzerland– Israeli President Shimon Peres sharply addressed the speech made by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland on Thursday morning, January 23. “The most significant remarks were the ones he [Rouhani] didn’t make – he didn’t express support for peace in the Middle
Peres points out Rouhani’s peace omissions Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Shimon Shiffer is a conventional Israeli journalist-commentator, insofar as he can be counted on to sound at least a bit left of center in his criticism of the current government. He also works for Yedioth Aharonot. Once it was the daily newspaper with the largest circulation, but has now lost that
When diplomats say what they really mean Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East