By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –The forecasts proved correct. A major storm coming out of Russia would bring lots of rain, and snow to the northern mountains,and at least a bit of snow to the Judean Mountains. Read that as Jerusalem. French Hill is the highest point within the city at 810 meters (2,500 feet). […]
Snow replaces politics as chief news topic Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– Having seen snow in Siberia, Sweden and Canada I was never impressed by what they described as a snowfall in Jerusalem. Though there had been some snow once or twice during the winters we spent here. It’s different this time: they forecast up to half-a-meter of the white stuff. It
Snow lays siege to Jerusalem Read More »
Middle EastBy Steve Kramer KIBBUTZ KETURA, Israel — Michal and I, together with our friends, recently spent a long weekend on this kibbutz in the Negev Desert. The trip was sponsored by their beit knesset, the Masorti (Conservative) Congregation of Ra’anana. A quote from its website: “The membership of Ra’anana Masorti is a successful mixture of
Exploring a kibbutz that is still Socialist Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Balance is essential for political success. The concept has several meanings, each of which sounds more simple than it is. Avoiding extremism Having a balance of adversaries and supporters Avoiding being too balanced, or wishy washy, on a matter of importance. We are hearing once again the prospect of an American
Keeping a balance is goal of Israel’s policymakers Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Aryeh Savir A newly published study shows that the Arab population in Israel’s region is constantly shrinking, especially in the Gaza Strip, and this in contrast to a constant increase in the Jewish population. The study, authored by Dr. Yaakov Feitelson and published by the Institute for Zionist Strategies (IZS), on the demographic trends
Zionist study sees shrinking Arab population Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– When Jim Lederman, the Jerusalem based journalist and political analyst, spoke at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto last summer, he made a strong case for water being more important to Middle East politics than any other issue. The historic agreement just signed between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority about
Why some will oppose the tripartite Red-Dead water accord Read More »
Middle East
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday, Dec. 10, addressed the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. After being introduced by Stuart Eizenstat, who had held office in both the Carter and Clinton administrations, Kerry complimented the JDC (affectionately called the “Joint”) for its work in many countries helping not only Jews
Kerry: Israel-P.A talks continue ‘despite the skepticism’ Read More »
Middle East
By Anav Silverman Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, on Monday afternoon, Dec. 9, at the Washington D.C. headquarters of the World Bank, signed an agreement on laying a water pipeline to link the Red Sea with the Dead Sea. The pipeline, which will take three years to complete, will help slow the drying up
Israel, Jordan and PA agree on Red Sea-Dead Sea pipeline Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Writing out of my customary ignorance about what’s really going on in Israeli politics, I’ve nevertheless ventured to suggest that the election of the centrist – and by all accounts very sensible – Yitzhak Herzog as the new leader of Israel’s Labor Party opens up new possibilities for Labor
Will Herzog bring Labor into Israel’s Government? Read More »
Middle East
By Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — Much has been said and written, by both Democrats and Republicans, about President Obama’s disastrous “deal” with Iran that has been justly compared to “Munich” where, in 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain surrendered to Hitler’s demands and sacrificed Czechoslovakia. The Iranian mullahs were granted a “down payment”
Iran’s mullahs, Obama, ideologically in tune Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One cannot help but be impressed with the focus of the Obama administration with the Middle East, despite expectations that the region would be left to its own miserable self. Both U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barack Obama have spent time with the Saban Forum, trying again
Smiles mask disappointment in Kerry talks Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, in the context of the P5+1/Iran negotiations I wrote: We’re familiar with the rules for buying a rug in the souk. If you want the rug more than he wants the deal, you will overpay; if he wants the deal more than you want the rug, you
Israel in the ‘American bazaar’ Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
JERUSALEM (Press Release)–Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed Iran as well as Israel’s negotiations with the Palestinians, and then met the media on Thursday, Dec. 5. Following is a text of their remarks as provided by the U.S. State Department. PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: It’s good to have
Kerry, Netanyahu reassure each other on Iran, Palestinians Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Do Israelis want to settle with the Palestinians or do they want to settle in the West Bank? That’s how I read the underlying question asked by Stanley Fischer, the former Governor of the Bank of Israel, at a recent symposium in New York. The issue overshadows much of
What kind of settlements do Israelis want? Read More »
Middle East