By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — As of this writing, the betting is that Obama will decide to strike Syria, as punishment for its use of chemical weapons. One can admire the President’s deliberate consideration of what appear to be all the bad options, even while ridiculing him for the bombast which he proclaimed against chemical […]
If U.S. retalliates, war may spread to Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — The sounds of Tibetan monks chanting, an Iranian playing the santoor, western African style music, Rastafarian and reggae beats, as well as some Israeli rock, among other musical genres could recently be heard pulsating from Jerusalem’s Tower of David in the Old City. The international and local rhythms made up
Jerusalem’s Sacred Music Festival unites faiths Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — An internet friend writes that settlements are at the heart of Israel’s sins, and its problems with world public opinion. My friend has been careful to distinguish the different places labeled settlements, but he also falls into the practice of lumping them all into one problem. In this, he accepts
Obama contributes to BDS with his talk of ‘settlements’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen and Stephen Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It is hard to look at the photographs. American newspapers are showing largely sanitized versions, so you’re safe. But Twitter feeds and UK newspapers such as the Daily Mail don’t hesitate to show the full horror. Hundreds of beautiful children, all dead, most of them wrapped
U.S., Allies should destroy Syria’s air force Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The latest pictures from the Syrian civil war are especially ugly. More than a thousand civilians in the outskirts of the capital dead from what appears to be poison gas. Uncivilized? More so than the bombardment of civilians that has been going on for a couple of years, with total
Drawing lessons from Obama’s empty words about Syria Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Al-Jazeera is “breaking in with something we think is unique, and are confident, with our guts and some research, that the American people are looking for,” according to its America’s president Kate O’Brian. If she is claiming “guts” and “research” are among the qualities sought by American viewers, she may
‘Al Jazeera’ is a Qatari ‘Pravda’ Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — A 10-member delegation of dairy farmers from the Punjab region of India recently visited Israel to participate in a training program about modern dairy farming techniques. The unique program was especially designed for the group by the Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (CINDACO) of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and
Punjabi farmers tour Israel’s agricultural projects Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Moshe Arens has gained credit for coining the expression, The Middle East is not the Middle West. It serves to warn westerners, and especially Americans, that culture matters, and that the culture of the Middle East is not like that of the Middle West. This is a good time to
Middle East is not the Middle West Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The Palestine Liberation Organization was created in 1964. Like most revolutionary movements, it wrote a Charter to define its aims and fundamental policies, including: Article 17: The partitioning of Palestine, which took place in 1947, and the establishment of Israel are illegal and null and void, regardless of the
Palestinians still dedicated to Israel’s destruction Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Sarah Beller WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) –Joan Davenny was more than just my eighth grade teacher. As my day school graduating class splashed through Ein Gedi and heard a young kibbutznik’s poem on Yom Hazikaron, walked the ramparts of the Old City and sang “Al Kol Eileh” in the courtyard of Goldstein Youth Village,
Remembering Joan Davenny amid Mideast peace talks Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — The Sinai was a bit of heaven; now it is a chunk of hell. Muslims are killing each other in the wilderness where Moses received the Law; in Israel, hands are wringing and hearts are breaking. Since 1979, when Israel dutifully returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, the
Cry, the beloved Sinai Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — When President Barack Obama took time out from his Martha’s Vinyard golfing holiday to comment on events in Egypt, he produced an iconic moment of unreality comparable to George W. Bush declaring victory in Iraq from the deck of an aircraft carrier. Obama’s lengthy comments have been summarized with the
Obama seen by Mideast commentators as naive, out of touch Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — While the loss of life in Cairo over the past two days is deeply to be regretted, President Obama’s tepid statement on the “cycle of violence” in Egypt and cancellation of the biannual U.S.-Egypt Bright Star military exercise evidence a lack of strategic awareness. The result is increasing American
U.S. becoming increasingly irrelevant in Egypt Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenJERUSALEM — The present stage of discussions between Israelis and Palestinians, is occurring with loud noises of complaint from both parties, with Americans also squawking, more often in one of the Palestinian choruses than in an Israeli chorus. There are multiple sources of noise from all sides. “Moderate” Palestinians criticize Israel for proceeding with the
In a volatile region, just talking is valuable Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East