By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 686 men who expressed their desire to run in Iran’s presidential election were whittled down to 8 — not by primaries, debates and polls, but by the six theologians and six jurists on the Guardian Council. The candidates had to be Iranian-born, over 21, and believe in “God, […]
Rouhani election not likely to change much in Iran Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The subject of the status of women in Israel is a tricky one, because on the one hand Israel aspires to be a modern, democratic society, and in the public sphere women are treated as equals, on the whole. On the other hand, though, its laws
Women’s status in Israel reflects a long ago age Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman BEERSHEVA, Israel — Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) graduated its first class of Jordanian and Israeli students who completed a special joint-emergency medicine BA program earlier this year. The first graduating class at the Israel-Jordan Academic Emergency Medicine Collaboration included 54 graduates who spent three years studying emergency medicine and
Jordanians, Israelis learn to save lives together Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel is experiencing what may be a painful maturation of its gay and lesbian community. It comes with the unfolding of a long running police investigation into the shooting deaths of two and the wounding of 11, one of whom was seriously disabled, four years ago at a gay and
Dogged police investigation shows gays’ clout in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Lloyd Levy LONDON — The Middle East seems to be descending into quite unfathomable turmoil and barbarity. My own country Britain, is seemingly pushing harder than anyone to arm the “rebels” in Syria, hence potentially handing modern armaments to the likes of al-Qaida and other extremists. Why the British Government is so intent on
Talking Turkey about the Middle East Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — For Raul De Molina, an Emmy award winning co-host of a top-rated entertainment news show, El Gorda y la Flaca, a recent visit to Israel with a group of Hispanic media personalities rekindled a new kind of appreciation for food. The Latin superstar, who hosts the popular show on America’s
Hispanic TV personalities taste Israel Read More »
Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — A few weeks ago Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat opened his campaign headquarters in a historic building a few blocks from the Old City, just outside the popular Mamilla Alrov Mall. On Monday evening, June 10, at a campaign kick-off at a private home in the upscale Baka neighborhood, Mayor
Mayor Barkat glosses over issues at campaign event Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Several items in Friday’s newspaper explain as well as anything where we are, and that we ain’t going anywhere else. The issue is Palestine, high on the international agenda since the 20’s of the last century. Prominent markers, after the Balfour Declaration, were the Peel Commission of 1936-37, various UN
Kerry labors to promote stillborn negotiations Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Among the unpleasantness that Israeli Jews experience is the awareness that Jews along with Arabs and others are demonstrating against Israel. Noam Chomsky’s involvement in persuading Stephen Hawking to cancel his appearance at an Israeli conference was a prominent example, consistent with Chomsky’s record and perhaps reinforced by his own
Pro-BDS Jews exemplify different U.S., Israeli cultures Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, June 5, it was revealed that that the current US (“I’ve got Israel’s back”) administration leaked to the media the specifications for the heretofore-secret US-Israel installation for Israel’s Arrow 3 missiles. It was quickly called just another leak from an administration already reeling from leaks; someone apologized.
U.S. leak of Israeli missile site was deliberate Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Anav Silverman The hometown in which former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin was born and raised in, Brest in Belarus, was host to a special ceremony marking his 100th birthday on Tuesday, June 4. The ceremony took place in front of the school that Begin attended as a child known as the Tachkemoni
Menachem Begin centennial celebrated in Brest Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Some years ago I published Rituals of Conflict. It described the repeated ceremonies by which the ultra-Orthodox and Israeli authorities deal with disputes that erupt periodically whenever a rabbi wants to make an issue about the violation of Sabbath, ancient graves unearthed in the course of construction, or whatever else could make a
Political theatre: Kerry trips, Palestinian and Israeli responses Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — In six months I will mark the end of my first century. I have been searching for a way to celebrate my hundredth birthday that will give the world something worthwhile after I am gone. A year ago I wrote on these pages that the Cairo codex,
Columnist, anticipating 100th birthday, seeks codex publication Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Turkey is the latest point of fascination for those who dream about the spread of democracy in the Middle East. The reportage and commentary is more subdued than what came in response to the demonstrations that began more than two years ago. Deaths climbing toward or above 100,000 in Syria, continued unrest
Analyzing the violence in Turkey Read More »
Middle East