By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The news reminds me of a Kingston Trio ballad that begins with They’re rioting in Africa, They’re starving in Spain. There’s hurricanes in Florida, And Texas needs rain The whole world is festering With unhappy souls. Take your pick for what is most festering this week: The North Korean threat […]
Troubles, troubles everywhere–but it could be worse Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Not much is new under the Middle Eastern sun. One or another of the Gazan gangs began shooting rockets toward Israel about the time of the visit to Israel and Palestine (not the Gazan portion) of Barack Obama. So far, there are more reports of injury and damage from rockets that didn’t
In these times, it’s well to remember Ecclesiastes Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Gabriel Scheinmann Nicknamed “Operation Desert Schmooze” by one journalist, President Obama’s visit to Israel, Jordan, and Ramallah last month marked the White House’s effort to reboot its relationship with the Netanyahu government after both leaders secured their reelections. In his last trip to the region nearly four years ago, the president literally flew over
U.S. Mideast policy has shifted more toward Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We did not intend to flee Jerusalem when the great man arrived, but we saw no reason to change our plans when we heard about his trip. On the basis of previous presidential visits, we knew that the city would be dysfunctional. Our visit to Greece provided insights into the
Obama gained ground with Israelis, lost it with Palestinians Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Pesach is one of those occasions in the Jewish calendar when Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited. One of the verses that often are, alas, very topical in Israel reads “All the nations surround me…” While life in Israel seems almost idyllic during this holy/holiday season, life across Israel’s borders is anything
Israel an island of serenity in sea of turmoil Read More »
Middle EastBy Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Apparently lists of VIPs attract a lot of readers; that’s why they’re so common in publications and blogs. No country, no walk of life and no profession remain unrated. Even rabbis: in the last few days alone I’ve read two lists telling me who’re the most influential and/or “spiritual” of my professional
Sarah Netanyahu: controversial wife of P.M. Read More »
Middle EastBy J.Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — Now that President Obama has come and gone, Israel’s new Knesset will get down to business.The question in my mind is will Yair Lapid, the new flag bearer of the middle class, succeed in his bold program or will he follow the example of his predecessors, Shinui and Kadima,
Netanyahu may oppose Lapid on 5 key issues Read More »
Middle EastBy Maxine Dovere/JNS.org NEW YORK—Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai recently came to New York City to talk about his city of sun, sand, skyscrapers, and start-ups. With “just two minutes” on a winter afternoon to introduce the city and its entrepreneurs, he began his presentation with a weather report. Noting the damp, cold conditions, Huldai
Huldai: Start up city now city of start ups Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Turkey’s response to Israel’s apology over the Mavi Marmara incident some three years ago was swift and remarkably enthusiastic. Israel is likely to be less pleased, but apparently Prime Minister Netanyahu realized that President Obama deserved a parting gift, and so he made the call to Prime Minister Erdogan.
Turkey and Israel effect a rapprochement Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — For most of Jewish history, we have been getting what we did not deserve. The people who gave the world the God-concept and the scriptural tradition, which inspired old tribes to cease sacrificing human beings in order to gratify their spooky deities, have been reviled. The Jews, who
President Obama’s intellectual visit to Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama’s visit to Israel, and particularly his speech to 500 university students, was a winner at many levels including one he probably had not even considered. In how many countries can the President of the United States call forth the passions of the local people and have confidence
President Obama’s call for peaceful protest in Israel Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — What would be the relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority today, had Obama made the speech he now made in Jerusalem at the beginning of his first four-year term as president rather than at the beginning of the second? Not only would much of the allegedly toxic atmosphere
If Obama’s speech had come four years ago Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The visit to Israel of US President Obama caused great excitement for a variety of reasons. The first was why had he come? Was it to reach an agreement regarding dealing with Iran’s steady progress towards a nuclear bomb or to exert pressure towards a solution of the
Some impressions of Obama’s Israel visit Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastHere is the text of President Barack Obama‘s address Thursday at the Jerusalem Convention Center, as prepared for delivery (and below that are his comments in Ramalah, Palestine Authority, with PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Remarks of President Barack Obama To the People of Israel Jerusalem Convention Center March 21, 2013 Shalom. It is an honor
Obama urges Israelis to put themselves in Palestinians’ shoes Read More »
Middle East