By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — There are many points of disagreement between Fatah and Hamas; so many that they fought an ugly civil war in 2007, leaving Hamas in control of Gaza and Fatah in control of the West Bank. It is a mistake, however, to conclude from their often violent enmity, that Fatah, […]
Hamas and Fatah have same goal: Israel’s elimination Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –At the end of an all-day symposium in Jerusalem today under the cumbersome title, “Changing in Israeli Public Opinion on Critical Regional Issues on the Diplomatic Agenda,” panelists were asked to identify a single piece of advice they’d give to the next Prime Minister of Israel (who almost certainly will
If you had one piece of advice for Israel’s next P.M…. Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s difficult not to see the authorization of the erection of another 1500 homes for Jews in East Jerusalem as a provocation, largely in response to the United Nations acknowledgement of the Palestinian Authority as (almost) a state, even if it seems to irritate even friendly governments, including the
Peace with Palestinians possible, but neither side may want it Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — How extreme is Avigdor Lieberman? Compared to what? No doubt that Avigdor Lieberman has an image problem with the worthies of the West. He goes beyond the politically correct assertions that the terrorism is not Islam by speaking explicitly about Arab violence, and he throws the charge of
When it comes to violence, US far more extreme than Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Even the day after the terrible tragedy in the school in Connecticut, the Israeli papers found space on their front pages for Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s resignation. Though the prosecution has dropped against him all the serious charges that have been on the books for many years, it intends
The indictee who would be tsar Read More »
Middle EastBy Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California– Early in the 1950’s , in a speech in Haifa , David Hacohen , the Israeli representative at the U.N., astonished the public when he said, “Don’t expect the United Nations to be a Court of Justice; it is an organization guided by the competing interests of the nations,
Palestine vote another example of U.N.’s dysfunctionality Read More »
International, Middle East(JNS.org) One day after sounding a defiant note, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday that he would resign following his indictment on fraud and breach of trust for allegedly promoting a diplomat who provided him with sensitive information about the police investigation against him. Thursday’s indictment of the foreign minister, announced by Israeli Attorney-General Yehuda
Israel’s F.M. Lieberman resigns under indictment Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –As election time in Israel draws near (the date set is 22nd January 2013), the plethora of parties and personalities vying for the Israeli voter’s attention is becoming ever more frenetic. On the one side is the massive combined weight of two right-wing parties, led by Avigdor Lieberman and
No option may be the best choice in Israeli election Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — The Obama administration is sending mixed signals again: their words point one way; their actions, another. The White House stated its opposition to the Palestinian Authority (PA) bid for non-member state status in the UN, but declined to mobilize its and Israel’s traditional allies. It also appears the administration
U.S. covertly supported Palestinian statehood Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It took me less than 24 hours after returning to Israel to start worrying that there may be no political party I could vote for in next month’s general election. Though more than thirty (!) parties will be running candidates, there’s really not that much choice, because many are
Candidates everywhere and not one to support Read More »
Middle EastBy Evelyn Gordon How effectively Israel’s recent Gaza operation will deter Palestinian rocket fire remains to be seen. Israelis are skeptical: One poll found that a whopping 88 percent think the truce will not last long. Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn’t sound too confident: Visiting an airbase shortly after the cease-fire took effect,
‘Pillar of Defense’ sent strong message to Iran Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — As a confirmed incrementalist, I’m not a great fan of the conventional occasions for summing up, asking where we are, and where we are going. As an Israeli plugged in to international networks, the obvious times for such stuff come as we approach January 1, or א’ בתשרי , i.e.,
2012 was a year of incremental change Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Choosing among 34 political parties is much simpler than it may first appear. The first step is deciding who you are, and what is important to you. The second step is to avoid wasting time thinking about 20 or so parties beyond the edge of reality. It is easiest for the
Deciding how to vote in a multi-party election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is serious business. It is how societies move from disputes about issues large and small to the selection of their leaders, choices between public policy alternatives, and the actual implementation of what government does. Politics is also theater. It provides the platforms for the best and most bizarre actors
Politics replacing Habima as Israel’s national ‘theatre’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East