By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — My colleague Shlomo Avineri is one of Israel’s wisest. His academic fields are political philosophy, European and Zionist politics. He had a stint at the peak of policymaking as Director General of the Foreign Ministry, and is a frequent contributor to op-ed pages of Israeli and overseas newspapers. Most […]
Israel suffers Americans with money… and guns Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Bruce Kesler ENCINITAS, California — It is a signal event when even some from the political left who has long sided with pro-Palestinian assertions wakes up and recognizes the horror that is Hamas. In 2005, Israel unilaterally removed its military and residents from Gaza, leaving behind the infrastructure and commercial ventures Israel and
Leftists take another look at Hamas Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansksy JERUSALEM–Thanks to an American cousin I am now up to date on the realities of American politics. If I had any doubts about the Saudi loyalties of that Kenyan-born Muslim in the White House, this clip from a Christian source, relying on the evidence produced by an Israeli Jew, settles all my
The skewed view of the Mideast from the Far Right Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastSAN DIEGO– Recently San Diego Jewish World posted two videos critical of the Obama administration’s stance toward Israel. The videos were particularly critical of the administration’s refusal to set “red lines” concerning Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon. Eran Mukamel of J Street, which describes itself as a pro-Israel, pro-peace organization, sent to us some
J Street offers videos on Iran, Palestinians Read More »
Middle East
By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — I often forget how much modern Hebrew language is influenced by the Torah. On Kol Nidre, Barbara Carr,one of the great Jewish educators in our community was talking about the scapegoat as part of her D’var Torah. And as she talked about the destination of the scapegoat – Azazael,
Gaza seems a hell on earth Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–We can learn something about Israel and Palestine from the speeches at the United Nations by the so-called President of Palestine and the Prime Minister of Israel.. One should note the “so-called” status of the Palestinian, insofar as his term expired in January 2009, and the Palestinians of Gaza recognize someone else
Netanyahu contrasts with Abbas at U.N. Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. — In his address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded the world that all attempts to persuade Iran to halt its progress toward developing a nuclear weapon have failed. He urged the world to impose a strict red line on Iran. “At this
The importance of a red line for Iran Read More »
Middle EastBy JNS.org NEW YORK—Faced with what he considers an existential threat to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spelled things out for world leaders in simple terms at the United Nations General Assembly. Actually, he drew things out. Providing a cartoonish diagram of a bomb during his Sept. 27 address, Netanyahu drew a red line across
UN Week: Iran at center of debate Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– Every once in a while, certain themes return to Israel’s headlines. One of them appears in Ehud Barak’s recent call to withdraw settlements from the West Bank, which was the subject of my last couple of columns. Another is the hand-wringing cry against Jews who leave Israel. Yom Kippur is a season
Perspective needed on Jews who leave Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Amnon Ben-Yehuda SAN DIEGO — Americans have an information gap on Israel. I keep up with events and news from Israel by logging in daily to the Hebrew version of the Israeli papers Ha’aretz and Yediott. Between the two I can read opinions by columnists ranging the political spectrum but with emphasis to the
U.S. readers have Israel information gap Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Among the more moderate responses to Ehud Barak’s proposal to withdraw some 30,000 Israelis from the West Bank (i.e, leaving aside those whose response was “absolutely crazy”), is the warning that planning must be better than in the case of the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. For the sake of argument,
Palestinian society rejects 2-state solution Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Maxine Dovere/JNS.org NEW YORK—Danny Ayalon anticipates dramatic changes for Israel, the Middle East and Europe, giving a decade as his time frame. In an exclusive conversation with JNS.org on Sunday morning in New York, Israel’s deputy foreign minister said that, while it is unrealistic to expect any nation dependent on Arab oil to jeopardize
Ayalon predicts Israel will export energy, change global politics Read More »
Middle East
By Lloyd Levy LONDON–On this Yom Kippur, we are unfortunately reminded of the year 1973. Many of us of course having a vivid recollection of the events in that year, when Israel was ambushed at “ prayer” and only escaped by the skin of its teeth . Yet in many ways it is more reminiscent
Londoner’s view: U.S. abandoning its allies Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Ehud Barak is featured in the top of the front page headline of Monday’s Israel Hayom, “Barak’s Plan: Withdrawal, maybe one-sided, from Yehuda and Shomron” Inside are the details. It is time to make hard decisions about the West Bank in order to facilitate the creation of a Palestinian State if the
Barak’s withdrawal offer a publicity ploy? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East