By Isaac Yetiv , Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — In a previous commentary, I wondered if the incredible accumulation of blunders in the bloody assault on the US Consulate in Benghazi, that killed four Americans including a US ambassador, was due to ineptitude or lies. The passage of time and the emerging evidence have […]
5 lessons from ‘Benghazi-gate’ Read More »
Middle EastBy Mati Tuchfeld/Israel Hayom/JNS.org With the backdrop of the possibility of early elections in Israel, unprecedented tension has been reported in the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Netanyahu on Oct. 3 accused Barak of “working to undermine” him and straying from official government policy, telling his close associates
Tension between Netanyahu and Barak Read More »
Middle EastBy Sherwin Pomerantz JERUSALEM –It is always amazing to me that the depth of the Arab world’s unhappiness with our presence in this part of the world makes it impossible for them to recognize the benefits that some Arab governments have received as a direct result of our being here. A case in point is
The Israel benefit Arab neighbors don’t talk about Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –This is as close as you’ll see to a mea culpa. Perhaps I misblogged when I let my cynicism about things American get the better of me, and chided the incident in an Eilat hotel where an American went postal, grabbed a gun from a security guard, killed one, barricaded himself
Columnist admits rushing to judgment in Eilat shooting Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2011, Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), failed to win U.N. acceptance of Palestine as an independent state1. This year, he lowered the bar to upgraded status within the U.N. In the intervening year, Palestinian finances have collapsed, Palestinians have taken to the street to denounce
U.S. should cease its paramilitary aide to Palestinians Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas plans to seek UN recognition as a nonmember observer state this fall. His formal request to the UN General Assembly probably won’t be submitted until after the U.S. elections. But given how many parties may need to be lobbied, Washington should
The Iranian currency, the rial, is collapsing, and it is taking the Iranian economy with it. Iranian citizens are hungry for a normal life. But the Iranian regime doesn’t care—it will sacrifice anyone on the altar of the nuclear program, writes Boaz Bismuth. Boaz Bismuth/JNS.org At the start of this month, the Iranian currency—the rial—lost
Is the Persian Spring simmering? Read More »
Middle EastBy 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 East