Middle East – Page 830 – San Diego Jewish World

Palestinian mindset: better to slap Israel than to improve self

August 1, 2012

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Mitt Romney is being castigated for praising the culture that has allowed a democratic, (mainly) free market Israel, operating under the rule of law, to thrive amid decades of threat and periodic open warfare and a heavy defense burden. Actually, he’s being castigated for what his praise of Israel implies […]

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White House questions Romney on status of Jerusalem

August 1, 2012

By Ira Sharkansky SAN DIEGO — Americans who identify with Israel, and who are looking for another reason to vote against Barack Obama, can find it in Monday’s headlines. “The White House: Romney must explain why he said that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.” Palestinians responded even more forcefully. Not only did they object

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Palestinians can blame themselves for shattered economy

July 31, 2012

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Palestinians face an economic crisis more severe than the World Bank had anticipated; the Bank fears that the territories may become “ungovernable.” This is not actually new, but since the Bank in its panic is considering bypassing restrictions on money to Hamas, it is worth looking at the

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen

What did Romney say between the lines in Jerusalem?

July 31, 2012

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, ISRAEL — Speaking to an often-cheering group of about 400 people in Jerusalem, Governor Mitt Romney gave a speech less notable for what he said that for the fact that the audience believed he was sincere in saying it. At a beautiful outdoor setting with the Old City in the background,

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Middle East

Romney stumbles during Jerusalem visit

July 30, 2012

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A popular song that we have heard from time to time for at least 20 years says that the Messiah has not come. And he has not even telephoned. The Messiah didn’t come this week. He may have telephoned, but there was no great impact. Romney arrived on Sunday, and

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Israel and the U.S.: Which country exerts greater influence on the governmental actions of the other?

July 29, 2012

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One of the responses received to my recent columns (Some ideas for my American friends) deserves a column of its own. “I am still trying to understand why it is that Americans and Israelis both seem to believe that the US is responsible for Israel’s future (isn’t Israel a sovereign

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Remembering Israel’s athletes on their yahrzeits

July 27, 2012

By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — The question is “How should the International Olympic Committee commemorate and remember the slaying of 11 Israeli Olympic Athletes at the Munich Olympics?” The conversation has focused on one answer, which, of course, is not the question, but only one answer. Whether on Facebook or via the petition

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Middle East

Should the IDF be volunteer only?

July 25, 2012

By Corinne Sauer JERUSALEM– Israel’s modern history is defined by its ability to overcome existential challenges. Today Israel’s very identity faces precisely one such defining moment of tremendous historical import. The ongoing battle over drafting the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF is approaching a crescendo (along with the less publicized efforts to also induct Israeli Arabs).

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Middle East

High-speed train will enable Israel shipping to bypass Suez Canal

July 24, 2012

By Rhonda Spivak WINNIPEG, Canada — The biggest piece of news that emerged from Israel this month (July 3) is one you may have heard nothing about–but it is a game changer in terms of elevating Israel’s economic/strategic position in the Middle East. For decades, Egypt has been able to potentially isolate Israeli and strangle trade

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Middle East

Israeli politicians maneuver domestically and internationally

July 24, 2012

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Opportunism and politics go together. Some call it dirty. Some say that it is the essence of civilization. One way to decide on important issues is the way they are doing it in Syria. On the other side of the border (wherever it is) is the way we do it

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Some Syrian scenarios for after the fall of Assad

July 23, 2012

By Barry Rubin HERZLILYA, Israel — The tide seems to be turning in Syria. While the civil war is far from over, the regime is clearly weakening; the rebels are expanding their operations and effectiveness. There have also been more high-level defections. What does this mean and why is this happening? There are three main

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Middle East

Did Bulgaria bus bomber wear a ‘Star of David’ t-shirt?

July 22, 2012

By Danny Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — While almost all earlier news reports of the tragic terrorist bus bombing in Bulgaria that killed Israeli tourists last week noted that the suicide bomber whose image was allegedly caught on security cameras at the airport was sporting ”long hair, a t-shirt and Bermuda shorts,” few if

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Middle East

Burgas and Aurora: Different causes but similar results

July 21, 2012

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Coming only a day apart, the tragedies of Burgas and Aurora point to the different vulnerabilities of Israel and the United States. With all its goods and not-so-goods, one feature of the United States that keeps it from full membership among civilized countries is the rampant freedom of acquiring weapons. The

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Burgas bus bombing brings back Intifada nightmares

July 19, 2012

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The first news about the bombing of a tourist bus in Burgas, a resort in Bulgaria, came at about 7:15 PM on Wednesday. From then on we returned to the routine of the intifada. Piece by piece bits of information about a bus full of young Israelis who arrived on a recent flight.

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Palestinian mindset: better to slap Israel than to improve self

White House questions Romney on status of Jerusalem

Palestinians can blame themselves for shattered economy

What did Romney say between the lines in Jerusalem?

Romney stumbles during Jerusalem visit

Israel and the U.S.: Which country exerts greater influence on the governmental actions of the other?

Remembering Israel’s athletes on their yahrzeits

Should the IDF be volunteer only?

High-speed train will enable Israel shipping to bypass Suez Canal

Israeli politicians maneuver domestically and internationally

Some Syrian scenarios for after the fall of Assad

Did Bulgaria bus bomber wear a ‘Star of David’ t-shirt?

Burgas and Aurora: Different causes but similar results

Burgas bus bombing brings back Intifada nightmares

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