By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Even to my untrained eye and deaf ear Gunther Grass’ poem that has created such a furor in Israel and in Germany isn’t great poetry. It reads even in the original like an old man’s rant in search of attention, even though the author who is a distinguished writer […]
Yishai overreacts to Grass’s poem Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It is hard to know if this is a time to cry, laugh, or more simply to recognize the intractable nature of Israel’s problems in the Middle East. I’m not about to go back to Fall River, and certainly not to my grandparents’ home town of Bialystok. I’ve gotten used
Iran and Palestine follow ‘no-negotiation’ strategies Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
HEBRON, Israel — While many Israelis fly off to various points around the globe for Passover, those of us who stay home and are fortunate enough to have some time off during the week-long holiday use the time to explore and get to know the country better. One group that’s helping make that happen
Israelis pour into Hebron for Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A recent poll about American Jews’ political inclinations raises once again the issue of how the two largest Jewish communities are developing, each in its own way. Figures are not entirely reliable, especially outside of Israel, but one reasonable compilation shows that the American and Israeli communities comprise about two
Many differences emerge between Israeli and American Jews Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The fact that the peace process that was to lead to a two-state solution is going nowhere isn’t news, but the fact that Yossi Beilin – the architect of the 1993 Oslo Accord that gave birth to the idea and charted a path for its realization – has now called for
Beilin calls for dismantling the Palestine Authority Read More »
Middle EastBy Samara Greenberg WASHINGTON, D.C. –A delegation from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) made its first official visit to the United States this week, where it has spent time in New York and Washington, DC talking to think tank experts and White House officials about the Brotherhood’s growing role in Cairo.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood launches a PR offensive Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Within a very short time after hearing that the eviction of the settlers at Machpelah House had been postponed, they were, in fact, evicted. In a moment of premature enthusiasm I thought: “Three cheers for the Prime Minister.” But those cheers may have been premature. For the Prime Minister may not
Did Netanyahu make a backroom deal with settlers? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Among the knottiest of problems Israelis have to deal with are the aspirations of Jews to move into areas thickly settled by hostile Arabs. The issue is not the simple one of most settlements in the West Bank or the established post-1967 neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Think what you will about
The fight over Machpelah and others to come Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has called upon the U.S. State Department to clarify that it recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in accordance with U.S. law, following a press briefing by departmental spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, who refused to confirm the fact. In her March 28 press briefing, Nuland, when
ZOA calls for U.S. acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Read More »
Middle EastBy Rep. Michele Bachmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — As millions around the world begin to celebrate the feast of Passover at sundown on Friday, April 6, it is important to remember why this celebration exemplifies God’s mercy on His people. When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of their great suffering at
Former presidential candidate tells of concern for Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–Surprised? Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals in their latest data that 88 percent of Israelis will take part in a Seder and 47 percent eat only kosher for Passover items during the holiday. Meantime, as Pesach approaches, latest figures from the National Insurance Institute’s 2011 poverty report indicate there are
20 ways to know Pesach is arriving in Jerusalem Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — When President Obama wants to impress Jewish audiences, such as AIPAC, he frequently casts U.S.-Israel relations in a military context. How much military aid Israel receives (although he had nothing to do with the level; President Bush set the level in a 10-year deal), how many exercises the two
Obama administration undermines Israel-Azerbaijan relationship Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Gabriel Max Scheinmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — Why is the Obama administration cutting funding to Israeli missile defense just as talk of an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities is reaching a crescendo? As it did last year, Congress, frustrated with the administration’s reduced request, has already moved to supplement the funding. Reps. Howard Berman,D-Calif., and
As Obama cuts back on missile programs, Israel’s suffers Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Time to think again for those who kvelled when it appeared that Bibi had the US Congress eating out of his hand, standing and applauding at least as often as for a Presidential State of the Union. And again when he began that speech at AIPAC with the Holocaust and ended
Netanyahu plays to crowd with half-measures Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East