By 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 East
By 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
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Years ago, one could hear Israelis say that they lived in a poor country but the citizens were doing well. They were referring to the dependence on German reparations, foreign aid and, not least, the support of Jewish communities from around the world. Nowadays, it seems to be the other way
As wealth gap increases, Orthodox Jews protest economy Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Haredim are putting my liberalism to the test – and I’m not doing well. Of late I’ve been watching a young ultra-Orthodox man coming out of one of the wings of our building; he seems to live there. I’m getting into a panic: if he brings his friends and relatives to
How Haredi theology inconveniences the majority Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two issues were prominent on Friday’s agenda. Both were either large or small, depending on perspective and how they developed. Both combined local and international considerations. Most immediate was Land Day. Mar ch 30 is one of the prominent items on the protest calendar of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. It
Planned anti-Israel protests seem to fizzle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The Marker is the business section of Ha’aretz. It’s presented in tabloid form almost as a newspaper in its own right. It’s well written with a lot of photographs and charts. I read most of it every day but understand very little. The little I do understand tells me that last
High food prices, government salaries prompt talk of new protests Read More »
Middle EastBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — Israel has allowed the world to think rocket fire from Gaza isn’t so terrible. Undoing that misperception is a crucial first step toward taking effective action to protect its population. The most chilling comment I’ve seen on the mid-March surge of violence from Gaza, when terrorists fired 300 rockets
Israel must make Gaza pay a price for rocket attacks Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Oscar Wilde once said: “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it… I can resist everything but temptation.” There’s a lot of truth to Wilde’s temptation. As human beings we often give in to many temptations without
ZAKA reportedly in financial disarray Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–What most Israelis anticipated has now been confirmed: Tsipi Livni has been replaced by Shaul Mofaz as the Head of Kadima and thus also the Leader of the Opposition in the Knesset. Less than 40 percent of the party members bothered to vote; Mofaz got the support of over 60 percent
Mofaz replaces Livni as Kadima chief Read More »
Middle East