By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–It’s being said that Facebook and its siblings are changing the world by giving vox populi a new meaning. The Arab Spring, the calls for social reforms in Israel last year, the Occupy Movement soon thereafter are cited as examples. The latest is an initiative by an Israeli couple that put […]
Facebook diplomacy seeks Israel-Iran friendship Read More »
Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — The funerals in Jerusalem on Wednesday for the four latest Jewish victims of Muslim terror were heart-wrenching. The unbridled pain of Miriam Monsonego’s brother; the wailing of the friends and relatives and the sobbing eulogy of Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar were hard to take, but tragically, not a
Funeral for French school victims heart-wrenching Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Silence is the policy of Israeli authorities with respect to the rebellion in Syria. Figuring out what is happening, and what is likely to happen is like deciphering reports and comments about Iran. Currently there seems to be a standoff, bloody in the extreme, between the regime and its opponents.
Israeli authorities officially mum on Syria Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Earlier this week, Israeli media headlined that “’Mossad, CIA agree Iran has yet to decide to build nuclear weapon.” The story went on to say that “New York Times report quotes senior American officials who believe there is little disagreement between Israeli and U.S. intelligence over Iran’s nuclear program, despite
Confused about Iran’s nuclear program? Everybody else is too Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Yaakov Lappin ASHDOD, Israel — I had just parked my car in the Southern Israeli city of Ashdod, near where a Palestinian rocket had earlier smashed into a main street, when the air raid siren went off again. No matter how many times one has heard it, when the siren goes off
Living through a Red Alert in Ashdod Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Saul Singer is the author, together with his brother-in-law Dan Senor, of the widely acclaimed, Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle. I’m pretty sure that he hasn’t read of my book, Beyond Survival or even heard of it. Nevertheless, he almost quotes from it. Hence these reflections.
Another kind of Holocaust denial: denying that it’s over Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In a speech before the Knesset, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu compared himself to David Ben Gurion, who declared Israel’s independence in 1948 against the urging of foreign governments, and to Menachem Begin, who decided to attack the Iraqi nuclear facility in 1981, against the advice of the United States. To
Netanyahu’s speech hints attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Barely eight months have passed since the “Arab Spring” has taken root in Egypt. At the time of his departure from power, President Obama and Hillary Clinton hailed Hosni Mubarak’s eviction from office as one of President Obama’s crowning achievements. Nearly eight months later, the Muslim Brotherhood
Egypt’s Parliament reflects Muslim Brotherhood’s animus against Israel Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –The last few days of the rocket barrage from Gaza into Israel’s south is naturally grabbing the headlines here. If you live out of the ever increasing rocket range it’s tempting to say that, after all, Israel hasn’t suffered too much from them. Yes, there have been injuries and damage
Proximity a factor in opinions on Israel-Gaza strife Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin TEL AVIV—Visiting here in Israel this week for my mother’s milestone birthday and an international reunion with my two daughters, the reality and poignancy of Israel have made imprints on my heart. Maneuvering emotionally between Tel Aviv’s gleaming skyscrapers and the spoken fears of the elders under siege in the south,
Joining my family in Israel during a time of peril Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There are reports about a cease fire, arranged by Egypt. After the cease fire was said to go into effect, there continued some rockets and mortars fired from Gaza, but this was to be expected. Either groups are asserting their machismo and superiority, or there is a failure of whatever
Questions of intent follow in wake of Israel/ Gaza ceasefire Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– Wonder of wonders. I’m still learning. For the first time this season I encountered two religious Jews, both sophisticated in issues of their faith and worldy in terms of their education and experiences, who told me that Purim is not their favorite holiday. I have known for some time about the
Why some religious Israelis dislike Purim Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — So far it’s a mini-escalation in the south. As I begin this, some 60 rockets or mortars have been sent toward Israel in the last couple of days, several Israelis have been injured, one seriously. Twelve Gazans have been killed, including some ranking members of a fringe group sometimes allied
Is Gaza-Negev flurry a harbinger of more violence to come? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — I received a letter from a young Israeli who says she met me in Israel two years ago. I have no memory of her, which is a sign of old age. The key paragraphs in her long letter are as follows: “I am an Israeli but like
Words of comfort for a frightened Israeli woman Read More »
Middle East