By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Shimon Peres is one of the greatest presidents Israel has ever had. Even the Israeli public that so mistrusted him in his long career as a politician has come to appreciate the dignity he bestows on the many ceremonial events he attends and the good image of Israel he projects abroad. […]
What is Shimon Peres’ real view about Iran? Read More »
Middle East
By David Bedein JERUSALEM — Flashback to 1976. I was then escorted with a delegation of social work professionals to visit UNRWA facilities in Gaza. There, Dr. Eli Lasch,then the head of the Israel Civil Administration’s Gaza health department, explained that his life’s mission was to eradicate infant mortality in the teeming UNRWA Gaza facilities
UNRWA sacrifices life, truth, to anti-Israel political goals Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –The notes I receive from overseas emphasize the threats to Israel from Iran and its friends, and the threat to the peace of the region and elsewhere if Israel preempts and seeks to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity. Here, in contrast, political energies are concentrating on the implications of a Supreme Court
IDF unenthusiastic about drafting Haredim Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –Unfortunately, it’s not as exciting as it’s being presented in the media.Israel’s Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision may have made an historic ruling when it refused to allow the extension of the law that exempts ultra-Orthodox (haredi) Jews from military service. However, in order not to
Netanyahu likely to circumvent court ruling on military exemptions for haredim Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that a law that exempts Jewish religious students from the mandatory military service is unconstitutional and can therefore not be extended after it expires next August. With six justices in favor and three against, the controversial law, called ‘Deferral of Service for Yeshiva Students for whom Torah is
High court strikes down yeshiva students’ military exemption Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The current uncertainty is profound, but presents opportunities as well as threats. Most of the attention is on Iran, widely assumed to be moving toward nuclear weapons, against the background of its leaders’ obsession with the destruction of Israel, raising the possibility of an Israel attack meant to avoid
Interpreters of Iran-Israel nuclear confrontation in many analytical camps Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Yaakov Lappin WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senior officials from the Obama administration have begun descending on Israel once again to ensure that Jerusalem holds off on an attack on Iran. That, at least, is the message the White House is seeking to generate. “The national security advisor [Tom Donilon] and the American intelligence head [James
Calls to Israel to delay attacking Iran a ‘good cop’ p-r ploy? Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–When the founders of modern Zionism hoped that having a country of their own would make Jews like all other nations, they didn’t think that the Jews would adopt any of the despicable traits of the anti-Semites among whom they lived in dispersion. The aim of Zionism was not only to
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –The more the pundits write and talk aboutIran, the less do we seem to know what’s really going on. Perhaps this is because the experts are as ignorant as the public, just more articulate. Here’re a few of the many possible scenarios I’ve gleaned of late: 1. A strike onIran’s
Is Iran trying to goad Israel into an attack? Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –Not being one of them, I find it often quite uncomfortable to walk in ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods inIsrael, e.g., Meah Shearim in Jerusalem, especially in the company of women. And when I read the notices and the graffiti on the walls, I become depressed by their often hysterical anti-Israel tone. It’s
Is El Al security particularly hostile to Arab passengers? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Not a typical weekend, but not all that unusual. This is a tense place, with frequent events that can provoke great drama. It began with a tragic accident. A heavy truck swerved on a rain slicked road north of Jerusalem, slammed into a bus carrying a group of four- to eight-year
Even traffic accidents grist for Palestinians’ anti-Israel hate mill Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
JERUSALEM (Press Release)– The oldest couple ever to make aliyah landed in Israel on Tuesday from Baltimore. Welcome to Israel, Phillip and Dorothy Grossman, ages 95 and 93. They are part of a Nefesh B’Nefesh group with more than 40 other new immigrants from North America. The Grossmans immediately headed for their new home in Jerusalem.
New olim are ages 95 and 93, married 71 years Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) expressed deep concern Tuesday over indications that the Obama administration is asking Israel to risk its security and survival to advance U.S. policy toward Iran, without providing assurances that the U.S. will protect Israel if the Iranian nuclear threat materializes. RJC Executive Director Matthew Brooks said:
RJC accuses President Obama of jeopardizing Israel’s security Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (SDJW)–U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday condemned the terrorist attacks on Israeli diplomats. During a news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Clinton said: “I want to say a word about the bombing of an Israeli diplomatic vehicle in India, the attempted attack on Israeli Embassy personnel in Georgia. Terrorism
Hillary Clinton condemns attacks on Israeli diplomats Read More »
Middle East