Middle East

By 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

By 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

By 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

By 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

By 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

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Among the responses to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s appearance at the recent AIPAC convention are assertions that Israelis must be aware of the costs of an attack on Iran. They come from the the Foreign Minister of France, various unnamed sources said to be high in the American administration, plus a growing list