Middle East

By 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

By 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

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.

By Noam Bedein SDEROT, Israel –On my recent visit to Canada, I was confronted by the growing strength and public acceptance of the Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) and came back to Israel with new friends who take a courageous stance for Israel – The First Nations communities. Background: From January 25th to 31st  I traveled

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Israel’s Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz may be right when he claims that the agreement signed on Sunday between his ministry and the labour federation resulting in somewhat improved conditions for contract workers, particularly in the unskilled sector, is due toIsrael’s robust economy. But there’s more to it. The four-day

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –In 2002 Meir Dagan succeeded Efraim Halevy as the Head of the Mossad. He retired eight years later and – like virtually all Israeli public figures once they leave civil or military public service – he has taken to expressing strong opinions for all to hear and read on a

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Recently, Ruth Lapidot, retired professor of international law who had participated in formulating the 1979 peace agreement with Egypt, gave this year’s David Elazar Memorial Lecture under the auspices of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs that the late professor Elazar founded.  Her lucid and comprehensive presentation was reassuring.

 By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Who really broke the deal? Granted, Israel’s conditions for a peace settlement appear to be a sure deal-breaker. Israeli negotiators notified their Arab counterparts on Wednesday, Jan. 25, that as a guiding principle existing settlement blocs must become part of Israel in a two-state solution, The New York Times

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–I think of Ofer Eini, the Head ofIsrael’s Histadrut Labour Federation, as one of the most seasoned and balanced public figures inIsrael.  I was, therefore, at first surprised by his recent display of seeming uncompromising militancy on behalf of employees of contractors to whom government and other work is often outsourced.