By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– The Prime Minister of Israel is suffering at the moment with migro-aine, which in this part of the world might be called the mother of all headaches. Whereas a conventional migraine can often be treated with medication, this one can only be controlled by an artful combination of political savvy and,
Migron provides mother of all migraines for Netanyahu Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The 1930s are one of the most famous periods of early 20th century American history. Most of us of the Baby boom era grew up watching The Untouchables television series. Chicago, 1930, is best remembered for Al Capone, America’s most successful gangster, who made organized crime into
Niso Shaham is Israel’s version of Eliot Ness Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Negative campaigning isn’t new in the world. Just look at what the Republican presidential candidates are currently saying about each other in the United States But you can’t diminish an American by accusing him/her of being Jewish. On the contrary. It’s different in, say,Poland where being called a Jew is
Anti-Semitism in Diaspora perceived differently in Israel and elsewhere Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — My readers have weighed in on a recent column. According to one, I was not sensitive enough in recognizing how dastardly was Ahmed Tibi in referring to Anastassia Michaeli as “cos amok.” According to another, Tibi really is a traitor, in speaking out so forecefully in favor of Palestinian interests while
What are the limits of an MK’s free speech? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–When terrorists were killing Israelis on buses, in restaurants and other places where people gathered, the country soon developed a system that put guards almost everywhere. The attacks abated but didn’t stop – there’re still guards around – so a wall was built that isolated the occupied territories, because the attackers
As in other Mideast wars, Israel could prevail in cyber-arena Read More »
Middle EastBy Avi Bell SAN DIEGO — Balboa Park is a jewel in the crown of this city for families to enjoy culture and history. Unfortunately, it was not January 14 for a group of extremist anti-Israel protestors promoting hatred of Israel and the Jewish people for the third year in a row. Their express purpose
Negotiations, not anti-Semitic demonstrations, will further peace in the Middle East Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–You may have already read the words spoken by Steve Linde, the new editor of the Jerusalem Post, at the WIZO – the international women’s Zionist organization -conference in Tel Aviv earlier this week, but they’re worth repeating because they highlight a serious problem of credibility. Linde is quoted to have
Does Netanyahu consider the New York Times and Haaretz enemies of Israel? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Note the plural in the headline. It is not an error, but the theme of this column. Designations of Jerusalem above and Jerusalem below have been around for a long time. They have been adopted by Jews, but may have been introduced in their explicit form by the New
By Linda Sax Snaid SAN DIEGO — While my husband looked for snacks recently in an airport lounge in Atlanta, a smiling gentleman took the seat opposite me. He was on layover from Dubai, returning from a visit with one of his children. Both he and his children were educated at elite European universities. He
Airport encounter depressing harbinger of Mideast strife Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I’m happy to be able to say something (almost) good about Avigdor Lieberman: he’s opposed to the extension ofIsrael’s so-called Tal Law. The law is named after a retired Israeli judge who headed a commission some years ago that recommended that haredim continue to be exempt from military service.
Netanyahu postpones decision on renewing military exemption for haredim Read More »
Middle East
By Jack Forman SAN DIEGO–Dusk is an intriguing, imaginatively-directed and very well acted 90-minute Israeli film which in Hebrew is titled Beyn Hashmashot. But a more accurate translation of the Hebrew title is “Twilight”; literally, “Beyn Hashmashot” means “between the suns”, i.e., between the sunset and the onset of evening. (In English, the onset of
‘Dusk,’ an Israeli movie, is a multi-sided morality tale Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–You want fairness from this aging academic? This is a time when I’ll side with a prominent Israeli Arab politician, who has been a source of considerable annoyance for us Jews. But fair is fair. In the last couple of days he earned my commendation. Ahmed Tibi, MD, is one
Knesset suspension of Arab member unfair Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– It’s not easy being an Israeli. It is even harder being an Israeli policymaker, especially at the top with responsibility for things domestic and foreign. Last week the problems were local, in the form of thousands of Israelis of Ethipian origin, one unhappy Israeli of Iraqi origin, and lots of angry Israeli Arabs,
Tension escalates between Israel and U.S. over Iran Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –As we give pause to the memory of Martin Luther King and his profound ethical message concerning the evils of racial intolerance, it behooves us to ask ourselves: Have we, as a religious community, fully embraced the principles that cost this great man his life? Most American
Chabad should end its discrimination against Ethiopian Jews Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East