Editor’s Note: We wish to extend a heart mazal tov to columnist J. Zel Lurie, who celebrated a birthday on December 4th — his 98th! By J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — The time was the spring of 1936. I was a cub reporter on the Palestine Post, which became the Jerusalem Post 12 years
‘Palestine is no picnic’ — A memoir Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Yaakov Neeman is part of Israel’s political mosaic. He may not be one of the shiniest of pieces in the picture, but he holds a serious position as Minister of Justice. The word apparatchnik entered Hebrew (pl apparatchnikim) from our Russian roots, and refers to a person who has
Israel’s Justice Minister clashes with American Reform rabbi Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–He’s now # 1418989 in the Maasiyahu Prison, near Ramla. This is a minimum security facility, which houses white collar and other convicts not judged to be a danger to society. And within this prison, Moshe Katsav has been assigned to the unit for religious prisoners. To some, this may be the
Unrepentant ex-president begins prison sentence for sex crimes Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Now that Americans and Israelis may have finished arguing about the campaign to bring emigrants back home, they are in full tilt about comments made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. At a “closed” but thoroughly leaked meeting of Israeli and Americans concerned with public affairs, she expressed deep concern
Hillary’s criticism of Israeli democracy wide of the mark Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The story of those “return to Israel” advertisements has come to an end. It didn’t take long for the Prime Minister to get the message, and order them withdrawn. Not only had they insulted American Jews. They also insulted Christmas. One has to work to find insults in the video
Prime Minister pulls anti-emigration commercials Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C.–The media chatter that erupted in October about the possibility of Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities sparked an immediate reaction: Both in Israel and abroad, opponents argued against such a strike, warning of various dire consequences. Certainly, Israel would prefer not to attack Iran: It would rather see Tehran’s nuclear program
If attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities is Israel’s only option… Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Emigration from Israel is one of those issues that erupts every so many years to excite the fearful. Americans might think about abortion, prayer in the schools, gun control, or the placement of a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah on a public place. What is common to them all is
Israel’s immigration ministry hurts Americans’ feelings with ill-conceived ad campaign Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–A cartoon image in Ha’aretz shows animals walking two-by-two to Noah’s ark, while men and women are separated in the IDF, reflecting one of the issues in the headlines. There is a wave of extremism in Judaism parallel to those in Islam and Christianity. With us, it does not take the form
Israel less a melting pot than a buffet Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There has been another explosion in Iran. This one in the city of Isfahan, home to spectacular Muslim architecture, and industrial facilities linked to the country’s nuclear program. There are no reports that the explosion damaged the mosques or madrases. Among the Iranian reports are that it occurred at a gas station.
Nuclear sabotage in Iran preferable to all-out war Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, the White House pulled the props out from under the military government in Cairo, calling for it to yield power. Now. “The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately…we believe that the full transfer of power to a
Rational Egyptians, haters and the U.S. government Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One of the great failures of my professional life is an inability to convince Israeli Arabs (or Palestinians with Israeli citizenship) to adopt the model of African-Americans as a way of political and social advancement. Arab intellectuals and political activists are well schooled in good reasons to reject the comparison.
Israeli Arabs could be more politically powerful Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One can enjoy eating sausage without feeling an obligation to visit the slaughterhouse or the sausage maker. One can also enjoy the benefits of government without worrying about all the details about how the community is kept safe from crime, polluted air, water, and food, or any other disturbance. Some
Illegal migration to Israel a growing concern Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Aaron Adler EFRAT, Israel — I am 25 years old, was born in Brooklyn NY, and raised in Efrat Israel. Though very busy, I don’t view my life as unusual. Most of the time, I am just another Israeli citizen. During the day I work as a paramedic in Magen David Adom, Israel’s national
Another reason to be thankful: Israel’s humanitarianism Read More »
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