By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the anniversary of the Six Day War, we are reminded of the existential threat Israel faced. Egypt was massing troops in the Sinai after closing the Straits of Tiran and expelling the UN peacekeeping force. Syria was massing troops on the Golan after years of shelling Israelis in […]
Israel ready for military challenges from Iran-backed neighbors Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — We watch the news on TV where we are informed that murder and mayhem, death and destruction are raging all around us. Regimes are changing in the wake of mass demonstrations, some more violent than others, in several countries nearby. But we look out of the window and
If Middle East is in turmoil, why does life seem so pleasant? Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — The amplified wail of the muezzin from the Al Aksa mosque on the Temple Mount couldn’t drown out the celebrations that rang out over Jerusalem Wednesday night. From every corner of the Old City, youthful voices joined in singing all the classic Six-Day War songs as the city celebrated the
Outpouring of emotion, gratitude, marks anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 28th of Iyar, corresponding this year to 1 June, marks the day Jerusalem was reunified in 1967. Separated from the Jewish people by the 1947 UN Partition Plan, Jerusalem was to have been corpus separatum, an area legally separate from its environs. The UN decreed, “In view of
Press release hints change in U.S. stance toward Jerusalem Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO –Coptic Christians in Egypt are increasingly concerned for their safety and well-being; the “spring” has quickly turned cold and threatening for this historically maligned minority in the land of the Nile. The despotic ruler of Yemen refuses to loosen his bloody grip; Gadhafi still runs and mutilates the Libyans;
President Obama underappreciates Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — This is a story still developing, with potential to harm or at least to intrigue. It concerns Sami Ofer, one of the world’s richest men, and perhaps the richest of Israel, whose family businesses involve shipping, banking, chemicals, and refining. There are also addresses for the family and its businesses
Israeli business tycoon doing business with Iran? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — A reader asks whether there are any defensible borders in the modern world because it is possible to fire missiles or rockets across a border. Well, yes, but even in ancient times it has always been possible for an army to cross–or try to cross–a border. That isn’t what
Why Israel requires strategic depth to defend itself Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Notions of justice will not go away. In response to my recent comment about having an equivalent lack of patience with the Palestinians’ claims about a right of return and the Jews’ claims about a God-given title to the Land of Israel, one of my friends responded, “without the ‘claims that God
By Sarah Bernstein, PhD JERUSALEM — Patriotism has become a dirty word in many circles. It has become equated with fanaticism and extremism. To be an Israeli patriot is even worse. And because of my left-wing views, many people would be surprised to hear me describe myself as an Israeli patriot. In Israel, patriotism and Zionism
Proudly pro-Israel AND pro-Palestine Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The basic flaw in the Palestinian logic, joined by Barack Obama and lots of others, is the problem in turning back history. Why 1967? Why not something else, earlier or later, equally irrelevant? By this thinking, what we call the eastern part of United States could still be
In the Middle East, as elsewhere, time marches on Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–As I understand what has happened: Prior to Barack Obama’s ascendance to the presidency, the Palestinians of the West Bank and Israel were moving at their own pace to a tolerable coexistence. A technocrat as prime minister, financial aid and training by the United States and Jordan had improved Palestinian security
The Nobel Prize-winning President made matters worse Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.)–He looked as if he belonged there. He spoke as if he was one of us. And in the ways that count, he was. Not because his English is impeccable, but because he spoke to the convergence of historical, religious, political, security, moral, and ethical views and values between the State
And ‘Congress applauded’ Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It is hard to imagine a better show than two heads of state, both fluent, and capable of pushing the buttons that bring forth waves of applause. Barack Obama and Benyamin Netanyahu know how to do it. The immediate commentary in Israel was either partisan or skeptical. Party colleagues
Mixed reviews for ‘Mr. Netanyahu Goes to Washington’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–President Barack Obama spoke on Monday to the America-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The White House later released the text of his speech as delivered: THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Good morning. Thank you. Thank you so much. Please, have a seat. Thank you. What a remarkable, remarkable
Obama reassures AIPAC on U.S. support for Israel Read More »
Middle East