By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hamas and Fatah have reportedly smoothed over their differences to present a united front in pursuit of a declaration of Palestinian independence from the UN General Assembly in September. [Side note: most countries declare independence, a la Thomas Jefferson or David Ben Gurion. The Palestinians prefer that someone do […]
What Abbas and Haniyah may have told each other Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Suddenly, after years of persistent failure, Fatah and Hamas–which means the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas–have signed a detailed reconciliation agreement. Why now? It’s preparation for the UN and the claim that the PA is sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinians. In exchange for being able to claim it
Hamas-Fatah deal augurs death of Israeli-Palestinian peace process Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The media pundits around the world and the diplomats in Israel and elsewhere who tried to tell Prime Minister Netanyahu what to say to Congress when he addresses both houses next month have labored in vain. In the end it’s Fatah and Hamas who’ll craft Bibi’s speech and their input
Time for Kadima to join coalition government in Israel? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The commotion, fighting, and death roiling through Arab countries is likely to produce several kinds of consequences. At the most extreme, it cannot be pleasant to be a Libyan or Syrian, wondering who will suffer from immediate attack or subsequent persecution. Who knows what kind of government will follow the upsets in
Arab turmoil reflected in Israeli debate Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The festival of Maimouna was brought to Israel by the Jews from Morocco. There’re several theories about its origin, none of which is convincing. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a national event in the country, celebrated by Jews from many different backgrounds. It starts the same evening as Pesach
Maimuna: A holiday for reaching across the ethnic divide Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — There’s a bit of a mystery regarding Syria. First, who is the opposition? Second, what will happen? Having been the first to warn about the threat and power of Islamists in Egypt, I think that’s earned me some credibility to say that Syria may well be a different case.
Syria’s revolution may hold more promise than Egypt’s Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Though I grew up in Sweden I never thought of its citizens as being particularly happy. In the 1940s and 50s we heard a lot about drunkenness and suicide but not much about life as bliss. Denmark, on the other hand struck us even then as a very happy place.
Gallup Poll shows Israel high on happiness index Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Today Syria has entered its biggest internal crisis since 1970. The regime has come out to crush the insurrection. Either it will succeed by killing many people or the insurrection will build into a real potential revolution. And the Western states are doing…precisely zero. One Syrian expert friend responded:
The Big Historic Event Today: Syria’s Biggest Crisis in 40 Years Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky SAN DIEGO — I’ll say it again. Coping is the name of the game. No solutions appear on the horizon, even when standing on a high place. Israeli policymakers concerned with “peace,” “borders,” or however you define that cluster of issues have to cope with Palestinians, Americans, and Western Europeans, as well
Israel practices the art of coping Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday condemned violence in Syria and said the Syrian government must stop the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of prisoners.” There’s a problem with that word “must.” See, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot help overthrow or move away from allies,
Obama administration is not taken seriously by Syria Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — By all accounts a large number of people and organizations in Israel are trying to draft the speech they believe Prime Minister Netanyahu ought to deliver before both Houses of Congress next month. The most recent effort comes from a group of left-wing intellectuals, among them many of the
Is ‘conflict management’ the best Israel and the Palestinians can do? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The Palestinians are betting the farm. Or–Muslim friends, forgive me– throwing a Hail Mary pass. They are doing everything they can to achieve world recognition of their state, with 1967 borders, a capitol in Jerusalem, and maybe something about refugees, without bothering to negotiate with Israel about what Palestinians might
By Lloyd Levy LONDON — With all the incessant media coverage about Israel , one easily loses sight of the broader picture. Yet I have been reading a respected annual publication called “the Military Balance.” Not necessarily everyone’s chosen reading material, but it throws a fascinating insight into the miracle that is today’s Israel. By
Israel’s military capability expands as Western Europe’s declines Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle EastSan Diego Jewish World staff report BEERSHEBA, Israel — Daniel Viflich, 16, whose misfortune it was to be innocently riding a school bus on Thursday, April 7, has died of the severe injuries he sustained after an anti-tank missile was fired at the bus from Gaza. Viflich died in the Soroka University Medical Center here,
Israeli teen victim of school bus rocketing dies Read More »
Middle East