By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–On Nakba Day, thousands of Palestinians from Syria and Lebanon, as well as Gaza, marched toward Israel. On the border between the Golan Heights and Syria, the IDF was expecting the focus to be somewhere else, and by the time a handful of soldiers came to confront the marchers, some 150 of
‘Nakba’ border incidents have both sides preparing for more Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East(SDJW Editor’s Note: The following interview of J.J. Surbeck, executive director of T.E.A.M. was conducted by The California Review, a conservative student publication at the University of California at San Diego. It is reprinted with the permission of that publication. ) J.J. Surbeck is a San Diego peace activist who serves as the Executive Director of
Israel advocate debunks ‘apartheid state’ and other BDS myths Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — “Israel may be 63 years old today but its days are numbered.” So declared one of several thousand frenzied Arab protestors along one of three borders with Israel who broke into mayhem and violence yesterday—the May 14th anniversary of Israel’s independence (Huffington News). I don’t think so. The
Palestinians cynically manipulated in ‘nakba’ uprising Read More »
Middle East
Story and Photos by Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The Jewish Federation and scores of affiliated communal organizations celebrated Israel’s Independence Day on Sunday, May 15, at a new, more public, location than in past years, seeking to draw the general public’s attention both to Israel’s cause and to the variety of interests represented within the
San Diego celebrates Israel’s 63rd birthday Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego CountyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Some years ago, Ehud Barak said that if he had been born a Palestinian, he would probably have become a freedom fighter. It was a rare hint of personal warmth in a man described by colleagues as one of the coldest fishes in Israeli politics. Barak’s military career featured a
Israeli centrists buffeted by Israeli rightists and Palestinians Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), who has been a steadfast supporter of Israel and a Middle East peace that’s based on the state’s full recognition by its neighbors, has written to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that they stop U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority for as
End U.S. aid to Palestinian Authority — McCarthy Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The word is that Barack Obama is about to lay on the table an updated plan for Israel and Palestine. According to one of Israel’s most widely read newspapers, the President will deliver a “speech of greater closeness” to Muslims.Will this be another learning experience for the American president at
Obama may further tip toward Palestinians in upcoming Mideast plan Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO–Israel is celebrating its 63rd Day of Independence according to the Hebrew calendar; the secular date of the UN-sanctioned declaration of a Jewish state was May 14, 1948. Just three years after the death camps of Europe were liberated by the Allies, Israel became—and remains—the greatest response to genocide in
Oil and anti-Semitism do mix Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–During a week when Israel is celebrating its 63rd birthday, it is appropriate to take another look at its accomplishments and the receptions given them. Israel is among the most successful of the 100 or so countries that came on the scene as the result of World War II and the collapse of
World, U.S. judiciary, hold Jews to different standards Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — In the wake of bloody Muslim attacks on Egyptian Christians the New York Times informs us: “By lifting the heavy hand of the Mubarak police state, the revolution unleashed long-suppressed sectarian animosities that have burst out with increasing ferocity….” No kidding! Did you think a single Egyptian Christian didn’t know this in
Muslim attacks on Coptic churches were forseeable Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — I merely transcribe the lead paragraph inSaturday’s (May 7) Washington Post: “Syrian troops used heavy machine guns and artillery to quell anti-government demonstrations in the key city of Homs on Friday in a sharp escalation of their crackdown against regime opponents, as tens of thousands of Syrians again defied
U.S. should pull plug on Syrian regime now Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu returned from visits with British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarcozy, and claimed victory for his diplomatic mission. He said that both heads of governments had assured him that Hamas must recognize Israel before Palestine becomes a state. Reports from France and Britain are different.
Netanyahu lobbies Europeans to maintain status quo on Palestine Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–In a country of 7 million people, there’s barely anyone not touched in some direct way by one of Israel’s wars or the terror attacks that have plagued Israeli citizens since before the founding of the State. This year’s statistics indicate that 22,867 men and women have been killed defending the
So many, many to remember on Yom Hazikaron Read More »
Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Post editorialized that in response to the Hamas-Fatah “reconciliation,” the Obama administration “will need a new strategy. Its first priority should be to prevent a renewal of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed after two years of relative calm. That will mean insisting that West Bank Palestinian security forces continue to
Palestinian reconciliation is harbinger of more extremism Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen