By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — There is a very important—one might say, life-and-death—distinction that should be made in considering U.S. counterterrorism policy. Certainly, U.S. forces have had many successes in stopping intended terrorist attacks against the United States. Yet there have also been a number of failures in the war against terrorism or al-Qaida […]
HAIFA (Press Release)–The University of Haifa’s School of Social Work has set out to provide assistance to the Regional Council of Hof Hacarmel in the wake of the massive fire. Hof Hacarmel is the regional council responsible for managing much of the area affected by the great fire in the Carmel Mountains over the past
U of Haifa’s School of Social Work faculty to help provide post-fire counseling Read More »
Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM, Monday, Dec 6 — Light rain and a change in the direction of the wind overnight signaled the end of the 4-day fires in the Carmel Forest. This morning, as grey skies and cooler temperatures blanketed the country, officials announced that the foreign fire-fighting help would be heading home and
Haifa fire controlled; experts suggest letting landscape recover on its own Read More »
Middle EastHAIFA (Press Release)– “Since 1978 the Carmel Mountains have seen some 500 small and medium fires and 9 large-scale conflagrations, which are considered such when over 100 hectares are burnt. All these fires together burnt some 3,000 hectares of forest, while the present fire has burnt some 5,000 hectares,” says Dr. Leah Wittenberg of the Department
Haifa fire burned more this time than all fires in region since 1978 Read More »
Middle EastBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM, Sunday a.m, Dec. 5 –looking for a few points of good (or at least better) news than we had before Shabbat. The manager of the renowned Carmel Forest Spa Hotel was interviewed on Reshet Bet Radio this morning and expressed his amazement that the hotel building itself is pretty much
Some hopeful news from Israel’s worst fire Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The fire is not yet under control. The weather is changing, aid has come from numerous countries, and the prospects are positive. Now the noise of politicians and activists blaming one another is taking over the media that had been devoted to on the scene action and human interest. The weekend reminded
As Haifa fire appears to ease, politicians rage Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — A factor up until now neglected in the Middle East strategic picture is Israel’s development of a strong, multi-level missile defense system aimed both against short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Hizballah as well as to guard against a future Iranian nuclear long-range threat. Many, unconsciously perhaps thinking of
Israel’s defensive shield against missiles changes Middle East’s strategic calculus Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (SDJW)—With expressions of warmth and friendship, the United States has dispatched aid to Israel to help that nation fight what has been described as the worst wildfire in its history. At the same time, in cold, formalistic words, President Barack Obama announced on Friday what his predecessors also have announced every six months
U.S. once again declines to build embassy in Jerusalem Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – The U.S. Government, led by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is immediately dispatching U.S. Department of Defense aircraft to aid in the suppression of the raging wildfires in Israel. Three U.S. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-130 Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) aircraft will depart the
U.S. dispatches airborne assistance and materials for Israel’s wildfires Read More »
Middle EastABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Press Release) — On the way home from visiting the troops in Afghanistan, President Obama called Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President expressed his deepest condolences on behalf of the American people for the tragic loss of life resulting from the fires in northern Israel. The President said he is pleased that American
Haifa Fire Roundup: Obama and Netanyahu confer Read More »
Middle EastHAIFA (Press Release)–After more than 45 hours, fires continue to sweep across northern Israel in the deadliest blaze in the country’s history. Over 8,000 acres have already burned in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city. The death toll has climbed to 43 and is expected to rise, with several people listed in critical
Haifa fire update: 43 known dead; 25,000 evacuated Read More »
Middle EastBy Steven Morris SAN DIEGO — As you may have heard, a forest fire is raging in the north of Israel that is being called the worst in the country’s history. The fire, centered in the Carmel Forest outside Haifa, has already killed more than 40 people, burned buildings and forced the evacuation of thousands of
Jewish Federation of San Diego sets up emergency fund for Haifa fire Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel–Almost a decade after the September 11 attacks, the U.S. government seem unable to tell the differences between moderate and radical Muslims, much less understand that it should support the former against the latter group. So when the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom visits a mosque, you just know this nice
U.S. Ambassador picks wrong mosque in London to visit Read More »
International, Middle East, USAHAIFA (Press Release)–The mood is not optimistic after more than 35 hours battling what is the worst fire in Israel’s history, reports Hezy Levi, a Haifa region fire fighter who is on the scene. “We are working around the clock,” said Levi, “and are receiving help from Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Britain and Turkey, but we
JNF reports death toll climbs to 43 in Haifa fire Read More »
Middle East