By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israel’s three week holiday season from Rosh Hashana through Simcha Torah resembles the shorter period in western countries from Christmas through New Years. The western holiday is actually longer than a week, due to pre-Christmas work, school, and bar parties, and time in early January for sobering up. What is common to […]
As holidays end, Israeli politics gear back up Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — While visiting cousins in Philadelphia last weekend, I mentioned I was a big fan of Homeland and wondered if they liked it too. They replied affirmatively, but questioned whether counterterrorism was conducted as brutally and unscrupulously as portrayed in the series. By coincidence I had a preview link for
The Wandering Review: ‘The Green Prince’ Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Islam is a problem for the faithful, as well as for the rest of us. Its 1600 years of accumulated doctrines may not differ in essence from what Jews have accumulated in 2,500 years or Christians in 2100 years. What is problematic, however, are all those Muslims stuck in a
Intra- Muslim rivalries hamper Palestinian statehood Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — On Monday, October 13, the British Parliament overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution to give diplomatic recognition to a Palestinian state. The New York Times reported that, “The vote was a symbolic but potent indication of how public opinion has shifted since the breakdown of American-sponsored peace negotiations and
Britain, Sweden pile on Israel Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the moment and against the odds, Kobani stands. Kurdish men and women, abandoned by the United States and watched but not aided by Turkey, hold the line against the sweep of ISIS across Iraq and Syria; one little point of heroism that may be gone by the time
U.S. abandons Kobani Kurds, lavishes aid on Hamas Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– There was a conference to decry destruction and announce donations for Gaza. Sound and fury signifying nothing? Perhaps. Delegates representing some 50 nations and 20 regional and international organizations met in Cairo to talk about peace and reconstruction, and fill the hat being passed by the President of the Palestine
Promises to rebuild Gaza—rhetoric or reality? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC) — World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder on Monday addressed a large gathering of Evangelical Christians at Jerusalem’s Pais Arena in which he spoke out forcefully against the slaughter of Christians across the Middle East and in Africa. “When hundreds of thousands of Christians – men, women and children – are killed,
Stop the slaughter of Christians in Middle East! Read More »
Middle East
BRUSSELS (WJC) — Belgium’s new Interior Minister Jan Jambon of the separatist New Flemish Alliance (NVA) has spoken out in defense of people who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. The politician, who was sworn in as new federal deputy prime minister and interior minister last week, told newspapers that war-time collaboration with
Belgian Interior Minister temporizes over Nazis’ allies Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryNEW YORK (Press Release) — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) condemned an overnight attack on a mosque in the West Bank village of Aqraba. Graffiti, including the words “price tag” and the name of a nearby Israeli settlement, Tapuah, were spraypainted on the mosque. Rugs, walls and holy books were damaged by the fire and smoke.
AJC condemns mosque desecration Read More »
Middle East, USABy Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel — On the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) we read how the universe was created – starting with the four words “Let there be light.” Today, Israeli solar energy projects light up countless homes. However, the Jewish State also has found another way to illuminate millions
Positively Israel ~ October 14, 2014 Read More »
Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –I have just finished reading In This Hospitable Land by Lynmar Brock Jr. which is based on the childhood experiences of the author’s wife and her family during WWII. It describes in great detail the trials and tribulations of the two Sauverin brothers, Alex and André, their parents, wives and children
Book Review: ‘In This Hospitable Land’ Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish HistoryBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby told reporters he understood that U.S. air power wouldn’t save Kobani, but that there is a “larger strategy” in place. The primary goal of the campaign is not to save Syrian cities and towns, U.S. Central Command officials said, but to go after ISIS senior
Kobani another defeat for Obama’s ISIS policy Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USABERLIN (WJC) — The German government has taken steps to intensify provenance research in order to clarify whether or not works of art were looted by the Nazis from their rightful Jewish owners. Germany came under fire last year after it came to light that Cornelius Gurlitt, the son of a prominent Nazi-era art dealer,
Germans create center on Nazi-looted art Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastBy Rafael Medoff WASHINGTON, D.C. (JNS.org)– Ex-presidents seldom take an interest in Jewish affairs, with two notable exceptions. One is Jimmy Carter, who has repeatedly clashed with the Jewish community. Another is Herbert Hoover, an unlikely ally of the Jews who passed away 50 years ago this coming week (Oct. 20, 1964). Most ex-presidents have
Former presidents and the Jews: Carter vs. Hoover Read More »
Middle East, USA