By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Democracy is an icon of those who aspire to the best of political and civil rights. Like other icons, however, it is tricky to sort out the symbol from the realities. Virtually all countries describe themselves as democracies, but few measure up. Political scientists who concern themselves with the nature […]
Comparing democracy in Israel, U.S. and Egypt Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Sean Savage/JNS.org Since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, the Arab world’s most populous country has faced an uncertain future. Briefly ruled by the long-repressed Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt was retaken by its dominant military in response to widespread dissatisfaction with the rule of president Mohamed Morsi, a Brotherhood member.
The task before Egypt’s President Al-Sisi Read More »
Middle East
By Dmitriy Shapiro/JNS.org/Washington Jewish Week WASHINGTON, D.C. (JNS) — Members of Reform and Conservative synagogues have signed on to recent full-page advertisements in Jewish newspapers around the country, blasting their denomination’s leaders for supporting the (eventually failed) bid of the self-labeled “pro-Israel, pro-peace” lobby J Street to join the Conference of Presidents of Major American
Conservatives, Reform debate J Street role Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congressman Eliot Engel’s amendment requiring the mandatory use of alternative fuel vehicles in the federal fleet was adopted into the FY2015 the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The Congressman is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The amendment codifies the
Engel: Alternative energy for government vehicles Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) released the following statement applauding passage of the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, & Science Appropriations Bill: “With the passage of the FY2015 Commerce, Justice, & Science Appropriations bill this morning (May 30), the House is continuing its work to ensure that tax dollars are
Cantor: House cuts budget, provides essential services Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – In the wake of the tragic shootings in Isla Vista near the University of California, Santa Barbara last week, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on Friday, May 30, announced that she will be introducing legislation soon to help provide families and close associates of a potentially dangerous person with new
Boxer: Help families prevent gun violence Read More »
USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — In response to the House of Representatives’ passage of the Thompson-King Amendment to provide $19.5 million to improve background check records related to gun purchases, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: “The scars of gun violence are present in too
House funds background checks for gun buyers Read More »
USA
NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland (Press Release)– Former Israeli Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister, IDF Lt. Gen. (Res.) Shaul Mofaz, told the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Washington D.C. Chapter on Thursday, May 29, that Islamic extremists are not only waging war on Arab leaders but preparing to launch new terror campaigns against
Mofaz says extremists planning new anti- Israel terror Read More »
International, Middle East
WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) – Congressman Alan Grayson (D-Florida) introduced legislation on Thursday, May 29, to protect reporters and journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources. Grayson’s measure was added to H.R. 4660, the ‘Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act’, and prohibits the Department of Justice from using funds to force journalists to
House passes federal ‘shield law’ for journalists Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-Rhode Island), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, on Friday, May 30, introduced legislation that would help keep guns away from dangerously mentally-ill individuals. Specifically, the End the Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act would ensure lifesaving information is submitted into the Federal
Cicilline: Keep guns away from mentally disturbed Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York), a veteran Member of the House Judiciary Committee, delivered a statement on the House floor on closing the Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba. He said: “I understand that there is an irrational fear of bringing Guantanamo detainees into the United States, even though we
Nadler: Keeping Gitmo Prison open is irrational Read More »
International, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) on Thursday, May 30, applauded Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Tim Gill, founder of the Gill Foundation, for creating the first-ever study by the National Park Service to identify historical sites and events integral to the civil rights struggle of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
Nat’l Parks to honor historic LGBT sites Read More »
USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–President Barack Obama announced the resignation of Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki, and reaction and advice from Capitol Hill was quick to follow. Here is a partial transcript of the news conference in which the President announced the resignation: * THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. A few minutes ago, Secretary Shinseki and
Shinseki resigns as V.A. Secretary; Congress reacts Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USABy Jeremy Ben-Ami WASHINGTON, D.C. –I’ve just returned from a J Street fact-finding Mission to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan with five Members of Congress and 16 national J Street leaders following suspension of the peace talks brokered by Secretary of State John Kerry. After meeting officials, activists and business people on all sides,
J Street on Mideast peace: Wait till next time Read More »
Middle East, USA