By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the P5+1 nuclear negotiation with Iran was taking shape, Secretary of State John Kerry was irritated by the discomfort shown by Congress, Israel and the Gulf States of both Iran and of the Administration’s decision making process. “We are not blind and I don’t think we’re stupid,” he […]
Iran proving to be big winner in nuclear negotiations Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– While some Arab Christians in Israel are about to form a political party with a platform that specifically includes commitment to service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a sizeable group of Hasidic gurus in Israel are planning a trip to the United States to lobby against their
Haredim mount campaign to avoid IDF service Read More »
Middle East
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Was Jesus a Palestinian? That is the latest historical claim of Mahmoud Abbas. The status of Abbas is its own problem, due to his term as President of the Palestine.National Authority having run out in January, 2009, and there being no subsequent election. His claim about Jesus is even
Abbas claims Jesus was a Palestinian Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Jordan Valley sovereignty bill approved by Israeli ministerial committee (JNS.org) Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Sunday approved a bill proposed by MK Miri Regev (Likud) that would apply Israeli law to Jewish lands and communities in the Jordan Valley. “This bill is purely motivated by diplomatic and security considerations,” Regev said, Israel Hayom reported.
JNS news briefs: December 30, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Alina Dain Sharon/JNS.org As 2013 is drawing to a close, JNS.org takes a look at its biggest news stories from Israel and the Jewish world that have shaped the outgoing year. Egypt Andrew Driscoll Pochter, a Jewish student at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, was fatally stabbed June 28 in Alexandria during clashes between
2013 Jewish news year in review Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s generally assumed that Palestinian leaders have a vested interest in derailing the peace talks with Israel, because any agreement that would pragmatically accept a two-state solution would destroy their cherished myth about if not driving the Jews into the sea then at least wrecking their state. The increase
Are Netanyahu and Abbas colluding to fool U.S.? Read More »
Middle East
By Aryeh Savir Two Katyusha rockets were fired at Northern Israel Sunday morning, Dec. 29. The rockets fell in the hills near Kiryat Shmonah. Fires broke out as a result of the explosions. Another two rockets fell in Lebanese territory. No damage or injuries were reported. IDF guns retaliated by firing several shells at
Rockets fired at Northern Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Electoral reform has been on the agenda in Israel for a very long time. People abroad, even more than in Israel, argue that the two-party system of the United States, or at least fewer political parties like in Canada or the UK, would make it easier to govern. Though
Would electoral reform in Israel disenfranchise Arabs? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There are lessons to be learned from recent politicking about gays and lesbians, and the Kerry peace process. It’s all about smoke and mirrors, or what you see isn’t there, and is meant to satisfy by deceiving. First on gays and lesbians. There is a Future, Yair Lapid’s new party with a
Political smoke and mirrors on single-sex and peace issues Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
NEW YORK (Press Release) – The International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP) is urging US President Barack Obama to commute the sentence of long-imprisoned spy Jonathan Pollard. “We, the members of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians, write to urge you to use your power of clemency to commute Jonathan Pollard’s prison sentence to time
Jewish parliamentarians seek Pollard’s release Read More »
USANEW YORK (Press Release)– Despite many universities and colleges being closed for the holiday/winter break, 55 have already issued statements rejecting the American Studies Association’s call for a boycott of Israeli universities. More are expected in the coming days as they learn of the ASA action. Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice
More rejections for ASA’s academic boycott of Israel Read More »
USABy Rabbi Dow Mamur JERUSALEM–One of my favorite legends is about the biblical Abraham who on his way to Mount Moriah – believing that God had commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac there – meets Satan who, of course, always asks very clever questions. This time he says to Abraham: If you carry out
Is the Pew Report worth worrying about? Read More »
USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 2,000-year-old Jobar Synagogue in Damascus is said to be the site where the prophet Elijah concealed himself from persecution and anointed his successor, Elisha. It was a UNESCO World Heritage Site until last March when someone appeared to have blown it up. The Syrian government and the rebels
Jobar Synagogue treasures belong to the Jewish community Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNatan Sharansky a possible candidate for Israeli president (JNS.org) Natan Sharansky, chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel, is a possible candidate to run for Israeli president in June 2014, Israel Hayom reported. Habayit Hayehudi party Chairman Naftali Bennett has reportedly thrown his support behind Sharansky’s candidacy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor
JNS news briefs: December 27, 2013 Read More »
International