By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Not much is new under the Middle Eastern sun. One or another of the Gazan gangs began shooting rockets toward Israel about the time of the visit to Israel and Palestine (not the Gazan portion) of Barack Obama. So far, there are more reports of injury and damage from rockets that didn’t […]
In these times, it’s well to remember Ecclesiastes Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENICNINTAS, California — On April 3, 1968, 45 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached the fear of death out of himself. Most people recall the oration as “The Mountaintop” speech; it came less than 24 hours before King’s assassination outside Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. It rained
MLK made ‘Mountaintop’ speech 45 years ago today Read More »
USABy Gabriel Scheinmann Nicknamed “Operation Desert Schmooze” by one journalist, President Obama’s visit to Israel, Jordan, and Ramallah last month marked the White House’s effort to reboot its relationship with the Netanyahu government after both leaders secured their reelections. In his last trip to the region nearly four years ago, the president literally flew over
U.S. Mideast policy has shifted more toward Israel Read More »
Middle EastHolocaust can happen again, say 40 percent of survivors in Israel (JNS.org) Some 40 percent of Holocaust survivors in Israel are concerned that a second Holocaust could occur, according to the annual report of the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel, released on Wednesday, ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day next week.
JNS news briefs: April 3, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Joel A Moskowitz MD LA JOLLA, California –With Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif), who is a member of the Jewish community, leading the congressional charge against assault weapons, is there a preponderance of support within the Jewish community for such controls? Feinstein introduced the Federal Assault Weapons Ban which became law in 1994, but
Some psychiatric reservations about gun control Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We did not intend to flee Jerusalem when the great man arrived, but we saw no reason to change our plans when we heard about his trip. On the basis of previous presidential visits, we knew that the city would be dysfunctional. Our visit to Greece provided insights into the
Obama gained ground with Israelis, lost it with Palestinians Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastKnesset member demands Turkish apology for Struma sinking (JNS.org) Amid the continuing aftermath of Israel’s apology to Turkey for the May 2010 Gaza flotilla incident, Likud Member of Knesset Moshe Feiglin demanded on Sunday that Turkey apologize for the February 1942 sinking of the MV Struma in the Black Sea, Israel Hayom reported. In mid-December
JNS news briefs: March 31, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Pesach is one of those occasions in the Jewish calendar when Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited. One of the verses that often are, alas, very topical in Israel reads “All the nations surround me…” While life in Israel seems almost idyllic during this holy/holiday season, life across Israel’s borders is anything
Israel an island of serenity in sea of turmoil Read More »
Middle EastNew plans to breach Israel’s naval blockade (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) While the aftermath of Israel’s apology to Turkey for the Mavi Marmara incident continues to unfold, a pro-Palestinian group says its activists will soon stage a provocation aimed at ending the Israeli naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. But unlike past attempts in which activists,
JNS news briefs: March 29, 2013 Read More »
InternationalFlags to be waved throughout Israel to mark Warsaw Ghetto uprising (JNS.org) Schools throughout Israel this month will wave Israeli flags at precisely the same time as part of a special ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising during the Holocaust, Israel Hayom reported. Exactly 70 years prior, those who survived
JNS news briefs: March 28, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Apparently lists of VIPs attract a lot of readers; that’s why they’re so common in publications and blogs. No country, no walk of life and no profession remain unrated. Even rabbis: in the last few days alone I’ve read two lists telling me who’re the most influential and/or “spiritual” of my professional
Sarah Netanyahu: controversial wife of P.M. Read More »
Middle EastBy J.Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — Now that President Obama has come and gone, Israel’s new Knesset will get down to business.The question in my mind is will Yair Lapid, the new flag bearer of the middle class, succeed in his bold program or will he follow the example of his predecessors, Shinui and Kadima,
Netanyahu may oppose Lapid on 5 key issues Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky ATHENS — It’s never been easy governing an empire. So many cultures, and so many problems of communication across distances, languages, and local efforts to evade dictates from the center. Cyrus, the Persian emperor of the 6th century BCE, has an esteemed place in Jewish tradition, and helped to define the way of
The difficulties of empires, American and ancient Read More »
International, Ira SharkanskyBy David P. Goldman The Obama administration has utterly failed to convince the world that it is serious when it says the U.S. would attack Iran if it does not halt its nuclear weapons program. Analysis of energy markets reveals that crude oil is trading today with no greater risk than stocks and currency. Even
World does not take Obama’s Iran threats seriously Read More »
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