By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Israel has a government, Mr. President. That’s something to remember when you arrive there next week. Israel has a government, elected by its people in a free, fair, open and democratic election. Multiple parties representing widely divergent points of view met a wildly diverse electorate through free media and […]
President Obama and the new Israeli government Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNetanyahu’s new cabinet takes shape (JNS.org) After a coalition agreement for the next Israeli government was apparently reached between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid Party head Yair Lapid, and Habayit Hayehudi party head Naftal Bennet, Netanyahu’s cabinet is taking shape, Israel Hayom reported. According to Israeli law, the prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister,
JNS news briefs: March 15, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– After a traumatic crisis in a group, it’s not unusual to send in counselors to help the survivors heal. The new government of Israel will need a strong team of such experts, for it’s difficult to imagine how the prime minister will conduct business in the presence of the Terrible Two
Counseling needed for many Israeli politicians? Read More »
Middle EastBy James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. — Next week, President Obama will make his first visit to Israel as president. The bonds that exist between Jerusalem and Washington are built upon mutual strategic interests and a solid foundation of shared cultural and political values. At the same time, both countries face common threats where cooperation and
Hoped-for outcomes from Obama’s Israel trip Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Peter Roskam (R-IL) led a bipartisan effort to aid Israel in improving and enhancing its missile defense system. A bipartisan coalition of 63 members of Congress introduced the Iron Dome Act of 2013 to authorize the President to provide assistance for the procurement, maintenance,
Davis introduces Iron Dome continuing authorization act Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — There seems to be little excitement about Israel’s next government to be sworn in next week after protracted and convoluted coalition negotiations. Though the smoke from its chimney isn’t very white, there’s relief that we won’t have to go to elections again. The public is said to be tired
Settlers in, religious parties out in new government Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is not for nice people. Sure, there are required smiles, and even hugs for those current with the fashions. Hand shakes and back slaps have been around for a long time. But the demonstrations of warmth are not likely to be genuine. The work is too hard, and most
Politics is a nasty business Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastCoalition deal to form next Israeli government reached after 39 days of negotiation (JNS.org) At the culmination of a long, complex and nerve-wracking negotiation—lasting a whopping 39 days—the coalition agreements that will finalize the next Israeli government have come to fruition, Israel Hayom reported. “We did our best with 31 Knesset seats; we are still
JNS news briefs: March 14, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Training Syrian rebels to conquer the Golan Heights and shoot down Israeli aircraft? No, they don’t say it quite like that. But after years of hypocrisy, the Obama administration has admitted that while it declined to arm Syrian rebels directly for fear that weapons would end up in the
Is U.S. aiding Syrian rebel plans to fight Israel? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson GIVAT CHAYIM IHUD, Israel — The Theresienstadt Memorial Museum is situated in Israel’s verdant Jezreel Valley, in premises attached to this kibbutz. Once or twice a year I receive the museum newsletter, continuing the subscription taken out by my late father. For many years it appeared in stencil form on plain
Theresienstadt memory kept alive on Israeli kibbutz Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
NEW YORK (Press Release) –Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) raised $27 million Tuesday night, March 12, at its National NY Gala Dinner where over 1,400 prominent business and philanthropic leaders from across the country gathered at the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to demonstrate their love and support for the soldiers of Israel. FIDF Chairman Emeritus
IDF friends raise $27 million at NYC dinner Read More »
USAKnesset member blasts Obama for not inviting Ariel students to speech (JNS.org) In a letter sent to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Member of Knesset Yoni Chetboun of the Habayit Hayehudi party criticized U.S. President Barack Obama for not inviting students from Ariel University of Samaria to his speech at the International Convention Center
JNS news briefs: March 13, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — As I begin to write this column the latest news is that coalition negotiations are stuck on the highly nonprincipled issue of which party will get to name the Ministers of Education and Interior. That may be solved by the time I’ve done my final editing and clicked on Send.
Revolt of the Likud youngsters troubles Bibi Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastFederal judge rejects request to bar Jews from jury in terrorism trial (JNS.org) A New York federal judge has rejected a request by a lawyer to exclude Jews from a jury in an upcoming terrorism trial. The attorney for Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, Frederick Cohn—who is Jewish himself, according to the Jewish Press—told Judge Eric Vitaliano
JNS news briefs: March 12, 2013 Read More »
International