By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In the westerns that I saw as a kid, at a cost of $0.25 on Saturday afternoons, the meaning of “speaking with forked tongues” was clear. White man lied to the Indian. The Hebrew equivalent is כפל לשון (keffel lashon), double tongue. The Palestinian leadership is speaking in כפל לשון. […]
The deceitful words of international politics Read More »
Middle EastBy Evelyn Gordon When massive protests forced Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon in 2005, it seemed that Lebanon had finally been liberated from foreign domination. But the liberation proved illusory: The country remained in thrall to Hezbollah, which took its orders from Iran and Syria. Hezbollah’s dominance was dramatically demonstrated in
Putting an end to Hezbollah Read More »
Middle EastProtesters decry Argentina-Iran bombing investigation (JNS.org) A crowd of people came out to protest in front of the Argentinian Consulate General in midtown Manhattan on Monday against an agreement Argentina recently signed with Iran to create a “truth commission” investigating the 1994 Buenos Aires bombing of the AMIA Jewish communal building, in which 85 people were
JNS news briefs: February 26, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Stipulating that foreign aid can be an important part of American foreign policy, and further that trade is an important component of U.S. foreign policy; Secretary of State John Kerry made two really important mistakes in his maiden speech, delivered to a fawning audience of American University students.
Kerry’s American University speech indicates off-course policy Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Netanyahu and his supporters received an unexpected gift from Hollywood: neither of the two Israeli documentaries got an Oscar. Both are highly critical of Israeli government policies as the films testify to the country’s commitment to democracy that allows such open and explicit criticism of its government
The growing cost of Mideast stalemate Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Palestinian unrest is competing with domestic unrest about the Haredim as the principal items in Israel’s media. Has the third intifada already started? Is it only a matter of time? It appears that the Palestinian leadership on the West Bank has no desire for a full blown rebellion. They know
The recipe for Palestinian violence Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael: PA inciting riots ahead of Obama’s visit (JNS.org) Further riots and possible calls for violence erupted on Monday following the death of a Palestinian man in an Israeli prison over the weekend. Hundreds of Palestinians hurled rocks at Israeli security forces during the funeral procession of Palestinian prisoner Arafat Jaradat, who died in
JNS briefs: February 25, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –Purim is in the air and with it countless opportunities for Purim-shpiels of one kind or another. The most watched spectacle at the moment in Israel is the effort to form a new government. The humor is particularly biting because we still remember the promises the various parties made before
Coalition building one big Purim shpiel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Bibi currently has 37 MKs in his coalition, but maybe not. The candidate who presented herself as highly principled, i.e., Tsipi Livni, signed on, but in the process threw her number #2 under the bus and may have provoked a split in her new party, “The Movement.” Amram Mitzna expected
Bibi builds towards a shaky coalition Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastSenators ask Obama to withdraw Hagel nomination (JNS.org) Fourteen U.S. senators asked President Barack Obama to withdraw his nomination of former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel, who continues to come under fire for his record on Israel and other areas of foreign policy, for Secretary of Defense. In a letter dated Feb. 21, the
JNS news briefs: February 22, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBritish MP Galloway walks out on debate with an Israeli at Oxford (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) British MP George Galloway has been accused of anti-Semitism for storming out of a debate at Oxford University on Wednesday evening after learning that his opponent as an Israeli citizen. Galloway, the Respect party MP for Bradford West and
JNS News Briefs: February 21, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Alan Eisner WASHINGTON, D.C – After years of diplomatic deadlock, peace – or at least talk of peace – is in the air again for Israel and the Palestinians. Last month’s Israeli election, which moved the country back toward the political center, following President Obama’s re-election and his appointment of
Active U.S. role needed for Mideast peace Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — In addition to the weekly portion, a second text will be read in synagogues this upcoming Shabbat. It’s about remembering Amalek, the arch-enemy of our Israelite ancestors and the epitome of all our enemies through the ages. The implication is that though the Biblical Amalekites lived a long time
Two biblical texts for modern Israel’s guidance Read More »
Middle EastKerry to skip Israel on first Middle East trip (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will bypass Israel on his first official trip to the Middle East, U.S. officials said Tuesday as they announced a jam-packed itinerary through nine nations, including several in Europe. Kerry’s maiden voyage begins Sunday.
JNS news briefs: February 20, 2013 Read More »
International