By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Though the two ultra-Orthodox political parties, Shas and Yahadut Hatorah, held their own or did better in the Israeli elections earlier this week, their grip on key issues in the country may be loosening, not because they’ve embraced liberalism and moderation but as a result of the character of […]
Election may prompt religious reform Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One should never say never, but it appears that the Palestinians have shut the door against the idea of a state. Too often they have done what Abba Eban placed in the handbook of political aphorisms, missing yet another opportunity to miss an opportunity. One can produce numerous explanations of
World increasingly fatigued by Palestinian intractability Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastPA vows to prosecute Israel in International Criminal Court over E1 construction (JNS.org) Equipped with the eligibility to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) following its status upgrade at the United Nations last November, the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Wednesday said it would prosecute Israel in that court if the Jewish state proceeds with construction
JNS news briefs: January 24, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Israel had a party on Election Day. The weather was beautiful and people went to the beach and the parks by the tens of thousands. They were in a very good mood. And why not? For all the gloom and doom about Israel, its neighbors and its neighborhood, Israel
Youth and females emerge from Israel’s election Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Thirty four parties were officially in the running. Polls indicated that 11 were certain of winning enough votes to enter the Knesset, two others were close to the minimum required, and four of the others attracted my attention as curiosities. It will be another day before the ballots of Israelis
‘No’ to Palestinians among trends in Israel election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastU.S. officials praise Israeli democracy (JNS.org) Reacting to news of Israel’s election results, American officials praised Israeli democracy and promised to work with the new government, the Jerusalem Post reported. In a tweet, U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro congratulated Israelis on a successful election day. “Mazal tov to the Israeli people on their just completed elections! Always inspiring
JNS news briefs: January 23, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I’m pleased that I was wrong about the expected meteoric ascendance of Naftali Bennet and his party Habayit Hayehudi; my pessimism got the better of me. But I still see Bennet as Netanyahu’s natural successor. He and his party are most likely to be in the government as
Netanyahu may need parties on left for his coalition Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — For days now, the twittersphere and even the mainstream media have been agog at the anti-Semitism spewing in a now-viral video by Mohammed Morsi in 2010 when he was head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He called President Obama a liar as well, but the administration is doing
Morsi an unrepentant Jew-hater Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday, Jan. 22, urged the United States Supreme Court to reject an Arizona law requiring would-be voters to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. ADL has filed a brief, together with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Leadership Conference on
ADL opposes ‘proof of citizenship’ for Arizona voters Read More »
USA(JNS.org) JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-Beytenu list won 31 Knesset mandates, followed by Yesh Atid at 19, exit polls broadcast by Israel’s three leading television stations showed on Tuesday night. Final results will be published by the Central Elections Commission Wednesday. At 22:17 Israeli time, Netanyahu declared victory with a message on his
Netanyahu triumphs in election Read More »
Middle EastBy Yaakov Lappin The past two months have seen a sharp rise in the number of violent disturbances in the West Bank. Flashpoints have included Hebron, and multiple locations in the northern West Bank. The upsurge has included fire-bomb attacks, rock throwing at Israeli vehicles and IDF positions, and sporadic shootings. The Shin Bet,
Is another intifada already in the works? Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — There are at least three ways of getting it wrong on Israel’s election day. One: Israel rightly prides itself on its democratic structure. As the country isn’t divided into ridings where the first past the post candidate is elected, in theory every vote counts. That’s why today, election day,
3 ways to get it wrong on election day Read More »
Middle EastEditor’s Note: Here is the text of President Barack Obama’s second inaugural address, as provided by the White House press office. THE PRESIDENT: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the
Obama, in second inaugural, calls for extending the dream Read More »
USANetanyahu will not uproot major Jewish communities in any peace deal (JNS.org) Despite losing some ground to the new HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home) party and a resurgent Labor Party, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s combined Likud-Yisrael Beitneu ticket is expected to win the election, and he will remain as prime minister. In an interview on
JNS news briefs: January 21, 2013 Read More »
International