By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I had the opportunity today to hang up on both Prime Minister Netanyahu and the likely leader of the Opposition in the next Knesset, Shelly Yachimovitch. No, I wasn’t rude: the calls were pre-recorded. Today, exactly two weeks before the elections, is the official launch of the campaign that […]
Commercials give flavor of Israeli election Read More »
Middle EastKnesset speaker says Israel ‘worried’ about Hagel nomination (JNS.org) Following the swift reaction of U.S.-based Jewish groups to President Barack Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense, Israel began to weigh in on the move Tuesday—and the general sentiment was concern. “Because of his statements in the past, and his stance toward Israel,
JNS news briefs: January 8, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy JNS.org On the day when President Barack Obama nominated former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel for defense secretary, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) said that despite expressing concerns about Hagel in the past, it believes Hagel will “follow the President’s lead of providing unrivaled support for Israel—on strategic cooperation, missile defense programs, and leading
Hagel on Israel—in letters Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– We’re hearing different things about Chuck Hagel, and the reasons for his appointment as Obama’s Secretary of Defense.. Clips of his comments about the power of the Jewish lobby, the Palestinians being chained down, and the damage to the standing of the US due to excessive support of Israel Comments expressing
Hagel’s apparent Israel animus only one reason for opposition Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy James Colbert WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Syrian civil war has passed an inflection point and Washington is running to catch up. While it may be too late for the United States to have a decisive impact on the ground, there is still time to salvage an American role in the end game and, hence, an
U.S. has dwindling options in Syria Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Scandals are prominent in Israeli media only two weeks before the national election. Neither is new, and both are being fanned by political activists concerned to use what they can to garner votes for themselves or the party they are supporting, as well by media personalities who know how to recognize
Barak-Ashkenazi feud now figure in election politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –What seemed absolutely certain two weeks ago is much less so today: though it’s still likely that Binyamin Netanyahu will head a coalition after the elections on January 22 and thus continue as Prime Minister, other possibilities have now emerged. The leaders of three centrist parties – Sheli Yachimovitch of
Some electoral reverses for Netanyahu Read More »
Middle EastHagel, amid controversial record on Israel, to be nominated for defense secretary (JNS.org) President Barack Obama’s defense secretary nominee will be former Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel, who has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for his record on Israel, according to media reports that surfaced Sunday. Hagel chairs the Atlantic Council think tank, which
JNS news briefs: January 7, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — It’s easier to talk about politics, even to teach it, than to practice it. This was amply demonstrated by Michael Ignatieff, academic and TV personality, who had a less than successful spell as the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party. He spoke about it at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem
Israel democracy needs face-to-face voter contact Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Several of my columns commenting about the United States have produced angry responses, claiming that I do not understand, that my “opinions” are tainted, and that if I do not value the United States I should give up my citizenship. What I think these responses reveal is yet another side of the United
The intellectual right, yea obligation, of independent thought Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Peter Huessy In the decade since the attacks of 9/11, the United States and its allies have portrayed terrorism as primarily al Qaeda-centric. This, in turn, has led, logically, to a search for the origin of the terrorism aimed at us. Thus, after 9/11, many American analysts wondered, “Why do they hate
Al Qaeda only one element of worldwide terrorism Read More »
Middle EastNetanyahu to ambassadors: Palestinians must declare conflict over for peace accord (JNS.org) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lecturing to Israeli ambassadors about regional concerns at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, said Palestinian claims of a “right of return” spell the end of Israel and prevent a peace agreement from being reached. “Hamas could take over the
JNS news briefs: January 4, 2013 Read More »
InternationalWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) on Thursday, Jan. 3, noted a recent poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press that shows the continuing large gap in support for Israel between Republicans and Democrats. The poll, taken in mid-December, asked, “In the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians,
Poll finds conservatives favor Israel, liberals less so Read More »
USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin NEW YORK –My eyes watered and my throat tightened as I disembarked at Newark Liberty Airport and gazed upon the renewed New York skyline and the curative, colossal sight of the One World Trade Center tower. It was certainly a joyous journey: a daughter marrying in my native Israel, a connection
Gratitude on returning to the Land of the Free Read More »
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