By Steven L. Pomerantz WASHINGTON, D.C. — Within a few weeks of becoming Chief of Counter Terrorism at the FBI, I was presented with the draft of a speech I was to deliver before a national meeting of a major Jewish Organization in Florida. My attention was drawn to a sentence that asserted, in essence, […]
Iran may have terror cells in the U.S. Read More »
USABy Matthew RJ Brodsky WASHINGTON–Asma Assad was heralded as the great white hope for reform in Syria. But that narrative was always false, and a lot of starry-eyed politicians, experts and reporters should have known better. From “A Rose in the Desert” to the target of European Union sanctions, what a difference a year has
Asma Assad: no desert rose Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Among the knottiest of problems Israelis have to deal with are the aspirations of Jews to move into areas thickly settled by hostile Arabs. The issue is not the simple one of most settlements in the West Bank or the established post-1967 neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Think what you will about
The fight over Machpelah and others to come Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has called upon the U.S. State Department to clarify that it recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in accordance with U.S. law, following a press briefing by departmental spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, who refused to confirm the fact. In her March 28 press briefing, Nuland, when
ZOA calls for U.S. acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Among the things I remember from my history lessons in Fall River is that the British forces employed Hessian mercenaries against the American patriots. Both “mercenary” and “Hessian” had a nasty tone in the textbooks and class discussions. I wonder if those lessons remain in place, and if they are coupled
A cautionary note about government subcontractors Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Rep. Michele Bachmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — As millions around the world begin to celebrate the feast of Passover at sundown on Friday, April 6, it is important to remember why this celebration exemplifies God’s mercy on His people. When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of their great suffering at
Former presidential candidate tells of concern for Israel Read More »
Middle East
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–Surprised? Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals in their latest data that 88 percent of Israelis will take part in a Seder and 47 percent eat only kosher for Passover items during the holiday. Meantime, as Pesach approaches, latest figures from the National Insurance Institute’s 2011 poverty report indicate there are
20 ways to know Pesach is arriving in Jerusalem Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — When President Obama wants to impress Jewish audiences, such as AIPAC, he frequently casts U.S.-Israel relations in a military context. How much military aid Israel receives (although he had nothing to do with the level; President Bush set the level in a 10-year deal), how many exercises the two
Obama administration undermines Israel-Azerbaijan relationship Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Gabriel Max Scheinmann WASHINGTON, D.C. — Why is the Obama administration cutting funding to Israeli missile defense just as talk of an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities is reaching a crescendo? As it did last year, Congress, frustrated with the administration’s reduced request, has already moved to supplement the funding. Reps. Howard Berman,D-Calif., and
As Obama cuts back on missile programs, Israel’s suffers Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin MEMPHIS—He discovered something within himself to elevate his hard, quick journey (some say it was his deep love of the Gospel) and his uncommon vision. In truth, Martin Luther King, Jr. (born Mike King) lived a short, brutal life, filled with prison stays, bouts of depression, fear, and threats. Yet he
In praise of Martin Luther King Jr. Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Time to think again for those who kvelled when it appeared that Bibi had the US Congress eating out of his hand, standing and applauding at least as often as for a Presidential State of the Union. And again when he began that speech at AIPAC with the Holocaust and ended
Netanyahu plays to crowd with half-measures Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Years ago, one could hear Israelis say that they lived in a poor country but the citizens were doing well. They were referring to the dependence on German reparations, foreign aid and, not least, the support of Jewish communities from around the world. Nowadays, it seems to be the other way
As wealth gap increases, Orthodox Jews protest economy Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The sound bite went viral — the president of the United States asking the Russian president to carry a message to Putin for “space” in dealing with contentious missile defense issues until after the election so the American president would have “more flexibility.” The photos went viral as well:
President should trust Russia less and American friends more Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Haredim are putting my liberalism to the test – and I’m not doing well. Of late I’ve been watching a young ultra-Orthodox man coming out of one of the wings of our building; he seems to live there. I’m getting into a panic: if he brings his friends and relatives to
How Haredi theology inconveniences the majority Read More »
Middle East