By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of my lifetime, along with computers and the advances in medicine that have kept me able to benefit from them. Computers have freed me from having to type, correct by pencil, and then typing again or–later in my career–having someone type and repeating […]
The perils of relying on memory, internet, or TV clips Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM –Last week it was Natan Eshel, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s former chief of staff. This week it’s Uzi Arad, his former security adviser. Next week it’s likely to be a further probe into his financial dealings. Though it sounds like gossip, it may turn out to be of national significance and
Netanyahu distracted by disarray in the prime minister’s office Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Following is the text of the speech delivered by President Shimon Peres of Israel at the America Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual meeting: As The President of the State of Israel I came here first and foremost to say on behalf of my people: “Toda” “Thank You”. Thank
Shimon Peres: Peace is the first option, but if war comes Israel will prevail Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Following are the remarks delivered by President Barack Obama to the America Israel Public Affairs Committtee’s annual meeting. The transcript was provided by the White House. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, good morning, everyone. Rosy, thank you for your kind words. I have never seen Rosy on the basketball court. I’ll
While all options on the table, Obama decries ‘loose talk’ of war against Iran Read More »
USA
By Lloyd Levy EILAT, Israel — There is a serious mismatch between the enormous strength of Israel, and the situation painted by the Israeli establishment and the media. The establishment and media are always fretting and anxious about real or imagined threats to the people of Israel. For many years it has been the threat
Does the Israeli establishment cry ‘Wolf!’ too often? Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM -Two items in recent days have put the issue of Israel, Iran, and the United States in clearer perspective.One comes from a former head of Israeli military intelligence, a man widely respected for his judgment, and not regarded as a hawk. The other comes from the New York Times journalist who
U.S. temporizing may prompt Israel to go it alone against Iran Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON D.C. — The aftermath of the American disposal of Korans mutilated by Afghan Muslims requires revisiting our position in Afghanistan. Not because Americans were killed by their Afghan “partners.” Not because dozens of Afghans have died in rioting as well, or because the UN evacuated its northern offices. Not even because
U.S. squanders military aid on non-Allies Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Daniel Halper WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Saturday, a front-page story in America’s newspaper of record, the New York Times, reported that “American intelligence analysts continue to believe that there is no hard evidence that Iran has decided to build a nuclear bomb.” Apparently, the Times’s reporters-as it would otherwise be a betrayal of their
Debating Iran’s intentions vs. its capabilities Read More »
USAJERUSALEM (Press Release) — Israelis recall the Second Intifada, which began in September 2000 and lasted half a decade, as a bleak period of terrorism and suicide bombings. Yet new research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem finds that surprisingly, the terrorism had almost no impact on Israelis’ self-reported life satisfaction levels in surveys conducted at
Study finds terrorism does not demoralize the victim society Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —A congregant shared with me a wonderful story about his little nephew who lived in the State of Illinois. One day, his uncle was trying to teach him some Hebrew blessings. After he taught him the blessings, he went home. A week later, he asked his nephew,
Words must be chosen carefully in international affairs Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Despite attempts by some politicians to compromise Israeli democracy, the Supreme Court, with its commitment to the rule of law and the rights of individuals and minorities, always made sure that they wouldn’t succeed. Those on the reactionary far Right have, therefore, often regarded the judges as thorns in
Criticism of Arab Justice for not singing Hatikvah an excuse for bigotry Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — National Public Radio commentators recently discussed a very interesting question: Should President Obama have “apologized” for the accidental burning of the Qur’an? Some argue that the President should have expressed “regret” over the incident, which acknowledges some degree of culpability. Regret does not contain any element
Who’s right in debate over President Obama’s apology? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
By David Brin ENCINITAS, California — My own fascination with Rick Santorum is partly rooted in the fell prediction that Papa Robert Heinlein made, in his future history, way back in the 1950s… that a fundamentalist preacher would win the presidency on a court decision, without a plurality (sound like 2000?) and thereupon clamp down
Santorum, a futurist’s nightmare come true? Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–This week the leaders of Israel gathered to honor the retirement of Chief Justice Dorit Beinisch, and the installation of her replacement, Justice Asher Grunis. The ceremony provided several insights into the nature of Israeli government and society. It touched the Holocaust as well as the rights of Israeli Arabs.
Changing of chief justice ceremony laden with symbolism Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East