By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Several of the items in today’s news are not of the world shaking variety that will provoke unrest in the Middle East, Washington, or even among the American Jewish community, but each contributes their increment to understanding this country. First is the proposal of the Prime Minister to move […]
Never a dull moment: Israel debates schools, courts and burials Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Just in case you thought the Cold War was over, please look at Syria. Please look at Syria anyhow and consider Libya. Prompted by the (credible) threat of massacres in Libya, the West jumped to oust Gaddafi – don’t let them tell you it was about doctors,
The Cold War isn’t over — especially not in Middle East Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israeli and Palestinian officials have met for the first time in months, exchanged documents, and plan to meet again. The meeting came after prolonged pressure from the “Quartet” of US, European Union, UN, and Russia. The location in Amman shows Jordanian interest. We have nothing more than unsubstantiated
Do insincere ‘peace talks’ do more harm than good? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Israel’s Minister of Justice Ya’akov Ne’eman (Yankele to Prime Minister Netanyahu, we’re told) is said to have described Israel’s quality newspaper Ha’aretz as Der Sturmer, the notorious anti-Jewish publication in Nazi Germany. (To call Jewish foes Nazis has become a despicable habit among Israelis, including public figures). Ha’aretz has
Israel in row over judicial selection process Read More »
Middle EastBy Evelyn Gordon WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ongoing chaos in both Egypt and Syria offers few certainties. But one fact is already clear: The military opportunities Israel wasted in recent years won’t come again, and those missed opportunities will likely cost it dearly. In December 2008, Israel went to war with Hamas in Gaza. But
The Cost of Missing a Military Opportunity Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — While former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was being carried on a stretcher into court in Cairo, King Abdullah of Jordan was hosting Israeli and Palestinian representatives in Amman about the possibility of resuming peace talks after more than a year’s break. Neither side is holding out any hope, but
Parties talking Middle East peace don’t really want it Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — Beyond Memphis, whence he was once driven away because he thought racism was immoral, most folks did not know John T. Fisher, a Christian who actually thought the Bible was telling him something more important than his less-enlightened white cronies and club buddies. “John T.” died on December
Eulogy for the man of Memphis who cared Read More »
USA
By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — I contacted a friend recently who at one time served on the staff of the Republican Jewish Coalition and is still very involved in the Republican Party to discuss the danger of Ron Paul. Actually, I asked if he would co-author with me articles on the threats
Ron Paul victory in Iowa could imperil aid to Israel Read More »
Middle East
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — People often talk about David Ben Gurion’s encouragement of Haredi Jews to settle in Israel as his “greatest blunder.” Yet, not even he could foresee the damage the Haredi would cause in the future. Ben Gurion acknowledged the terrible mistake he made in a letter he
A Polish homeland for Israel’s haredim? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — On the face of it, Israel is being turned into a ghetto. As soon as the wall on the Egyptian border will be completed, they’ll start building one on the Jordanian side. But whereas the traditional ghetto walls were to keep Jews out of the non-Jewish world, this time
Walls may surround it, but Israel is no ghetto Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — This past Shabbat, I spoke about the theme of risk as it pertained to Judah’s dilemma; it is only when he shows a willingness to risk his welfare for Benjamin, Judah suddenly displays the heroic trait that many of his descendants would later emulate. Heroes throughout
Beit Shemesh haredi man shows courage in open letter Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The current phase of Israel’s religious conflict is well along in its ritualized pattern. The details may differ each time the conflict heats up, but the basic story is similar. A specific incident excites the faithful and the not-so-faithful Events escalate from name calling, pushing, spitting, blocking traffic, the
Haredi-secular conflict follows familiar patterns Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO –– Everyone dreams of having a grand adventure in life. However, Robert [Bob] Gannon has had many adventures since he learned how to fly in 1992. That same year, he bought a Cherokee 6 airplane [Lucky Lady] after getting a pilot’s instrument license, and flew to Paris, France,
Solo around-the-world flyer found Israel most challenging Read More »
Middle East, Mimi PollackBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM– As Israelis begin to talk about elections, two players – one new, the other recycled – are said to be about to form centrist-right parties. The new player is Yair Lapid, a TV personality and the son of the late Tommy Lapid who once had formed a party that had more
Israeli party alignment likely to change; policies to stay stagnant Read More »
Middle East