International

Decision- making chaotic in U.S., calculated in Israel

By Ira Shakansky JERUSALEM — Even before the book was published, excerpts were spreading across the media. It’s Bob Woodward’s Fear, reflecting numerous conversations with insiders about the reality of the Trump White House. It fits what’s been apparent from presidential tweets, and extemporaneous comments later modified by aides. And it’s reinforced by an anonymous […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Home again in Israel

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As ever, returning to Israel after two months of absence is something of a culture shock, particularly when it comes to driving a car. One is reminded with alarm that rules are no longer rules, the word ‘courtesy’ does not exist in the Hebrew language, and the overall feeling

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 6, 2018

German court in Hesse hears case alleging discrimination against Israelis by Kuwait Airways The High Court of Hesse on Thursday heard an appeal against a previous Frankfurt court ruling regarding Kuwait Airways’ discriminatory policy of banning Israeli passengers from flying on the airline. The case was brought by an Israeli student, represented by The Lawfare

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International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Recalling the WWII Seabees on Bora Bora

Editor’s Note: This is the 27th in a series of stories researched during Don and Nancy Harrison’s 50th Wedding Anniversary cruise from Sydney, Australia, to San Diego.  Previous installments of the series, which runs every Thursday, may be found by tapping the number of the installment:   1, 2,3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Travel and Food

Palestine: a house divided against itself

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — BDS and other anti-Israel movements on western campuses and elsewhere are clearly at odds with what is happening here. We shouldn’t be surprised. Americans and others operate by their own norms, with limited—if any—connection with the realities of Palestinian politics. Those enamored of a Palestinian state might consider the condition of

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 5, 2018 (9 items)

Paraguay reverses self; moves Embassy from Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv   The American Jewish Committee expressed deep disappointment over Paraguay’s decision to close its recently opened embassy in Jerusalem and return it to Tel Aviv. “This diplomatic reversal is shocking,” said Dina Siegel Vann, AJC Director of Latino and Latin American Affairs. “Paraguay has

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 4, 2018 (6 items)

Magen David Adom, Israel Railways and police conduct emergency drill on new high speed train lane After the holidays, the new high speed train lane leading to Jerusalem is expected to open. Awaiting the opening of the new lane and as part of the preparations, Israel Railways, Israel’s police, MDA and firefighting services conducted a

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International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 3, 2018 (2 items)

Debating the boycott call for scientific conference at Ariel University An Israeli professor from the Weizmann Institute is leading the efforts to boycott an academic conference held in Ariel University, located in Israel’s Samaria region beyond the Green Line. In an open letter published last week in The Guardian, Professor Ofer Aharony of the Weizmann

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International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Marker placed in Kansas for August Bondi

By Jerry Klinger SALINA, KANSAS — The ity of Salina, (Kansas) Historic Commission, the Smoky Hill Museum and the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation dedicated a new historic marker on August 30, 2018 dedicated to abolitionist August Bondi, a proud Jew. The citation on the marker read: AUGUST BONDI 1833-1907 Jewish-American Abolitionist, Salina Resident August

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USA

Novel shines a light on Soviet WWII decison- making

Red Sky at Noon by Simon Sebag-Montefiore; Penguin, Random House, UK, 2017 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel —  This novel gives a detailed account of the days leading up to the German attempt to take Stalingrad in the summer of 1942, doing so by tracing the exploits of a group of former prisoners, taken

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International