USA

Neither side seems ready for real compromise in proximity talks

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–We all know that the devil is in the details, and that the language of politics is hyperbole. Those two platitudes will come together in the “proximity talks” between Israel and Palestine that the Americans are reminding us that they worked so hard to create. They may well doom the talks, assuming […]

Neither side seems ready for real compromise in proximity talks Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Retired U.S. admirals and generals get upclose look at Israel's defense situation

 By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–The 2010 JINSA Flag & General Officers Trip to Israel took place during a period of political frustration between the United States and Israel on several fronts. The JINSA group, comprised of six recently retired American Admirals and Generals plus two JINSA officers and a staff professional, spent 10 days traveling

Retired U.S. admirals and generals get upclose look at Israel's defense situation Read More »

Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

University of Haifa to award honorary doctorate to Baha'i leader

HAIFA (Press Release)–The University of Haifa will award the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa, to Dr. Albert Lincoln, Secretary-General of the Bahá’í International Community, during the University’s 38th Meeting of the Board of Governors, which will take place on June 1-3. The honorary doctorate will be conferred upon Dr. Lincoln in recognition of

University of Haifa to award honorary doctorate to Baha'i leader Read More »

Middle East, USA

Jerusalem is a city of contrasts–especially in opinions

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– This is a wonderful city for those who admire the past and live to celebrate it. Three thousand years supplies more than enough heroes to fill every square and street corner with memorial sites. Insofar as both Jewish and Muslim traditions condemn graven images, we are saved the grandiose statuary that marks

Jerusalem is a city of contrasts–especially in opinions Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Proximity talks and Rafi's new party are sources of intrigue in Israel

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The morning after the beginning of Israeli-Palestinian “proximity talks” found Israel’s media reporting accusations of deception, and denials, coming from important players in Israel, Palestine, and the United States. Did Prime Minister Netanyahu promise not to build in Ramat Shlomo for two years, as indicated by American and Palestinian sources, or did

Proximity talks and Rafi's new party are sources of intrigue in Israel Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Like Iran, U.S. is arming Lebanon for war against Israel

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The UNIFIL political officer, meeting with the JINSA Flag & General Officer delegation on the Israel-Lebanese border, mentioned a “donors’ conference” in Beirut dealing with the issue of providing arms, funding and training to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).  She mentioned anti-tank missiles.  When asked against whose tanks the

Like Iran, U.S. is arming Lebanon for war against Israel Read More »

Shoshana Bryen, USA

Lebanese government conspiring with Hezbollah to arm against Israel

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It could not have been more explicit.    Standing next to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak said if the situation in Lebanon flares into warfare as it did in 2006, Israel would not just blame Hezbollah. “The main responsibility lies with the

Lebanese government conspiring with Hezbollah to arm against Israel Read More »

Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Little optimism as Mideast 'peace talks' start anew

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It is not starting well. One commentator described the talks between Israel and the Palestinians as “beginning on the left foot.” Another called them a “farce.” Several estimated their chances of success as “close to zero,” and attributed their plight to American bumbling. Neither the Israeli Prime Minister nor the Palestinian President

Little optimism as Mideast 'peace talks' start anew Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Tovah Feldshuh, a must see in ‘Golda’s Balcony’

By Carol Davis SAN DIEGO—There is something magical about seeing Tovah Feldshuh playing Golda Meir in her one-woman show, Golda’s Balcony by William Gibson now playing at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park through May 30th. From the moment she walks on to the stage, to the time she takes her last of many

Tovah Feldshuh, a must see in ‘Golda’s Balcony’ Read More »

Carol Davis, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA