New research released Wednesday, Jan. 8, by AMCHA Initiative provides the first empirical evidence suggesting that faculty who support academic BDS are actively promoting that political agenda directly to students in their classrooms. {Press release from AMCHA Initiative]
Pro-BDS profs force propaganda on students Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Prior to Iran’s retaliation on two Iraqi bases where American troops are stationed, congressional candidate Sara Jacobs denounced the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani by American forces. She wrote: “This ill-conceived operation was the culmination of a reckless strategy toward Iran that started with the Trump Administration pulling out of the Iran deal. Of all the hyperbole and questions being thrown around, the only one that needs to be asked is this: is the United States safer for having done this? The answer is clearly no.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Strong opinions surface over Soleimani assassination Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Bibi waited until the last prime time television spot before the deadline, to announce that he was applying for immunity. The day earlier, one of the news shows replayed an earlier statement that he had no intention of applying for immunity. Immediately after Bibi announced, Benny Gantz began his election campaign, indicating that it would focus on an alleged criminal, running for yet more time at the top of the government.[Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
New political scramble as Bibi seeks immunity Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAIt wasn’t Israel that accomplished the eradication of the world’s most dangerous terrorist, far more dangerous than an Osama Bin Laden (Al Qaida) or Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (ISIS). It was the US government. Surprisingly for Israelis, the news wasn’t universally celebrated in the US. Not only were the President’s motives and the legality of his order immediately questioned, but the whole idea of violent elimination of a politically active global terrorist was raised by his political opponents. [Steve Kramer]
Israelis celebrate Soleimani’s death Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USAAlong with my wife and co-publisher Nancy E. Harrison, I wanted to re-notify our readers that our editor and staff of San Diego Jewish World will be on hiatus until January 8, 2020. At that point, refreshed from vacations and stay-cations, we’ll resume publishing our daily online news and feature website. [Donald H. Harrison]
SD Jewish World on vacation Dec. 19 – Jan. 8 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USATitle VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects people from discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance – but it left a loophole by not mentioning religion. As such, Jews and supporters of Israel were not protected. On December 11, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order which includes Jews under existing Title VI protections against increasingly rampant campus aggression. [Steve Kramer]
On those reactions critical of Trump’s Executive Order Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Steve Kramer, USA
The Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, on Monday welcomed an agreement by Congressional leaders to increase to $90 million the funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) that will help keep America’s synagogues, other houses of worship, parochial day schools, and nonprofits such as hospitals, libraries and museums safe against terror attacks. The new funding level, which comes as part of Congress’s Appropriations package, represents a 50 percent increase compared to last year’s $60 million funding. [Orthodox Union news release]
On Sunday, Hillcrest Indivisible hosted an “Impeach Trump” rally at Waterfront Park on Harbor Drive. Honestly, the turnout was less than huge. Jodie, one of the organizers from Hillcrest Indivisible, said that more than two thousand people had responded, but it looked like only a few hundred showed up. But a Trump-Baby Blimp –one of eight in the world- was there and quite a hit. [Eric George Tauber]
Getting politically active on a Sunday afternoon Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, USATom and Debbie Farley have behind their home in neighboring Poway a 78-foot high pole that during the Christmas season becomes the trunk of a Christmas display of lights. This year, the lights are blue, teal, and white – the colors of Chanukah in tribute to Poway of Chabad, which last Passover suffered a gunman’s murderous attack that took the life of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and wounded Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz. [Donald H. Harrison]
Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USAOur area may wish to consider an idea raised by Oakland Mayor Rebecca Kaplan that cruise ships may provide appropriate lodging for our homeless population. Older cruise ships are being sold all the time, and with some ingenuity, they can be outfitted to serve not only as dormitories and mess halls but also as places where necessary social services and medical treatment can be easily provided. [Donald H. Harrison]
On homelessness, impeachment, immigration Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
I was given the high honor of being invited to this year’s Chanukah party at the White House. When a dear friend asked if I wanted to go I jumped at the chance. Why? It was not to see the holiday decorations (which made me feel as though I was in a winter wonderland), sample the lavish strictly kosher buffet (all I had was a couple of glasses of water), hear the Marine Corps band play Klezmer music (now THAT was otherworldly), see the historic displays of chinaware, meet the members of various branches of the armed services in their full dress regalia, or even to get the chance to meet the President, First Lady, Vice President, or other elected officials or dignitaries. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A ‘Chanukah’ Party at the White House Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-RabbiAn officer of Mazon, the Jewish Response to Hunger, says while a House-Senate conference committee-approved 3.1 percent raise for military personnel is welcome, “it doesn’t make up for nearly 10 years that pay raises for military personnel did not keep up with inflation and cost of living increases. [Donald H. Harrison]
Davis, Mazon, seek food for military dependents Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
There are, roughly speaking, two ways to use a large, modern military force. The first is to enforce international “rules of the road,” guaranteeing freedom of the seas or punishing gross violations of international law and treaties, or keeping the peace by backing up treaties with capabilities. This includes rescuing Kuwait from invasion and occupation by Saddam’s Iraq. It includes retaliating for Syria’s use of chemical weapons. The second way a large and capable country can use its forces is to try to settle other people’s problems. This could include the Vietnam War, 18 years of war in Afghanistan, or centuries-long animosities engendered by 400 years of Turkish anti-Arab colonialism called the Ottoman Empire. [Shoshana Bryen]
Defining U.S. defense policies in the Middle East Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
There is no doubt that ending the impasse between the US and Iran would markedly reduce tension and mitigate some other conflicts in the region, as the discussion between the two sides, according to US sources, will not be limited to Iran’s nuclear program. The US will insist on discussing some of Iran’s nefarious activities, such as its support of jihadist groups and missile development, albeit on a separate track, with linkages to ensure that the benefits Iran acquires from a new nuclear deal are compensated by Tehran’s demonstrable actions as a constructive regional player. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
The case for direct U.S.-Iran negotiations Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA