Middle East

L’Etat C’est Moi

The tendency to equate the state with one’s person — expressed in the phrase “L’etat c’est moi” (I am the state) — was a feature of the monarchies of Europe in the period during and after the Middle Ages. With the passage of time, as the introduction of republics, democracies, and various forms of constitutional monarchy became a thing of the past, the phrase is now identified largely with the 17th century French king, Louis XIV (and to a limited extent France’s post-WWII president Charles de Gaulle). The phrase epitomizes the arrogance and self-importance of the person uttering it. I have not heard those words spoken by Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, but his behavior in the latter part of his 12-year “reign” as Israel’s prime minister, as well as in the manner of his leaving that position, indicates that he may well think and believe it. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

L’Etat C’est Moi Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

Israel medical experts in Philippines to observe vaccine rollout

Published by Philippine Star MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is hoping to learn from Israel medical experts who recently arrived to observe the country’s vaccine rollout, Malacañang said yesterday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the team of three Israeli doctors Avraham Ben Zaken, Adam Nicholas Segal and Dafna Segol that arrived last Sunday

Israel medical experts in Philippines to observe vaccine rollout Read More »

International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

Anti-Israel Forces Block Ship in Oakland, Food Festival in Philadelphia

Advocates for the Palestinians exerted their terrorism talents in or near two prominent American cities 3,000 miles apart in recent weeks. First they prevented a privately-owned Israeli ship from unloading its cargo in Oakland, California, across the bay from San Francisco. On Sunday, they succeeded in canceling a food festival in the Kensington section of Philadelphia because the organizers dared to allow an Israeli food truck to participate. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Anti-Israel Forces Block Ship in Oakland, Food Festival in Philadelphia Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Business & Finance, Middle East, Travel and Food, USA

Short Story: Gershon’s Bus Ride

Gershon is sitting on the bus with two baskets brim full of purchases from the open- air market at his feet, one basket crowding his legs, the other half in the aisle, a traditional arrangement on Jerusalem’s buses as they aren’t designed for ample purchases. Jerusalemites like to purchase in bulk. They have large families. Besides, at any time someone or many someones may “drop in.” Gershon’s wife, Rachelah, who was not blessed with children, likes people to drop in. She is fond of quoting Gershon who quotes from the Mishna: ‘Let your house be open wide.’ [Larry Lefkowitz]

Short Story: Gershon’s Bus Ride Read More »

Jewish Fiction, Middle East

Former Druze MK New Shlicha from Israel

The Jewish Agency for Israel and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington on Tuesday announced their collaboration to bring former Member of Knesset Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh (Yesh Atid/Blue and White), the first female Druze member of Israel’s Parliament, to Washington, DC as a senior shlicha (Israeli emissary). She will also support Israel engagement efforts on North American college campuses working closely with Hillel International. [Jewish Agency for Israel news release]

Former Druze MK New Shlicha from Israel Read More »

Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israel allows some Gaza exports, Hamas demands more amid fragile truce

Published by Reuters By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Rami Ayyub GAZA/TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Israel allowed a limited resumption of commercial exports from the Gaza Strip on Monday in what it called a “conditional” measure, one month after a truce halted 11 days of fighting with the Palestinian enclave’s Hamas rulers. But following a meeting with

Israel allows some Gaza exports, Hamas demands more amid fragile truce Read More »

Middle East

Political Biography Includes Anecdotes About Biden and Jews

While this book was published prior to the election by which Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, there is much in it that remains of interest — particularly for people like myself who are interested in the relationships between American presidents and the Jewish community. [Donald H. Harrison]

Political Biography Includes Anecdotes About Biden and Jews Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Naftali Bennett

Throughout his personal and political life, Bennett has faced many challenges, and has spoken of one particular problem that he solved creatively, noting that “I had to improvise. So we MacGyvered it.” The term “MacGyvered” refers to the MacGyver television show whose eponymous lead character routinely jerry-rigged solutions to problems he was confronted with. What was Bennett referring to when he said “we MacGyvered it”? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Naftali Bennett Read More »

Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Israel criticizes hardliner’s victory in Iranian presidential vote

Published by DPA Israel’s prime minister on Sunday criticized Iran’s election of hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi as the country’s next president. “Raisi’s election is, I would say, the last chance for the world powers to wake up before returning to the nuclear agreement, and to understand who they are doing business with. These guys

Israel criticizes hardliner’s victory in Iranian presidential vote Read More »

Middle East

Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021)

In the June 20, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Winner of Iran presidency is hardline judge who is under U.S. sanctions

Published by Reuters By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) -Ebrahim Raisi’s record of fierce loyalty to Iran’s ruling clerics helped explain why the senior judge had been expected to win Friday’s presidential election, a contest the authorities limited almost exclusively to hardline candidates like him. The win for Raisi, 60, an implacable critic of the West

Winner of Iran presidency is hardline judge who is under U.S. sanctions Read More »

Middle East, USA

N.Z. Jewish Leader’s Speech Interrupted by Walk-Out

More than a dozen Muslim attendees at an anti-terrorism conference in New Zealand shouted “Free Palestine” and staged a walkout during a speech by a leader of the country’s Jewish community. It happened while Juliet Moses, spokesperson for the New Zealand Jewish Council, told the crowd that the country’s leaders should be consistent when condemning terrorism. [JNS]

N.Z. Jewish Leader’s Speech Interrupted by Walk-Out Read More »

International, Middle East