By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Mark Twain once said, “It is curious—curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare.” To display moral courage in today’s world is, sadly, a rarity. Some have referred to the end of the twentieth century as the “Decade of […]
Teaching children moral courage Read More »
Michael Mantell, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Whether you call it intifada or something else, there’s unrest in Israel, not only in Jerusalem and the West Bank but also elsewhere in the country. Though there’s nothing new in this in the history of the state, it’s nevertheless a cause for deep concern, much speculation as to the reasons
Frustration, fanaticism elements of current unrest Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s not easy deciphering the actions of Israel and the Palestinian leadership with respect to the current wave of violence. With respect to the Israeli perspective, one can perceive a clash between two appropriate goals and the actions associated with them. One goal is to dampen this wave of violence
Israel, PA, more moderate in action than in speech Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The current wave of terrorist attacks on Israelis that continues and is now spreading to different parts of the country has put Prime Minister Netanyahu under siege. He’s fighting the ultra-right wingers in his own party as well as among his coalition partners who accuse him of not being tough enough
Palestinian violence puts Netanyahu under pressure Read More »
Middle EastPalestinian terror wave continues in Jerusalem, Kiryat Arba, Afula (JNS.org) A Palestinian terrorist stabbed a 16-year-old Israeli man in Jerusalem on Friday, and within less than an hour another Palestinian stabbed a policeman in Kiryat Arba as the wave of Palestinian terrorist attacks continued to spread throughout Israel. The 16-year-old Jewish victim in Jerusalem was
Middle East Roundup: October 9, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — “What’s happening?” “What should be done?” There are no sure answers to either of those questions. Both Israelis and Palestinians are arguing–with each other and among themselves–if the current uptick in violence signifies an intifada or something less. Politicians, activists, and security professionals are arguing among themselves and with each
Uptick of violence prompts diverse Israeli responses Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
STRASBOURG, France (JNS.org) In a victory for Jews observing the tradition of brit milah, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has overturned a 2013 resolution calling the ritual circumcision of men a “violation of the physical integrity of children according to human rights standards.” In the wake of significant lobbying on the
Council of Europe overturns brit milah ban Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionHamas and Islamic Jihad praise terror attacks, yeshiva student stabbed (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The Palestinian terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised Wednesday’s terrorist attacks that targeted Israeli Jews in Jerusalem, Kiryat Gat, and Petah Tikva, calling on Palestinians to commit more attacks. Indeed, after Wednesday’s three stabbing attacks, Thursday brought more of the
Middle East Roundup: October 8, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastParis Mayor Pledges Fight Against Anti-Semitism NEW YORK (Press Release)– Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has signed on to Mayors United Against Anti-Semitism, an AJC initiative calling on municipal leaders across Europe to publicly address and take concrete actions against rising anti-Semitism. “The City has a responsibility to fight anti-Semitism, otherwise it will develop in the
Never again: Holocaust news for October 7, 2015 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, USAMassive amount of oil discovered in Israel’s Golan Heights (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) While the fates of Israel’s Tamar, Leviathan, and Tanin offshore natural gas reserves have yet to be decided, oil has been discovered in the Jewish state’s Golan Heights region, Channel 2 reported Tuesday. According to the report, recent exploratory drilling on the
Middle East Roundup: Otober 7, 2015 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–This is not a time to express certainty, either about what is happening or what is likely to happen. A spate of Arabs throwing stones and homemade firebombs has escalated to two killings. One a shooting in the West Bank that killed a Rabbi and his wife. Another was a stabbing of
Violence increases in Jerusalem and West Bank Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–A third intifada is on its way; perhaps it’s already here. The death toll is growing and more is likely to come. Israelis and Palestinians blame each other but neither side is prepared to look at itself and take its share of the responsibility. As the one cannot change the other,
Another intifada? Neither side will change course Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s not easy trying to manage the world, or even a small part of it that is outside of one’s own country. Consider the US efforts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as older adventures in Latin America. Or the Russians’ war in Afghanistan, what my Russian-speaking friends admit
Is Russia biting more than it can chew? Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — The words used to describe Obama in countries in the Middle East plus Ukraine include “unreliable”, “skittish”, “weak in negotiations” and “feeble in foreign policy.” Best evidence that these words have real meaning can be seen in the “words not action” policy of the Obama Administration when it comes
U.S. should bring war crime charges against Assad Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle East, USA