By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — I suspect Vladimir Putin of planning the mass shooting in Uvalde to overshadow news coverage of the war in Ukraine. The Texas legislature is considering a bill to arm fetuses with tiny Derringers. It plans to drum up popular support for the measure with the slogan, “The only thing […]
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The German historian and political scientist Otto-Ernst Schüddekopf wrote, “Walter Rathenau (the future German Foreign Minister, assassinated by the Nationalists in 1922 as one of the ‘ Elders of Zion’ – A.G.), who visited Radek in a Berlin prison in 1919 as an authority and read him his elegant
The Bitter Laughter and Tragic Fate of the First Writer of Anti-Soviet Jokes Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Opinion
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Americans are not quiet about Israel and the disputed territories. Neither are they quiet about gun deaths in their own country. Are the cases similar? No. Details, history, and explanations vary. But they are similar in reflecting serious problems. Neither country is perfect. Both have their defenders who
The Landscape Surrounding Guns in the US, Israel, and the Disputed Territories Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Jerry Klinger “The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as
On Memorial Day, Remember Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion
By Jacob Kamaras (JNS) With the latest wave of Palestinian terrorism, the tensions that surround the Temple Mount and the firestorm of unverified allegations against Israel that followed the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the leadup to this year’s observance of Jerusalem Day on May 28-29 has been tumultuous. Yet as they
From Jerusalem to Shusha: Jewish and Muslim Allies Can Stand Together Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, Opinion, USABy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — There’s a national gun crisis when: The NRA has more influence than the PTA. Russia’s bombing of markets and schools generates bipartisan cooperation on aiding Ukraine, whereas domestic massacres result in partisan polarization over common sense gun regulation. You can purchase a rifle privately without a background check when
Guns and Poses: Reflections on the Uvalde Shooting Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Opinion, USA
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — A new play to top the absurdity of “Springtime for Hitler:” “Rashida Resurrects the Nakba Legacy.” Or, “A Night at the Nakba.” Leave it to Rep. Rashida Tlaib to inspire a play that ennobles and validates the Arab failure to massacre Israel’s Jews 74 years ago — through America’s
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — An Arab woman, a member of Meretz, announced her resignation from the government. Her situation is complex. She’s not likely to be attracted to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and she’s not committing herself to vote to disband the government. She indicates that the government hasn’t done enough
Can the Current Israeli Government Survive? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — On May 18, The Jerusalem Post published an editorial entitled “Israel cannot abandon the two state solution.” The subtitle of the editorial is: It is time for Israel to strengthen its ties with moderate Palestinians [actually, Palestinian Arabs] and keep cooperating with pragmatic Israeli-Arabs. Unfortunately there are few
Forget the Two State Solution Already! Read More »
Middle East, Opinion, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Shireen Abu Akleh was a journalist associated with Al Jazeera, who was shot to death during a confrontation between Palestinian and Israeli forces near Jenin last week. She then became the centerpiece of a media and political obsession involving both communities. Who shot her? And was her death
Shireen Abu Akleh Death Shows Israel’s Marginal Place Amidst Animosity Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Amid the varied dissections of Shireen Abu Akleh’s death, the Palestinian Authority was consistent. To paraphrase Israeli diplomat Abba Eban, they did not miss an opportunity to miss the opportunity to sound credible. The authority’s opportunity was to allow Israeli officials to inspect the bullet that killed the veteran
Arab Leaders So Sure — Yet So Secretive – About Cause of Al Jazeera Reporter’s Death Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, Opinion
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — There is so much acrimony and animosity in the world today. We are living under circumstances in which even typically rational people are pushed over the edge and act out. While it’s easy to see the cultural forces that are eroding civility, this generation is facing
Civility and Respect — Two Words That are No Longer in Use Today Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion
By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Sir Winston Churchill said, “A nation that forgets its past has no future.” A remarkable story from the Talmud has profound implications for today’s times. It reads: Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated with wine on Purim until one does not know
Talmudic Wisdom for a Troubled Middle East Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Linda Bennett SAN DIEGO — On July 31, 2002, when my daughter Marla was 24, she stood on the precipice of her adult life and looked forward to an exciting future. A young American living in Israel, she had recently returned to the homeland of our people, a journey she had dreamed of making
Marla Bennett: The Light That Cannot Be Dimmed Read More »
California, Middle East, Opinion, San Diego County