Steve Kramer grew up in Atlantic City, graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1967, adopted the hippie lifestyle until 1973, then joined the family business for 15 years. Steve moved to Israel from Margate, NJ in 1991 with his family. He has written more than 1100 articles about Israel and Jews since making Aliyah. Steve and his wife Michal live in Kfar Saba.
By Steve Kramer ALFEI MENASHE, Israel — Israelis had been waiting with bated breath for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s initial meeting with President Donald Trump on February 15. All sorts of fantasies were dreamed up by “Land of Israel” (right wing) advocates, as if the new president were an ultra-Zionist. Left wing “peace” advocates, on the other […]
By Steve Kramer ALFEI MENASHE, Israel — With everyone in the US and Israel either apprehensive, worried, or elated with the change of American administrations, the world turns. This week I was irritated enough by an article in the Boston Globe (which I read courtesy of the watchdog (HonestReporting.com) to write a letter to the
Thoughts on ancient and modern Israeli conflicts Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — The “Palestinians” are an “invented people,” in the opinion of Newt Gingrich, former US Speaker of the House, presidential candidate, best selling author, and bona fide historian (Ph.D. in European history – Tulane University). It’s a fact: the Palestinian Arabs simply have no history as a distinct people
‘Palestine’ has a very short history Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Of course Palestinian Arabs deserve a state. It’s obvious, isn’t it? No, it isn’t. There are many stateless groups that are far more deserving of statehood, having proven their provenance, responsibility, and mettle. Nevertheless, it’s taken for granted by many that there must be a Palestinian state, based on
Do Palestinian Arabs Deserve a State? Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — In the waning days of December, in its “great wisdom,” the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2334. Yes, the US abstained, but that is the equivalent of “yes,” because the US Ambassador declined to veto what may be President Obama’s final assault on Prime Minister Netanyahu and
At the United Nations, it’s all against one Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Wake up! President Obama showed his true colors last week when he instructed US Ambassador Samantha Power to abstain on a Security Council resolution indicting Israel for building houses for Jews in the Jewish homeland, including in Jerusalem, the Jewish capital for 3,000 years. (Even the Western Wall
UN’s Israel vote may lead to a reduction in its revenues Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Question from a reader: “I have been reading quite a bit about the Amona situation and have to admit at being somewhat confused. Is the ‘outpost’ proven to be illegal? Doesn’t most of the international community consider Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria to be illegal, regardless of
Evaluating the legal status of Judea and Samaria Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — There is a place for power in politics. It should be obvious, but the use of power has often been absent in the policy of nation states. The world is currently suffering from the lack of American power projection. This diffident strategy has not been beneficial to America
U.S. gets results when it projects its power Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer NEW YORK — When Michal and I noticed that our arrival in the US would be on the morning after the presidential election, we knew that half the country would be very upset, no matter who won. But we are surprised at the revulsion of many of our friends, who are personally affronted that
Giving Trump a chance Read More »
Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Under the auspices of the The Zionist Council in Israel, we recently visited Shilo (or Shiloh), in the heartland of Samaria. Shilo was the first capital of the Israelites during the period when Joshua divided the Land of Israel by lottery among the 12 tribes (15th c
Israel’s First Capital – Shilo Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –I recently received this question from Jim, a loyal reader: Have you any idea how many “Palestinians” live in refugee camps? I read a particularly disturbing article from a generally accurate source that states, “Palestinians in exile have mostly lived for generations in refugee camps.” That statement sounds like
What about those refugee camps? Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — In my most recent column, “Thinking Outside the Two – State Box” I pointed out the fundamental lack of overlap between the incompatible demands insisted on by Israelis and Palestinians. Without substantial agreement between the two parties, there is no possibility to reach a treaty for a viable
One- state Israel can be Jewish AND democratic Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –The United Nations, European Union, and the United States continue to be fixated on the Two State Solution (TSS) as the be-all and end-all of the never-ending conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. In fact, many still incorrectly believe that, were “peace” to break out between the two
Thinking outside the two- state box Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Yes, there are anti-Israel Jews. They may be intelligent, or not. They may be religious, or not. But one thing they are, is ignorant. They obviously don’t follow Rabbi Hillel’s famous admonition: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only
Anti- Israel Jews delude themselves Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA