Ira Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science and public administration at Hebrew University.
His books, which are available on Amazon, include:
Benny Gantz has received the mandate from the President, and is beginning consultations with just about everyone. He has 28 days, and the media is filled with contrary speculations. He’ll be starting with Netanyahu, but that’s not likely to produce anything. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Now with mandate, Gantz meets with other parties Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastWe’re at the end of Bibi’s’ mandate, without any results. With more than a hint of desperation, and indications from within Likud that–while expressing support for their leader–individuals are maneuvering to be next in line. He’s produced another pledge, signed by the ultra-Orthodox, but not by Shaked and Bennett, that they’ll oppose any non-Bibi coalition that has the support of the Arab parties. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Bibi’s mandate soon to expire, without results Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAIt’s a lovely, well run place. The Dutch may be more German than the Germans. Or at least close cousins. Order is clear. Trains and trams are clean and on time. Perhaps within a minute or two. Buildings we’ve seen are spruced well, with gold and fresh paint on statues and other fancy fixtures. Lots of tourists, even in the early part of September. American English was the language of conversation in our hotel breakfast room.
Holland seems like a well-run country Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Travel and FoodWe’re in the midst of a confusing set of maneuvers concerned with Bibi’s efforts to assure his continuation at the center of things.Hearings have occurred, and there is conflicting commentary about their capacity to delay or derail the Attorney General’s decisions about indictments. (To read more, please click the headline.)
Netanyahu maneuvers as mandate time dwindles Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastTen Knesset Members of the United Arab List advised the President to select Beny Gantz as the next Prime Minister. Three other MKs of that list refused to select anyone as the next Prime Minister.
What we’re seeing is another element of the Israelization of the Arab citizens of Israel.
And the approach of many other Arabs to support some kind of accommodation with Israel.
Arab support for Gantz a sign Jewish – Arab relations improving? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastThe election was only the first step. It seems to have closed the door on Bibi, even though he doesn’t recognize it. Both Likud and Blue AND White fell short of the 61 seats needed to form a government. What exists may be a free for all, almost. But perhaps not for Bibi. (Please click on headline to read more)
The many possibilities of coalition in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastLikud means united, and so far party figures have remained firm in their public comments. Bibi is their leader.
As we get closer to the election, and Likud does not pull clearly ahead in the polls, there are reports of individuals in Likud maneuvering for what’ll be after Bibi.
There are hints of friction between Bibi and Donald Trump, especially in connection with Trump’s efforts to converse with Iranian leaders. For some years, Iran has been at the top of Bibi’s list of antagonists, and any weakening of American resolve would be troubling.
Netanyahu is THE issue in Israel’s election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –It’s getting more dicey. There have been attacks, attributed to Israel, on Iranian locations in Iraq and Syria, as well as Hezbollah locations in Syria and Lebanon. And in Gaza. As well as action searching for attackers in the West Bank. And there’s an election in about three weeks. Polls suggest
Tensions ratchet up between Israel, neighbors Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Is Gaza controlled by Hamas? And is Hamas the terrorist organization widely claimed? Or is there some degree of trust? Or at least an effort at communication between Israel and Gaza? We hear that there are 12,000 Gazans allowed into Israel. Some are business people, seeking deals. Some are workers,
Who is calling the shots in Gaza? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There is no doubt that we are living on the edge. Palestinians, Hizbollah, Iran, and no shortage of Europeans and Americans, including some Jews are dreaming of ending the Israeli existence. But how bad is it? In recent years, around 20 deaths per annum from terror. And about 300 from
Life in Israel is good, despite tension and headlines Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A young man, Dvir Sorek, religious, a bit short of going from his Yeshiva to the army, was killed as he walked the path from the bus stop to his settlement. It demonstrated, once again, that roadside killings in the West Bank are the most popular targets for Palestinian terrorists.
Murder of left- reading yeshiva student roils Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We’re past the due date for final party alignments and lists of candidates. It was a scramble the last few days, and the big view to September 17th election is that the results look like the last time, more or less. Beginning on the left, Meretz combined with Ehud Barak,
Six weeks to Israel’ election, it’s a muddle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A friend gave me James Comey’s book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, and it strikes me as worthy of a review. Comey was a bureaucrat. A professional in the field of law, who worked his way from Assistant US Attorney, through positions as lawyer in the private sector,
Comey’s ‘A Higher Loyalty’ details chaos at the top Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Ira Sharkansky, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –We’re getting closer to August 1, when the parties will have to finalize their candidates for the September 17th election. Currently, the leader of the Labor Party has aligned himself toward the right with Orli Levy-Abekakis, the attractive daughter of Likudnik David Levy. Amir Peretz has provided her with the second
Israel’s election maneuvers take focus off other issues Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East