Ira Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science and public administration at Hebrew University.
His books, which are available on Amazon, include:
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — About 21 percent of Israel’s population is Arab, and about 65 percent of its murders occur within the Arab population. Some 96 percent of the Arab population is Muslim, and only 4 percent Christian. Christians have, for the most part left, with some of those remaining having housing and education […]
A glimpse into Arab life in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The idea of Palestine may be somewhere in the dust, but Israel still has problems. There are several cases of recent attacks that were prominent, and the IDF is digging out tunnels coming from Lebanon into northern Israel. Security forces count in the hundreds the instances of attack their have
Arab violence escalates in Israel and environs Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — From the looks and sounds of BDS it would seem that Palestine is on the verge of something big. BDS prevails on a number of campuses, often with Jews as well as Palestinians and others pushing for a boycott. Occasional performers announce that they will not perform here. The police
BDS has successes, but not so for P.A. and Gaza Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –It isn’t easy governing with a one vote majority in the Knesset. Two proposed laws have not come to a vote, on account of not having enough pass them. One was a measure to give the Minister of Culture and Sport the power to decide on which groups would get government support.
Netanyahu barely balances on a one-vote margin Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — An hour or two before sending out my last column, Education Minister Bennett and Justice Minister Shaked announced that they were leaving the government. The withdrawal of their party, Jewish Home, would leave Bibi with less than a majority of the Knesset. A few minutes after sending the column, Bennett and
Netanyahyu coalition teeters but does not fall Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — More than a week ago, the police recommended indictments of a half-dozen prominent Israelis. The issue concerned the purchase of submarines and other warships from Thyssen Krupp, a German firm in the port of Kiel. Involved in the police recommendation were a cousin and attorney of The Prime Minister, a former
Gaza, not corruption, prompts challenge to Netanyahu Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — October 30 was Israel’s local election day. More than six million people were eligible to vote, and the government provided a free day, with public services closed down. That meant that a large percentage of the population would be on holiday, after, perhaps, a few minutes waiting in line at
Mixed results characterize U.S., Israel elections Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The attack on the Pittsburgh synagogue has brought forth good words from a variety of sources. The Pope, and key people from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Palestine joined Jews from Israel, locally, and throughout the US and elsewhere, as well as the US President. Subsequently critics reviewed the comments and
In wake of Pittsburgh, Jews ponder political priorities Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USAJason Stanley, How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them (New York; Random House, 2018) By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We read on the jacket that Stanley is a named Professor of Philosophy at Yale, who has received a number of awards for his writing, is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The
‘How Fascism Works’ leaves much to be desired Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Ira SharkanskyBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A Saudi journalist went into his government’s consulate in Turkey, and may have exited some time later in a number of parcels. The disappearance has riled the media with the persistence of the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation. The folks are holding Saudi Arabia to a much higher standard of justice than
The Khashoggi case in its Middle East context Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There isn’t a solution for Gaza. It’s controlled by Hamas, with other factions even more extreme in their opposition to recognizing Israel, or dealing with it openly. And Israel is not ready to deal openly with Hamas, widely recognized as a terrorist organization. Gazans have missiles that can reach deep
Israel’s Gaza conundrum Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — We’ve had the holidays, and have gone back to work. Slowly, in the matters of the Netanyahus. Sara’s trial has begun, sort of. The prosecution has asked for three judges, given the delicacy and complexity of things. Sara’s lawyer has opposed, and has said there is nothing to judge. Next hearing
Refocus on Netanyahu after Holy Days Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In a swing through America we encountered the expected range of attitudes about the national leader. At an upscale senior facility in southern California, we heard agreement in support. Admitting the dissonance of his style, but asserting his business-like mode of dealing. There was acceptance for his view that the
Keeping pace with U.S., Israeli politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Shakansky JERUSALEM — Even before the book was published, excerpts were spreading across the media. It’s Bob Woodward’s Fear, reflecting numerous conversations with insiders about the reality of the Trump White House. It fits what’s been apparent from presidential tweets, and extemporaneous comments later modified by aides. And it’s reinforced by an anonymous
Decision- making chaotic in U.S., calculated in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA