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 — Where is the embassy? It’ll be easier–or at least quicker–building it on the moon. In this congested city with narrow streets it’s been impossible to create a coherent network of bike paths. The municipality has been at it for more than a decade. What’s been built goes from marked paths […]
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The annual fun is upon us. But for those interested in such things, there’s lots of fuzzy history to contemplate. It’s probably best to ignore all that comes next, to enjoy with the kids and grandchildren, the parties, in Israel the long vacation from school, as well as the gifts
Chanukah in myth and history Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Compared to selected other national leaders here and there, Bibi’s done well from public office. He and Sara have gotten used to demanding expensive gifts from individuals wanting his help. With respect to the two most prominent exchanges we know about, they weren’t all that serious. He helped an Israeli
The personal Bibi vs. the political Bibi Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s hard to know whether to jeer or simply chuckle at the efforts of Likud MKs, being portrayed by the media as parliamentary clowns, who went beyond the normal to provide what they said was protection for their Prime Minister, but actually was nothing of the kind. The country is
Police seem to be closing in on Netanyahu Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It may be early to prepare for a change at the top, either through resignations or a national election. However, there are increasing signs of stress in the strangeness of key officials’ behavior. The macro problem appears clear to all but those dependent on the continued rule of Benjamin Netanyahu:
Fight over Kotel prompting political oubursts Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — This isn’t the first column about this topic, and it won’t be the last. What follows is less than absolutely certain. It reflects months of media reports about several police investigations, with the pieces put together in a way that appears reasonable. What the police are calling File #1000 and File
Corruption probes aimed at Netanyahu, inner circle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A long and checkered medical history has combined with more than a half century of political science to sharpen my sense that uncertainties are inherent in science, and are the most interesting elements of doing science. Some will already be chortling at the notion of political science. True, there are softer
Medicine, political science both inexact fields Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSAELM — The road to hell: We know it’s paved with good intentions. The record of the US in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and what the enthusiasts called Arab Spring was collectively the equivalent of a Holocaust, albeit well-meant. American and allied deaths were in the tens of thousands, and others in the
The U.S. Mideast peace effort faces pitfalls Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The Jews are just like everyone else, but different. Also Israel. The country of the Jews is like others, but different. This note is provoked by comment from an otherwise rational friend that Israel’s real borders are the Jordan and the Mediterranean. And his question about my description of Israeli Arabs. Was
Comparison test for those who criticize Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– A friend responded to one of my recent columns with, “How many Trumps would it take for you to trade for one Bibi?” We’ve recently passed through a year anniversary of Trump’s election. He’s only been in office for 10 months, but that provides enough for at least a tentative
Trump has had few wins since his election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One of Israeli’s prime time evening news programs ran a series on what it called the Palestinian middle class. It featured glitzy hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants in Ramallah and other West Bank cities, interviews with managers and patrons, details of West Bankers, Israeli Arabs, and overseas tourists sharing in
Israel’s rising Arab class Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It isn’t easy judging Israel’s Prime Minister. In part, that is on account of his complexity, with lots of positive and negative things possible to say about him. In part, it is also on account of his reflecting the complexities of the Israeli society, and how it chooses to deal
Weighing in on Netanyahu Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Judging a country is not easy or free of controversy. Political perspective and the norms of the person doing the judgment are likely to be involved. However, their influence can be limited by the range and nature of criteria employed, and especially by the breadth of comparison. There can be no
Comparing U.S., Israel economic indicators and leaders Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It may take additional months or even years to deal with the allegations about the Prime Minister, but more of Israel’s politicians are sharpening their knives. And some of those at the grindstone are close enough to the big man for him to smell the dust. President Rueven (Ruvi) Rivlin opened the
Bibi’s legal troubles worse than Trump’s Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA