Ira Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science and public administration at Hebrew University.
His books, which are available on Amazon, include:
*Alternative federal solutions to the problem of the administered territories
*Ambiguity, Coping, and Governance: Israeli Experiences in Politics, Religion, and Policymaking
*Ancient and Modern Israel: An Exploration of Political Parallels
*Coping with Terror: An Israeli Perspective
* Governing Israel: Chosen People, Promised Land and Prophetic Tradition
*Governing Jerusalem: Again on the World’s Agenda
* Israel and its Bible: A Political Analysis
* Maligned States: policy accomplishments, problems and opportunities
* Policy Analysis in Political Science
* Policy and Politics in American Governments
* Policy Making in Israel: Routines for Simple Problems and Coping with the Complex
* Politics and Planning in the Holy City
* Politics and Policymaking in Search of Simplicity
* Public Administration: Agencies, Policies, and Politics
* Public Administration Policy Making in Government Agencies
* Public Administration (2nd Edition): Policy Making in Government Agencies
* Regionalism in American Politics
* Rituals of Conflict: Religion, Politics, and Public Policy in Israel
* Spending in the American States
* The Policy Predicament: Making and Implementing Public Policy
* The Political Economy of Israel
* The Politics of Religion and the Religion of Politics
*The Politics of Taxing and Spending
* The Routines of Politics
* The United States: A Study of a Developing Country
* The United States Revisited: A Study of a Still Developing Country
* Urban Politics and Public Policy [Robert Lineberry]
* What Makes Israel Tick: How Domestic Policy-Makers Cope with Restraints
* Wither the State: Politics and Public Enterprise in Three Countries
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Every city has its pluses and minuses. They are part of what makes a city, i.e., a mixture of different peoples and their perspectives, along with whatever lays heavily on the current generation due to the history of what happened before them and the precedents created. Jerusalem must be somewhere […]
Jerusalem’s competing interests in land use, religion Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The headline of this column, letting aspirations for an organized work rest in peace, may reflect more cynicism than reality. However, there is something to the idea. Colonialism began its demise with World War I, when the European powers that could carve up the world and color the maps as
The dying world order Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — After years of demands from archaeologists and others concerned with the Temple Mount, the Prime Minister has instructed officials to begin judicial proceedings against Muslim religious authorities for destructive activities. Currently the activity concerns the construction of toilets and showers for Muslims who come to pray. Over the years there
Netanyahu follows dangerous Temple Mount course Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The Prime Minister has generally avoided public comment about Sara, but he denied this story, and brought suit against a journalist who posted it on Facebook. . Israel’s media, with one prominent exception, has headlined Sara’s problems. TV and radio news programs have also provided opportunity for Netanyahu family
Bibi, Sara, Donald and Hillary Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s far from clear what the French are expecting. Al-Jazeera is as complete as any of the media reporting plans for Paris on June 3. “The ministerial-level talks will host the Middle East Quartet, which includes the US, Russia, the EU and the UN, as well as the Arab League,
French- sponsored peace talks no cause for optimism Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There’s been another resignation associated with the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as Minister of Defense. This one comes from the Minister of Environment, who associated his resignation not only with the appointment of Lieberman, but with the government’s loss of Moshe Ayalon, and with the approval of the gas deal. The Environment
Bennett or Kahlon can make or break Bibi’s new coalition Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Prominent in all the noise focused on the recent deals to expand Bibi’s government are the accusations that we’ve gone over the edge in the direction of fascism, and that Israeli politicians are being especially nasty to one another. In other words, an extremism of policy is about to come
Nastiness endemic to politics in U.S., Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In both of Israel’s established political parties everyone seems angry at everyone else. It’s too early for predictions, but it’s like the first news of a major weather change heading in our direction. It may not get here, but if it does, watch out. It came about on account of
Knesset in turmoil as Netanyahu shakes up Cabinet Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Bibi (Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu) is a caricature of Israel, both as viewed from within and without. He is loved and hated, admired and loathed, perhaps in about the same proportions among Israelis and those who watch Israel. Being the archetype of Israel helps to explain his longevity at the
Netanyahyu — You love him or hate him Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Some of my American friends are unhappy. They are telling me to stick with Israel. That I no longer understand the US. Some go further. They ask to be dropped from my list, and/or demand that I give up my American citizenship. I’ll defend myself with a counter charge of
Should an ex-pat criticize the United States? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — “Sometimes there’s a stink you just can’t wash off, kinda like a venereal disease. … That’s the problem Trump’s got.” It can’t get much worse than that, a quotation in The Economist attributed to a Republican Congressman. Polls are showing that stinking mess tied with Hillary. If there is such
Hillary v. Trump an indicator of America’s decline Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Memorial Day and Independence Day provided their annual demands for reflection. There were lots of ceremonies and long speeches, which I missed with firm resolve. I’ve heard what is said on these days, and have internalized the feelings. Fortunately I could avoid being one of the million Israelis visiting military
Israel’s politics more attractive than U.S.’s Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — For more than a week, we’ve been rocked by commentary, partly in support, and sharply critical of a speech that the IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Yair Golan, made on the occasion of Holocaust Remembrance Day. The most complete version in English follows, taken from a report in
What did Gen. Yair Golan really say? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — As of Saturday morning, May 7, there had been several days of virtual dueling. There is no better way for describing the mortars that have been fired toward Israel or soldiers patrolling near the Gaza border, and responses from Israeli tanks and aircraft. There have also been fierce words of
So far, conflict with Gaza has been kept at low level Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East