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, Ph.D JERUSALEM — The Jewish people: Where are we? Where are we going? How do our numbers of those moving compare with other countries? Jews move. We always have done so. We hear complaints of here and there, and aspirations/hopes for here and there. Some figures: According to Israel’s Central Bureau of […]
Where in the World Are the Jewish People? Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Reports tell of severely censored media, and tough Russian police actions against protesters of what the country is doing in Ukraine. We also hear of opposition, but quiet, among senior officers. And timid rebellion in the military. Of not fighting in peak form. As well as absorbing considerable casualties
Has Russia Become a Totalitarian Country? Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — The war continues, at high intensity. Pictures of suffering refugees, more than a million getting to Poland, Moldova, Romania, and Hungary. Picking at bundles of donated clothing, and being fed soup and drinks. Severe shortages of food and medicines in Ukrainian cities. Heavy Russian shelling. Much destruction of homes.
The Catastrophe in Ukraine: More Questions Than Answers Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — It’s been a couple of weeks, watching the accumulation of Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, and hearing wild stories from the Russians about Ukrainian aggression. And now a widespread invasion, aimed at what? And where will it stop? With the capture of Ukraine, or a move into
Watching a War in Ukraine Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Sheikh Jarrah is a neighborhood in East Jerusalem, north of the Old City, about half the way to French Hill. It’s currently in the headlines, reflecting a difficult history that’s bubbled to the top of things along with the Abraham Accords and other moves that signal Israel’s acceptance throughout
Sheikh Jarrah’s Evolving Story Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — American Jews: Who are they? How many are there? Do they comprise a community? If so, what are the lines of division among them? What about their attitudes and behaviors about Israel? It’s impossible to answer any of these questions with certainty. There’s a lot of information, but it’s
American Jews: A Muddled Picture Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USABy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — On February 1, Amnesty International, claiming to be a movement of 10 million people, published a report headlined, “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: a cruel system of domination and a crime against humanity.” A couple of days before then, Israel managed to obtain a copy, and began a campaign that
Amnesty’s Report Assures Distortion on Israeli Arabs Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandleblit is coming to the end of his term. And he’s finishing it with a number of plea bargains. One has been with Ariyeh Deri. He’s pleading guilty to tax fraud, paying a fine of 180,000 shekels ($56,615) resigning from the Knesset, but avoiding a
Israeli Attorney General’s Term-Ending Plea (Bargain) Spree Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Current speculation is that we’ll pass through this week, and reach the end of Amichai Maldleblit’s term as Israeli Attorney General, without a signed plea bargain. On February 1, there will be a new Attorney General, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial will proceed, and we’ll see what happens.
Bibi’s Future in the Era of a New Attorney General Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Reports are circulating in the Israeli press of protracted negotiations between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Avichai Mandleblit, concerning Netanyahu’s acceptance of a guilty plea for fraud and breach of trust. According to the reports, there would be no mention of bribery, no jail time, but
Is Bibi’s End Near? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Israel’s government is closely divided among its parties. And each of the ministries has its experts. Plus the figures in the media. Each seemingly anxious to express about coronavirus, its variants, tests, and treatments. Are we in the midst of a disaster, along with a lot of noise? KISS
Israel and Omicron: Lots of Participants, Much Commotion Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, OpinionBy Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Keep it simple, stupid. It’s meant to facilitate administration. Too many rules, frequent changes, confuse both the populis and those meant to enforce the rules. KISS doesn’t prevail here, now. Or perhaps ever. There’s one rule for school rooms. If less than 70 percent of the kids have been
Keep it Simple, Stupid Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastWe can’t solve the issue, or the problem, of Palestine. So, we cope. Years ago, I asked my daughter, who was studying to be a clinical psychologist, about her dissertation. It dealt with coping. What’s that? She explained, and I came to see coping as the essence of dealing politically with insoluble problems. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Palestinians and Israelis Can’t Solve the Problem, So They Cope Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael’s situation remains dicey. We haven’t had a strong attack on us for some years, although Iran is a serious threat. But there have been enough reminders that we’re not really welcome in this region. Individual attacks and some killings of Israelis in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Constant, Endemic Violence Between Israeli Jews, Palestinian Arabs Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East