Ira Sharkansky

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Protective Edge is still an operation, but may be on its way to a war. This is not a happy time, but there may be cause for optimism. Hourly and half-hourly news programs begin with the names of the most recent soldiers who have died, plus the times and locations […]

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel was ready to accept a cease fire after a week of destroying enough of Hamas’ assets from the air. At the time, the death toll was less than 50. Israel is still ready to accept a cease fire, while suffering its own casualties from the ground assault, numbered as

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — A ground operation has begun, spurred by the penetration into Israel of 13 Hamas fighters from a tunnel dug under the border, which followed several days of media discussion about the danger to Israel of numerous tunnels that have defied years of efforts to locate them before they are used.

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–We went to bed with the rain of missiles from Gaza and the operation of the IDF in full tilt. We woke to a media blitz focused on a cease fire-then-negotiations proposed by Egypt. Hamas initially rejected the idea, but observers should view any of its statements with considerable salt. Israel’s right

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Can Israel solve the problem of Hamas and its friends? The short answer to the question heading this note is “No.” There are too many Muslims in the world, having weight in international forums, with the US and EU inclined to go along with them. The ascendance of radicalism among

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–We’ve been here countless times, and the general picture is all too familiar. Our Jerusalem residence close to Arab villages is an element of safety. We’re pretty near the limit of what the Gazans can shoot, and they are most likely aiming for areas more certainly Jewish. However, their aim is far

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Things have escalated in the south to the point where the IDF is now pursuing an “operation.” The Hebrew, צוק איתן, touches more buttons than the official English translation, “Protective edge.” Alternative translations that might touch different buttons, are “Strong rock” “Impregnable rock,” or “Impregnable fortress.” In IDF parlance, a named

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There are far more questions than answers. There may be a new country being formed. It won’t be a welcome addition, as judged by the various governments sending units of their armed forces to attempt an abortion. Those associated with the movement, variously called the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Soon after finding the bodies of three young men, right wing politicians and activists called for the death penalty, large scale aggression against Hamas and other Palestinians, in order to solve the problem of terror once and for all. The killing of three young men touched a lot of Israelis,

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The IDF and Israel’s other security services have found the bodies of the missing boys. Indications are that they were killed shortly after being taken. The operation throughout the West Bank, along with an escalation with respect to Gaza, is not only about the boys. There have been more than

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –It’s worth pondering the difference between Israel’s relationships with four especially provocative parliamentarians. All have been accused of breaking the rules. Ahmad Tibi and Haneen Zoabi attract considerable criticism but have escaped serious sanctions. The late Meir Kahane was banned from politics after violating a law against racism enacted specifically to

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israeli governments have long recognized the need to tread carefully in pursuit of national security. Greater powers have a limited tolerance for Israel daring to approach what they do in defense of their own interests. Part of the balance is the considerable power of the Israeli military that can threaten any state