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
Donald Trump’s interview with Yedioth Aharonot, with a chilling summary was the headline of Friday’s front page. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
On Trump, Bibi, Biden, Bennett and Their Competitors Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAIsrael, along with a number of European countries, reacted to news of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus by closing its borders to foreigners. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Omicron Prompts Israel to Close Its Borders Again Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastYou’ve heard about Black Friday? Us, too. More than any other gimmick, we’ve heard about Black Friday, throughout the month, with sales advertised on TV, radio, and in the newspapers. But so far, no sales for Chanukah. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
‘Black Friday’ Has Come to Israel in a Big Way Read More »
Business & Finance, Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael is a serious country. It’s hard to imagine, from a perspective of years ago. Now more than 9 million in population, with a currency increasing in value against others, and apparently able to extract two citizens accused of treason in Turkey due to what seems like the innocent photograph of the President’s residence, without an overt concession to Turkey. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
What Accounts for Israel’s Weight in World Affairs? Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAThe shekel is strong. The dollar is weak. What does that mean? Commentary here puts the blame on high investments from overseas in Israel, especially in high-tech. It also means that Israeli purchases in the US, or in dollar-linked countries–including Israeli travel overseas, are cheap. But Israel exports to the same places aren’t as profitable as usual. There are fewer dollars coming into the country in exchange for what’s exported. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Israeli Shekel Increasing in Value Against Other Currencies Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAThere have been several events worth mentioning. We have a budget. For the first time in several years. Bibi’s government couldn’t, or wouldn’t pass a budget bill, and continued with partial enactments, providing moneys needed to continue or expand certain services. Now, with a budget approved, the present government evades a limit on its existence, tied by legislation to having enacted a budget. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Wall-to-Wall Israeli Coalition Holds Firm on Budget Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USAYou want it, you pay for it. Economic liberalism is the essence of the American experience. Don’t tread on me. Don’t make me pay for someone else’s benefit. Of course it’s not total. In the U.S., there are programs to pay, or help to pay for those in need. And there’s lots of insurance, often associated with a job, that pays most or all of health care needs. And government programs to lend money for education. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
American Lifestyles Contrast with Israel’s, Western Europe’s Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Ira Sharkansky, Lifestyles, Middle East, USADonald and Bibi, friends and mutual supporters while in office. Now out, getting older, one of them standing trial, both aspiring to holding power again, and seeking how to get there. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Trump and Netanyahu: Birds of a Feather Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIt’s a confusing picture. The government has a thin control of the Knesset, and itself ranges from the right to the left. It’s held together by a fear of falling, and the spectre of Bibi hanging on to his title as Leader of the Opposition. Depending on how you count things, Bibi may remain as the strongest Israeli politician. At least, in terms of his popular support. Yet the top ranks of Likud are shaky. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Bennett’s Government Stays Afloat; Likud Meanwhile is Divided Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastIsrael’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has made two major speeches, One to the United Nations, and one to the Israeli Knesset. Both came in a prominent setting, although the UN speech was to a largely empty hall. The Knesset speech was at the onset of the body’s winter season, as part of a program for the Knesset chair, the Prime Minister, and the leader of the opposition to make themselves heard. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Bennett Prompts Speculation about Missing Israeli Soldier Ron Arad Read More »
Ira SharkanskyAmericans have reminded us that our closest friend still adheres to the notion of a Palestinian State, even though the President has indicated that it’ll take a lot of time to accomplish that goal. Where would it be? What would be its borders? What about Israelis living in East Jerusalem and in many parts of the West Bank? [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
What Would Be the Borders in a ‘Two-State’ Solution? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Do you want to think big? Focus on what Mahmoud Abbas said in a recorded speech delivered to the United Nations in New York. If Israel doesn’t withdraw completely from the West Bank and East Jerusalem (he also said Gaza, but Israel has already withdrawn from there) within a year, Palestine will charge Israel with heinous crimes before the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, he’s volunteering to negotiate final borders. The 1967 lines, wherever they are, figure in his threat. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Big and Small Controversies in Israel Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Lifestyles, Middle EastThree main items on our news. First, security personnel have caught the final two escapees, in Jenin. Apparently with some help from Palestinians via Israel intelligence operatives. Second, Israel continues to give third booster shots to all those above 12 years of age, despite an FDA vote approving third booster shots to those 65 years and older. Third, the City of Jerusalem has destroyed a jerry-built Succah in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Escapees, Covid and Sukkahs Major Topics of Israeli News Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastThe big news here is of the breakout from a “security” prison by six Palestinians. They’re all of the Jihad Islamis, and apparently with a great deal of luck, or perhaps help from some of their jailers. Over the course of some six months, they dug out from under a toilet in one of their cells, under the walls, and emerged only a few meters away. And they eluded capture from many who were hunting them from the police and other security forces. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Palestinians’ Prison Break Dominates Israeli News Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East