Middle East

Gov. Josh Shapiro: Everyone Has a Duty to Denounce Antisemitism

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in a meeting in Philadelphia with Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said “When it comes to antisemitism, it is incredibly important for everyone to understand that there is no nuance. Everyone in a position of public trust—and everyone in our communities—has a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and speak out against it.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Vows to Keep Fighting Antisemitism

President Joe Biden, at a White House pre-Chanukah party, said, “Next week you’ll light the eight candles on your menorahs. My final Chanukah message to you is this: As president, this is to hold onto that hope. Shine your light. Shine the light of optimism. And above all, keep the faith.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

Trump Says Middle East Will Be in a Good Place; Lieberman, on Other Hand, says Israel May Be Headed for Civil War

U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump told a news conference Monday he had “a really good conversation” with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I think we’re going to be in a good place in the Middle East,” he said. “I think the Middle East will be in a good place. I think actually more difficult is going to be the Russia-Ukraine situation.” [SDJW Staff Report]

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International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Cardin, in Farewell Senate Speech, Recalls His Campaign for Soviet Jews

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) delivered a farewell address in the U.S. Senate, in which he has served for 18 years, which included his current role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said tikkun olam and tzedakah collectively have been his North Star of public service. [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Uncertainty over the Fates of Gaza and Syria

Seventy-seven Congressional Democrats, including nine Jewish members, wrote to Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, respectively Secretary of State and Defense Secretary, stating that “administrative action must be taken to ensure Israel upholds the assurances it provided in March 2024 to facilitate, and not directly or indirectly obstruct U.S. humanitarian assistance. We remain committed to a negotiated solution that can bring an end to the fighting, free the remaining hostages, surge humanitarian aid, and lay the groundwork to rebuild Gaza with a legitimate Palestinian governing body.”  [SDJW staff compilation]

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Business & Finance, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Ambassador Explains Israel’s Military Action in Syria

Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, told Fox Business News that “those guys who are taking over Syria are not peace loving.  You know they are terrorists, most of them, so we are now neutralizing the threat. …” [SDJW staff report]

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International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Fast-Moving Events in Israel and the Middle East Make Heads Spin

Our minds and hearts are still reeling from the events of the last year, starting with the vile attack on kibbutzim and towns in the south by Hamas, the subsequent war in Gaza, political division in Israel and the current trial for corruption of Prime Minister Netanyahu, when we find our northern neighbor and enemy, Syria, in turmoil as a result of the rebel groups’ overthrow of Assad’s murderous regime. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israel Sets Up ‘Defense Zone’ on Syrian Territory

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced he has instructed the IDF to establish in southern Syria “a defense zone free of weapons and terrorist threats … without a permanent Israeli presence in order to prevent terrorism in Syria from taking root and organizing.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: The Iranian ‘Ring of Fire’ Around Israel Has Been Doused

There was a time, not so long ago, when the Iranian mullahs seemed to be on top of the world. Their vision of an Iranian Caliphate stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea was succeeding. Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon – all were lined up and ready with Gaza to activate Iran’s “Ring of Fire” circling Israel. Israel’s destruction by the “axis of resistance” would have made Iran the preeminent power in the Middle East, eclipsing both Turkey and Egypt. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

House of Israel Serves Up Latkes During December Nights

The family and I attended the “December Nights” event in Balboa Park on Friday, Dec. 6 in historic Balboa Park. Through the crowds of hungry and thirsty attendees, we made our way to the House of Israel. We were greeted by a security guard at the front door and there was also another guard at the back of the house. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA