Heavy fighting in Gaza began on Tuesday night for the first time since the end of the ceasefire last month. Most of the new activity, which involved troops on the ground, in the air and on the sea, has taken place in the Rafah area. [Jewish Federation of San Diego roundup]
War in Israel: Update on Current Situation Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Press Release, USA
Republican in central Florida appeared to threaten Democratic members of Congress, one of whom tried to single out Israel in congressional legislation. In a separate episode, an Arab leader in Australia distorted Israel’s role in its current conflict with Hamas. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Crude Language and Political Stunts Mar Both Sides of Middle East Debate Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThere are credible signs that Trump is doing right to investigate Khalil, who has morphed into an Arab superstar since he was arrested on March 8 at his Upper Manhattan apartment. It is part of Trump’s mission to deport foreigners who participate in anti-Israel activities. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: The Case Against Mahmoud Khalil Read More »
Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Israeli documentary Egypt, A Love Song tells the story of Souad Zaki, a Jewish chanteuse who was the star of concert halls and movies in Egypt before and after the establishment of the State of Israel. Her husband, Mohamed el Akkad, was a Muslim musician, hyped as the King of the Qanun, and their son, Moshe, who grew up to be a psychologist. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Egypt, A Love Song’ Tells the Story of Marriage between a Jew and a Muslim Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
On Purim and we will read the story of how Haman, a descendant of Amalek, persuaded Achashveros, King of Persia, to destroy the Jews. But it’s also the story of our time! Once again Persia threatens to destroy the Jews, only this time its name has changed. We no longer call it Persia, we call it Iran. [Rabbi Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
OpEd: Purim and the Holocaust Read More »
Antisemitism, Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Israel’s softheartedness is a big problem. I’m not advocating that Israelis copy the inhuman, atrocious behavior of our enemies, but there must be a change from Israel trying to please the UN (won’t happen), the EU (won’t happen), the International Red Cross (won’t happen), and so many other individuals and groups (won’t happen). [Steve Kramer]
OpEd: Israel Must Be Prickly Like a Porcupine Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
As violence escalates in Syria, Israel has announced its readiness to protect the Druze community, a minority group that has found itself caught in the crossfire of the country’s ongoing turmoil. The move highlights Israel’s longstanding ties with the Druze and underscores its concern for regional stability and humanitarian protection. [Miriam Gershenson]
Israel Vows to Protect Druze in Syria Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors
It has been said that war is a drug – and indeed the same may be said for music, and certain forms of musical experience. Music, it is well known, has an intoxicating power. [Sam Ben-Meir]
Music, Conflict, and Social Transformation Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWhen he adorned his suit lapel with a “Free Palestine” pin in early March, I had to wonder if he deserved his nomination for best supporting actor in The Brutalist. Did he need to do any acting to portray an antisemitic industrialist? [Bruce S. Ticker]
Actor Guy Pearce is Ill-Informed about Israel and Gaza Read More »
Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Holocaust, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The phrase “Can a leopard change its spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23) best captures the global skepticism surrounding Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Alawites and Christians Targets of Mass Killings in Syria Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“We thank the president and his team for their commitment to securing the release of all of the hostages Hamas is holding. He has made it clear that the return of all hostages is a priority for the United States. In its brutal, barbaric attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas murdered 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped some 250 others. Now, more than 515 days later, Hamas still holds Israelis hostage. [Press Release]
The Santa Ana decision came 18 months after a coalition of organizations sued the district in Sept. 2023, accusing it of violating California’s open meetings Brown Act and not protecting the public, including members of the Jewish community, from intimidation and harassment at board meetings. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]
California Court Strikes Down Prejudiced Ethnic Studies Courses Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Times of San DiegoUp to and including the present, the Palestinian Arabs in Gaza have been prevented from escaping the war zone, except for some thousands who successfully bribed their way over the border with Egypt. (This reminds one of East Germany, where citizens were also prevented from leaving the country.) [Steve Kramer]
No Nation Wants the Gazans Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA
In contrast to Black-Jewish amity, Dumisani Washington said, Arab Muslims have historically enslaved millions of Africans, a practice that still goes on today. The Palestinian Liberation Organization and its political rival, Hamas, have cynically cozied up to Black leaders to portray themselves as interested in civil rights, but “they couldn’t have cared less; they just wanted other people to think that they did,” Washington declared. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews and Blacks are Natural Allies, IBSI Founder Tells Ministers and Rabbis Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA