By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — When the Israeli political system – ironically based on the purest form of democracy of “one person one vote” – seems particularly perverse (which is often the case, alas), a new party emerges. The hope is that having one more option will help the confused electorate. In recent years, […]
Will Oz, Mitzna form new left of center party for Israel? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM _- The best that Israeli policymakers can do in the context of what is happening in the region is to say little and to do virtually nothing. And the best that interested outsiders can do is to avoid dreaming that this is the time for Israel and Palestine to negotiate seriously
With Middle East in tumult, now is not the time to press Israelis and Palestiniana Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Once the revolution began, Egypt’s Christians knew precisely what to expect. It isn’t that the regime of Husni Mubarak protected them so well from Muslim wrath. On the contrary, it was reluctant to prosecute Muslims who attacked and killed or wounded Christians as well as damaged or destroyed churches.
Persecution of Christians Begins in ‘Democratic’ Egypt Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — For those of us who have been trying to talk about Middle East dictators for a long time–I wrote my book on the subject, Modern Dictators, more than a quarter-century ago–it is amusing to see how people are lining up to be “horrified” by those evil repressive regimes. Some
Gosh! These people are dictators! Who knew? Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Former Israel president Moshe Katzav is getting extensive pastoral care. He has been convicted of rape and related charges and is awaiting to be sentenced on March 8. To cheer him up, a number of prominent Israeli rabbis who belong to the so-called nationalist ultra-Orthodox stream (in contrast to
Rabbis’ defense of Katzav in reality a slap at women Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (Press Release) — US Jewish leaders in Israel for the Conference of Presidents Mission joined local Israeli advocates, and government officials on a recent visit to the Mount of Olives Cemetery (Har Hazeitim) to inspect vandalism and other evidence of violence at the world’s most ancient Jewish cemetery. The International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeitim (ICPHH) and
Conference of Presidents spotlights vandalism at historic Jerusalem cemetery Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–Palestinian groups in east Jerusalem have announced a boycott of the US Consulate in the city in protest at the American veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling Israeli settlements “illegal”. Senior Fatah official Hatem Abdel Kader told the news agency AFP that the boycott would see the 28 Arab local councils in
Angry over U.N. veto, Arab Jerusalemites announce boycott of U.S. Consulate Read More »
Middle EastBEERSHEVA, Israel (WJC)–On Wednesday evening, at least two long-range Grad rockets landed in the southern Israeli city of Beersheva, one striking an apartment building. No one was killed in the attack. It was the first time the city – which is the main city in the Negev desert and 40 kilometers away from the Strip
Gaza missiles hits Beersheva Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (Press Release) — A new Holocaust era restitution project was announced by the Jewish Agency for Israel on Wednesday to identify the victims whose assets were confiscated by the Nazis. An initiative of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), with the support of the Government of Israel, Holocaust Era Asset Restitution Taskforce – Project HEART — aims
New effort announced to aid Holocaust families to recover property Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)–The joint U.S.-Israel Arrow Weapon System successfully intercepted a ballistic target missile during a flight test conducted Tuesday. This test is part of the Arrow System Improvement Program (ASIP) and was conducted jointly by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center,
U.S. reports successful test of U.S.-Israel Arrow anti ballistic missile Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There is not much of local importance in the news. Monday night’s prime time headlined the tragedy of a young Israeli traveler in the wrong place at the wrong time in Christchurch, someone yelling “Free Palestine” and “Apartheid” who was hustled from the room where Foreign Minister Lieberman was about to address
Catching up on reading on a slow news day Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –This is a fascinating and revealing scoop by the Muqata blog. A member of Israel’s parliament attacked President Barack Obama in the nastiest terms: “After the exposure of lies from the US, we must say frankly to Obama: You no longer scare us and you can go to hell. “Obama
Arab Knesset member denounces Obama; NPR’s manipulation of news discussions Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–One of the most influential members of the Government of Israel is never to be seen around the cabinet table, yet what he thinks and says is of great importance to the decisions. His name is Barack Obama. Prime Minister Netanyahu, anxious to keep his coalition together, often finds himself between
Obama generally exercises a positive influence on Israel Read More »
Middle EastRAMALLAH, Palestine Authority (WJC)–Palestinian Prime Minister Salam al-Fayyad has said he wants to include Hamas members in his new government in order to heal the rift between the rival factions. Fayyad said his plan would permit Hamas to retain security control of the Gaza Strip while receiving certain posts in a reformed Cabinet. The Palestine
Hamas snubs Fatah bid for reconciliation Read More »
Middle East