Son of Hamas, by Mosab Hasan Yousef with Ron Brackin, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 264 pages, 2010. By David Strom SAN DIEGO — Human beings are complicated and because of this, life is interesting. If you are raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, grow up in an Orthodox community, go to Orthodox religious schools, play […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJC) — the United States sees as legitimate Israel’s demand that Palestinians and other Arab states recognize Israel’s Jewish character, a State Department spokesman has said. P. J. Crowley was asked by reporters during a briefing about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to extend a partial settlement building freeze in exchange for the Palestinian leadership’s
U.S. agrees recognizing Jewish character of Israel a legitimate demand Read More »
Middle EastANKARA (WJC)–Turkey will not attend this year’s tourism conference of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which is to be held in Jerusalem later this month. Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay spoke to reporters on Tuesday and confirmed that Ankara would not be sending representatives to Israel for the conference despite prior
Turkey withdraws from OECD tourism conference in Jerusalem Read More »
Middle EastBEIRUT (WJC)–Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was scheduled to visit Hezbollah strongholds near the Lebanese border with Israel today (Oct. 14) after he was warmly received in Beirut on Wednesday. Ahmadinejad is on a state visit to Lebanon. Speaking at a late night rally staged by Hezbollah in the capital, the Iranian leader again questioned that the 9/11
Ahmadinejad questions al Qaeda’s 9/11 link, urges expulsion of Zionists from ‘Palestine’ Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Now that the Chilean miners are above ground, Israel’s media and those elsewhere will turn to other items. The drama recalls Josef Stalin’s line that one death is a tragedy, while a million are a statistic. It also makes me think about The Ballad of Ira Hays, one of my
Obama bungling has pushed Mideast to brink of serious violence Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The issue of Israel as a Jewish state is currently at the top of the blah blah agenda, with two issues adding to the noise and creating some confusion. One is the proposal that passed the government (but is some distance from becoming law) requiring new non-Jewish citizens to swear allegiance to
Analyzing the ‘Jewish state’ demands of Netanyahu and Knesset partners Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastJERUSLAEM (WJC)–Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to extend a temporary construction freeze in West Bank settlements if the Palestinians recognize Israel as the Jewish state. President Mahmoud Abbas immediately rejected the offer. “If the Palestinian leadership will say unequivocally to its people that it recognizes Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, I
Netanyahu offers temporary settlement freeze for recognition of Israel as ‘Jewish’ state Read More »
Middle East
LA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — A free lecture about “Israel’s Struggle for Peace and Legitimacy” will feature Middle East expert, Professor Barry Rubin on Thursday, October 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Sherwood Auditorium at the Museum of Contemporary Art at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037. The event is presented by
MERIA editor Barry Rubin addresses Middle East peace process Oct. 14 Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday, Oct. 11, called on the government of Israel to extend a proposed amendment to the citizenship law to cover all immigrants seeking citizenship. Under the 1952 Citizenship Law, naturalized immigrants currently declare: “… I will be a loyal national of the State of Israel.”
ADL says Israel’s proposed citizenship oath should apply to all immigrants Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — While American politics are currently being roiled by Tea Parties, and their capacity to capture Republican Party nominations by individuals who had admitted to an affinity with witchcraft and liked to dress in the uniform of the most reprehensible unit of the Nazi army, Israeli politics are currently being roiled
Commentary: Tea Parties and tempests in tea pots Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Nefesh B’Nefesh on Monday, Oct. 11, announced the appointment of former CEO of the Israel Tennis Center Adv. Janine Strauss to the position of Director of Global Affairs. As part of her role at Nefesh B’Nefesh, Strauss will be working closely with friends and supporters of the organization around the world to expand and
Janine Strauss will direct global affairs for Nefesh B’Nefesh Read More »
Middle EastJERUSALEM (WJC)–Citing recently made satellite photos on Google Earth, the Israel newspaper ‘Haaretz’ reports that the Syrian army has a Scud missile base near Damascus. The photos also suggest that Hezbollah activists are being trained in the use of the missiles there. The photos, taken on March 22, can be seen by any on Google
Report Syria training Hezbollah in Scud missile use Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement upon news that the Israeli Government is considering an amendment to the Citizenship Act that would demand that new citizens pledge their loyalty to a “Jewish, democratic state”: “J Street opposes the proposal Israel’s Government is considering to amend the oath that
J Street denounces proposed Israeli loyalty oath for non-Jews Read More »
Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bill Clinton was on his way to a terrific post-presidency. Working with George H.W. Bush on international aid, and more recently with George W. Bush on Haiti relief, Mr. Clinton was having an impact both on national and international well-being. What led him to open his mouth about
Bill Clinton’s comments on Israel’s Russian immigrants hurtful Read More »
Middle East