NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Obama administration now believes that Iran is secretly running a nuclear weapons program, according to a ‘New York Times’ report, and Washington wants to press the UN Security Council to impose new sanctions on Tehran. The White House wants to focus the new sanctions on the Revolutionary Guard, which is believed […]
TEHRAN (WJC)–The head of Iran’s soccer federation was forced to issue a public apology and a member of his staff resigned after the federation mistakenly sent a New Year’s greeting to its counterpart in Israel. “It was a big mistake sending an e-mail to Israel’s football federation,” Ali Kaffashian, president of the Iran Football Federation,
JERUSALEM (WJC)–Jewish immigration to Israel increased in 2009 by 17 percent compared to the previous year, the first rise in a decade. According to figures released by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) – the government body in charge of immigration – 16,244 people made aliya in 2009, whereas 13,869 had moved to Israel in
16,244 olim in 2009 was first increase in aliyah in a decade Read More »
Middle EastSDEROT, Israel (WJC)–Residents of southern Israel and the town of Sderot have held a March of Freedom to mark the first anniversary of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Organizers of the rally expressed hope that the new decade would be one of “hope, security and peace”. Students attending the annual congress of the
Israeli children launch balloons with peace messages for children of Gaza Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Professor David Shulman of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, commenting on the by now almost notorious Goldstone report – and sort-of agreeing with much of it – writes nostalgically in the December 17 issue of The New York Review of Books: I remember a time when charges of war crimes
If left-wing Israelis should answer to a higher law, how about right-wing rabbis? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–This is the season for projecting a continuation of what has been. Some of you have accused me of cynicism. Some have called me a realist. No one should be surprised by what follows. Overseas observers will report on Israel’s military exercises in preparation for an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
An Israeli columnist's 2010 predictions Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel–“You must read this,” a friend said, thrusting some typed pages into my hand. They contained the text of a speech given by Elena Bonner, the Jewish widow of former Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, at the Freedom Forum held in Oslo, Norway, in May 2009. I read the typescript with
Elena Bonner tells Norwegians about their double standard Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM—Perhaps Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stress on the Iranian threat may not only reflect the grim reality of Israel being in the firing line but also a ploy to avoid dealing with the Palestinian issue by arguing that Iran is a more urgent and immediate problem and must be dealt with before
Soft-pedalling external opposition to Iran to help the internal opposition Read More »
Middle EastBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA–Where’s a J Street when you really need one? For a very long time, I could not voice differences over Israeli policies without being shouted down by hard line advocates for Israel. It was very difficult to defend Israeli policies. The military undertook operations that seemed excessive and settlements were
The word for J Street: irrelevance Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –President Bush was right. There. We said it and we’ll say it again. President Bush was right that the war in which the West is engaged is the war against terrorists and the states that harbor and support them. President Bush’s formulation was a sea change from the Clinton
Wonderful, dedicated Ezer Mizion volunteers visit the children’s wards in the various hospitals each week, bringing with them oceans of love and devotion to these ill children, who await their visits so eagerly. The medical staff strongly encourages these visits because of the real, significant improvement that takes place in a child’s condition when he
The One who Made Me Smile Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)–The final charter Aliyah flight for 2009 – organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption – departed Tuesday from JFK airport, carrying 210 new immigrants to Israel from the USA and Canada. Tuesday’s flight caps off a record year of North American Aliyah, in
Last 2009 flight of North American olim leaves for Israel Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)– U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (Republican, Florida), the Republican Leader of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the following statement regarding the recent attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253. Mica was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation from 2001 to 2007, and was one of the authors of
Mica blames TSA leadership, urges U.S. adopt Israeli model for flight safety Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The following statement was issued by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Monday: “The United States opposes new Israeli construction in East Jerusalem. The status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved by the parties through negotiations and supported by the international community. Neither party should engage
White House opposes Israel's new housing in East Jerusalem Read More »
Middle East, USA