By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM— One should never say never. However, Probably not is a fair guess. Closest to me is one more round in the endless conversations among officials about peace between Israel and Palestine. The latest we hear is that Israel is willing to stop building settlements, stop taking Palestinian land, and will remove […]
Cessation of Israeli construction not very probable Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastTORONTO, Canada (Press Release)–Dr. Michael Dan, president of Toronto-based Regulus Investments Inc. and Gemini Power Corp., human rights and peace activist, received the University of Haifa’s highest accolade, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa at a “Partners for Peace” Tribute Dinner at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto last week. The degree
Activist philanthropist Dr. Michael Dan honored by University of Haifa Read More »
Middle East
Compiled by Gail Umeham Hebrew Home (Editorial) Southwestern Jewish Press December 25, 1953 Page 7 “Cast me not off in the time of old age; when my strength faileth, forsake me not.” Thus wrote the second of Israel’s kings in the immortal Psalms of David. The concern men entertain for the problems of the aged
Adventures in San Diego History~December 25, 1953, Part IV Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USABRUSSELS (WJC)—European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen of Germany has said that the EU should upgrade its political and economic relations with Israel – frozen after the Gaza war – again and grant Israel the same relationship status with Europe as Norway. “We should give Israel a long-term and clear credible European perspective,” Verheugen told a
EU official urges closer ties with Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There has been a worrisome shift in Israeli commentary on President Obama’s efforts to force peace between Israel and Palestine. A prominent emphasis had focused on the President’s naivete, what one called a “childish” assumption that his engagement could bring the parties to positions they had not taken on their own.
Israeli commentary on Obama increasingly views him in Palestinian camp Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Remember George McGovern? His clone is sitting in the Oval Office. The 2008 campaign differed in several ways from 1972 that explain Obama’s victory. His speaking ability excels that of other politicians, including McGovern. Obama was running against a ticket with an intellectually handicapped vice presidential candidate, whereas McGovern was embarrassed
Is President Obama the new George McGovern? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAHAIFA, Israel (Press Release)–Is a border line simply a virtual line appearing on the map? If so, why is it that Israeli rodents are more cautious than Jordanian rodents? Why is it that there are more ant lions in Israel than in Jordan? And how come there are more reptile species in Jordan than in
Jordan-Israel border area shows environmental impacts of differing land use Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–The White House on Tuesday issued the following statement concerning construction in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem: “We are dismayed at the Jerusalem Planning Committee’s decision to move forward on the approval process for the expansion of Gilo in Jerusalem. At a time when we are working to re-launch negotiations, these actions
White House denounces construction in Gilo section of Jerusalem Read More »
Middle East, USARIO DE JANEIRO (WJC)–Three days after hosting Israeli President Shimon Peres, the Brazilian oil and gas giant Petrobras has announced that it is considering closing its operations in Iran. The company’s international director, Jorge Zelada, told the magazine ‘Veja’ that Latin America’s largest company was studying this possibility. Peres had met last Friday with Petrobras
Brazilian oil company considering halting operations in Iran Read More »
Middle EastBUENOS AIRES (WJC)–Ending his Latin America trip, Israeli President Shimon Peres predicted that the people of Venezuela and Iran would soon get tired of their leaders. Speaking at a forum in Argentina, Peres said both Hugo Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had gone crazy over oil. He said both leaders are headed for a fall. “They
Peres says Chavez, Ahmadinejad will soon be out of power Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Barack Obama was six years old when the Jordanian army opened fire on Jerusalem as its part in the 1967 war. Shortly after the fighting, Israel expanded the city’s boundaries. Four years later it began construction the Gilo neighborhood. Gilo was in the news early in the intifada that began in 2000, when
Peace recedes as Obama policies harden Palestinian positions Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
JERUSALEM (Press Release)– On Thursday, November 12, Israel took another step in the country’s long history of solidarity with the United States and global victims of terror as international diplomats, U.S. and Israeli politicians and religious leaders unveiled a monument dedicated to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Commissioned and built by
Israel dedicates monument to U.S. 9/11 victims Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—More than 40 years ago I chose public administration as my specialty in political science. I still poke at it, despite being interested in other things as well. Here I will poke at the 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom published by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the
VIENNA (WJC)–Iran could have several secret nuclear facilities across the country, according to a new report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. IAEA inspectors who visited the recently disclosed underground nuclear enrichment plant near Qom last month said the site was built to hold 3,000 centrifuges,
IAEA suspects more hidden nuclear sites in Iran Read More »
Middle East, USA