Let’s be perfectly clear: Ben Gvir knows exactly what he’s doing–he is deliberately laying the groundwork for a confrontation at the Temple Mount that could produce an explosion heard around the world. [Daniel Sokatch]
OpEd: Ben-Gvir Promotes Jewish-Arab Confrontation over the Temple Mount Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I cannot stay silent when I see former Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s calculating, cunning and opportunistic attempt to fundraise off the hurt and pain our Jewish community is experiencing. Faulconer’s crass attempt to pad his campaign coffers with cash while pretending to be a friend of our community shall not go unnoticed. [Laurie Black]
OpEd: Faulconer Seeks Profit by Driving a Wedge into the Jewish Community Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I was reminded of Israel’s military tour de force in Entebbe when I read of the recent rescue of hostages Fernando Marman, 60, and Luis Har, 70, from a Rafah apartment. The reuniting of the hostages with their families and community members brought elation and joy to them. [Amy Neustein, Ph.D]
Rescue of 2 Hostages from Gaza was an Entebbe-Type Moment Read More »
Amy Neustein, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Observing portions of the proceedings affirmed for me why the filibuster is a waste of time. I watched the senators take three cloture votes. A version of the bill combining border security with foreign aid failed the first cloture vote. Cloture votes for two subsequent versions passed after border security was dropped from the bill. [Bruce Ticker]
Senate Filibusters Imperil Overseas Lives Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We must unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism and stand with Israel in its right to defend itself against such barbaric aggression. The Israeli government has a duty to protect its citizens and ensure their safety in the face of such heinous acts. [Kevin Faulconer]
There appears to be as much political animosity in America over Israel and Gaza as there is live warfare 6,000 miles from Chicago and Minneapolis. Three midwestern mayors got mixed up with the war in recent days, giving them a respite from resolving concerns over education, gun violence, housing needs and other local trifles. The mayors of Chicago and Minneapolis voted on cease-fire resolutions and the mayor of Dearborn, Mich., ranted about Israeli apartheid and imaginary hostages held by Israel. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: A Rhetorical War in the Midwest over a Ceasefire in the Middle East Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAPennsylvania native David McCormick now guarantees that the Israel-Gaza war will command attention until November as he attempts to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Robert Casey. Both are their parties’ presumptive nominees in the coming Pennsylvania Senate race. {Bruce S. Ticker]
Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, both far-right ideologues in Netanyahu’s cabinet, have never tried to hide their wish to exile the Palestinians from Gaza. In their thinking, such an expulsion of the Palestinian population would allow Israel to return to its biblical borders. Then they would rebuild Gaza solely with Jewish inhabitants. [Amy Neustein, Ph.D]
OpEd: Israel Must Beware of Hard-Right’s Messianism Read More »
Amy Neustein, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The 17-minute Letter to a Pig, a nominee for an Academy Award as the Best Animated Short Film, will be screened at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 5, at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival. [SDJW staff report]
After World War II, the Geneva Convention defined genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. In the context of Israel and Gaza, accusations have been made against Israel by some international entities. For example, South Africa has attempted to make a case in the International Court against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. However, it’s important to note that warfare, particularly urban warfare, inherently involves complexities and high risks of civilian casualties. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
From ‘Too Many Notes’ to ‘Too Many Lives’ Read More »
International, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Published by Chicago Tribune South Africa made history when it took Israel to the International Court of Justice — the United Nations’ highest court — and accused it of waging genocide against Palestinians while asking the court to order an immediate cease-fire. It might turn out to be the worst decision the country has ever
Commentary: South Africa’s genocide case against Israel is rank hypocrisy Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Nordot, OpinionThose who blocked the Brooklyn Bridge would have prevented ambulances getting through to the hospital on an already congested highway. A motorist waiting there could have a heart attack. In Pennsylvania, a suspect could be charged with reckless endangerment.
[Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Disrupters Should Be Prosecuted to the Full Extent of the Law Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Despite this, the US purports to be Israel’s best friend. It certainly is Israel’s biggest arms supplier, but beyond that, the current administration attempts to restrain Israel from defeating Hamas, which is supported by Iran. It also wants Israel to negotiate, not fight, with Hezbollah in Lebanon, yet another untrustworthy, terrorist army pressing Israel on its northern border. Eventually, it expects Israel to “live side by side in peace with a State of Palestine.” A Palestinian Arab “state” is definitely not acceptable to Israel, given the historical enmity between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. [Steve Kramer]
OpEd: Israel’s Position in the World Read More »
International, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA
Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer The charge of “genocide” leveled at Israel last week before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, should be a wake-up call for Jerusalem, but not for the reasons you might think. South Africa has accused Israel before the United Nations’ highest court of taking actions against Palestinian