Opinion

OpEd: Ethnic Studies Push Is Well Meaning But Could Prove Divisive

Ethnic studies will be a required course for graduation for all California high school students, starting with the class of 2030, thanks to state Assembly Bill 101. Signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2021, the bill calls for providing students with a better understanding of the contributions and struggles of four ethnic groups: Native Americans, Latinx Americans, Black Americans and Asian Americans. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

OpEd: Ethnic Studies Push Is Well Meaning But Could Prove Divisive Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Times of San Diego, USA

Hamas Broke the Ceasefire on Oct. 7; Now Its Supporters Want Another One

All this misery started with a cease-fire already in effect between Israel and Hamas, at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7. Then terrorists from Gaza swooped across the border and murdered, maimed and raped Israelis, leaving 1,200 corpses behind throughout southern Israel. They seized 240 villagers and soldiers and held them in Gaza; 100 have been released so far. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Hamas Broke the Ceasefire on Oct. 7; Now Its Supporters Want Another One Read More »

Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Faulconer Seeks Profit by Driving a Wedge into the Jewish Community

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

Rescue of 2 Hostages from Gaza was an Entebbe-Type Moment

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

Senate Filibusters Imperil Overseas Lives

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

OpEd: Standing Firm with Israel: Condemning Hate, Terrorism and Demanding Accountability from Our Elected Leaders

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]

OpEd: Standing Firm with Israel: Condemning Hate, Terrorism and Demanding Accountability from Our Elected Leaders Read More »

Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: A Rhetorical War in the Midwest over a Ceasefire in the Middle East

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, USA

Pennsylvania’s Electoral College Votes May Turn on Support for Israel in its War with Gaza

Pennsylvania 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]

Pennsylvania’s Electoral College Votes May Turn on Support for Israel in its War with Gaza Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Israel Must Beware of Hard-Right’s Messianism

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

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Academy Award-Nominated Short to Screen at SD International Jewish Film Festival

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]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Academy Award-Nominated Short to Screen at SD International Jewish Film Festival Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Ken Stone, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

From ‘Too Many Notes’ to ‘Too Many Lives’

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