By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–In response to a recent column, an American friend wrote the following: “In other words, you are saying that the Israeli gesture is not a good faith effort to restart peace talks. Isn’t that what the Israelis have done before when they offered “concessions” they knew were inadequate and not acceptable […]
Some hard realities of negotiations and politics Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—Reading the announcements of government officials is more of an art than a science. It is appropriate to weigh the use of certain words rather than others, and take note of what a statement does not say. No one, including those involved in its preparation, can claim certainty as to how it
Middle East peace process reduced to a charade Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABEIRUT (WJC)–Lebanon’s new unity government has adopted a policy that recognizes the Shiite paramilitary group Hezbollah’s right to use arms against Israel, in spite of UN resolutions calling for its complete disarming. The text adopted by the Cabinet reaffirms right of “Lebanon, its government, its people, its army and its resistance” to liberate all Lebanese
New Lebanese government endorses Hezbollah fight against Israel Read More »
Middle East, USAMOSCOW (WJC)–At a meeting at the Kremlin President Dmitry Medvedev, leaders of the European Jewish Congress (EJC) asked Russia not to sell the S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran and to push for new sanctions against the regime in Tehran. “We asked that Russia stop supplying the S-300 to Iran,” said EJC President Moshe Kantor after
European Jewish Congress lobbies Kremlin against sale of missiles to Iran Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School has devised a delicious corollary to this publication’s motto that “there is a Jewish story everywhere.” Gourmets may like the Orthodox school’s saying even better: “There’s great kosher food everywhere.” Coming out next week, in plenty of time for the December 11th first evening
Cookbook features world's kosher cuisine Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA
LAURA SIMON—She’s 104 on Thanksgiving Day ___________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Among the celebrants of November birthdays at The Patrician senior residence in the University Towne Center area yesterday was Laura Simon, the oldest of them all. Today, Thanksgiving, she turns 104. Simon smiled when Milica Todorivic, a member of the dining room staff,
At 104, Laura Simon worries for her aging children Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, USAFORT MYERS, Florida (Press Release)— Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have reached a favorable settlement with the Collier County School Board on behalf of a local church barred from participating in a flier distribution program open to other community groups. In June, ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Cypress Wood Presbyterian Church after
Out of court settlement reached in case of school prohibiting church flyers Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–President Barack Obama on Wednesday sent the following message to Muslims around the world: “Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve
President Obama sends Hajj season greetings to world's Muslims Read More »
USABy Sara Appel-Lennon SAN DIEGO–While researching Thanksgiving origins, I uncovered some hidden history. Many were taught that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock in 1620. The meal served only a small part of the celebration. Originally Thanksgiving focused on prayer to offer thanks for a bountiful harvest. In Jewish tradition the festival
Sara-N-Dipity Place: Some hidden history of Thanksgiving Read More »
USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.– Last year at Thanksgiving, we noted that November 2008 was a moment of “tremendous upheaval, economic dislocation and a truly historic presidential election. As a country, we are exhausted and jittery, and nothing makes us think the way ahead will be any easier or calmer.” We were right. On the
Reasons for international thankfulness Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Following is the text of a U.S. State Department press briefing given on Wednesday by George Mitchell, the U.S. special envoy for Middle East peace. He was introduced by State Department spokesman Robert Wood. MR. WOOD: Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the briefing. As promised, Senator Mitchell is here, and he is
Mitchell: Palestinian-Israeli negotiations should have a 'mix of contacts' Read More »
Middle East, USABy David Amos SAN DIEGO–When we are asked to name the greatest conductors of the Twentieth Century, many important names come to mind. No need to repeat them at this time. But, it is unlikely that Erich Leinsdorf would make that list. This is unfortunate, since Leinsdorf, who admittedly did not break any major new
Erich Leinsdorf: his life, music and thought Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued the following statement on Wednesday: “Today’s announcement by the Government of Israel helps move forward toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We believe that through good-faith negotiations the parties can mutually agree on an outcome which ends the conflict and reconciles the Palestinian goal of an
Clinton welcomes Israel's construction freeze decision Read More »
Middle East, USAHAIFA (Press Release) — Dr. Sarit Larisch, head of the Cell Death Research Laboratory and senior lecturer in the University of Haifa’s Department of Biology, has been awarded the Johnson & Johnson Focused Funding grant for her research exploring the cause of brain cell damage in Parkinson’s disease. The award, which is granted each year
Haifa scientist Sarit Larisch honored for Parkinson's Disease research Read More »
Middle East, USA