Steve Kramer grew up in Atlantic City, graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1967, adopted the hippie lifestyle until 1973, then joined the family business for 15 years. Steve moved to Israel from Margate, NJ in 1991 with his family. He has written more than 1100 articles about Israel and Jews since making Aliyah. Steve and his wife Michal live in Kfar Saba.
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — We recently spent an enjoyable time with Michal’s classmate from ACHS (Atlantic City High School). Jimmy has a great love of Israel and a great interest in Judaism — although, or maybe because — he’s a religious Christian. Jimmy began his tour with three days in Tel Aviv-Yaffo […]
Israel Through a Tourist’s Eyes Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — In the period following WW2, the U.S. became the undisputed leader of the Western democracies. It was challenged in its position as world leader only by the USSR, whose rule extended to poor, Third World countries, and those European countries seized at the end of WW2. By 1991,
Whither the United States in the Middle East — and Israel? Read More »
International, Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Israel is faced by two dangerous peoples, each presenting Israelis with an implacable enemy which strives for Israel’s destruction. The rulers of Iran are Persian Shi’ite religious fanatics whose aim is to lead a resurgent worldwide Islamic Caliphate. (Persians, who ruthlessly control the many minorities in Iran, are
Two Peoples, Two Problems for Israel Read More »
International, Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — With the war in the Ukraine reaching a critical point, one wonders if Russia’s offensive will lead to an even bigger conflagration, perhaps involving China. If Ukraine falls, will China go after “its territory” of Taiwan, viewing it as easy pickings? The future of the West hangs
The West Is in Dire Need of Backbone Read More »
International, Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — As you know, Israel is a very small country in area, roughly the size of New Jersey, with a similar long, narrow shape. Recently Michal and I went on a tour with the ESRA group (English Speaking Residents Association) to a northern part of the Negev Desert in
Follow the Salad Trail in the Negev Desert Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — The West abhors terror attacks for good reason, whether in their country or an ally. Except when it comes to Israel. Not having learned the lesson that Islamist terror doesn’t abide by any type of agreement, the U.S. and the West still think that they can buy off
The US and the West Fund the Jihadists. Really? Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USABy Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Iran has requested a new pause in the talks in Vienna, negotiations which purportedly aim to bring the U.S. back into the 2015 agreement and roll back Iran’s nuclear activities. Too bad that that agreement is already obsolete. But, the negotiators don’t care about that. It’s all about
The West Dances to Iran’s Tune Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
With about 45,000 residents, Tiberias is a relatively small town located on the western side of Lake Kinneret. The lake is one of Israel’s most popular holiday destinations, for tourists and Israelis alike. Named for the Roman Emperor Tiberius, the city is famed for the legendary rabbis who resided there, for its hot springs, and for Tiberias’ colorful lakeside promenade. [Steve Kramer]
A Trip to Tiberias on the Kinneret’s Western Shore Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and FoodLet’s examine some of the abnormal and/or misleading terms which our enemies have managed to implant in the public’s mind about the situation here: “East Jerusalem,” “West Bank,” “Palestinians.” [Steve Kramer]
How Names Influence Middle Eastern Politics and Reporting Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Steve KramerThe United States, France, Germany, the UK, the EU, Russia, and China are about to resume “negotiating” the JCPOA, better known as the “Iran Deal,” concerning Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. Who’s missing from these meetings? Those countries most at risk from Iran’s warmongering: Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states. Not only is Israel not invited or even consulted, but the Biden Administration has given a clear warning to Israel to desist from taking any further actions against Iran which might exacerbate tensions, such as cyber warfare, assassinations, or “accidents” which occur in Iran. Evidently, the current US government doesn’t want any impediments to its “longer, stronger” deal with Iran – as if that were possible. [Steve Kramer]
U.S. Overriding Israel’s Fears in Latest Deal Making Effort with Iran Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USAIsrael and the United States are at odds over the Israeli capital of Jerusalem. You may not remember that Congress passed – by more that a 10:1 margin – the ‘Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995’ [Steve Kramer]
OpEd: Jerusalem Must Remain Undivided Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USAA friend in the US recently asked me what I thought about Israel’s new government. My replay: It’s a government! Finally, after four elections in two years, the victory of a wide-ranging coalition government last spring meant that there was a good chance the election frenzy would end. The prerequisite for the government’s survival was to pass a budget before mid-November. If not, new elections would be scheduled and the government would be reduced to “caretaker” status only. [Steve Kramer]
At Long Last, Israel Has a Working Government Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerYes, there’s gang violence in Israel, but not nearly on the scale of American gang violence. Violent crime in Israel is predominantly found in Israeli Arab towns and in mixed Arab-Jewish cities. It’s often clan/tribal related, consisting of organized crime disputes and more personal, vengeance attacks. In addition, there’s a continuing problem with so-called honor killings, which are intra-family. (In general, Israel is a very safe place, with women not afraid to walk on city streets at night and children having few limits placed on their play time.) [Steve Kramer]
Arab vs. Arab Homicides Increasing in Israel Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
With a number of fellow members of Hod Ve Hadar, the Masorti (Conservative in the US) synagogue that we belong to in Kfar Saba, we recently visited Mt. Gerizim, Har Bracha, and Shilo, all in the Biblical heartland of Samaria. [Steve Kramer]
Travels in Samaria Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food