As an Israeli I am proud that Israeli judoka Or Sasson won a bronze medal in Rio. This was Israel’s second bronze in Rio, after Yarden Gerbi won third place in the women’s judo 63 kg weight class. Sadly, the Olympic Spirit whose intent is “to build a peaceful and better world in the Olympic […]
CONTINUE READINGAs an Israeli citizen I closely follow politics at home and am used to witness the tough and bare-knuckle political fights. But the events of the last 48 hours exceed even the worst expectations of hardball politics. Moshe Yaalon Israel’s defense minister and former Chief of Staff, announced his resignation on Friday, saying the governing […]
CONTINUE READINGIn a bombshell speech in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day on Wednesday evening, IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen.Yair Golan likened recent developments in Israeli society to processes that unfolded in Europe before the Holocaust. “If there’s something that frightens me about Holocaust remembrance it’s the recognition of the revolting processes that occurred in Europe in general, […]
CONTINUE READINGFor the last two days religiously motivated violence and terror dominates the news headlines in Israel. No, I do not mean ISIS or Hamas but Jewish zealots and extremists. Two days ago an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man attacked revelers taking part in Jerusalem’s annual gay pride parade, stabbing and injuring six of them, police and witnesses […]
CONTINUE READINGDear Friends: I just finished reading Micheal Oren’s book”Ally” because I wanted to make sure not to draw any conclusions from book reviews or media reports. Sadly, most of the reviewers comments and critique are correct. Michael Oren, the author of several superb bestsellers, including “Power Faith and Fantasy” and “Six Days of War”, a […]
CONTINUE READINGI am always trying to strike a careful balance between my support for Israel and the need for constructive criticism regarding Israels internal and foreign policies. Unfortunately, the formation of the 4th Netanyahu government raises a series of troubling issues that must be addressed without personal concern for being criticized as anti-Israel, or worse. PM […]
CONTINUE READINGThe horrific events in Paris have shaken Europe and the Western world. We all should reject the acts of brutal terror and senseless violence but should also be aware that it will trigger atavistic fears and instincts which will lead to further polarization. European Muslims who are trying to integrate into European societies are feeling […]
CONTINUE READINGAttached a link http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/18/arms-trade-israel-attack-gaza to an open letter titled ” The arms trade and Israel’s attack on Gaza” published on Friday, July 18th, 2014 in the British newspaper The Guardian in which sixty-four public figures, including seven Nobel Peace Prize winners and two Israelis, have called for an international arms embargo on Israel for its […]
CONTINUE READINGThis week provided a potpourri of issues emanating from the Middle East and many of them, as expected, challenge us to adapt to a rapidly changing political environment. Among those events the Pope’s visit to the Holy Land stood out as a missed opportunity to gain an objective understanding of the complexity of the situation. […]
CONTINUE READINGAs of today in one Palestinian refugee camp more than 2000 Palestinians died from shelling and gunfire. Dozens of people, women and children, starved to death and thousands eat grass, dogs and cats. No, its not located in the occupied territories or Gaza. Otherwise, the world capitals would overflow with protestors denouncing Israels “cruel” treatment […]
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