Let’s hope Obama won’t be a friend of Israel, writes Gideon Levy in a recent Ha’aretz editorial. Now before you get your knickers in a knot, read on:
When we say that someone is a “friend of Israel” we mean a friend of the occupation, a believer in Israel’s self-armament, a fan of its language of [...]
Archive for the ‘Politics/Middle East’ Category
Obama, Don’t Be a Friend of Israel!
Posted in Elections 2008, Israel, Palestine, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East on November 10, 2008 | 6 Comments »
A Different Kind of Coalition?
Posted in Israel, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East on October 27, 2008 | 4 Comments »
The news out of Israel: in recent weeks Tzipi Livni had been trying to form a new coalition but has now decided to call for new elections after refusing to bow to the Shas party’s preconditions (which included a demand to never divide Jerusalem). Much to say about all of this of course. Those of [...]
The Iran Circus Comes to Town
Posted in Iran, Israel, Politics, Politics/Middle East, War on September 21, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Get ready for an unbelievable din when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad comes to town next week.
For its part, the Jewish community is contributing its share to the political noise making with all the brouhaha over Sarah Palin’s invitation (and subsequent disinvitation) from a Jewish community protest against Iran on Monday. Tellingly, through all of the Jewish coverage [...]
Settlements Increase While the Door Closes
Posted in Israel, Palestine, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East on August 28, 2008 | 3 Comments »
At a Jerusalem press conference in with Condoleeza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni yesterday, the very first questioner cut right to the chase:
The organization Peace Now reported today that Israeli settlement activity has nearly doubled in the past year, Foreign Minister Livni, how do you reconcile that with your stated goal of trying [...]
Basketball Diplomacy
Posted in Current Events, Iran, Israel, News, Politics, Politics/Middle East on August 11, 2008 | 1 Comment »
For me, the first truly inspiring news from the Beijing Summer Olympics had nothing to do with athletic achievement. It occurred when David Blatt, the Israeli coach of the Russian basketball team made a point of shaking the hands with and embracing the captain of the Iranian team after a game.
The American-born Blatt [...]
Brit Tzedek Advocacy on Film!
Posted in Elections 2008, Israel, Palestine, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East on July 3, 2008 | No Comments »
Check out the GREAT video documentary of last week’s Brit Tzedek v’Shalom Advocacy effort on Capitol Hill. A highlight: an eloquent analysis of the need for American leadership toward a two-state solution by 14 year old JRC member Kelsey Waxman.
The Buckling of Spertus
Posted in American Judaism, Art, Israel, Palestine, Politics/Middle East, Zionism on June 22, 2008 | 12 Comments »
Sad news for the Jewish community of Chicago, for Jews everywhere…
“Imaginary Coordinates,” an exhibit at the Spertus Museum has closed down due to pressure from the Jewish United Fund of Greater Chicago. “Coordinates” explored historical maps of Israel/Palestine not simply as navigational devices but as tools that can “manipulate an outcome” and serve as “products [...]
Call For Diplomacy!
Posted in Iran, Israel, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East, War on June 10, 2008 | 2 Comments »
If Iran continues with its program for developing nuclear weapons, we will attack it. The sanctions are ineffective. Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable. (Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz)
In the next 10 years, during which (Iran) might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to [...]
My Peoria Op-Ed
Posted in Israel, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East, Yom Ha'atzmaut on June 1, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Here’s the opening of an editorial I wrote that appears in today’s Peoria Star-Journal:
President Bush recently traveled to Israel to celebrate that country’s 60th anniversary, a visit attested to by the many pictures of him smiling and shaking hands with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Yet I cannot help but feel that this isn’t a time for [...]
Back on the Syria Track?
Posted in Iran, Israel, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East, Syria on April 24, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Could there be something in the air between Israel and Syria? We’ve receiving reports that the two countries have been back channeling with the help of Turkey for some time - and now Syrian President Assad has told a Qatar newspaper that Turkish involvement had yielded an Israeli offer to withdraw from the Golan [...]
