Obama Digs in on Israel's Borders
In his speech to AIPAC, Obama surrendered to his personal exasperation with Netanyahu, and escalated a fight he had every reason to de-escalate. That was a deeply unwise speech Obama just gave to AIPAC. The president did not ask himself the first question of political speechmaking: Why am I saying …Should Israel Come Clean on Its Nukes?
Has Israel's policy of not publicly admitting it has nuclear weapons been a mistake? As the 1967 border discussions are placed at the media forefront again, Israel must once again consider questions on how best to deter foreign aggression. One issue which has not been raised in the recent …Obama Sends a Tough Message to Abbas
Obama may have told the Palestinians they would receive territory equal to the pre-1967 borders, but he also made it clear that any security questions would be resolved in Israel's favor. Obama's messages to Abbas: 1) You should be talking to Israel, not UN 2) Your inclusion of Hamas in your …Anti-Israel Critics Want More Attention
A debate over awarding an honorary degree to anti-Israel playwright Tony Kushner has led to the ridiculous claim that critics of the Jewish state don't have a voice. In a world full of problems, we all must make choices about where to invest time and energy. There are so many different …Targeting Terrorists: OK for U.S. But Not Israel?
As world leaders applaud the U.S. for killing Bin Laden, it's easy to forget that these leaders also condemned Israel for doing the same to Hamas mastermind Sheikh Yassin. As world leaders rightly applaud and congratulate the United States on the death of Osama Bin-Laden and the evil he represente…The UN Statehood Vote's Real Downside
Israel's worried about the UN vote on Palestinian statehood. But the real danger could be acceptance of the "right of return" and a whitewashing of Hamas' crimes. A specter is haunting Israel. As the Palestinian Authority is threatening to declare statehood in September with UN recognition, …The Liberal Party's Real Israel Policy
When they speak about the Middle East, Canada's Liberals double-message: professing friendship for Israel while signaling to anti-Israel voters. Bob Rae’s letter to the editor of the National Post about the Liberal Party’s Israel record is a shabby document. When I say the letter is shabby, …Ignatieff's Wink to Anti-Israel Voters
Liberal candidate Michael Ignatieff may not have mentioned Israel in this week's debate, but those who follow the issues closely saw signals of a return to Canada's old Mideast policies. Michael Ignatieff used this week’s English-language leaders debate to send dog whistle signals to anti-Israel …Arab League Wants Gaza No-Fly Zone
According to reports coming out of the Middle East, the Arab League will request that the U.N. Security Council impose a no-fly zone over Gaza. According to reports coming out of the Middle East, the Arab League said it will request that the U.N. Security Council impose a no-fly zone over Gaza. …Face to Face with the Anti-Israel Young
Last week, after my lecture at Montréal University, bodyguards who rushed me through a backdoor and away in a speeding car. The reason for the drama? I'm Israeli. Last week, Montréal University (l’Université du Québec à Montréal, or UQÀM) made me feel good: After I delivered my lecture there, …How Big of a Dupe is Richard Goldstone?
Why is Richard Goldstone surprised that the UN has not condemned Hamas's terrorist attacks? Is Richard Goldstone the world's biggest dupe ? If he does not deserve the gold medal, surely he's a solid runner-up. Some have suggested that it was absurd to expect Hamas, an organization that has a …Israel Flexes Its Online Diplomacy
F F has learned that Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon will visit with Facebook staff today. The visit comes days after the site banned a group calling for a Third Intifada. Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon will visit Facebook offices in San Francisco this morning to …Why is New Reform Rabbi Repeating Anti-Israel Rhetoric?
When it comes to his stance on Israel, the new leader of the Union for Reform Judaism has some baggage that should trouble supporters of the Jewish state. Richard Jacobs, rabbi of Westchester Reform Temple, has just been chosen the new leader of the Union for Reform Judaism, Judaism's largest …UN Turns a Blind Eye to Syria
As the Assad regime ramps up their campaign of repression, the UN Human Rights Council has stayed silent and focused instead on their favorite punching bag: Israel. As Syria verges on eruption, with riots and widespread killings across the state, the Syrian propaganda machine goes into full …Terror Returns to Jerusalem
It’s shocking to see how quickly tensions escalate in Israel, and how easily a tenuous calm was shattered by Wednesday’s attack in downtown Jerusalem. It’s shocking to see how quickly tensions escalate in Israel, and how a tenuous calm was so quickly shattered by Wednesday’s terrorist attack in …Israel's Low-Profile Security Style
Before arriving in Israel, I imagined I would find a highly militarized state, with checkpoints and guns a common sight. The reality though is quite different. A final thought about Israel: there was certainly a lower level of security in the areas I visited than I would have expected. Before I …Is Palin Alienating Israel's GOP Friends?
It's tough for a Republican politician to lose friends by visiting Israel. Yet Sarah Palin is in danger of doing so. Sarah Palin is visiting Israel, a move which normally helps GOP candidates. But as my latest CNN column points out, by ignoring the Republican Jewish Coalition she may be writing …Israeli Town Vows to Rebuild After Fire
The Israeli town of Beit Oren was ravaged by the Mount Carmel fires last year. But despite the destruction, the town's residents are promising to rebuild. “The truth is that the Israeli way is not to do anything until a rope is around your neck,” says Ran Ronen, a respected member of Beit …