The newspaper business in the United States is widely regarded as terminally ill. Or, at the bare minimum, in need of major re-constructive surgery. That phenomenon isn’t limited to U.S. media. The major Israeli daily Maariv is seeking investors to fund the publication to keep it alive. Most Israelis read either Yediot Achronot (Ynet) or Maariv. Haaretz […]
The Palestinians are supposed to embark on an exercise of democratic reform today. But, it’s not going to happen. Last year, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced his intention of holding legislative and presidential elections today. However, Hamas (which one the 2006 elections and seized control of the Gaza Strip following obstruction by the PA) […]
It read’s like a spy novel and plays out like an episode of 24. A new article from DEBKAfile outlines the fate of a secret stash of gossip compiled by former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Realizing the impact that closeted skeletons can play in international affairs, Arafat ordered aides to uncover secrets on international officials […]
The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is all-but stalled one year into the Obama Administration, exposing frustrations from all relevant parties, including high-ranking White House officials. And those officials include, yes, President Barack Obama himself who declared somewhat of a mea culpa regarding non-existent negotiations. In a recent interview with Time magazine, Obama expressed frustration on the […]
Both Israeli and Turkish diplomats probably have headaches from the year-long tiff between the two countries, which began shortly following Operation Cast Lead and reached an apex earlier this month with Israeli Foreign Ministry officials insulting -and subsequently apologizing to- Turkish officials. The upside- if you have vacation time from work, check Turkey out. Israeli tourism […]
The Israeli Defense Force has been lauded as having launched one of the only effective response efforts in Haiti. However, anti-Semites will never pass up the opportunity to throw a little blood libel in the mix. Last year, a highly controversial article was published in a Norwegian paper alleging that the IDF regularly harvests Palestinian […]
There is certainly no shortage of Israel-Palestine based lobbyists, think tanks, and non-profits in Washington D.C. The Center for American Progress’ Middle East Progress is adding to its portfolio by teaming with the Israel Policy Forum. The new partnership will leverage the expertise of IPF (established nearly two decades ago) with the resources of a […]
The Israeli military is known for being the best in the world at certain things- namely assassinations, espionage, and long-range covert operations. Add another to the list. The Israeli military sent mobile hospitals to aid relief efforts in Haiti. The military certainly has experience, as the government set up hospitals during recent wars including Operation […]
Speculation surrounds the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to resume in the near future. Both sides have expressed their desire to jump-start high-level talks, although both parties still seem to find excuses for failing to meet. One perspective points out that negotiations would only improve the Israeli position and that the Palestinians have nothing to gain. […]
Freedom of the press is an integral facet to any democracy, including Israel’s. Moreover, shared values between Israel and the United States are anchored in the concept of open and free media, which plays an important facet in the people’s right to choose their leaders. Details are currently developing, but reports indicate that Israeli security […]
Next week, there’s a conference on Capitol Hill focused on U.S. relations in the Middle East one year into the Obama Administration. The event is sponsored by The Project on Middle East Democracy, the United States Institute of Peace, and Georgetown University’s Center for Democracy and Civil Society and will include a keynote from Sen. Robert Casey […]
Federal officials have developed a sophisticated knack for dodging questions they don’t want to answer. And the State Department is in no way different. The State Department’s response to the Israeli intention of building a barrier along the Egyptian border was quite simple. It read: “Israel has a right to defend itself and to monitor […]
The Palestinian Liberation Organization reached its heights under former Chairman Yasser Arafat, where the group obtained international legitimacy, became the leading party in the Palestinian Authority, and was regarded the only legitimate voice for the Palestinian people. Since the group’s ‘golden age,’ no other leader has managed to obtain the same level of support among […]
Alright, I couldn’t complete the alliterative headline. But, I got close. The year-long feud between Israel and Turkey spiked once more after months of quiet signalling potential repairs in the relationship. Speaking alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted the Israeli government for violating Lebanese airspace and water. Earlier this year, Erdogan […]
U.S. economic and military aid to Israel has largely helped the country develop and maintain a technological edge over its enemies. Rarely, has this support been called into question. However, comments from the U.S. special envoy to the region seem to indicate the country may consider withholding some of the funds unless the peace process […]