August 17, 2009
From 1982: My First Time – To Visit Israel
[This essay appeared in the English-language weekly section of The Forward newspaper, then a Yiddish daily, on November 14, 1982. I have edited it slightly for clarity.]
“Why are you going?” the security guard at JFK International Airport asked me in a flat voice before I checked my luggage for a summer flight to Israel.
“Me?” I pointed at myself, surprised by this after the expected questions about packing and destinations. “You mean, why am I going to Israel for my vacation?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, because I’m a Jew. I want to see what it’s like.”
“But aren’t you afraid?”
“No. I’ll probably feel safer there than in New York.”
For the first time she smiled and wished me a good trip.
Continue reading "From 1982: My First Time – To Visit Israel"
Van | 08/17/09 at 03:15 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 21, 2007
Israel's Pride
Two important conflicts have played out in the Land of Israel this past week. But first, a word from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook:
Near the end of their journey in the desert, the Israelites arrived at Kadesh. But there was no water to drink, and the people complained bitterly. God commanded Moses to take his staff before the entire people and speak to the cliff-rock, to provide water for the nation. Moses took the staff and assembled the people. But he shouted,"Listen now, you rebels! Shall we produce water for you from this cliff?" [Num. 20:10]
Moses then struck the cliff twice with the staff, and a huge amount of water gushed out. ...
According to Rav Kook, all religious rage, all intolerance for moral failings, is rooted in this display of anger by Moses. Instead of words of reconciliation, he shouted, "Listen now, you rebels!" Instead of speaking to the heart, he hit the rock. While righteous indignation stems from sincere and pure intentions, the highest goals of holiness will only be achieved through calm spirits and mutual respect.
In our generation, the instruction of Torah and its details involves a pedantic form of debate. Father and son, teacher and student, struggle and battle over Torah study. In the end, their mutual love returns; but the residual feelings of enmity are never completely erased.
The restoration of the peaceful ways of Torah will come through the prophet Elijah, who "shall turn the heart of fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." [Malachi 3:24]
Continue reading "Israel's Pride"
Asher Abrams | 06/21/07 at 06:33 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 09, 2007
Rachel Papo, Photographing the Distaff IDF
Photographer Rachel Papo's series "Serial No. 3817131" documents the life of women members of the Israel Defense Forces. Her statement on the work says,
Rather than portraying the soldier as heroic, confident, or proud, my images disclose a complexity of emotions. The soldier is often caught in a transient moment of self-reflection, uncertainty, a break from her daily reality, as if questioning her own identity and state of contradiction. She is a soldier in uniform but at the same time she is a teenage girl who is trying to negotiate between these two extreme dimensions. She is in an army base surrounded by hundreds like her, but underneath the uniform there is an individual that wishes to be noticed.
I liked her photography greatly. How could one not be impressed by Jewish women with guns?
Van | 06/09/07 at 11:05 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 14, 2007
Lufthansa's got my back
I'm sitting in the lounge at Ben Gurion Airport, waiting to check in at 3 AM for my 5 AM flight to the US. Which connects through Frankfort. So I really don't need this:
Continue reading "Lufthansa's got my back"
Judith | 05/14/07 at 04:30 PM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 13, 2007
Israeli graffiti
The remains of a mosque near the Syrian border in the upper Golan, I assume bombed by the Israelis in one of the border wars. (Thumbnail)
From the girl's bathroom in Mike's Place, the oceanside American bar in Tel Aviv which was subjected to a walking bomb in 2003:
Continue reading "Israeli graffiti"
Judith | 05/13/07 at 04:48 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Hamsin
[ UPDATE: A commenter on Augean Stables linked to a site about a weird meteorilogical phenomenon in Queensland Australia.
UPDATE: Richard Fernandez recalls some sandstorm blogging from Iraq. ]
Richard Landes returns to his blog Augean Stables after a long trip, with stunning photos of a sandstorm advancing upon Israel from the Sinai.
I believe this is the hamsin which blew across Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. All day the sky had been low and the air heavy, like before a tornado. As I walked down the beach promenade that evening on my way to dinner with an Israeli blogger, the hamsin blew in, sandblasting my face, spattering me with rain, and breaking my umbrella. I was crunching on tiny grit for most of the meal.
The previous week when Mary Steve and I were in Ein Gedi, we saw a sand storm pour through a crevasse. As it was an overcast day, I added some saturation and contrast to these photos so you can see it more clearly. (They are thumbnails of larger photos.) These views are looking back toward the Dead Sea from about halfway up Nahal David. (For more context, see my post on hiking in Ein Gedi from Jan 1.)
Judith | 05/13/07 at 04:23 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 11, 2007
Teapacks at Eurovision
Remember Teapacks, the Israeli band whose entry to the Eurovision contest, "Push the Button," was deemed too edgy and political (but was entered anyway after an outcry from their fans)? We posted about the controversy and a bunch of their YouTube videos here and here, including "Push the Button."
Well, they didn't make it to the finals of the contest, and there was more controversy involving an audio glitch and artistic differences with the Helsinki stage production crew (about which more below), but they performed a rocking show.
Composer, lead singer and band leader Kobi Oz gives great interview - savvy, articulate, confrontative - check it out, below:
Continue reading "Teapacks at Eurovision"
Judith | 05/11/07 at 07:24 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 10, 2007
Golan Happy Land
I wanted to show Mary and Steve the ruggedly beautiful Upper Golan, but we dawdled for a while in the Gallilee and it was heading for evening as we wound our way parallel to the Syrian border. We ended up driving through several of the Druze villages up there.
BTW I know the main reason Israel shouldn't give back the Golan is that whoever commands the heights has a strategic advantage, but an equally compelling reason is how beautiful it is and the unlikeliness of Syria allowing Jews to visit. If you go to Israel rent a car and wander around there. Take a few days. Hike Gamla and explore Nimrod's Fortress.
This sign in Majdal Shams summed up our mood as we wound our way back down the mountains and headed to Jerusalem.
The building behind it looked like a community center, so we are assuming it's a day care facility or nursery school.
Judith | 05/10/07 at 10:08 AM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 30, 2007
On the seventh day . . .
We met a cousin of a friend in Tel Aviv, had a very nice "My dinner with Andre" experience in a pretentious restaurant with good food, and I might post some audio from it later.
Noam sent me links to some cute Israeli commercials - here's one:
Judith | 04/30/07 at 06:16 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 25, 2007
No Comment
Hi everybody, I am in Israel again for 3 weeks. My Israeli cell is 050-684-2343. If you are around, give me a ring.
If you tried to comment the last few days and it got caught in my junk folder, kiss that sucker goodbye, because I have 247 junk comments and I wasn't going to slog through all of them looking for real humans. Please try again.
Expect posts and podcasts.
Judith | 04/25/07 at 11:29 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 21, 2007
Jobnik!
Via On the Face, a comic chronicle of life in the lowest echelons of the IDF.
Raised in a religious home in Ohio, Miriam immigrated to Israel as a teenager and volunteered for service in the IDF. Classified by the army as excessively emotional and sexually ambivalent, and possessing poor Hebrew skills, she was not considered suitable for a job in Intelligence or as a medic, so instead she was sent to do clerical work at a base in the middle of nowhere. "The service was unbelievably boring, but I don't regret it, mostly because that experience was the inspiration for my comics. Army service exposed me to an aspect of Israeli society that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise."The comics series is called Jobnik!, which is Israeli slang for someone who did their mandatory army service in a low-prestige job - like clerk or a truck driver.
Go to Miriam's website to view the first 4-5 pages of each comic - I think you will want to buy them.
A long article in Zeek about the Jobnik! series, and Libicki's other comics, Ceasefire! about the recent Lebanon War, and Towards a Hot Jew: The Israeli Soldier as a Fetish Object:
Judith | 03/21/07 at 04:29 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 12, 2007
Israelis say "throw the bums out"
When I was in Israel for the conference, I asked a few people why Olmert's government was still in power, given how he and his cabinet botched the Lebanon War. I was told that Israel had just had elections, that people were tired of elections, that many in the government didn't want to lose their seats in a general house-cleaning. I was told it would be at least a year before anyone would be feeling like holding an election. Olmert was even inching back up in the polls.
However, a recent poll shows that Israelis are ready to throw the bums out:
Continue reading "Israelis say "throw the bums out""
Judith | 03/12/07 at 03:45 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 07, 2007
Lovely: German Bishops Compare West Bank to Warsaw Ghetto
Of all the people in the world who ought to be careful about making insensitive remarks comparing Jews to Nazis, you think high among them would be German Catholic religious leaders. Unfortunately that is not the case.
Yad Vashem lambasted a group of visiting German Catholic bishops on Tuesday for comparing the situation in the Palestinian territories with the Holocaust, calling the contentious remarks "political exploitation and demagoguery" and a gross distortion of history.The sharp condemnation ... followed reports in the German press of comparisons made by senior German bishops between conditions in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II and current conditions in Ramallah, resulting from Israeli military activities.
"The remarks illustrate a woeful ignorance of history and a distorted sense of perspective," Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev wrote in a Tuesday letter to Cardinal Karl Lehmann, who led the Conference of German Catholic Bishops on a 10-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Continue reading "Lovely: German Bishops Compare West Bank to Warsaw Ghetto"
Alcibiades | 03/07/07 at 02:03 AM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 27, 2007
Lawrence of Arabia Was a Zionist
Watching Peter O'Toole at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, one couldn't help but hearken back to that David Lean film classic, Lawrence of Arabia. O'Toole's T.E. Lawrence was the archetype British Arabist, but, according to historian Sir Martin Gilbert, Lawrence was in reality a staunch Zionist.
Continue reading "Lawrence of Arabia Was a Zionist"
Cinnamon | 02/27/07 at 01:14 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 23, 2007
Blind to Reality
You want to know why Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz is short sighted in his capabilities?
What, besides his complete lack of preparedness for the job of Defense Minister, might explain this?
Peretz joined the new army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, watching Wednesday's large-scale maneuvers. The pictures show the two side by side with military binoculars held up to their eyes — but Peretz's still have the lens caps in place. The photographer said Peretz raised the capped binoculars three times, nodding as Ashkenazi explained what he was "seeing."
Pathetic.
We've all done this kind of thing, but normally after realizing we are not getting any view, we figure out there is a problem. If he can't figure it out himself, was he too embarrassed to ask an aide why the binoculars weren't working for him? Or to tell someone he was given "a defective pair"?
Add whatever nuance you like to that final phrase.
UPDATE: Someone kindly added the video version to youtube.
Alcibiades | 02/23/07 at 01:06 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 22, 2007
Hummus
Apropos of this week's topics.... a comment found at Jewlicious: Non-Zionists - enjoy hummus. Anti-Zionists - also enjoy hummus but can’t stop thinking - between bites - that the Zionists stole hummus from Arabs along with their land and other . . . more »Judith | 02/22/07 at 11:34 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 13, 2007
Where Are the Israelis?
Those of us who have written countless opeds and blog posts trying to push Israeli strength only to witness its continued weakness will find expression for their frustration in the words of Dr. Steve Carol: ...Where are the Israelis? Where . . . more »Cinnamon | 02/13/07 at 07:26 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 03, 2007
Iranian Nuclear Scientist Assassinated - Was Mossad Involved?
Stratfor had a report a few days back that I saw mentioned, which is now getting more traction, that the Mossad may have assassinated one of Iran's top nuclear scientists - showing that it is serious about preventing Iran from . . . more »Alcibiades | 02/03/07 at 10:47 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 28, 2007
New year at En Gedi
I am still playing around with video distribution services. This is via blip.tv. You can set it up so it automatically posts to your blog. (I found out about blip from these guys who make funky friendly tutorials on vblogging.) . . . more »Judith | 01/28/07 at 06:30 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 25, 2007
Israel: A Stiff Necked Country
Israel: A Stiff Necked Country That's not my opinion, by the way; rather, its my translation of Jimmy's belief that Israel was "intransigent." I guess he believed he had the God's eye view, that he shared God's perspective and God's . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/25/07 at 06:42 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Gas station camels
While in Israel, Mary had an encounter with a camel at a gas station. I wonder if it was the same camel at the same gas station where I gassed up and bought some felafel and fruit and chocolate on . . . more »Judith | 01/25/07 at 03:27 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 24, 2007
More home movies from Israel
Looks like we all got burnt out on blogging at the same time...... Well, here's another home movie from Israel, of a courtyard in the Old City. (Previous video clips from my trip: Mitzpe Ramon and Akko Harbor.) var api . . . more »Judith | 01/24/07 at 11:40 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 17, 2007
More home movies from Israel
The other thing I like about Video Egg is that the video goes live as soon as you post the code, no waitng for it to "process" and get approved. The upload process itself takes a few minutes, but still . . . more »Judith | 01/17/07 at 03:25 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Evening at the Akko Harbor
I'm going to put up the conference videos with Video Egg. In YouTube there is no way to make a video just available to whoever reads your blog. Either it's out there for anyone to access at YouTube, or you . . . more »Judith | 01/17/07 at 08:13 AM | 6 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 11, 2007
14 Members of the Carter Center Resign
From the letter sent by 14 members of the Carter Center announcing their resignation, now published in the WSJ: The facts in dealing with the conflict are these: There are two national narratives contesting one piece of land. The Israelis, . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/11/07 at 11:35 AM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 08, 2007
Portrait of the blogger as a jaded grad student
A nicotine-deprived Benjamin Kerstein (infrequent Kesher Talk co-blogger) in the Aroma in Beersheva, catering to my allergy to cigarette smoke. We had one of those college dorm-type bull sessions, mostly about different flavors of Zionism (Ben's specialty). I wish I . . . more »Judith | 01/08/07 at 02:18 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 07, 2007
Teddy Kolleck and James Jesus Angleton
Two fascinating stories about the relationship between Teddy Kolleck, former mayor of Jerusalem, who recently passed away aged 95 and James Jesus Angleton. Teddy Kolleck was apparently instrumental in establishing close ties between Israel and the US, and one way . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/07/07 at 01:31 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 04, 2007
The Guest Thing That Wouldn't Leave
So ..... I'm still in Israel. In our last exciting episode I was hanging at the airport waiting for our plane to be fixed. (In the previous episodes I was barnstorming all over the country fitting in my roadtripping before . . . more »Judith | 01/04/07 at 05:27 PM | 10 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 03, 2007
Blogging in Ben Gurion Airport at 5 AM
Yes, this is my valiant 5-yr-old Powerbook, which made a comeback after the conference was over. Okay, time to check in . . . . . . . more »Judith | 01/03/07 at 09:54 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Twilight in Akko
This afternoon I drove up to Akko. Since the sun sets so early, by 4 PM twilight was already spreading, and the minaret neons came on. . . . . . . more »Judith | 01/03/07 at 08:03 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 02, 2007
Signs of life outside of internet
[ UPDATE: A few visuals added. ] Apologies if you posted a comment and it didn't get published for 24 hours. I was away from an internet connection for over a day and was not able to release a few . . . more »Judith | 01/02/07 at 04:40 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 28, 2006
Hizbullah paying Gazans for Kassam Attacks on Israel
Saddam's successor as an enabler of terror in Gaza has arrived - and its Hizbullah: Hizbullah is paying Palestinian splinter groups "thousands of dollars" for each Kassam rocket fired at the western Negev, The Jerusalem Post has learned. According to . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/28/06 at 01:54 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 27, 2006
Sheleg
It's snowing in Jerusalem right now. Huge wet flakes. I am sitting in Cuppa Joe, my wifi spot of choice, uploading stuff from the conference which will be online soon. But I had to stop to take pictures of the . . . more »Judith | 12/27/06 at 09:29 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 25, 2006
Fantastic Discussion in the Comments
Following from the recent conference in Israel on Israel and media, there is a fantastic conversation going on in the comments on a post by Liza, particularly between Richard Landes and Don Radlauer on the problem of Israel and Israel's . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/25/06 at 09:12 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 24, 2006
Land of the Fresh-Squeezed Juice
Latest in the Laptop Saga: I wanted to upload some stuff I had backed up on a CD and brought with me. Richard's spare laptop doesn't swallow CDs for some reason. So I thought maybe I could fire up my . . . more »Judith | 12/24/06 at 01:56 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 23, 2006
Shabbat music Saturday: Shabbat menucha
Laura Wetzler sings about the day of rest. An old Sephardic melody - you can hear the flamenco influence. I didn't go to the kotel for Shabbat after all. It was raining. I hate rain anyway and standing outside for . . . more »Judith | 12/23/06 at 11:44 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 22, 2006
Carter Criticism Roundup
Sneaking in a last post just before Shabbat begins - and wah! the computer just ate is - now I'm really crunching it to reproduce the links: For those of you from a more liberal political persuasion, Professor Mel Konner's . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/22/06 at 04:11 PM | 9 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 16, 2006
The UN General Assembly to the Rescue
Just so that you know, no problem is too small for the UN when it is about Israel, from the Jerusalem Post we learn that the UN is planning to open an office to register Palestinian claims for damage stemming . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/16/06 at 10:15 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 30, 2006
Carter on the Jews
In an intriguing article on Jimmy Carter, we learn some more details about Carter's early political history with Jewish Democrats during his Presidential run and his Presidency, including this gem. In Dangerous Liaison: The Inside Story of the U.S.-Israeli Covert . . . more »Alcibiades | 11/30/06 at 10:27 PM | 10 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 29, 2006
The Bathsheba Deadline: Fiction Straight Out of the Headlines
Political junkies looking for fiction straight out of the headlines should definitely consider gravitating towards Jack Engelhard's serial novel "The Bathsheba Deadline." It's an "Amazon Shorts" novel, which means it's published in installments and touches on real life events as . . . more »Cinnamon | 11/29/06 at 12:01 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 28, 2006
Mideast "Peace Process" Makes for Surreal Headlines
In the surreal world of Mideast "peace processes," in which the media plays along with the charade that there are actually two sides involved, surreal headlines tend to come with the territory. Here's a recent few that come to mind: . . . more »Cinnamon | 11/28/06 at 03:02 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 09, 2006
Jerusalem Gay Parade Now a Closeted Event
Due to the threat of terrorism in Israel, as fallout from the unfortunate death from shelling of 19 civilians in Beit Hanoun in Gaza, the Jerusalem parade will now take place as a closeted event at the stadium at the . . .
more »Alcibiades | 11/09/06 at 10:20 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 04, 2006
Vanity Fair's Sickening Puff Piece on Haniyeh
In recent years, I've read more romanticized profiles of terrorist leaders in the mainstream media than I'd care to admit. But Vanity Fair's sickening puff piece on Palestinian prime minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh takes the cake. Authored by . . . more »Cinnamon | 11/04/06 at 02:32 PM | 4 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 27, 2006
Israel's Big Brother?
Judith has asked me to comment on the phenomeon of Israel Academia Monitor, a website which seeks to collate and expose various anti-, post-, etc-Zionist statements of various Israeli academics. As a student at an Israeli university this is an . . . more »Benjamin | 10/27/06 at 07:50 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 26, 2006
Those Industrious Palestinians At It Again
Amongst those seduced by the Palestinian "cause," there is much lamenting over the perceived absence of statehood. But what's lost admidst all the handwringing is that a de facto Palestinian state already exists. And as predicted by many an observer, . . . more »Cinnamon | 10/26/06 at 01:25 AM | 13 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 23, 2006
New issue of Azure
Azure - the always-interesting Israei policy journal - has a new issue out much of which you can read for free online. Some highlights: A book review by Kesher Talk's own occasional contributor Benjamin Kerstein. (More here.) Uriyah Shavit claims . . . more »Judith | 10/23/06 at 09:35 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 19, 2006
Fauxtography Rules!
[With UPDATES at the bottom] Apparently it does in France where news suppression and journalism as propaganda has just won a victory. In appalling news from unfree France, on the first of the Al Dura trials currently ongoing in France, . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/19/06 at 11:50 AM | 6 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 17, 2006
More Objective Reporting From Reuters
On Tuesday, a Reuters cameraman, working in the West Bank, was remanded into custody by the Judea-area military court. What were the charges, you ask? Nothing special. Just the usual kind of objective methodology we've now grown accustomed to seeing . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/17/06 at 03:57 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 16, 2006
BBC - The News Suppression Corporation
Not only is the BBC biased against Israel, which one can observe simply by watching it. But now it turns out, the BBC is going to court, using public funds supplied to them by the execrable license act (of which . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/16/06 at 11:14 AM | 5 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Happy September 11th
I was googling for images of Jerusalem in the rain for the Geshem post, and chanced upon a Flickr set from a trip to Israel last year. The tourist came upon this in the door of a shop in Jerusalem: . . . more »Judith | 10/16/06 at 01:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 10, 2006
Where is the Second Temple Treasure Hidden?
In Rome or in the West Bank? Or is it already destroyed? For centuries, Jews have believed that the ancient treasure of the Second Temple, taken to Rome in the first century CE, stayed in Rome, and that some of . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/10/06 at 12:28 AM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 22, 2006
Where Exactly is the Line, Lisa?
We were remiss yesterday not to cover news of Columbia's invitation to Ahmadinejad to speak at the University at its World Leaders Forum. Eliana Johnon at the NYSun - still my favorite paper, even though for the last 3 weeks . . . more »Alcibiades | 09/22/06 at 10:49 AM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 10, 2006
Minhag Anglia
Melanie Phillips, in one of her bravura pieces, calls British Jewry to task for failing to make a peep while Israel was culmniated left, right and center, during the recent War in Lebanon. Nary a peep from the Jews, which . . . more »Alcibiades | 09/10/06 at 03:23 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 28, 2006
Rule of the Mediocre?
Eitan Haber, a former confidant and advisor of Yitzhak Rabin, has written a scathing article at YNet excoriating Israel's leadership for its wartime failures and blasting Israeli society in general. Some of the article is clearly partisan nonsense, but Haber . . . more »Benjamin | 08/28/06 at 05:08 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 25, 2006
Deconstructing Peace Now
The excellent writer and blogger Michael Totten, whom I consider a personal friend, is currently writing from Tel Aviv. His latest post narrates his meeting with two Peace Now activists from Kibbutz Shomrat. What they have to say is, to . . . more »Benjamin | 08/25/06 at 06:43 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 17, 2006
The State of the Israeli State
So Syria is planning to start its own Hizbullah now: On the heels of what it views as a Hizbullah victory against the Jewish state, Syria is forming its own Hizbullah-like guerilla organization to fight Israel in hopes of "liberating" . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/17/06 at 11:33 AM | 8 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 11, 2006
Olmert: Fortune's Fool and His Own
[Judith: How many green lights is this now? ] Ari Shavit on Olmert: Ehud Olmert may decide to accept the French proposal for a cease-fire and unconditional surrender to Hezbollah. That is his privilege. Olmert is a prime minister whom . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/11/06 at 10:46 AM | 24 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
July 19, 2006
Richard Cohen fisking now has links
[ UPDATE: Tony Judt says Israel "needs to grow up." (I guess this is another way of saying "hunker down.") The comments are better than you would expect. ] If you haven't checked back at my fisking of Richard Cohen's . . . more »Judith | 07/19/06 at 12:12 AM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 28, 2006
Flyover Country
Israel Air Force performed a flyover above Assad's palace in Syria while Assad was at the site. The planes swooped low over the summer residence of Assad, on Syria's Mediteranean coast. Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas, lives in . . . more »Alcibiades | 06/28/06 at 04:35 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 27, 2006
The Israel Air Force has just blown up two bridges in Gaza
[ Vital Perspective and Carl in Jerusalem are live-blogging. ] Carl:For those who have not been through this before, the surest sign that Israel is winning in Gaza will be if the UN Security Council convenes to try to stop . . . more »Alcibiades | 06/27/06 at 07:04 PM | 0 Comments | 3 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 26, 2006
Israel and blogs
Have blogs influenced your opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Aussie Dave wants to know. He has a poll you can take, and also leave your comments. I wouldn't say my positions on this issue have changed, but I constantly get . . . more »Judith | 06/26/06 at 12:09 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 24, 2006
Follow the Leader
The Episcopalian Church follows the Presbyterians on renouncing anti-Israel rhetoric. The US Episcopal Church has taken a significant pro-Israel turn at its triennial General Convention, joining the Presbyterians in abandoning pro-Palestinian rhetoric and adopting a resolution repudiating anti-Jewish interpretations of . . . more »Alcibiades | 06/24/06 at 10:24 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 17, 2006
Connection to Israel Suddenly Undesirable?
Josh Gerstein, a star story breaker at the New York Sun, is reporting this morning that there appears to be a pattern involving revoking the security clearances of people who need Defense Department security clearances and have a strong connection . . . more »Alcibiades | 05/17/06 at 08:24 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 12, 2006
A nation among nations
Bookworm says: I'd always assumed that the Balfour Declaration, the UN recognition of Israel in 1948, and Israel's multiple military victories against the Arab nations were the sole basis (and a pretty damn strong basis, too), for her right to . . . more »Judith | 05/12/06 at 12:09 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 10, 2006
Sign the Petition to Help Eradicate Human Trafficking in Israel
Here's the text of the petition to create legislation to end human trafficking in Israel. Please take the time to read and sign it. Human trafficking is a stain on Israel's reputation and a threat to its security and moral . . . more »Alcibiades | 05/10/06 at 11:53 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 08, 2006
Le Plus Ca Change...
Le Plus C'est La Meme Chose Britain opens up its National wartime archives to disclose historical proof of the presence of Nazi S.S. agents in Mandatory Palestine, working closely with Palestinian leaders. Historical documents in Britain’s National Archives in London . . . more »Alcibiades | 05/08/06 at 06:04 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 07, 2006
Hamas Plotting to Kill Abbas?
The London Times is reporting that Israel foiled a Hamas plot to kill Abbas and Mohammed Dahlan in Gaza, by tipping him off ahead of time. A HAMAS plot to assassinate Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has been thwarted after . . . more »Alcibiades | 05/07/06 at 12:37 AM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 27, 2006
Europe Now in Striking Distance of Iran
Will Europe keeping yawning about the Iranian threat now that they are in striking distance of the mad mullahs? Iran procures missiles capable of hitting Europe Iran has purchased ground-to-ground missiles from North Korea with a range of 2,500 kilometers, . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/27/06 at 09:49 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 24, 2006
In Some Systems...
"Beam Us Up" is a synonym for Aliyah. One of the things missed by not spending Passover in Israel was a huge fantasy fest - sponsored by The Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy, Starbase 972, The Israeli Tolkien . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/24/06 at 12:21 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 16, 2006
Go Lord Carey, Go!
There is a move by other Anglican bishops to quell former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey's "disloyalty" to Rowan Williams, the current Archbishop. Among other things, Lord Carey announced to the world he was ashamed to be an Anglican after . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/16/06 at 12:05 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 15, 2006
Pollard for Barghouti?
[ UPDATE: Or perhaps not. The US is now denying the report of the Pollard-Barghouti prison release deal. Most likely a proactive leak, to put out feelers. In any case, "US embassy spokesman Stewart Tuttle called the report "ridiculous speculation." . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/15/06 at 10:53 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 09, 2006
The Next Generation of Weapons
Check out this new, ultra modernistic, RPG repeller from Israel, named Trophy. To be tested by American troops in Iraq. . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/09/06 at 10:10 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 05, 2006
Iran's Borderline Provocations
Michael Ledeen points out that British newspapers are now publishing the news that Iran has set up terror camps to target the troops in Iraq. A NETWORK of terror camps has been set up in Iran to train insurgents to . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/05/06 at 11:03 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Does catastrophe in the making sum it up?
"We are a little surprised by the possibility Peretz will become the next defense minister," said one defense official. "The Defense Ministry is a complex establishment and it requires someone who understands the way things work. Appointing Peretz would mean . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/05/06 at 09:02 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 01, 2006
Double Strikeout
Unfortunately, the relative weakness of Kadima in the current election showing has forced the following situation. Which is worse? For the Israeli Finance or the Defense Portfolio to fall into the hands of Labor? I think its equal opportunity horribility. . . . more »Alcibiades | 04/01/06 at 08:37 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 29, 2006
Bush: No US Aid for Hamas led PA
"I weep for the Palestinians' suffering," Bush said in a speech. "They've been ruled for years by a disappointing government, but we can't fund a nation that seeks to destroy its neighbor." Bush apparently isn't the only one. Earlier Wednesday, . . . more »Alcibiades | 03/29/06 at 07:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Whither Israel: Back Into the Red?
The big question arising from the results of the Israeli election is why the Israeli electorate "punished" Bibi Netanyahu by only giving Likud 11 seats. The most compelling answer is that Bibi was the person most identifiable as being to . . . more »Alcibiades | 03/29/06 at 11:47 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 28, 2006
Uninspirational
UPDATE: As of 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, only 47 percent of Israel's five million eligible voters had turned out at Israel's 8,000 polling stations to cast their ballots. The figure is much lower than that at the same time on . . . more »Alcibiades | 03/28/06 at 08:58 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 27, 2006
Follow the Israeli elections in the blogosphere
Allison Kaplan Sommer will be covering the Israeli elections for Pajamas Media. (And she's already been covering the campaigning at her blog.) Vital Perspective will be live blogging the elections beginning at 8:15am EST Tuesday March 28th and continuing until . . . more »Judith | 03/27/06 at 09:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Are the AIPAC Charges Unconstitutional?
Judge: AIPAC charges may be based on unconstitutional law . . . more »Alcibiades | 03/27/06 at 12:36 PM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 09, 2006
The Great Semen Smuggling Scheme
Semen smuggling attempt thwarted . . . more »Alcibiades | 03/09/06 at 09:32 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
"Is Islam Compatible with Democracy?"
Ann Althouse attends a lecture at her university, given by law school colleague Professor Asifa Quraishi, and provides an account. What I was tackling in my presentation was the roadblock in this issue that I think is presented by the . . . more »Alcibiades | 03/09/06 at 10:11 AM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 09, 2006
Condi plays bad cop again
We've been getting mixed signals from Condi Rice on the Bush administration's attitude toward the Palestinian attempts at self-government. We have at times wondered if she has indeed been captured by the “realist” culture of the State Department. Well, Condi . . . more »Judith | 02/09/06 at 03:05 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 07, 2006
More Mindboggling Timing
Even a world awash in the Great and utterly contrived Cartoon Jihad of 2006 could not keep the earnest men and women of the General Synod, the established legislative body of the Church of England, from performing their righteous duty . . . more »Alcibiades | 02/07/06 at 09:28 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 26, 2006
Hamastan Before Our Eyes
Ha'aretz provides a convenient Who's Who in Hamas for its top 5 leaders. Ehud Olmert tells the world that a Palestinian Authority led by Hamas is "not a partner" in peace. "If a government led by Hamas or in . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/26/06 at 04:46 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Israel won't talk to government including Hamas
"Israel will not conduct any negotiation with a Palestinian government, if it includes any (members of) an armed terror organization that calls for Israel's destruction," Olmert's office said in a statement. In other news, Robert Satloff, the Executive Director of . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/26/06 at 04:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 24, 2006
Sharon's True State of Health Concealed from Public
Ha'aretz reports on their investigation into Sharon's health Sharon's general medical condition was more critical than his doctors and advisers have reported since his first stroke on December 18, 2005. In addition to the heart problem they disclosed, Sharon was . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/24/06 at 12:24 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 23, 2006
For What It's Worth
A closer look at Yigal Amir, the murderer of Yitzhak Rabin, based on an interview with Ari Shamay, the leftist lawyer representing him in his case to be able to impregnate his wife using artificial insemination. While the lawyer is . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/23/06 at 01:56 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 18, 2006
Hugh Hewitt interviews Bret Stephens about Ariel Sharon
HH: Joining me now to discuss both Sharon's place in history and the aftermath of his disability is Bret Stephens, who is of course with the Wall Street Journal. He is a longtime watcher of Israeli politics, having edited the . . . more »Judith | 01/18/06 at 11:38 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 09, 2006
The Colossus of Israel
So I was just having a lively argument with my neighbor about whether Sharon had actually changed and moved to the left or whether the facts on the ground had changed. And as a tactician, he had changed his plan . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/09/06 at 04:21 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Voting starts today!
The preliminary voting round for the Jewish-Israeli Blog Awards starts today and goes till January 19th. You can see on the right sidebar the categories in which Kesher Talk is nominated. Each link goes to a page where you can . . . more »Judith | 01/09/06 at 12:14 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 07, 2006
The Lion of Zion
Peter Berkowitz writes a magnificent treatment of Sharon, in his column article in the Weekly Standard, Ariel Sharon's Legacy. For 30 years, Sharon believed that Israel's security was best served by Israeli settlements criss-crossing the West Bank. As prime . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/07/06 at 05:09 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 06, 2006
An Arab Tribute to Sharon
"Courage and objectivity require us to admit that Ariel Sharon has lived all his life for his people's benefit," a commentary in Jordan's al-Dustur reads. "If he were an Arab leader and behaved as he has done in Israel, . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/06/06 at 12:59 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Baruch dayan emet - not yet
I went with the World Tribune story linked by Memeorandum, which turned out to be false. Sorry for my Sago Mine moment. Omri Ceren continues to be the best source for up to the minute news on Sharon's condition. Don't . . . more »Judith | 01/06/06 at 11:35 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Did Emotional Stress Help Destroy Sharon?
UPDATES: 19:38 (Israel time): Top Haddassah hospital official: Last operation increased chances PM will live (Ch. 1) 19:00 (Israel time): Sharon's condition deteriorates (according to the headline in the JP) 19:00 W. House criticizes Robertson for suggesting PM`s stroke . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/06/06 at 01:48 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 05, 2006
After Sharon?
[ UPDATE: Multimedia on Sharon and his legacy at MSNBC. More updates throughout the day, scroll down.] I got to see Sharon speak when he came to NYC last spring to campaign for the disengagement among American Jews. He got . . . more »Judith | 01/05/06 at 12:38 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Thoughts on Sharon's Health and Political Legacy
Health UPDATES: 21:29pm (Israel Time) Hadassah officials: Sharon has suffered immense brain damage (Haaretz) 19:45pm (Israel Time) Sharon not in vegetative state, has retained brain and heart functions (Channel 2) 19:23 Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he wishes for Sharon`s . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/05/06 at 11:13 AM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 04, 2006
Sharon - hospitalized again - Running UPDATES
Police stand guard outside Hadassah hospital's emergency room, where Sharon is being operated on. MOST CURRENT UPDATES: 10:06am (Israel Time) Ariel Sharon emerged from hours of surgery Thursday morning with vital signs showing "functional and stable" levels, but the . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/04/06 at 03:42 PM | 2 Comments | 5 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 02, 2006
More Gazan Illogic
[ Updates at end ] Even British officials recognize something bizarre about Ms. Burton's post kidnapped behavior: Ms Burton was extremely reluctant to give any descriptions of her captors. “Kate had long ideological discussions with the kidnappers which certainly tired . . . more »Alcibiades | 01/02/06 at 12:25 PM | 4 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 31, 2005
Kidnapped In Gaza: The Logic That is Not
Kate Burton and her parents were freed in Gaza early this morning and taken to Israel after an international effort to secure their release. Debka is reporting that the significant part of that effort was a British payment of a . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/31/05 at 01:55 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 30, 2005
Border InSecurity
The border between Gaza and Egypt, currently monitored by Europeans - oh yeah, that's working out well: Palestinian policemen angry over the killing of a fellow officer stormed the Gaza-Egypt border crossing Friday, firing shots in the air and . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/30/05 at 05:16 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 27, 2005
Happy Hanukah -- some factoids
For those wanting a serious but easily readable account of the history of the period surrounding Hanukah, I recommend the short but spectacularly clear and impressively researched, From Ezra to the Last of the Maccabees by Elias Bickerman. It's . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/27/05 at 10:46 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 18, 2005
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffers light stroke - UPDATED
He is rushed to the hospital, during which time - according to some reports - he blacks out. Reports are that he is now conscious. Earlier reports claimed the prime minister lost consciousness on the ride to the hospital, had . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/18/05 at 01:57 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 08, 2005
Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards
The second annual Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards are being managed again this year by IsreallyCool, and - in a coup for the blogosphere - promoted and hosted by the Jerusalem Post! As was the case last year, the JIBs . . . more »Judith | 12/08/05 at 11:11 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Euthanasia, Jewish Style
In Israel, a new euthanasia law was passed by the Knesset, allowing patients with terminal conditions to have their life support cut off. However, in order to make the law congruent with Jewish law, this procedure is governed by machines, . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/08/05 at 08:21 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 06, 2005
Israeli Heroines
Atiyah, the pregnant Israeli cop who today gave chase and tried to stop a suicide bomber. She was wounded in the attempt but she and her baby are expected to recover fully. "He was not far from the entrance . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/06/05 at 12:25 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
December 03, 2005
Davidica
The Washington Post finally catches up to the past, with a news story on the state of the archaeological dig in Israel on the site tentatively labelled as David's Palace. It's actually a decent article, to my mind, because . . . more »Alcibiades | 12/03/05 at 06:05 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 30, 2005
The Dynamic Duo
I've got to say, I find Peres' statement that Sharon is the only leader who can lead Israel to peace more surprising than Sharon's turn away from Likud. Anyone who followed Israeli politics could see that move was in the . . . more »Alcibiades | 11/30/05 at 10:45 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 23, 2005
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists conducting a salvage dig in the Armenian monastery in Jaffa expected to find artifacts connected to the ancient fortifications of the city. However, a few days ago they were surprised to discover, some 60 centimeters . . . more »Alcibiades | 11/23/05 at 03:43 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 19, 2005
The New Jesus Seal
A newly excavated seal, from the sixth century, found in ancient Tiberias, bears the likeness of Jesus on it. On its reverse side, it contains the inscription "Christos" and the depiction of a cross. The archaeologist in charge speculates . . . more »Alcibiades | 11/19/05 at 05:29 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 18, 2005
The Cost of Weakness - Here and In Israel
By all means, let's preserve the Noble Lie - that Abbas is a "good" Partner for Peace. I'm just wondering aloud about the price Israel and her citizens now have to pay for the perception of Bush as weakened. Soccer . . . more »Alcibiades | 11/18/05 at 12:04 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
November 17, 2005
Were Condi's Demon-eyes Prescient?
When I read stories like this one, about the Mideast deal just brokered by Condi, giving Palestinians control of the Gaza-Egypt border, as well as free access to their own port in Gaza, I feel like demonizing Condi myself. . . . more »Alcibiades | 11/17/05 at 01:35 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 28, 2005
Amir Taheri Explains Iran
Amir Taheri has an important column in today's NYPost explaining what lies behind the recent threat against Israel by Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/28/05 at 12:37 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 26, 2005
When the fence is on the other foot
I stopped keeping track of Fence/Wall Hypocrisy a while back but this latest example reminds me of the many other fences around the world which no one find particularly oppressive. This one is even called a "Peace Line." Can anyone . . . more »Judith | 10/26/05 at 08:24 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
La Plus Ca Change...
According to the BBC, Russia opposes UN action on Syria.Moscow says it will block any UN effort to impose sanctions on Damascus over its alleged role in the assassination of former Lebanese leader Rafik Hariri. Sigh. I thought the old . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/26/05 at 03:41 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 24, 2005
The final seal
The culmination of all our rain-making perambulations took place this morning, and the 5766 Book of Life has been signed, sealed, and delivered . . . but wait! It's not over yet! Tomorrow we get to pray for rain again. . . . more »Judith | 10/24/05 at 02:31 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Bar Kochba was into Sukkot, and more
Before Zman Simchateynu leaves us to the gloom of cold and snow and shorter daylight hours, some more Sukkot links: Pesach is particularist, Sukkot is universal. The usual Jewish dialectic. Imshin's Sukkot holiday in the Gallilee, with photos. Via Miriam, . . . more »Judith | 10/24/05 at 02:21 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Yay for Bush!
Finally some extremely positive Bush news. Debka is reporting some excellent news about what happened inside the Bush-Abu Mazen talks last week. According to our sources, the US president laid down a new set of rules, unfamiliar to the Palestinians. . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/24/05 at 01:57 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 20, 2005
Pri Eytz Hadar
I've never held a caption contest before, but I couldn't think of anything to say about this photo, so have at it. (Rather, I immediately thought of ten different mutually contradictory things to say, and I can't pick just one.) . . . more »Judith | 10/20/05 at 01:55 PM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 14, 2005
Revisiting David's Palace
Azure is carrying an article on the finding of the building that may be David's palace, Facts Underground. [Or you can read an excerpted account in Ynet (a site that doesn't require free registration): Part I, Part II] You know . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/14/05 at 09:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 10, 2005
Al Qaeda Moving Into Gaza
Powerline has an account of signs that Al Qaeda is moving into Gaza. Well, with Al Qaeda operating among the Bedouin in the Sinai, we all knew it was only a matter of time. Particularly, after the breach in the . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/10/05 at 01:29 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 09, 2005
An update on the conversion of the B'nai Menashe in India
Here's an exciting update [from two weeks ago] on the Conversion of 700 B'nai Menashe to Judaism. [sites needs registration] . . . more »Alcibiades | 10/09/05 at 12:04 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 30, 2005
Wow, Here's A Triple Shocker From Britain!
Check this out! The rational statement of a policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians and the Israelis, laid out by Britain's Minister of State for the Middle East. . . . more »Alcibiades | 09/30/05 at 12:23 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 20, 2005
Same old same old
Christopher Hitchens made mincemeat of George Galloway last week, and has more juicy detail about Gorgeous George's retinue at the end of this article. (Scroll down to "Galloway update.") Someone needs to add this info to the next leaflet. . . . . more »Judith | 09/20/05 at 12:47 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 14, 2005
Some Muscular Talk About Israel's Holy Places
I was always against leaving Synagogues behind in Gaza, because it was patently clear, from events during the second Intifada and from the ongoing treatment of the Temple Mount, that they would soon be desecrated. In the end, though, the . . . more »Alcibiades | 09/14/05 at 02:14 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 09, 2005
Ha'aretz Provides an Update on David's Palace
Ha'aretz provides a more detailed description of the monumental building excavated in the area of Silwan, East Jerusalem, this summer. As well as some discussion of the scholarly debate surrounding the finding, which is already entrenched - not unexpectedly - . . . more »Alcibiades | 09/09/05 at 05:00 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
September 02, 2005
PA wants Arafat tomb on Temple Mount
With all the hurricane blogging, I somehow missed this little sally. . . . more »Alcibiades | 09/02/05 at 03:05 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 30, 2005
Show Some Political Courage
Given the nature of a certain dialogue the blogosphere was having amongst its selves late last week, I was very glad to notice this: . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/30/05 at 05:44 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 28, 2005
It's time for another Leon Wieseltier post
John Podhoretz:Leon Wieseltier, the most pretentious writer who has ever lived, writing as badly and grandiosely as only he can, about the Gaza disengagement in the new issue of the New Republic: "When I behold the photographs of the settlers . . . more »Judith | 08/28/05 at 03:51 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 27, 2005
Gaza Will Be the Test Case
I still stand with my original claim. I think Condi was Dowdified. What I was responding to in my original post on the matter is not the shocking thought that the US Administration would require withdrawal from more than Gaza . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/27/05 at 08:36 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 26, 2005
Correcting the Record again
Omri Ceren claims that Condoleeza Rice wasn't Dowdified.. . . while Rice did say the Palestinians are obligated under the Roadmap to dismantle terrorism (something which is obviously and undeniably true according to any statement the Quartet has ever put . . . more »Judith | 08/26/05 at 06:08 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Correcting the Record
"Everyone empathizes with what the Israelis are facing," Ms. Rice said in an interview. But she added, "It cannot be Gaza only." Remember this? Condi's malapropos coda to the first day of the Gaza Expulsions? The one I recently took . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/26/05 at 04:51 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 24, 2005
Changing the World, One Mind at a Time
I've been meaning to link to this excellent column on Arthur Koestler in the NYSun since yesterday, celebrating the centenary of his birth. Arthur Koestler, that one-time titan in the Cold and culture wars, was born 100 years ago this . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/24/05 at 05:06 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 23, 2005
Perhaps the last disengagement post
The most original assessment of the Gaza situation I have seen yet. Just read the whole thing. Some thoughts for Shabbat Nachamu. More heartrending photos. A mysterious photo. A few Palestinians are allowing themselves to feel empathy, while continuing to . . . more »Judith | 08/23/05 at 01:21 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Gazing Beyond Gaza
Mark Steyn has another must read column up on Gaza today: It was my National Review colleague David Frum who came up with the clearest assessment to date of the Israeli strategy: "Could it be that Sharon is calling the . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/23/05 at 11:52 AM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 22, 2005
Bureaucracy As Usual
It's dispiriting to hear just how the Israeli bureaucracy is treating civilians forced to move from Gaza, even the people who cooperated and agreed to leave before the deadline. I keep coming across stories about how nothing at all suitable . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/22/05 at 01:19 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 21, 2005
David's Kingdom
Another critique of the approach of Al-Quds University archeologist Hani Nur el_Din's response to the possible finding of David's Palace. As Al-Quds University archeologist Hani Nur el-Din put it to The New York Times, not only Mazar's work, but all . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/21/05 at 02:10 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 20, 2005
Disengagement isn't enough for some
Previous disengagement entries here, here, here, here, and here. Charles Krauthammer:. . . unilateralism is both correct and necessary. . . . Gaza was simply a bridge too far: settlements too far-flung and small to justify the huge psychological and . . . more »Judith | 08/20/05 at 08:25 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 18, 2005
Good cop, bad cop
I agree with Alcibiades in this post. I usually like Condoleeza Rice too. And I have been at a loss to understand her aggressive arm-twisting of Israel in contradiction of all recent US foreign policy, especially as Palestinian aggression continues. . . . more »Judith | 08/18/05 at 02:22 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
A Little, Um, Tone Deaf?
I usually like Condoleeza Rice. But I've got to say, on a day like today, day 4 of the Disengagement, and before the Palestinians have done the first thing to rein in the terrorism that is quite likely to erupt . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/18/05 at 01:22 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 17, 2005
No Synagogue Left Behind
The Israeli Supreme Court is still considering the fate of the various synagogues being left behind in the Disengagement from Gaza - whether they should be destroyed - and by whom, Israelis or Arabs - or moved, brick by brick . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/17/05 at 10:59 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
More Disengagement
Previous disengagement entries here and here. Norm has a link roundup of reports from Israeli bloggers. Also from Norm, a peek behind the scenes at Sharon's negotiations with Bush. . . . more »Judith | 08/17/05 at 12:44 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 16, 2005
Gambling on fairness
Ariel Sharon made a speech to the nation of Israel today, laying out the reasons for the disengagement. The rationale seemed obvious to many in the blogosphere, but since I have not been following the disengagement process closely, I don't . . . more »Judith | 08/16/05 at 08:16 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 15, 2005
D-Day: Disengagement
Gaza disengagement mega-site from the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. News, analysis, official documents, maps: you name it, it's all here. The Gaza disengagement has been conspicuous by its absence from this blog for several months. I have . . . more »Judith | 08/15/05 at 08:07 AM | 5 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
August 12, 2005
Temple Mount blogburst: Introduction and Index
Tisha B'Av - which begins tomorrow evening - commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE by Nebuchadnetzar (which led to the founding of the influential Jewish community of Babylonia), and again in 70 CE, by the . . . more »Judith | 08/12/05 at 04:49 PM | 2 Comments | 15 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
Unlayering History
A series of fascinating archaeological digs are currently going on in Israel, each one of them, as it turns out, central to the religious history of Jews. For one, remains of 10th century monumental architecture have been located in the . . . more »Alcibiades | 08/12/05 at 03:00 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
July 30, 2005
Imaginary temples
My blogburst announcement is already causing controversy (scroll down). Biblical scholar Jim Davila links to someone too busy to actually read the request, but not too busy to denounce all the things it doesn't say. Jim also sets him straight. . . . more »Judith | 07/30/05 at 12:51 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
July 26, 2005
Rona's IDF diary - Week 1, Day 1
Rona and Mark volunteered for two weeks with Sar-El in Israel, assisting the IDF. Kesher Talk is publishing Rona's diary. All photos posted here are copyrighted by Mark Kempton. You can view the whole series in the "Good News From . . . more »Judith | 07/26/05 at 07:23 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
July 19, 2005
Engagement
I have been avoiding writing about the Gaza disengagement because both sides have very good arguments. Every time I read something cogent about it I end up agreeing with the writer. I don't think that way about too many issues. . . . more »Judith | 07/19/05 at 12:11 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 22, 2005
Eyeless in Gaza
I got to see Ariel Sharon speak this afternoon in NYC. This is a pretty good description of the event. What the report doesn't tell you is that Sharon opened his speech by saying "I came here this morning . . . more »Judith | 05/22/05 at 11:33 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 31, 2005
In your face 24/7
Jeff links to an article about how the most fundamentalist leaders of the three "Abrahamic faiths" are coming together to protest a gay pride march in Jerusalem. I fully support the rights of gays to civil marriage (and religious . . . more »Judith | 03/31/05 at 03:23 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 04, 2005
Biladi
Subliminal is going to be in NYC March 13, at BBKing's.Israeli rapper Subliminal makes his U.S. debut tonight in Los Angeles, but his presence has already been felt around the world. Known as a right-wing Zionist, the hip-hop star . . . more »Judith | 03/04/05 at 12:01 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 26, 2005
I don't know what to think
You notice I have not been blogging about Israel much lately, even though momentous things have been happening. I know what to think about facile "cycle of violence" opinionating and the promulgation of lies and double standards. But Israel . . . more »Judith | 02/26/05 at 08:55 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
October 22, 2004
When the going gets weird, the weird get going
Who ever thought that liberal peacenik American Jews would wage a prayer battle with Israeli haredi Jews for the life and health of Ariel Sharon? This was an email from my synagogue in Austin: . . . more »William | 10/22/04 at 04:04 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 27, 2004
News from Israel
Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemer died today after a long battle with cancer. She was 74. Her most well-known composition - which I have sung countless times with friends and congregants on Shabbat afternoons - was "Jerusalem of Gold." (I . . . more »Judith | 06/27/04 at 01:21 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 15, 2004
Ready or not, Israel, here come the spare ribs!
Israel�s supreme court yesterday ruled on a petition from secular politicians and a pork distribution company, unanimously striking down bylaws in Israeli cities that were used to prevent the sale of pig products and ordered local authorities to make . . . more »William | 06/15/04 at 10:59 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 14, 2004
Oil in Israel? Yeah, right
Biblically-inspired, Tovia Lushkin says his company, Givat Olam, needs �18 million to develop wells and extract oil from a �3 billion oilfield in the centre of Israel. . . . more »William | 06/14/04 at 01:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
June 11, 2004
Reagan understood the U.S. relationship with Israel
He understood viscerally that Israel was a friend of freedom and a strategic asset in countering Soviet influence in the Middle East. His support was never based on domestic considerations, but rather on his moral and strategic understandings. Here, too, . . . more »William | 06/11/04 at 08:09 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 22, 2004
I love a parade
Just wanted to remind people the annual Salute to Israel Parade is tomorrow. It starts at 11 AM, at 57th and 5th Ave, and goes up 5th Avenue for about 30 blocks, and there's a concert in Central Park . . . more »Judith | 05/22/04 at 08:37 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 18, 2004
Go read Imshin
It's a recurrent mantra in a certain province of the blogosphere: "Go read Imshin." And now it's my turn. Go read Imshin. Go read Imshin. Go read Imshin. . . . more »Judith | 05/18/04 at 11:45 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 06, 2004
Land of milk and honey and hot babes
This columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times has been writing about his impressions of Israel for a couple of weeks - check it out. (via LGF) . . . more »William | 05/06/04 at 05:36 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
May 03, 2004
Jews & the GOP: Does Kerry support Israel?
Hebrew Lessons: Kerry's Jewish problems by lawrence f. kaplan The New Republic May 10, 2004 Last December, even as John Kerry was beginning his remarkable ascent in the Democratic primaries, his standing with America's mainstream Jewish organizations sank to an . . . more »Judith | 05/03/04 at 03:37 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
April 02, 2004
The Jewish way in marriage
Why the Orthodox should not control Israel: . . . more »William | 04/02/04 at 08:58 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 22, 2004
How to pass the time while stuck in traffic
Only in Israel. Or Brooklyn maybe. A couple of Jews decide, as long as they are stuck in traffic anyway, to pull over and daven mincha. Read the rest. (Hey, it's more productive than pounding on the steering wheel . . . more »Judith | 03/22/04 at 02:34 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 09, 2004
John Kerry on Israel
Some Jewish leaders yesterday voiced concern about Democratic nominee-to-be John Kerry's 1997 description of Yasser Arafat as a "statesman" and his conflicting comments on Israel's security fence. The Post reported Kerry praised Arafat's "transformation from outlaw to statesman" in . . . more »William | 03/09/04 at 09:16 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 05, 2004
John Kerry on Israel
In an October speech to the Arab American Institute in Michigan, Mr. Kerry depicted the barrier as an impediment to peace. "I know how disheartened Palestinians are by the decision to build the barrier off the Green Line � . . . more »Judith | 03/05/04 at 12:04 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
March 04, 2004
Israel still struggling to figure out "who is a Jew?"
About 300,000 of the immigrants from the former Soviet Union were described in the 2002 annual statistical report as "lacking religious classification," which does not qualify them to be married through the Orthodox rabbinate. Some of them would not . . . more »William | 03/04/04 at 08:46 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 29, 2004
Y'varekh'kha Adonai v'yishm'rekha
As shaliach tzibbur, I chanted these words (in Hebrew) on Shabbat a week ago (during the repetition of the shacharit amidah, and the week before that (during the repetition of the musaf amidah) (Unusually, I happened to be leading . . . more »Judith | 02/29/04 at 08:33 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 18, 2004
A very cold $2bil/yr. peace
Interesting information from Tacitus:A couple of my Arab co-workers (one specifically employed as an Arab specialist, the other, well, just Arab) were chatting near me, and one of them mentioned all the risks that the Egyptian government was taking . . . more »Judith | 02/18/04 at 11:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 12, 2004
Embarrassing political moments Dept.
Heh. More heh. . . . more »Judith | 02/12/04 at 01:37 PM | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
February 03, 2004
Giving new meaning to the phrase "designated driver."
In Israel, in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, suspicion can now land you in jail. I think there are fascinating legal implications to the fact that the Israeli government is considering a taxi driver in some way responsible . . . more »William | 02/03/04 at 06:34 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 25, 2004
Selective indignation Dept, part II
Guess who gets to testify against Israel about the fence, in the Hague? . . . more »Judith | 01/25/04 at 12:05 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 22, 2004
"I Know Art When I See It," cont.
Even Mother Nature contributed to culture-jamming the controversial Swedish art exhibit on suicide bombing, when the red-dyed water froze solid, upending the terrorist's cute little boat. (You kinda have to wonder about the smarts of this Israeli expat artist . . . more »Judith | 01/22/04 at 02:24 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 21, 2004
Enough is enough, Part III
The "I Know Art When I See It" Affair continues to produce more culture jamming. Elizabeth reports: An Israeli artist went to the plaza outside the museum today and brought a small white fiberglass tub, filled it with red . . . more »Judith | 01/21/04 at 03:29 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 19, 2004
Jews in odd places: Ethiopia
But they want to get to Israel. As Israel takes steps to bring some 20,000 Falash Mura to Israel from Ethiopia, the Jewish state is looking to American Jewry to help pay the tab. The latest moves in the . . . more »William | 01/19/04 at 08:08 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
January 17, 2004
Enough is enough
Good for him. PS Richard A. Heddleson suggests:A much better response would have been to call in the Swedish ambassador to Israel, speak not a word to him and have him view pictures of real vicitims of Palestinian atrocities . . . more »Judith | 01/17/04 at 06:55 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
