For those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Corey Gil-Shuster, a Canadian-born peace activist, has done the public a great service. Through his YouTube page, he accepts provocative and inquisitive questions about the conflict, and then goes and interviews random Israelis and Palestinians on their thoughts. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Mideast Public Service Announcement”
Tag: Israel
A Significant Defeat for Moderation and Tolerance
It was announced yesterday that Bitterlemons, an online newsletter which has run for eleven years and has provided unique commentary from Palestinians and Israelis, will cease to operate. Continue reading “A Significant Defeat for Moderation and Tolerance”
August 22-27, 2012 Links
“Attacks Raise Specter of Radical Islam In Russia” NPR
“Settler Violence Against Palestinians Raises Alarm In Israel” Washington Post
“Hamas Declines Invite To Iran Summit, Citing Palestinian Unity” Reuters
“This Week In History: The Arab League’s Three No’s” Jerusalem Post
“Palestinians From Syria Twice Displaced” Voice of America
“Syrian Spillover Violence In Lebanon Rattles Residents” PBS
“France Says It Would Recognize Provisional Syrian Government” New York Times
“Visit By Egypt’s Morsi To Iran Reflects Foreign Policy Shift” Washington Post
Weekend Thinking: Israel-Iran
Reuters reports that both the Israeli prime minister and defense minister want to eliminate Iranian nuclear sites before U.S. elections in November. These threats seek to achieve two aims: to scare Iran into abandoning its nuclear program (a prospect which seems unlikely) and to explore the possibility of attacking Iran while Americans are preoccupied with choosing their next president. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Israel-Iran”
MB, Hamas and Hezbollah Sinai Conspiracy
The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Hezbollah (indirectly) blamed Israel for Sunday’s deadly terrorist attack in Sinai which left sixteen Egyptian soldiers dead. They have not produced a shred of evidence to support their egregious claims. Continue reading “MB, Hamas and Hezbollah Sinai Conspiracy”
More Danger in Sinai
A group of unknown Islamist jihadis are believed to be responsible for yesterday’s deadly attack in Sinai which left 16 Egyptians dead. The Islamists allegedly entered Egypt via Gaza and were perhaps joined by other Bedouin in eastern Sinai. Their goal was to ultimately infiltrate Israel and kill or kidnap soldiers and civilians. Hamas for its part has denied any involvement. Continue reading “More Danger in Sinai”
Olmert: Aleppo and the Future of Syria
Josef Olmert writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes
The battle for Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, is not “the decisive last battle” of the Syrian civil war. The conflict is clearly leading to the removal of the current leadership from Damascus, as well as Aleppo, but not necessarily from Syria. The Assad-Alawite –Ba’th regime is preparing the mountainous Alawite region of North-West Syria to be their last bastion, and they can fortify themselves there for a while, even if, as seems inevitable, they will lose control of the main Sunni-dominated regions. Continue reading “Olmert: Aleppo and the Future of Syria”
Weekend Thinking: Israel, China and Russia
In case you missed this week’s important stories from the Middle East and beyond.
Israel
Jonathan Tepperman’s bold essay in The Atlantic argues that while Israel is in a position of strength, it should control its own destiny with the Palestinians. Although bilateral negotiations have failed to achieve a political settlement, Israeli unilateral actions in the West Bank may be the only pragmatic solution, as a continuation of the status quo in the unpredictable climate of the Middle East coupled with demographic trends could have grave consequences for the sustainability of Israel’s national identity. Continue reading “Weekend Thinking: Israel, China and Russia”
Michael Sharnoff, PhD 