Middle East
Defeated But Unbowed
Islamic State, the fanatical organization that set the Middle East ablaze and ignited tremors in Europe, has been militarily defeated but not snuffed out of existence. Last week, Islamic State’s last pocket of territory in Syria was liberated after weeks of battle. Its imminent demise was forecast in January by U.S. President Donald Trump, who […]
Trump And The Golan Heights
He “did it again,” Benjamin Netanyahu gushed a few days ago. Israel’s prime minister was talking about another glittering prize U.S. President Donald Trump had presented to Israel on a silver platter. Netanyahu was referring to Trump’s historic tweet on March 21 recognizing Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 […]
Israel’s Peace Treaty With Egypt 40 Years On
Forty years ago, on March 26, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty, the first between the Jewish state and an Arab nation. It has endured despite an array of challenges — the assassination of an Egyptian president, Israel’s invasion of a neighboring country, the eruption of the first and second Palestinian uprisings, and a […]
Hamas’ Abysmal Record In Ruling Gaza
Hamas, the ruling authority in the Gaza Strip for more than a decade now, has shown its true face yet again. Responding to recent street demonstrations protesting the high cost of living, Hamas security forces used live fire to break up street protests. Journalists covering these events were beaten and arrested, as were human rights […]
Keep Shamima Begum Out Of Britain
British- born Islamic State acolyte Shamima Begum wants to go back home. Now 19, she left Britain in 2015, along with two similarly brainwashed friends, after having watched heroic videos about Islamic State online. Understandably enough, Britain’s Home Secretary Sajid Javid not only rejected her request to return to her home in the London suburb […]
Netanyahu Should Clarify His Position On Israeli Arabs
Does Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak in two contradictory voices about Israel’s Arab minority? Does he treat Israeli Arabs like a political football? It would appear so, judging by his comments and actions since 2015. On the one hand, Netanyahu has marginalized and demonized Israeli Arabs, who comprise almost a quarter of Israel’s population. On […]
A Simplistic UN Report
A commission of inquiry, formed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, released a report last week alleging that Israel may have committed crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip in the past year. It claims that Israeli troops killed or maimed unarmed Palestinian civilians “who did not pose an imminent threat of death or serious […]
Mandelblit’s Integrity
Israel’s attorney-general displayed courage and integrity in announcing his intention to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Avichai Mandelblit went ahead with his announcement on February 28 despite his personal connections with Netanyahu and Netanyahu’s pressure tactics. Before Netanyahu appointed Mandelblit to his current position, he was Netanyahu’s cabinet […]
The War of Attrition 50 Years On
The War of Attrition is virtually forgotten today, lost in the mists of time. Overshadowed by the 1967 Six Day War, Israel’s greatest military triumph, it erupted 50 years ago on March 8, 1969 and lasted 17 months, until a ceasefire hammered out by American diplomacy ended it on August 7, 1970. The War of […]
Russia’s Convoluted Policy In Syria
Syria’s preeminent ally, Russia, should clarify its policy in Syria with respect to Israel, Iran and Hezbollah. At present, it is convoluted, contradictory and, ultimately, muddled. The problem is devilishly complex. The Syrians, having enabled Iran’s military entrenchment in Syria, have become entangled in Israel’s resultant conflict with Iran. Russia, Syria’s arms provider and political […]
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