Perpetual Peace

Last year I gave the Israeli artist Amir Nave an old Hebrew copy of Immanuel Kant’s Perpetual Peace, which I teach every so often in my Introduction to Political Theory class. He took the book, flipped through it, ripped out the title page, turned it upside down, signed it, and returned it to me. Nave, … Continue reading “Perpetual Peace”

Shin Bet Arrests Israeli Druze at Syrian Border, Slaps Gag on Media Reporting

UPDATED HERE (7/3/12) The Syrian news service, SANA, reported on June 29 that Israel’s Shin Bet security service arrested Dr. Eyad Jamil al-Jawhari, a resident of the Golan village of Majdal Shams. Jawhari is completing medical studies inside Syria and was returning home via the Golan border crossing when he was arrested. His family, who … Continue reading “Shin Bet Arrests Israeli Druze at Syrian Border, Slaps Gag on Media Reporting”

Abe Foxman in Search of Enemies

Abe Foxman, head of the Anti-Defamation League, would be unemployed if he couldn’t demonstrate that the world is awash in anti-Semitism. In his latest foray in self-justification, he was interviewed by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on June 12. Foxman states that 30% of Americans believe that Jews are more loyal to Israel than they are … Continue reading “Abe Foxman in Search of Enemies”

Heavy Grows Israel’s Finger on the Trigger

P5 +1 (the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany) and Iran failed to secure a breakthrough at the third round of talks in Moscow last week. Meanwhile, Israel’s trigger finger remains itchy. On May 17 Michael Stott of Reuters reported: “I think they’ve gone into lockdown mode now,” the senior Western … Continue reading “Heavy Grows Israel’s Finger on the Trigger”

Obama’s October Surprise: Largest War Games in US-Israeli History

Israel’s daily Maariv reported yesterday that the long delayed war games between U.S. and Israeli forces will take place in October. It noted that some commentators are calling it a “dress rehearsal” for the aftermath of an Israeli attack on Iran. IDF sources quoted in the article called the exercises “of immense importance.” These will … Continue reading “Obama’s October Surprise: Largest War Games in US-Israeli History”

The War of Lies

Thirty years ago this week, the Israeli army crossed into Lebanon and started the stupidest war in Israel’s history. It lasted for 18 years. About 1,500 Israeli soldiers and untold numbers of Lebanese and Palestinians were killed. Almost all wars are based on lies. Lies are considered legitimate instruments of war. Lebanon War I (as … Continue reading “The War of Lies”

A Bipartisan Assault on Middle East Peace

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a dangerous piece of legislation, H.R. 4133, which would undermine the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, weaken Israeli moderates and peace advocates, undercut international law, further militarize the Middle East, and make Israel ever more dependent on the United States. The margin was an overwhelming 411-2, with eight abstentions. … Continue reading “A Bipartisan Assault on Middle East Peace”