Tag: israel

Israel’s Rocket Defense System Tightens Screws on Gaza

Israel unveiled “Iron Dome” last week, a missile-defense system that is designed to strike a knock-out blow against short-range rockets of the variety fired into Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah. In the short term, Iron Dome is supposed to herald the demise of the rocket threat to Israeli communities near Gaza four years after Hamas … Continue reading “Israel’s Rocket Defense System Tightens Screws on Gaza”

Israel Cool to New US Pressure

JERUSALEM – In the past, whenever there was even a semblance of pressure from Washington on Israel, nerves in Jerusalem went all a-jangle. Nine months ago, true to form, tensions rose appreciably when then-new U.S. President Barack Obama and then-new Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu clashed at the White House. Not so now. The hint that … Continue reading “Israel Cool to New US Pressure”

Gaza Extremists Drifting Toward al-Qaeda?

RAMALLAH – Two separate bomb attacks on Internet cafes in Gaza last week have served as an uncomfortable reminder that extremist groups within the coastal territory may be stronger than the moderate Hamas organization that rules the strip. The attacks in Khan Yunis preceded a warning in a study, due to be released this week … Continue reading “Gaza Extremists Drifting Toward al-Qaeda?”

Helen Asks Why

Thank God for Helen Thomas, the only person to show any courage at the White House press briefing after President Barack Obama gave a flaccid account of the intelligence screw-up that almost downed an airliner on Christmas Day. After Obama briefly addressed L’Affaire Abdulmutallab and wrote "must do better" on the report cards of the … Continue reading “Helen Asks Why”

Iran Uses Fear of Covert Nuclear Sites to Deter Attack

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Iran had "quietly hidden an increasingly large part of its atomic complex" in a vast network of tunnels and bunkers buried in mountainsides. The story continued a narrative begun last September, when a second Iranian uranium enrichment facility near Qom was reported to have been discovered by U.S. … Continue reading “Iran Uses Fear of Covert Nuclear Sites to Deter Attack”

Sale of Land to Israel Threatens to Split Greek Orthodox Church

RAMALLAH – Israel’s bid to keep occupied East Jerusalem under its sovereignty and prevent its incorporation into a future Palestinian state has been boosted over the years with the acquiescence of the Greek Orthodox Church. The church’s sale of politically sensitive land in East Jerusalem under dubious circumstances and amid charges of political blackmail have … Continue reading “Sale of Land to Israel Threatens to Split Greek Orthodox Church”

West Bank Route May Open, but Not to Peace

ROUTE 443, Occupied West Bank – Just beyond the main Israeli checkpoint, 10 kilometers short of Jerusalem, a white Nissan station wagon is abruptly edging to the side of the road. It comes to a halt on the shoulder. Four Orthodox Jews clamber out and gather around the mound at the side of the road. … Continue reading “West Bank Route May Open, but Not to Peace”

The Iron Wall

Something odd, almost bizarre, is going on in Egypt these days. About 1,400 activists from all over the world gathered there on their way to the Gaza Strip. On the anniversary of the "Cast Lead" War, they intended to participate in a nonviolent demonstration against the ongoing blockade, which makes the lives of 1.5 million … Continue reading “The Iron Wall”