To find upbeat news, that is. No, it is not easy right now. But it is important for all of us to focus positively from time to time. And so I will touch a couple of diverse bases. ~~~~~~~~~ A two-day international conference on the Middle East was hosted by …

Please, read to the end: When last I wrote, I spoke about the tears, the terrible sadness, evoked by the terrorist murder of Ori Ansbacher. That sadness is still in my heart, and in the heart of everyone here with whom I speak. But it is fury that has now …

On the day that we no longer know how to weep, we will have lost our humanity. Ori Ansbacher, 19, was a resident of Tekoa in Gush Etzion.  She was doing a year of national service at a youth center in Jerusalem. On Thursday, Ori was reported missing. Ultimately, her …

A great many things have to come together over the next couple of months before we can say definitively that the political situation in Israel is really good. But I now feel a modest optimism that eluded me when last I wrote. “Modest,” because we never know what’s waiting for …

As has undoubtedly been obvious to many of my readers, even though Israel is in the throes of an election campaign (or the first stage of a campaign), I have studiously avoided writing about it. There has been ample reason for this:  The process has been so convoluted that reporting …

I puzzled for a while over the name for this posting. For I might just as easily have referred to PA hysteria, or hate, or delirium. All apply. Dr. Moti Kedar, in his recent op-ed “The Palestinian Civil War,” provides a translation of an article by one Ra’afat Mara that …

Sunday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day.   Israel marks the Holocaust on a separate day – Yom Hashoah, after Pesach in the spring.  Yet, I cannot let this day pass in silence. The Holocaust was an expression of evil of overwhelming proportions. After Hitler was defeated and the nature of the …

Last time I wrote, it was to provide just good news.  It sure lifted my spirits; messages from you, my readers, made it clear that it lifted yours as well.  We need to hold on to the positive if we are to stay strong and cope with all the world …

There are so many good things to talk about with regard to Israel.  Unfortunately, I don’t always get to them, because there is often a preponderance of “not so good” things going on that need to be addressed. Sometimes, however, we must focus on matters that are upbeat or constructive, …

I want to begin with a request for assistance for the Legal Grounds Campaign, which I co-chair.  We are running a campaign to have Israeli citizens living here in Israel sign on as members (no cost). We hope to secure a large membership base: this will increase our effectiveness as …

There are some situations that must not be permitted to stand. Not if we are concerned with Israel’s rights and the rule of law. The issue here is the illegal Bedouin outpost of Khan al-Ahmar in the sensitive area of E1, which has not been dismantled in spite of a …

My friends, I think it would be lovely if we could segue directly to early April and time for the Israeli elections. But, unfortunately, that will not be possible. And so, I will continue to share basics of the campaign, without an undue focus on details that might seem obscure …

“Thunderbolt!” Of a political nature. I referred in my last posting to the campaign circus that was about to begin.  Turns out it is likely to be even more of a circus than I had anticipated.  There is a feeling in many quarters that we could really do without that …

There is a profusion of events to report on, none of which is likely to be greeted as good news. So we’ll take it as it comes…. ~~~~~~~~~~ We can begin with news about the Israeli election, which has been set for April 9. The Knesset voted to dissolve itself …

First order of concern: I have learned from Chaim Silberstein, father of Shira Ish-Ran, that she has had extensive surgery on the site where the bullet entered her abdomen during the terror attack outside Ofra. She is in a lot of pain and facing a long recovery and rehabilitation. He …

    And I do not think the world ever will, for we are an extraordinary people. These are tough times here in Israel, as we confront horrendous terrorism. And what we have seen in the past several days are instances of remarkable courage and strength – positive thinking in …

Please read this to the end and share broadly. His chances weren’t good. He suffered severe trauma while still in utero, after his mother Shira Ish-Ran was shot in the lower abdomen. Delivered at 30 weeks via an emergency C-section, this tiny baby held on for four days, as doctors …

What is happening is not to be believed; certainly not to be tolerated.  And so there is no response more appropriate than anger.  With it, of course, pain – for those who are suffering. This is a picture of Shira and Amichai Ish-Ran on their wedding day.  How joyous they …

I begin this post with an urgent message: Issam Akel is an American citizen; he has residency papers and lives in eastern Jerusalem. Two months ago, he was taken into custody by the Palestinian Authority and has been tortured. It is feared that his life is in danger. His crime? …

But this time we are looking at the possibility of war in the north, a far more serious war than one with Hamas would be. One 200 meter (656 foot) tunnel has been identified and is in process of being dismantled. It begins at a home in the village of …