Arlene Kushner

From Israel: The Painful Work of Sorting It Out!!

Rarely are crisis situations on the international scene simple to grasp. There are always different versions, different perspectives. Not to mention unsubstantiated rumors and propaganda. That said, I am finding the crisis situation in Ukraine more difficult to deal with than most others.  I take seriously the need to get …

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From Israel: “This, We Must Win!”

“This, We Must Win!!” We must secure our rights to our Land – our rights not only to possess the Land, but to live in it peacefully.  Nothing else can be tolerated.  We have not waited for 2,000 years to come home, prayed for 2,000 years to be here, only …

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From Israel: “Appeasement Sucks!”

That is the simple truth of the matter, put boldly. It sucks because it demeans the appeasing party and puts it at greater risk. Appeasement strengthens the enemy. There was a time when I believed that our government understood this, albeit imperfectly – and in spite of bowing time and …

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From Israel: “There Is No Other Way!!”

The world has turned upside down.  We see it every day in a dozen different regards. It leaves us aghast: the stupidity; the self-centeredness of putative leaders; the rejection of traditional values; the denial of Jewish rights in the Land; the encroaching threats of violence and war.    When my cat …

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From Israel: “It Rests upon Our Shoulders!!

The shoulders of those Israelis who are true Zionists, and love our nation: who have been heartsick about the state of affairs here, and understand there is no time to be lost. Credit: Paolo Pellegrin/Magnum ~~~ I have been reporting on the situation in the Negev with the Bedouin; and …

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From Israel: “Hanging by a Thread!!”

That is, the possibility of negotiations between former Prime Minister Netanyahu and Attorney General Mandelblit regarding a plea bargain for Netanyahu reaching completion.  If it was not yet a sure thing, it was looking pretty good when last I wrote.  Now, the situation is reversed: it’s not definitely finished, but …

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From Israel: “Oh, the Shame of It!!”

Israel is a magnificent nation. Credit: Viator There is a body of Jews in Israel today that is devoted to our heritage, and committed solidly to our rights to this ancient Land. A body of Jews that is proud of who we are and determined to protect this state and …

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From Israel: “And I’m the Queen of England!!”

If you believe this, then you might also believe the message from “armed factions in Gaza” that the two rockets launched at Israel about 7 AM on Saturday morning were “caused by weather conditions.” https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosions-off-central-israel-coast-idf-probing-if-rockets-fired-from-gaza/ There were no sirens because the rockets, aimed towards Tel Aviv, landed in the sea …

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From Israel: The Pain and the Fury!!

We are struggling with both here in Israel. Again. Still. “Don’t let Yehuda’s blood be spilled in vain,” cried Shlomi Dimentman, amidst sobs, at the funeral of his brother on Friday. “…rebuild the Homesh settlement and not just the Homesh Yeshiva. The ruins here are a black stain on the …

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From Israel: “A Very Narrow Bridge!!”

Many of you will recognize this phrase from the saying attributed to Reb Nachman of Breslov: “All the world is a very narrow bridge. And the main thing is not to be afraid – not to be afraid at all.” Kol ha’olam kulo gesher tsar me’od. Veha’ikar – veha’ikar lo …

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