Saturday was the big day for our older daughter’s youngest son. Of course, we were there. For his mother, one of the best parts was when I was called up to the Torah reading. She said when she saw the three of us, Eilon, myself, and his older brother, Yair, all together on the platform, … More Eilon’s Bar Mitzvah
The US has invited a bunch of Middle Eastern countries and companies to meet in Bahrein. It seems the main topic was to be economic development, especially for the Palestinians. The Israeli Government was specifically not given an invitation, possibly in the hope that something might actually emerge from the meeting. However, the Palestinian Authority … More The Bahrein meeting -What For?
There have been several ships that were attacked in this area. None were sunk, but the damage was considerable. The attacks involved placing explosive charges on the hulls of the vessels. The charges could have come from frogmen, or from miniature submarines. Many commentators think the perpetrator was Iran. The Iranians may be responding to … More Pirate Submarines at the Straits of Hormuz?
Winston Churchill wrote a book, The River War, about the British suppression of the Mahdi rebellion in Sudan over a century ago. This is an section from the first edition of that book. How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man … More Islamic Fanatacism – Earlier Version
Today is when Israel remembers the reunification of Jerusalem. The city had been divided between the Jordanians and the Israelis after the 1949 cease-fire agreements. I was in Jerusalem when it happened. I spent the period leading up to the outbreak of hostilities as a volunteer first aid instructor. I was then a student at … More Jerusalem Day
Right after our local elections ended, over a month ago, I warned that the hard business of forming a coalition was still ahead for Benyamin Netanyahu. Well. here we are now, and he still hasn’t managed to do it. There’s a good chance that he will not succeed in the next two days. The next … More Almost an “I Told You So”
I play scrabble every week in the Jerusalem Scrabble Club. It is one of the largest English language clubs in the world. We play 2 seasons a year. At te end of each season the individual in top position of the highest of the three leagues is an automatic contender for the club championship. The … More Scrabble Championship Contender
In my last post I mentioned going to the World War Two victory commemoration programs. I went wearing a sort of uniform that included all my service awards and decorations. American uniforms are not often seen on the street in Jerusalem so a number of people asked to take a picture or to find out … More Trying to Make a Difference
Monday and Tuesday of this week were special days. Israel made them days of remembrance for the victory of the allies over Nazi Germany. in israel, the date follows the Russian custom of celebration on 9 May, but this year 9 My was Israel Independence day, so the V-E day programs were delayed. On … More Remembering WWII
Israel has been under attack from Gaza once again. Hundreds of rockets have been fired at Israeli cities and towns by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad terrorist groups. The casualty count is still low on both sides. Israeli, as of the time I’m’ writing this, is still blowing up empty buildings that the terrorist groups … More And Another Holiday is Also Over
Wetherhorn 