In a previous post I pointed out that media discussion about that portion of Israel that was once occupied by Jordan seems to assume that history started in 1967. There’s another aspect to this. people (and institutions, like the UN and EU) tend to also forget that resolutions that call for negotiations between Israel and … More In Need of an Eye Doctor
Housing prices in Israel, where we live, have risen by a large percentage this past year. It’s probably not just a local phenomenon. The COVID pandemic has resulted in prices for materials going up. Also labor costs have risen. The de facto failure of the Palestinian Authority to implement any unified vaccination program means that … More The Best Nest
This past week we had the first rain of the winter season. It came a few days early. Normally, Jews pray for rain in the holy land after then of the current holiday season. The more reverent even wait a couple of extra weeks so that individuals who came on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem would … More The First Rain
The question is asked because f the way the media seem to be treating the latest terror attacks by Hamas against Israel. The justification Hamas gives for their actions is not important. I have no difficulty in listening to their complaints. But I cannot abide them using ANY complaint as a justification for indiscriminate violent … More When Does “Even-Handed” Become Pro-Terrorism?
It appears that Israel will finally get a new government. The representatives of the anti-Netanyahu sentiment that has so divided the country for the past 2 years got their act together and made a broad coalition that crosses a lot of ideological boundaries. It’s the first time, ever, that an Arab political party is in … More Changing of the Guard
The sky in Southern Israel during the day is crisscrossed with the exhaust trails of dozens of rockets launched by Hamas in Gaza and aimed at Israeli towns and villages. There are other exhaust trails left by the Israeli missile defense system interceptors fired from the Iron Dome batteries that protect those towns. Where the … More How Long is This Going to Continue?
The Easter and Passover holidays have now passed. The New York Times tells us that the Biden administration is having meaningful talks with the Iranian regime over the nuclear weapons issue. And in Israel, there is still no sign of agreement on a new government coalition. The one item that I feel stands out in … More Winds of War?
Today is the day the heads of the various parties elected to the new Knesset bring their recommendations for who should be asked to form a new coalition government to the Israeli President. The President, traditionally, then asks the individual with the most recommendations to try to form a government. This time around it’s more … More The Wheels of Democracy Turn Slowly
In about two weeks Israelis will go to the polls. Israeli democracy is unlike that of most other countries. In Israel one votes for a party, not an individual. Each party presents a list of candidates. Each list receives a number of seats in the new Knesset (Parliament) based on the proportion of votes it … More Elections in Israel – Will Anything Change?
The snow was very wet snow. It accumulated on the branches of our trees. Soon, the weight was more than they could bear. One after another, branches gave way. Some broke off completely, Others simply fractured and dropped until either the snow fell off or they hit something that could help support the load. Our … More After the Storm
Wetherhorn 