Ira Sharkansky
Sharkansksy is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com
The split between Israeli and U.S. Jews
Let’s leave the Israeli election to continue brewing. The voting is in two more weeks. Nastiness rampant.
Currently in the air are comments about US Jews. Where are they? What’s their interest in Israel?
That we’ve...
Will Likud finalize Netanyahu bid for P.M. again?
We’re now in a hot spot, a few days before the parties must finalize their existence and candidates prior to the April election.
And who knows how long before the announcement about Bibi’s indictment?
Each newscast...
Newly minted P.M. candidate Gantz avoids controversy
After several weeks of polling as many as 15 seats, but not talking, the former IDF Commander in Chief Benny Gantz announced that he would kick off his campaign.
Media personalities spoke about the prospect...
Little is quiet on Israel’s borders
Our attention moved north. Initially there was an Israeli air attack against Iranian sites near Damascus. Syrian sources claimed that all Israeli missiles were intercepted.
Then there was a missile fired into the Golan. This...
Israel, U.S., amid similar political soap operas
Chaos in both of my countries.
Israel’s government collapses, and calls an election for April 9th.
The US government is wrapped up in a dispute about the wall, pull out from Syria, and several other claims...
A glimpse into Arab life in Israel
About 21 percent of Israel’s population is Arab, and about 65 percent of its murders occur within the Arab population.
Some 96 percent of the Arab population is Muslim, and only 4 percent Christian.
Christians have,...
BDS has successes, but not so for P.A. and Gaza
From the looks and sounds of BDS it would seem that Palestine is on the verge of something big.
BDS prevails on a number of campuses, often with Jews as well as Palestinians and others...
Mixed results characterize U.S., Israel elections
October 30 was Israel’s local election day. More than six million people were eligible to vote, and the government provided a free day, with public services closed down. That meant that a large percentage...
Refocus on Netanyahu after Holy Days
We’ve had the holidays, and have gone back to work.
Slowly, in the matters of the Netanyahus.
Sara’s trial has begun, sort of.
The prosecution has asked for three judges, given the delicacy and complexity of things....
Keeping pace with U.S., Israeli politics
In a swing through America we encountered the expected range of attitudes about the national leader.
At an upscale senior facility in southern California, we heard agreement in support. Admitting the dissonance of his style,...