Early results are trickling in (official Knesset site, but only in Hebrew), and calculations of electoral math has begun. Results, which have been relatively stable seem to suggest that the largest party will be Kadima, headed by Livni, with 28 seats. Yet, she will only be able to claim the premiership if one of the [...]
Posts under ‘Media’
The Best Food on the Street
There is an article in today’s travel section of the New York Times about street food in India. More specifically, the article deals with the migration of “street food” from the street to more restaurant-like establishments. I have not (yet) been lucky enough to see Mumbai, and although the piece is mostly about that city, [...]
The Ethics of “The Ethicist”
As entertaining as the New York Times’ The Ethicist is, I find myself disagreeing with Randy Cohen’s conclusions rather often. I think the first question he answered in this week’s column is too complicated to be boiled down to a two paragraph response. However, that is not my real concern.
In writing about a parent’s dilemma [...]
Khaled Abu Toameh on “The Situation”
Michael Totten has long been required reading if one wants to keep up with international affairs, in my view. Recently he posted the transcript of a briefing with Khaled Abu Toameh. Of course, I don’t agree with Abu Toameh on everything, but his analysis is the best thing I’ve read in a while.
The West, either [...]
Truce? What Truce?
Ynet reports: “Israel declares unilateral Gaza truce.” Wrong. A truce cannot be unilateral. A truce is agreed upon. This a capitulation, yet another mistake in a long line of errors, collectively known as Olmert’s policies.
Regardless of why this operation was initiated, or why now, Hamas is an enemy that doesn’t only need to be “hit [...]
Changing Hamas?
Although I disagree with his conclusion regarding Fatah, Jeffrey Goldberg does a good job of explaining why Hamas’ position is intractable, why “Hamas cannot be cajoled into moderation.”
Normally I refrain from addressing anything Thomas Friedman says. His foolish theories, backed by his immature optimism, are rarely worthy of comment. His basic assumption is that everyone [...]
Operation Cast Lead – Jewish World
Military and political aspects here, international opinion here, etymology of Cast Lead, and first, second, and third parts about the Arab World’s opinion, and the Israeli public’s reaction (at time of writing).
The reaction of the Jewish world in the diaspora to the events in Gaza has been, frankly, highly disappointing. Not extremely surprising, but disappointing [...]
Haveil Havalim #200
The Harvey Edition, #200 is up, hosted by Jack.
Proportionality
Michael Totten has written a great, in-depth explanation of proportionality, relating to Operation Cast Lead, and why Israel is well within its rights to act as it is, from a legal standpoint.
And today, Michael Walzer, author of what it is arguably the modern-day “bible” on Just War Theory, raises the difficult questions the media refuses [...]
Ceding Land
The events in Gaza make it clearer than ever before that Abba Eban was right, “The Arabs never miss and opportunity to miss an opportunity.” Yes, it’s cliché, but it’s truer than ever before. Israel’s opponents (which still include most, if not all, of the Arab world), by protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza now, are [...]
