Here is a story that should be of concern to us in Massachusetts, whatever our faith or lack of faith and whatever our politics. The Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris, the suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, gave a speech last … [Read more...]
US To Move Its Embassy In Israel To Jerusalem
Update: As of yesterday evening, it appeared that the President would in fact sign another six-month waiver of the law requiring the US embassy to be in Jerusalem but that he would "declare" (I assume the article really means "recognize") … [Read more...]
The Israeli “Jewish Nation State” Bill: Is The Controversy Justified?
Cross-posted from Letters Blogatory: I thought this might be of wider interest. I want to veer off-topic to discuss the recent proposal in Israel to declare the state to be the nation-state of the Jewish people. The "Jewish Nation State" … [Read more...]
Gilad Shalit Returns Home
Gilad Shalit, who was illegally held captive for five years by Hamas, returned to Israel today. I think the Shalit case has a good lesson for Americans. Although a minority in Israel disagreed, the great majority of Israelis were willing … [Read more...]
Update on the Blockade of Gaza
Last year I posted on the Israeli blockade of Gaza and the incident in which Israeli soldiers killed several of the people on board one of the ships attempting to run the blockade. I opined that the blockade was probably legal but that … [Read more...]
Resolved: Israel Is A Rogue State
This is a war of ideals, and the other speakers here tonight are rightfully, idealists. I'm not. I'm a realist. I'm here to win. I have a single goal this evening - to have at least a plurality of you walk out of the 'Aye' door. I face a … [Read more...]
War Crimes in Gaza? Say It Ain’t So!
I have periodically defended Israel's response to rocket fire from Gaza (e.g., here and here), so I think it is only fair that I post on this story from the New York Times on Israeli soldiers' accounts of what appear to be incidents of war … [Read more...]
What happens when “I stand with Israel” becomes “I stand against democracy in the Middle East”?
Once the two state solution is off the table, the international community is going to be confronted with the very real problem that there is a politically and economically repressed majority in Israel. They will effectively be … [Read more...]
Where are Congressmen Markey, McGovern, Tierney, and Lynch?
Congressman Delahunt on February 4, nearly a week ago, submitted HR 130, expressing support for the appointment of George Mitchell and in general for Middle East peace process. It expresses concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as … [Read more...]
Rep. Delahunt Introduces HR 130 To Support George Mitchell
Here is the conclusion of the resolution: Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) congratulates Senator George Mitchell on his appointment as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace; (2) commits to supporting President Obama, … [Read more...]