Brent E. Sasley
By Brent E. Sasley
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Opinion The Hysteria Over An Israel/Diaspora Split Has To Stop.
The American Jewish Committee’s recent survey has already sparked considerable debate over the future of the Jewish people — indeed, whether there even is a single Jewish people. Most concerning to many is the finding that American Jews and Israeli Jews have diverged to the point that while a majority of both groups see the…
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Opinion Pollard Chatter Means Peace Talks Are Serious
Protestors call for Jonathan Pollard to be released from prison. / Getty Images Jonathan Pollard — the man who stole huge amounts of intelligence and gave it to Israel and has been sitting in an American prison for 30 years — has become a chip to be traded in order keep Israeli-Palestinian talks going. Pollard…
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Opinion 3 Dangerous Bills That Will Rock Israel This Week
Getty Images This is a big week in Israeli politics. Three sets of bills are being introduced into the Knesset for their second and third readings, and all of them have far-reaching consequences. Though there has been much handwringing over them, over fears that Israeli democracy is being ruined, there is no doubt that the…
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Opinion Israeli ‘Semi-Citizenship’? No Thanks!
Getty Images Yesterday in these pages Mira Sucharov explored the concept of qualified Diaspora Jewish citizenship in Israel. She was responding to Naftali Bennett’s floating of the idea (he called it “semi-citizenship”), but she seems open to the notion. However vague, both Bennett and Sucharov meant more than just the ability of ex-pats to vote…
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Opinion AIPAC Lost Iran Sanctions Battle — Not War
Sanctions bill sponsor Sen. Robert Menendez addresses AIPAC annual policy conference, Washington Convention Center, March 5, 2013 / Getty Images Efforts to pass a new Iran sanctions bill have not only stalled in the Senate, but appear to be slowing even in the House. Perhaps predictably, given the focus on AIPAC as the primary driver…
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Opinion Israel’s Got No Business Banning Nazi Symbols
A swastika symbol painted on the wall of a synagogue in Petah Tikva, Israel. / Getty Images Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation voted for a bill yesterday that, if it passes three readings in the Knesset, would impose penalties on those who use the term “Nazi” as a comparison, employ Nazi symbols, or call in…
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Opinion Hillel’s Battle Over the Meaning of ‘Pro-Israel’
As the controversy rages over Hillel’s Israel guidelines — which delineate which groups it will partner with or allow to participate in Hillel-sponsored events — observers have started to wonder what effect all this will have on American Jewish identity and Israel advocacy. The issue, though, is about more than just defining Hillel; it’s also…
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Opinion Gilad Shalit Release Welcome, But at What Cost?
Gilad Shalit is finally on his way to freedom. Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a prisoner exchange, which reportedly will see Shalit return to Israel within a matter of days while Jerusalem frees about 1,000 prisoners. This is certainly welcome news, especially for Shalit’s family and loved ones. But the sheer amount…
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In Case You Missed It
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Yiddish דער נײַער ייִדישער נוסח פֿון חנוכּה־ליד „לעשט ניט די ליכטלעך אויס“New Yiddish version of the Hanukkah song ‘Light One Candle‘
אין די 1980ער האָט מען געזונגען דאָס באַקאַנטע ליד פֿון פּיטער, פּאָל און מערי בײַ מאַניפֿעסטאַציעס צו באַפֿרײַען די סאָוועטישע ייִדן
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Fast Forward Hostage’s remains returned to Israel, as Trump says Gaza ceasefire’s next phase is ‘going to happen pretty soon’
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Fast Forward NYC synagogue protest leads to a new bill, and a rally by Jewish groups outside Park East shul
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Fast Forward LA synagogue protest leads to two arrests as mayor deploys extra police outside event that featured Israeli defense firm
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