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Israeli Model Makes "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit" Cover
Published on 2010-02-01 09:55:00
Mea culpa.My apologies for having been absent for so long. I was and still am quite swamped with a number of personal obligations had had neither the time nor the energy to post. I still am not fully free, but as an apology of sorts, I offer this "lighter" post. I hope people will continue to check in for when I can finally get back to writing again.
Geert Wilders: The Extremist or the Victim?
Published on 2010-01-20 13:06:00
I received an e-mail the other day with an interesting article and an even more interesting question attached. The article was actually a speech by a member of the Dutch Parliament, Geert Wilders given in New York. When I read the speech, I could barely believe that it was an accurate transcript and so I looked it up, and indeed it seems to be authentic. The whole speech is here and I encourage you to read it before I get to the interesting question.Having read the speech, you'll see that Mr.
Israeli Minister in the United Arab Emerites
Published on 2010-01-18 08:16:00
In the words of Minister of Infrastructure Uzi Landau, a splinter has been made in the ice of Israeli relations with the United Arab Emerites (UAE) as he became the first Israeli minister to visit that country. The minister was attending a conference of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held in Abu Dhabi and was only actually allowed into the country because of UAE's agreement to let all members of IRENA attend. It is difficult to see how this visit, which was for the purpose of
Israel's Diplomatic Humiliation of Turkey Garners Mixed Reactions
Published on 2010-01-15 08:50:00
The "pages" of the major Israeli online media sources are filled today with opinion and reporting on the recent humiliation of the Turkish Ambassador to Israel and the subsequent series of apologies issued by Israel. Some of these articles highlight the apologies made by Israel and the statements made by individuals like Israeli President Peres who seems emphatic that this sort of humiliation was not the way Israel conducted its diplomacy. Others more forcefully opined that the author of the em
Pity Haiti
Published on 2010-01-14 08:08:00
The devastation in Haiti is complete. Nearly 100,000 or more dead, buildings collapsed, prisoners escaped from collapsed prisons, hospitals, schools, homes, all flattened. The poorest country in North America dealt yet another tragedy, another losing hand.Canada seems to have been quick to respond and kudos for what seems like a quick and appropriate reaction. An advance team arrived aboard a Canadian forces plane which carried a helicopter aboard. Two more ships of the Canadian navy, HMCS H
Reasons for the Failure of Israeli Diplomacy
Published on 2010-01-13 08:12:00
Many Israeli diplomats apparently know little or nothing of the culture or history of the country and people they are to be representing. In short, they know little of Judaism or Zionism, reports this article in Ha'Aretz.Recently, Israeli foreign minister Lieberman lambasted Israeli diplomats posted overseas for being too soft in their arguments and being too willing to accept the narrative of the "other side" in favour of the Israeli one, which they should be representing. In response, some I
Thousand Year Old Home, and Hippo Bones Found in Tel Aviv
Published on 2010-01-12 10:15:00
Archaeologists working in Tel-Aviv have discovered a prehistoric (8,000 year old) dwelling along with primitive tools and animal bones including those of a hippo.The work seems to have been carried out in preparation for a building development. In Israel, as in many other countries in the region, construction is not allowed unless archaeologists have first inspected the site for anything of value. In this case, the discovery is being described as surprising and unique.As always, my fascinatio
Lebanon Hopes to Beat Recently Set Israeli Hummus Record
Published on 2010-01-12 00:03:00
An Israeli town known as Abu Gosh has prepared the world's largest platter of Hummus, breaking a world record recently set in Lebanon. Lebanon had taken the distinction of home of the largest plate of Hummus from Israel, what had held it previously, but now the honour of this dubious distinction returns to the Israeli-Arab town of Abu Gosh, not far to the west of Jerusalem.Some Lebanese seem sincerely upset that Israel produces and marks hummus at all, claiming that "...hummus is a Lebanese pro
The Song That's Been in my Head All Day!
Published on 2010-01-11 18:36:00
I love this song and it's been in my head all day!(My own) loose translation from Yiddish:ChorusTumbala-tumbala Tum-balalaika (x2)tum-balalaika, let the balalaika playtum-balalaika, and let us be joyfulA young man is thinkingthinking and thinking the whole nightwho should he propose towho may he offend (x2)ChorusMaiden, maiden let me ask youwhat can grow, grow without rain?what can burn, without being consumed?what can cry, and shed no tears?ChorusSilly young man,why must you ask?a stone can gro
Oldest Hebrew Inscription Discovered
Published on 2010-01-09 23:36:00
In October, 2008, a teenage volunteer at an archaeological dig at Khirbet Qeiyafa, southwest of Jerusalem (see map,) discovered a 3,000 year old pottery shard with an inscription that appeared to be Hebrew, making it the earliest Hebrew writing ever found. More recently, scholars studying the shard--which would have been created around the time when King David ruled his ancient kingdom--have determined that the writing, which seems to be a legal text relating to slaves widows and orphans, is in