Supreme Court denies appeal of Holy Land Foundation convictions

Published on October 30, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal of four Holy Land Foundation organizers who were convicted on charges of conspiring to send money to Hamas.

Obama and Israel: The record, the facts

Published on October 25, 2012

President Obama has been criticized for being wrong for Israel. Even in the third debate of the Presidential campaign, a lovefest toward Israel, which was mentioned 31 times by the candidates, Governor Romney managed to get in a couple jibes against Obama's Israel policy.

Debunking myths on Israel and U.S. foreign policy

Published on September 7, 2012

Nowhere are the urban legends and mythologies more enduring and destructive than those that currently surround Israel and U.S. foreign policy.

Bend the Arc sends activists to push for tax cuts for the wealthy repeal

Published on August 23, 2012

Nine young political activists have started out on an eight-state tour to push for the repeal of the Pres. George W. Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.

Barack Obama: A true friend of Israel

Published on August 3, 2012

In three months, the American people will elect a President -- either returning Barack Obama to the White House for a second term, or handing the reins of power to former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney.

Members of Congress file brief to support Jerusalem passport case

Published on August 1, 2012

A bipartisan slate of 58 members of Congress signed a friend of the court brief in a case involving a 9-year-old boy who was born in Jerusalem but was denied a request to have Israel listed on his passport as his place of birth.

Letters to the Editor: America, George Bush, Israel

Published on September 14, 2011

Letters to the editor

For Daniel Agami, 9/11 attack was a call to service—and to tragic destiny

Published on August 31, 2011

Daniel Agami was working as a disc jockey in South Florida when the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 changed the trajectory of his life.

Bin Laden's killing raises immediate questions of security

Published on May 2, 2011

For years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, many Americans waited in fear for the next strike by al-Qaida on U.S. soil. But the ensuing decade has seen no more major terrorist attacks in the United States. Now, with the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed in Pakistan by U.S. forces, the question many American Jews are considering is whether the liquidation of al-Qaida’s leader makes a follow-up attack more or less likely, and whether Jews could be a target.

Bush cancels Keren Hayesod appearance in Geneva

Published on February 7, 2011

Former President George W. Bush canceled a planned appearance at a Keren Hayesod fundraiser in Geneva because of planned protests. Bush was to be the featured speaker at a Feb. 12 dinner for the group, the daily Le Tribune de Geneve reported on Feb. 5.

Not too shabby

Published on December 14, 2010

Six months after Chelsea Clinton married investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, the granddaughter of President’s George HW Bush has announced she is to marry another New Yorker of Jewish descent.

Bush friend wins praise for Holocaust Museum role

Published on December 26, 2008

Current and former members of the 55-person council and others connected to the museum say Zeidman helped bring a stability and professionalism that sometimes had been lacking in previous years.

Alan shrugged

By Marty Kaplan
Published on October 13, 2008

Wall Street's problem, in the president's mind, is not a systemic pathology, not an illness that comes on the same chromosome as the profit motive. Instead, it's the behavior of a frat boy on a bender, the reckless phase of a good-time Charlie rather than the symptom of profound disease.

Defending Identity

By Rob Eshman
Published on July 16, 2008

Natan Sharansky's previous book, "The Case for Democracy," changed the world. It inspired a generation of U.S. policymakers and influenced President George
W. Bush in his decision to go to war against Saddam Hussein. So when Sharansky's second book, "Defending Identity," came out this month, I thought I'd better read it, quick

Torture: What did we know, and when did we know it?

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on June 27, 2008

In economy-focused State of the Union speech, Bush offers no new Mideast ideas

By Ron Kampeas
Published on January 31, 2008

Just weeks after his first presidential visit to Israel, President Bush made clear his priority for his final year in office: the economy, stupid.

If the president has a Middle East breakthrough up his sleeve, he was not ready to reveal it Monday in the State of the Union address that precedes his last year in office.

Bush’s environmental legacy

By Steve Greenberg
Published on December 20, 2007

Help Bush

By Rob Eshman
Published on August 23, 2007

George W. Bush has one last chance to leave behind a great legacy in the Middle East, and I want to help him. He has a year and a half left to support and encourage agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and to midwife and recognize the state of Palestine.

Are Democrats Ready to Return to Power?

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on August 17, 2006

The American political system is on the verge of a major change. The Republicans are in danger of losing to the Democrats in the November congressional elections. Foreign affairs will be central to the outcome. Are the Democrats ready for their big curtain call?

Rushdie’s ‘Clown’ No Laughing Matter

By Gina Nahai
Published on April 27, 2006

Salman Rushdie is at Disney Hall, addressing a near-capacity audience as part of the Music Center's 2006 Speaker Series. He has come this March 1 evening to talk about politics and art, truth and tyranny, free and forbidden speech. He has come, also, to promote his newest book.

The End of Bush’s ‘Jewish Moment’

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on March 16, 2006

Republicans once had high hopes that George W. Bush would draw American Jews away from their historic affinity with Democrats into embracing the conservative party. They believed that Jews would be drawn to Bush's intense support for the State of Israel.

U.S. Must Refocus Democracy Building

By Julia Fromholz
Published on February 23, 2006

The past few weeks have seen massive voter turnouts at two free, fair and largely peaceful elections. Yet neither election led to an inspiring outcome. Only muted hopefulness greeted Haiti's election, while the results of the Palestinian elections were outright alarming.

Abbas Gets Warm, Cold Reception

By James D. Besser
Published on October 27, 2005

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas got a warm White House reception last week, but got a colder shoulder from Congress and few top items on his Washington wish list, starting with a commitment by President Bush to move forward aggressively with the stalled Mideast "road map" peace plan.

U.S. Needs Time Frame on Iraq Mission

By Sen. Russ Feingold
Published on October 13, 2005

It's been nearly two and a half years since the president gave a triumphant speech about Iraq before a banner declaring, "Mission Accomplished."

What a Difference a Day Makes

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 29, 2005

It's the contrasts that make life interesting.

Bush Mideast Plan Gets Tepid Response

By Ron Kampeas
Published on February 10, 2005

Like any first-born confronted with the end of only-child status, the pro-Israel community in Washington is learning to deal with the Bush administration's new baby -- a plan for a viable Palestinian state.

One People, One Vote

By Rob Eshman
Published on January 13, 2005

Anyone hungry for good news in the world could have sat down to a full meal this week on word of the Palestinian election.

A Question of Morality

By H. David Nahai
Published on November 18, 2004

We have been bombarded with the phrase "moral values" ever since it was announced that 22 percent of voters cited it as the single most important consideration in the 2004 election. Not Iraq, not terrorism, not the economy.

Why the Left-Wing Hand-Wringing?

By Judy Gruen
Published on November 18, 2004

I should have known better than to forward an e-mail recommending a boycott of French products for France's anti-Israel stance and willingness to tend to Yasser Arafat on his deathbed.

God, Gays and Guns: The U.S. Fault Line

By Robert B. Reich
Published on November 11, 2004

About the same portion of Americans describe themselves as being liberal (19 percent) as believe that the world will come to an end in their lifetimes (17 percent).

Prediction Misses

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on November 11, 2004

Once again, despite predictions to the contrary, Jewish voters stuck with the Democrats. By a 3-1 margin, Jews backed Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) against President Bush.

Look Beyond Israel

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on September 30, 2004

As election day gets closer, I'm beginning to wonder how many of us will vote on a single issue-our perception of how President Bush and Sen. John Kerry will stand up for Israel.

Jewish Law Favors Stem Cell Research

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on July 29, 2004

Even as Ron Reagan makes a case for stem cell research at the Democratic National Convention, Californians may take matters into their own hands. In November, the state ballot will include a 10-year bond issue, which would generate $3 billion for stem cell research.

Faith and Folly

By Rob Eshman
Published on July 29, 2004

The Democrats have had all week to prove that this election is for John Kerry, not against George Bush, but nobody I know is buying it. I've come across a lot of anti-Bush sentiments among Jews of all sorts, but very little Kerry enthusiasm.

Immigration Plan Poses Challenges

By Ira Mehlman
Published on January 22, 2004

President Bush's Jan. 7 proposal to dramatically expand immigration to the United States ignited a national debate about this highly emotional issue. While this is a critical policy that will profoundly affect all Americans, it is a policy that must be of particular concern to American Jews.

Q & A With Ari Fleischer

By Tom Tugend
Published on December 25, 2003

Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary and assistant to President Bush, will participate in the University of Judaism's 2004 Public Lecture Series opening Jan. 26.

Four Words Slow Fight Against Terror

By James D. Besser
Published on October 9, 2003

At home, the Bush administration is trying to convince a dubious nation that it needs even more law-enforcement powers to wage an effective war against terrorism, and around the world it continues to wage an uphill battle to enlist the rest of the world in the fight.

Charming? Not the Word for Politics

By Leonard Fein
Published on January 23, 2003

Plato described democracy as "a charming form of government." Well, perhaps in ancient Greece there wasn't much else to charm away the days.

A Year to Remember

By Rob Eshman
Published on December 26, 2002

I once had a history teacher who was ambivalent about dates. Before a test, an anxious student would invariably ask whether we'd need to remember what year an event happened.

Harder Choices

By Rob Eshman
Published on December 19, 2002

Little noted amid the full-frontal assault on Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott's (R-Miss.) latest sensationalistic folly was President George W. Bush's move to ease the flow of federal dollars to faith-based charities.

Following Arafat’s Money Trail

By Gary Fitleberg
Published on October 10, 2002

The Palestinian people are being betrayed and misled by the one "trusted leader" who is responsible for protecting their interests. Yasser Arafat chairman of the Palestinian Authority, has diverted funds allocated specifically for humanitarian aid purposes directly into his own pocket.

The Necessary Fight

By Gary Rosenblatt
Published on October 3, 2002

With all the discussion, confusion and controversy about the Bush administration's planned actions against Saddam Hussein, it's ironic that President Bush, a born-again Bible reader, appears to have rejected the Christian position and adopted instead the Jewish stance on self-defense and responding to evil people.

Nobody Likes Saddam

By Rob Eshman
Published on September 26, 2002

So do you think America should go to war with Iraq?

World Briefs

By JTA Staff
Published on July 12, 2001

Representatives from a leading Jewish group will be able to visit and provide religious services to Jews held in Russian prisons, according to a new agreement.

Dismay Over Tax Bill

By Sharon Samber
Published on June 14, 2001

Jewish charitable organizations are not going to get the help they were hoping for in the new tax bill, since the final version leaves out a proposal that might have boosted giving by billions of dollars.

Blown Deal

By Eric Silver
Published on January 11, 2001

Bill Clinton is wasting his time. The chances of a meaningful Israeli-Palestinian deal before he hands over the presidency to George W. Bush on Jan. 20 are negligible.

Scrambling for Access

By James D. Besser
Published on January 11, 2001

Listen closely, and you can almost hear the sound of panic sweeping through the boardrooms of Jewish organizations around the country.

Ashcroft or Not

By Rob Eshman
Published on January 4, 2001

President-elect George W. Bush has managed in a very short time to pull together a cabinet that is as diverse as America -- if America had no Jews.

Jewish Republicans Assess Bush

By David Evanier
Published on September 14, 2000

Cold, hot, lukewarm - two months shy of the November election, local Jewish Republicans are still conflicted about the man at the head of their party's ticket. A sampling of attitudes indicates a wide range of attitudes toward Gov. George W. Bush.

Can Bush Win the Jewish Vote?

By Michael Shapiro
Published on December 16, 1999

After being vanquished from the White House nearly eight years ago, much of the Republican establishment is putting its faith -- and cash -- behind George W. Bush to lead the party back to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.