Thinking Methodically About Syria, Red Lines and Chemicals

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 29, 2013

April 24, 2013

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 24, 2013

Is Obama in Trouble Because of Israel (Again)?

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 23, 2013

Close Gitmo Now

By Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Published on April 5, 2013

The Organized American Jewish Community’s Response to President Obama’s Jerusalem Speech

By Rabbi John Rosove
Published on March 31, 2013

Obama, Netanyahu trade banter as they tread a new ‘red line’

Published on March 20, 2013

Differences between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over setting a "red line" for Iran's nuclear project were never a joking matter.

More than 500 journalists cover Obama’s Israel visit, only small number will attend events

Published on March 20, 2013

Israel’s Government Press Office is working overtime. At Ben Gurion International Airport, a special counter has been set up to issue temporary press cards to the 300 journalists flying in.

Obama in Israel [SLIDESHOW]

Published on March 20, 2013

U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, March 20. He was greeted by an official welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport.

Do Israelis think Obama is just ‘neutral’ or ‘pro-Palestinian’?

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on March 17, 2013

International Women’s Day 2013: What You Can Do!

By Maya Paley
Published on March 8, 2013

Senate approves Jack Lew as Treasury Secretary

Published on February 28, 2013

With a strong bipartisan majority, the U.S. Senate confirmed Jack Lew, President Obama's nominee to be Treasury Secretary.

Why no opposition to Hagel, arms to Egypt?

Published on February 7, 2013

Israel is facing serious challenges on two new fronts. President Barack Obama has nominated Israel-basher Chuck Hagel for defense secretary and sent fighter jets to Mohamed Morsi’s Israel-hating Egyptian regime. Where are America’s major Jewish organizations? Silent, voicing no opposition.

Obama Taps Chief of Staff With Strong Ties to Jewish Community

Published on January 30, 2013

President Barack Obama named as his new chief of staff a security official, Denis McDonough, who has strong ties to the Jewish organizational community. McDonough, until now the deputy to National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, handled much of the National Security Council’s Israel-related traffic and has strong ties with Jewish groups. He addressed the Washington Institute for Near East Policy just weeks before the last presidential election.

Obama in second inaugural speaks of a united America, U.S. involvement abroad

Published on January 21, 2013

President Obama in his second inaugural address spoke of U.S. involvement throughout the world and Americans working together at home.

What do (suburban) women want?

By Marty Kaplan
Published on October 18, 2012

If you watched any of the debates on CNN, you saw two worms at the bottom of your screen. Well, they looked to me like worms, or maybe caterpillars, scrunching and stretching throughout the 90 minutes.

‘Israelis on Obama’ video: President ‘a mensch’ on Israel [UPDATE]

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on October 18, 2012

“President Obama is doing, in regards to our security, more than anything I can remember, ” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says at the start of a new video created by The Jewish Council for Education & Research (JCER), a pro-Obama Super PAC. Barak’s comment is taken from a July 2012 CNN interview, and is just one of many interviews with Israelis in JCER’s new two-minute Web video aimed at garnering the pro-Israel vote ("Israelis on Obama").

Petition links Peres prize to Pollard

Published on March 26, 2012

An Israeli petition is demanding that Shimon Peres condition his acceptance of the U.S. Medal of Freedom on clemency for Jonathan Pollard.

Top 5 Things Americans Can Be Thankful For

By Misha Henckel
Published on November 24, 2011

Wasserman-Schultz to JFNA: defend Obama’s record

Published on November 7, 2011

Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the Democratic Party leader, urged Jewish leaders to push back against what she said were distortions of President Obama's Israel record.

Happy New Year

By Ilana Angel
Published on September 27, 2011

Pawlenty: Israeli and Palestinian peace ‘further away’ since Obama

Published on June 29, 2011

Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty charged that peace between Israel and the Palestinians is "further away now" than it was the day President Obama took office.

Letters to the Editor: President Obama, Muslim Americans, Sarah Palin, Independence Day Festival

Published on May 24, 2011

It is ironic that Judea Pearl wrote this article on the eve of perhaps the worst foreign policy speech on Israel and the Middle East in American history (“Words Matter — Obama’s Next Challenge,” May 20). His phrase “Words Matter” tells it all. The words in this case, were all wrong.

Obama at AIPAC: Let the Fun Begin

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on May 20, 2011

Obama’s Middle East speech draws ire and support

Published on May 19, 2011

In his speech at the State Department on Thursday, President Barack Obama addressed the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East and put forward Israel’s pre-1967 borders as a starting point for negotiations that would yield a future Palestinian state.

Netanyahu: Israel would object to any withdrawal to 'indefensible' borders

Published on May 19, 2011

Israel appreciates President Obama’s commitment to peace. Israel believes that for peace to endure between Israelis and Palestinians, the viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state. That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress.

L.A. leaders visit White House in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on May 17, 2011

Four leaders of the Los Angeles Jewish community were among about 200 people who met President Obama Tuesday during a White House reception in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month.

White House hosts heritage month festivities [VIDEO]

Published on May 17, 2011

President Obama hosted a reception for Jewish American Heritage Month. The reception Tuesday was less formal than the inaugural one last year, with brief remarks and a small Marine Corps band playing klezmer music.

Clinton sends Israel Independence Day greetings

Published on May 9, 2011

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sent best wishes to Israel for its Independence Day on behalf of President Obama and the U.S. people. In the statement issued Sunday, Clinton called Israel, on its 63rd birthday, "a young nation, but a rich history that holds deep meaning for so many."

Goldstone committee members stand by report

Published on April 14, 2011

Three members of the United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza war say they stand by the report. Calls to retract the Goldstone report disregard the rights of the victims, the international law experts said in a statement published Thursday in the British newspaper the Guardian. "Aspersions cast on the findings of the report cannot be left unchallenged," the statement said.

Obama: Changes in Mideast make Israel-Palestinian peace more urgent than ever

Published on April 5, 2011

United States President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that with the winds of change sweeping the broader Middle East it was "more urgent than ever" to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ross: Turmoil sharpens Israeli needs for security guarantees

Published on April 4, 2011

The recent Middle East turmoil has sharpened Israeli needs for tangible security guarantees in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians, Dennis Ross said. Ross, President Obama’s top Middle East adviser, told the Anti-Defamation League’s annual leadership conference in Washington on Monday that security guarantees sought by Israel toward a peace deal with the Palestinians were critical, “particularly during a time of change.”

Peres arrives in D.C.

Published on April 4, 2011

Shimon Peres arrived in Washington for a three-day visit that will include a meeting with President Obama. Peres, who arrived Monday, will discuss "security cooperation between Israel and the United States, recent developments in the Middle East, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and its neighbors," during his meeting with Obama, according to a statement from Peres' office.

Peres reportedly to unveil Bibi peace plan on D.C. visit

Published on March 31, 2011

Israeli President Shimon Peres is visiting Washington. Peres will be in Washington next week, the Israeli embassy said in a release Thursday, and arrangements for meetings with "government leaders" are underway.

President Obama speaks on Libya [RECORDED VIDEO]

Published on March 28, 2011

Live video of President Obama as he discusses the situation in Libya.

Report: U.S., France nixed Kerry visit to Syria

Published on March 28, 2011

The Obama administration and France reportedly nixed a visit by U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to Syria. Kerry (D-Mass.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has cultivated a relationship with the regime otherwise treated as a pariah in the West in the hope of drawing it away from Iranian influence.

Israel, U.S. woo Latin America after neglect leads to tilt away

Published on March 21, 2011

It’s time for the West to woo Latin America -- some will say it's about time. The United States and Israel appear to be heading toward increasing their focus on the area following years of neglect that has resulted in closer ties between Latin America and Iran -- and gains for the Palestinians. The shift comes amid Iran’s deepening influence in the region, as well as the successes of a Palestinian diplomatic offensive that has seen eight Latin American nations agree to recognize a Palestinian “state” in recent months.

U.S. warns Libya over possible military action [VIDEO]

Published on March 18, 2011

United States President Barak Obama condemned embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi Friday, warning that the U.S. will take military action if Gadhafi does not comply with the terms iterated in the UN Security Council resolution passed Thursday.

Netanyahu to answer questions on YouTube

Published on March 15, 2011

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will answer questions from people around the world when he appears on YouTube's World View. Netanyahu will be the third world leader to appear on the citizen-powered interview program with his live-streamed interview on March 23.

Senators press Obama on China-Iran

Published on March 14, 2011

A bipartisan slate of U.S. senators pressed the Obama administration on its policy on China's dealings with Iran. The letter, signed by 10 senators and first reported last week in Foreign Policy, lists foreign entities -- most of them Chinese -- dealing with Iran's energy sector. The senators called on the Obama administration to implement a law passed last summer that expands sanctions to third parties dealing with Iran's energy sector.

Obama taps Shapiro for U.S. envoy to Israel

Published on March 10, 2011

President Obama nominated Daniel Shapiro to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel, signaling an intensification of American involvement in the region. Obama made the formal announcement Wednesday; it had been rumored for weeks. Shapiro, currently the top National Security Council official handling Israel and the region, would succeed James Cunningham.

Why I support J Street

Published on March 9, 2011

I joined more than 2,400 pro-Israel, pro-peace activists — students and American and Israeli leaders, including five members of the Knesset, dozens of members of Congress and 100 rabbis, last week in Washington, D.C., at J Street’s second national conference. Although I am the rabbi of a congregation, I went as an individual representing no one but myself. I did so as a committed Zionist who loves Israel, who worries about her security and who wishes her to remain a strong, Jewish, pluralistic and democratic state.

Obama adviser Jarrett discusses Jewish roots

Published on March 8, 2011

Valerie Jarrett, President Obama's top domestic policy adviser, told a Jewish audience that her great-grandfather was Jewish. "The Passover seder has a unique lore in my own family," Jarrett said Monday while addressing the annual plenum of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Jewish public policy umbrella, in Washington.

Kissinger calls for Pollard clemency

Published on March 8, 2011

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has called for the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard. Kissinger sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he commute Pollard's sentence to time served. Pollard was a U.S. Navy analyst when he passed classified information to Israel. He has been in prison since 1985.

Obama: Those around Gadhafi “will be held accountable” [VIDEO]

Published on March 7, 2011

U.S. President Barack Obama warned Monday that the U.S. and its NATO allies were still considering military options to stop what he called "unacceptable" violence perpetrated by supporters of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.

Obama: Israelis should soul-search about seriousness on peace

Published on March 2, 2011

President Obama reportedly urged Jewish communal leaders to speak to their friends and colleagues in Israel and to “search your souls” over Israel's seriousness about making peace. In an hourlong meeting Tuesday with about 50 representatives from the Jewish community’s chief foreign policy umbrella group, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Obama reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israel, according to statements from both the White House and Conference of Presidents.

Ex-Rep. Lee Hamilton appeals to Obama for Pollard

Published on March 2, 2011

Former Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton appealed to President Obama to release Jonathan Pollard, calling it "a matter of basic compassion and justice." Hamilton, a Democrat who was chairman of the House Intelligence Committee when Pollard was sentenced, has intervened in the case before, looking into inhumane treatment against Pollard when he first entered prison.

Obama and the myth of the first black president

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on February 28, 2011

Quayle calls for Pollard release

Published on February 7, 2011

Dan Quayle urged President Obama to release imprisoned spy-for-Israel Jonathan Pollard. Quayle, who was U.S. vice president from 1989 to 1993, is the highest-ranking former official to call for the release of Pollard, the civilian U.S. Navy analyst who was sentenced to life in 1987.

Stuart Levey stepping down as top Iran sanctions official

Published on January 24, 2011

Stuart Levey, the Obama administration's top Iran sanctions enforcement official, is leaving. Stuart Levey, who has been a Treasury undersecretary since 2005, will leave in about a month, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. Levey, who is Jewish, devised a strategy of persuading not just governments but businesses to sanction the Islamic Republic for its defiance of international pressure to make its nuclear program more transparent.

Israel Project adds China desk

Published on January 19, 2011

The Israel Project has set up a China desk. The Washington-based group, which promotes Israel in the international media, announced the addition of veteran China expert Alex Pevzner to its staff on Wednesday as Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Washington for meetings with President Obama.

Schultz urges release of Pollard

Published on January 12, 2011

Former U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz has written to President Obama asking him to release Jonathan Pollard. The letter delivered Tuesday says that Pollard has "now paid a huge price for his espionage on behalf of Israel and should be released from prison." In the letter, Schultz also said that he is impressed that people who are "best informed" about the classified material that Pollard passed to Israel favor his release.

Senate letter urges Obama to keep talks going

Published on September 21, 2010

A letter is circulating among U.S. senators urging President Obama to keep the Israelis and Palestinians at the negotiating table.