Author Archives: Victor Rosenthal

Independence Day

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Independence Day in Israel is a lot like Independence day in America. There are barbecues, fireworks, weekend camping trips, street fairs, concerts of patriotic music and boring speeches by government officials. Both nations gained independence from the British Empire, and … Continue reading →

Posted in American society, Israeli Society | Comments Off on Independence Day

The Devil is in the implementation

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Yossi Klein Halevi is a wonderful writer. I recommend his book Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation to anyone who wants to appreciate the nuances of Israel’s political tribes. But like … Continue reading →

Posted in 'Peace' Process, Israel and Palestinian Arabs | 1 Comment

The case for regime change in Iran

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

What can or should be done in response to the continuing Syrian bloodbath? And who, if anyone, should do it? In a NY Times column, Max Fisher has described “America’s Three Bad Options in Syria” (he leaves out the fourth … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran | 3 Comments

No, it isn’t Kent State on the Mediterranean*

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

I talked to an American friend yesterday. She is well-educated and interested in current events, and she was concerned about what was going on at the border with Gaza. She read me an AP news account that was in her … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel and Palestinian Arabs, Terrorism, War | Comments Off on No, it isn’t Kent State on the Mediterranean*

The political storm over African migrants

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Before you can discuss solutions to the problem of the African infiltrators, migrants, asylum seekers or refugees in Israel – call them what you want – you should know the facts. You are strongly encouraged to read about them here; … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Society, Zionism | Comments Off on The political storm over African migrants

Must all our residents be citizens?

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Someone asked me a question on Facebook. Social media demands that all answers be given while standing on one foot, and since I’m not Hillel, I’m going to present my answer here, using both feet. So here is the question … Continue reading →

Posted in 'Peace' Process, Israel and Palestinian Arabs, Zionism | Comments Off on Must all our residents be citizens?

Jew-hatred and conspiracy theories

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Western Jew-hatred is making a major comeback today on both sides of the Atlantic. Muslim antisemitism, which is written into the Qu’ran, has always been there, has always expressed itself violently, and is only attracting particular attention today because of … Continue reading →

Posted in Jew Hatred | 2 Comments

The Narrative

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Victor Rosenthal

Maybe arguments are not important. Maybe, as Jonathan Haidt (video, 1 hr. 32 m.) says, logical arguments are window dressing used to justify conclusions forced upon us by deep-seated emotional motivations. Maybe those who demand that we “free Palestine” on … Continue reading →

Posted in Information war, Israel and Palestinian Arabs | 1 Comment