israel

(A)theologies, Culture, Politics/LawJuly 22, 2009

Cafeteria Cockroaches and Synagogue-State Relations in Israel

By Shalom Goldman

Set against the backdrop of the recent closure of a Knesset cafeteria due to an unkosher cockroach, Shalom Goldman takes an entertaining and meandering look at the state of affairs in Israel. Touching on topics as disparate as the alliteration-happy Israeli media and racist policy proposals, Goldman brings into sharp relief some of the tensions in Israeli religious and cultural life, much of which remains at the mercy of the Orthodox rabbinate.

Politics/LawJuly 20, 2009

Diplomatic Suckerhood: Why Israel Is Fighting Toward its Own Demise

By Ira Chernus

A new study reveals that the majority of Israelis view the conflict with Palestine through the lens of fear, throwing their support behind a parade of bellicose and paranoid leaders. Until the cycle of victimhood and aggression is broken no amount of pressure from the U.S., vain military adventures, or Labor Party victories will alter the tragic stalemate in the region.

Politics/LawJuly 3, 2009

Israel at 60: Zionism’s Fatal Flaw

By Ira Chernus

Though Zionism sought to establish a state of normalcy, Israel has become an institutionalized mechanism for perpetuating a sense of abnormality.

Politics/LawJuly 1, 2009

The Double Blessing: Obama, the Bible, and Outreach to Muslims

By Charlotte Gordon

From a religious and biblical perspective, the sons of Isaac have long viewed the sons of Ishmael as potential enemies, and vice versa. Each side sees the other as the opponent in a battle for God’s single blessing. But—in fact—God invented the two-state solution in Genesis 21.

Politics/LawJune 23, 2009

Dilemmas of American Empire: Can Obama Pull Off a Game-Changer in Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan?

By Gary Dorrien

For Obama to steer us back to the softer side of Empire, withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan (and negotiating with Iran), he’ll have to overrule his key officials, Hillary Clinton and Dennis Ross, risk alienating Israel for its own good, and stand up to bracing public attacks. And he’ll need a hand from a strong, anti-imperial religious and secular peace movement.

(A)theologies, Politics/LawJune 23, 2009

RDPulpit: Ahmadinejad Gives Another Victory to the Israeli Right

By Rabbi Michael Lerner

When representatives of many Arab and Muslim nations publicly applaud Ahmadinejad’s racist rant, the real losers are the Palestinians.

Politics/LawJune 19, 2009

Jerusalem Countdown: Christian Zionists and the New Israeli Government

By Bill Berkowitz

Three of the top Apocalypse-watchers of the Christian Right have big love for Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.

(A)theologies, Politics/LawJune 19, 2009

Jewish State, Islamic State: All States are Religious

By Elizabeth Shakman Hurd

All nations contribute to the management and definition of religion so it’s neither necessary, nor possible, to identify any state as definitively “religious” or “secular.” To choose is largely political.

Politics/LawJune 18, 2009

It’s Hard to be a Jew

By Ira Chernus

A scholar of nonviolence shares his struggle with Jewish identity during a time of escalating conflict and violence in Israel.

(A)theologies, Politics/LawJune 18, 2009

Time for Jews to Abandon the Old Foundation Myth of Israel?

By Ira Chernus

Beneath the violence and inability to find peace in Israel/Palestine lie a series of narratives and myths American and Israeli Jews employ to understand the situation. One such narrative has shifted toward hope recently, but does it go deep enough?