Israel
I have seen the Hamas snuff film. It is the 43-minute video compilation of horrors committed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 atrocity excursion into southern Israel, resulting in 1,400 deaths murders, including 33 Americans, and some 240 kidnappings. It was screened Thursday evening at the Weitzman National Museum
Israel
Peaceful protests have a long tradition in America, and they are protected by the U.S. Constitution. The hundreds who assembled Thursday evening to chant and protest in the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station were within their rights, until they started blocking commuters from where they wanted to
Israel
This is not a call for war, or a call for gore, it is a call for transparency, so we can see what we are up against. And by “we,” I mean civilized citizens of democracies. There is an adage in story-telling: Don't tell me -- show me.
Israel
If I didn’t know the truth, I might be swayed by the three great lies, and two half truths, of Palestinian supporters. But I do know the truth, which the majority of their supporters — especially on college campuses — don’t know, and in some cases don’t want to
Middle East
By Rabbi Jill Maderer “How?” — or Eicha? when translated into Hebrew — begins the anguished text of the Book of Lamentations. Chanted while seated on the floor, in the dark, Eicha asks the questions for which there are no answers. Rabbi Jill Maderer, senior rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, North Broad
Israel
About a week ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer published an editorial cartoon that I found highly distasteful, but I said nothing because I know what editorial cartoons are. They are the opinion of the cartoonist, and it might be an opinion I disagree with. I write things that others disagree with,
Israel
Truth is the first casualty in war, they say. They also talk about the fog of war. Both cliches are true, but people who are paid to disseminate information are supposed to exercise caution. There is an adage in journalism that goes like this: “Get it first, but first get
Israel
The last time I was in Gaza, it was unpleasant. It was 1979, and I was in Israel on vacation, two years after I covered Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Jerusalem. A moshav in Israel (Photo: Amusing Planet) Gaza was then under the Israeli occupation — it is
Israel
At first glance at these polling numbers, my knee-jerk response is that it proves the younger you are, the dumber you are. That may come from me being in the 65+ group, so let me take a step back and be kind. Instead of dumb, let’s say the younger