At one time, campus Hillels were home to college students exploring their Jewish identity in all its diversity. There were Orthodox Jews, atheists, socialist, Bundists, Zionists--and everything in between. Hillel was a welcoming place, a big tent for Jewish inquiry. They were intellectually engaging, full of spiritual inquiry, and encouraging passion in … [Read more...]
America First, Israel First: the Lobby Loves Trump
"From this moment on, it's going to be America First." --Trump Inaugural speech ♦ Israel loves Trump. Right-wing settler Israel, that is. That is, the entire political apparatus. Trump loves Israel. Israel can do no wrong. Palestine can do no right. The embassy's moving to Jerusalem. Just like Mohammed's steed carried him from Mecca to Jerusalem … [Read more...]
Who’s Afraid of Keith Ellison? The Israel Lobby
While Keith Ellison is odds on favorite to win the race as the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, we've only just begun to hear from the Israel Lobby on the subject. You might ask: why would the Lobby weigh in at all? To answer this question, you have to return to the FBI wiretap of the Israeli embassy in Washington, which Shamai … [Read more...]
Netanyahu Corruption Scandal Envelops Wealthy U.S. Haredi Family
The only thing better than a nice, juicy sex scandal is a nice, juicy corruption scandal. Bibi Netanyahu has already had his very own sex scandal. But it didn't manage to wreck his career or his marriage. The brewing corruption scandal threatens to do at least one, if not the other. I reported yesterday on an investigation that has caught up Netanyahu, … [Read more...]