American foreign policy Barack Obama Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Israeli occupation Israeli settlements Middle East peace process

Obama should not be afraid of AIPAC

Despite recent tension with Israel, President Obama’s approval ratings have remained consistently high among American Jews, according to a new J Street poll. He was viewed favorably by 62% in March compared to 64% in October, 2009. That is true even though Americans as a whole are less enamored of him than they used to […]

Benjamin Netanyahu Hamas Israel Israeli occupation Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority Palestinians

U.S.-Israel relationship will survive, but what about Abbas?

This current tiff between Israel and the U.S. over settlements in East Jerusalem will probably blow over soon. The bonds between Israel and the U.S. are too tight to be unravelled. But Israel’s provocative behavior might be weakening Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Anyone who wants an end to this […]

BDS boycott Hamas Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority Palestinians

Boycott supporters: which side are you on?

The BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement is growing, causing alarm in Israel and the American Jewish establishment. But the arguments being employed by the mainstream Jewish community are not likely to make headway with those who support BDS or the larger, more important group that is trying to decide whether to endorse it. When […]