Whose Side Is the U.S. Really On?

As U.S.-brokered negotiations begin–again–between Israelis and Palestinians, both sides want to know: Hey, America, whose side are you really on? After living in Jerusalem for seven years and working in the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I encountered that question on more than one occasion. My answer came after an unexpected ride on a sherut, the 10-person van that shuttles passengers between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. One night out in Tel Aviv, it was well past midnight and I was ready to go home to Jerusalem. The regular buses had stopped running, so the only way to get home was via the Jerusalem sherut. Haphazardly huddled by the side of the road where the sherut picks up its passengers just a few of us were waiting when I first arrived, but eventually a small crowd amassed. Thirty of...

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Does Syria Matter?

The Obama Administration is expected to support talks between Syria and Israel as part of its efforts to negotiate an Israeli-Palestinian peace. Tony Badran, Tom Dine, Martin Indyk, Joshua Landis, Moshe Ma’oz, Michael Oren, David Schenker and Andrew Tabler on whether a Syrian-Israeli deal is in the cards.

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The Man on J Street: The Story of Jeremy Ben-Ami

The new “pro-Israel, pro-peace” lobby has created a storm in the Jewish world: Some credit it with opening a much-needed debate on American Middle East policy, and others accuse it of playing into the hands of Israel’s enemies. Moment tells the story of the group’s rise and of its founder, Jeremy Ben-Ami, son of an Irgun member.

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