Israel’s McCarthy?

By Gabriel Weinstein When Avigdor Lieberman arrived in Israel from Moldova and began working as an airport porter he probably never imagined he would become Minister of Foreign Affairs and one of the world’s most reviled political figures. Since taking the post, Lieberman has staunchly advocated for a Loyalty Oath, which would require non-Jewish Israelis to declare their loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state on penalty of having their citizenship revoked, told the U.N. that Palestinian peace talks could take decades and insisted that Israel will not accept “any additional freeze – not for three months, not for a month, and not for a day.” Lieberman is part of a greater international trend, particularly in Europe, of far right politicians vaulting into the political limelight on ultra nationalist, anti-Muslim rhetorical platforms.  In an American...

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The Mighty Mighty Chickpea

By Symi Rom-Rymer I always thought that musicals could save the world if only given the chance.  And thanks to Ari Sandel, I see I’m not alone.  In only 22 minutes and a good dose of hummus, West Bank Story (2006 Oscar winner for best short film) manages to achieve what George Mitchell has not: peace in the Middle East.  In an irreverent homage to West Side Story--with nods to Fiddler on the Roof and Queer Eye--Jewish employees at the Kosher King and the Palestinian employees at the Hummus Hut— sing, dance (and snap) as they lob insults and blow up each other’s restaurants in the West Bank.  Meanwhile, star-crossed lovers pine for each other.  Will the love between Fatima, the comely Hummus Hut counter girl, and David, the handsome Israeli soldier, conquer all?  Will Jews...

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Shin Bet Justice: Tunnel Vision?

Tunnels. The very word connotes ancient secrets, mystic rites and modern adventure. Israel is blessed with tunnels both natural (the country gets whole pages on spelunking websites) and man made: The "Rabbinical" tunnels alongside and beneath the Temple Mount get lots of attention. Their excavation launched Arab riots as well as a new locus for tourism. (Jerusalem's coolest tunnel is Hezekiah's ancient passage to the Gihon Spring, seen at right.) For Israel's security forces, it's the tunnels under Gaza's border with Egypt that, understandably, generate the most interest. Egypt's government claims, unconvincingly, that it's trying to keep the tunnels closed, while evidence at the other end (filmed by France24's English newscast) shows Gazans' using the tunnels routinely to smuggle in market goods and even electricity generation. Hamas undoubtedly also uses them for less homey shipments, like...

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