Opinion

The endangered right: freedom of religion for Dutch Jews

In the United States, the decree that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” is an integral part of living in a free country. In fact, it is the first amendment…

Elliott Abrams, national security official to two presidents, comes to UCLA

Wearing a red tie, Elliott Abrams, the renowned American diplomat who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush — most recently as Deputy National Security Advisor for Global Democracy Strategy — could be seen talking with a friend…

Ha’Am Winter 2013 Print Issue: A Look At Jewish Traditions at Home and Abroad

In case you missed Ha’Am’s Winter 2013 Print Issue, you can now read all the articles and see the complete PDF online. Enjoy!

Genocide of the soul: the new Jewish face of anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism is still the greatest threat to the Jewish people, but the threat comes from within the Jewish state.   I was dismayed to read the news last week about the new Egyptian government’s cancellation of a screening of a…

Income inequality in Israel: neither capitalism nor Netanyahu are to blame

This article is in response to Miriam Pinski’s piece entitled “Income inequality in Israel: Netanyahu’s neo-conservative policies,” which was published in Ha’Am on Sunday, March 10, 2013. I would like to make it clear that I respect the writer of…

Income inequality in Israel: Netanyahu’s neo-conservative policies

In a state founded on principles of collectivism, social justice, and equality, today, Israel’s government espouses economic policies that are radically different from the original ideals, and the negative consequences are catching up. Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently pushed for…

A move toward accommodating different religious beliefs

College can be stressful enough without having to deal with religious concerns. When Shabbat or Jewish holidays come around, they should not be cause for anxiety, embarrassment, or any other strains due to class and exam conflicts. Enter the Jewish…

Israel at the Oscars

The 85th annual Academy Award celebration boasted some of Hollywood’s premier talent. While most viewers were closely attuned to the celebrity sightings, spectacular gowns, provocative host, show-stopping performances, and the major awards themselves, some of us with strong Jewish and…

Fatah squanders opportunity to encourage Palestinian rapprochement

Last night, the Jerusalem Post reported on Fatah officials’ “furious” reaction to news of the indirect negotiations currently taking place between Israel and Hamas in Egypt. Officials of the State of Israel and Hamas (the dominant Palestinian political party in…

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions: a movement fueled by hate

In general, people who are misinformed about the facts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict tend to assume that peace is entirely in the hands of the Israelis, and that Israel is maliciously preventing a peaceful agreement by refusing to surrender a…