Focus on Hamas

Seeing Hamas Through Different Lenses by Shibli Telhami

Hamas Victory good for all by Muqtedar Khan

See NY Times audio slide show and plain photo slide show on Hamas

Azzam Tamimi, Senior Hamas representative on Hamas and Hezbollah

Brief History and Profile of Hamas

Israeli ambassador criticizes U.S. for granting Iran`s leader a visa

"I ask myself if the American administration didn't have an opportunity, even at the expense of violating its agreements with the UN, not to give an entrance visa to this man," Gillerman told Israel Radio."

It is interesting to see how Israel expects the U.S. to violate international agreements [violating international agreements is what makes one a rogue nation] in the interests of Israel. Click here to read the entire article and make observations about the various politicl dynamics at this weeks UN summit in New York

US moves to scuttle Arab plan for international peace conference

The US is trying to block attempts by Arab countries to turn the UN Security Council into a key player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the upcoming General Assembly opening next week. To read click here.

George Soros, a Hungarian-born Jew who escaped the Holocaust by fleeing to London as a child, is one of the richest persons in the United States (with a fortune valued at $7.2 billion). He is a philanthropist who established the Open Society Institute, and a philosopher who has written 8 books. His latest commentary appeared in the Boston Globe. Read More and comment.

How to bring Jews and Muslims together. Warning. This a a funny, sarcastic and a bit adultish criticism of religious bigotry. This is also a window to a group of people who self identify as "progressive Muslims". Click here to read.

From The Abba Eban film we learned the important role that President Truman played in the creation of Israel. The presidential politics of the U.S. still remains central to Israeli politics. See the new blog at Haaretz and contrast it with the fact that in our class of 40 [120 votes] Gingrich did not get a single vote while here he is second only to Giuliani. Why do you think so? Click here to see the Haartez Blog: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/rosnerPage.jhtml

Criticize Israel and You are an anti-Semite!

Rosa Brooks wrote an interesting column in the Los Angeles Times on September 1st. Read the article and comment on what you think of her analysis that it is impossible to have an honest discussion about Israel in this country. While you are reading this remember I am not fishing this out from some archives from the past, this article was published after this course began. To read the article click here: