Obama and the Politics of Ritual

ABRAHAM MILLER: American Spectator — Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington this week and danced the minuet with Barack Obama.  They held a handkerchief between them and at AIPAC they came together.  And once Obama’s Jew-charm ceremony was completed, they danced apart.  The talking heads from the left and right side of the audience commented on…

The Purim parallels

BY SETH MANDEL, COMMENTARY— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu often deploys historical analogies to help other world leaders understand the mindset of the Jewish people when faced with current threats or challenges. Tomorrow is Purim, the story of which Netanyahu brings up this time of year, each year, because of certain (mostly geographic) parallels. The…

Abbas's Latest Gimmick

BY KHALED ABU TOAMEH, STONEGATE— They are worried that Iran has stolen the limelight. Instead of wasting his time writing letters, Abbas should return to the negotiating table with Israel immediately and unconditionally. Gimmicks and tricks will not help advance the cause or interests of the Palestinian people. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas deserves an…