In my opinion, Israel should offer to Hamas and the world a simple and unconditional end to the war and withdrawal from Gaza in return for the release of all remaining hostages (living and dead). There should be no further trading of hostages for convicted terrorists and murderers, nor should they worry at this time Read More

I agree with almost everything that I know about Zohran Mamdani’s platform in his race to be elected Mayor of New York City. Yet if I were voting in the upcoming NYC mayoral election, I would have trouble casting a ballot for him despite not caring for any of the other candidates running. In five Read More

I am halfway into my third week here. Four days until I leave Israel. I will have only seen part of the country on this trip. My perspective is obviously limited but still feels significant.Several questions have been percolating in my mind. I wonder what the Palestinians could have done if they had chosen to Read More

Time has come. Today (Sunday) I will be checking out of this hotel and walking to a car rental place to pick up my rental. I will be driving from Jerusalem to Haifa (approximately 100 miles) and hope to stop off along the way and see the coastal towns of Netanya and Caesarea along the Read More

I am disturbed by the CHOICE of certain leftists to argue that what is happening in Gaza meets some current technical definition of the word Genocide but primarily upset that it seems to be dividing those of us who honestly want peace in the region, and creating a false unity on the left between those Read More

On Thursday I took the train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. First things first, before checking out of my lovely Tel Aviv seashore hotel I enjoyed one last breakfast, then took a walk up to the mall to buy a nice shirt to wear to the Seder on Saturday night just in case my suitcase Read More

I truly tried to come to Israel with few expectations. I admit that I expected my suitcase to come with me and I was disappointed. I planned to spend the first few days in this nice hotel by the beach in Tel Aviv expecting that I’d be tired from the long plane ride and intending Read More

DAY ONE – Tel AvivMy first day in Tel Aviv began of course with breakfast. This hotel brags about its breakfast and it did not disappoint. Had two lattes, a plate of smoked whitefish salad, some cream cheese and lox (very nice fresh rolls) and some fruit and two sunny side up eggs. Because of Read More

It’s a long way from Yachats, Oregon to Tel Aviv, Israel.   There is no denying it.   am on my way.     Just about 7,000 miles if you went directly.    I had a plan, but like many good plans stuff happened along the way.   I initially bought my plane ticket last July when I saw a good Read More

I wish the media and Mahmoud Khalil’s supporters would stop referring to him as a “pro-Palestinian” activist. He’s not. I wish they also stop repeating the lie that he is opposed to the Israel-Gaza war. He’s not that either. He is clearly pro-Hamas, anti-Israel and most likely antisemitic. If he was truly pro-Palestinian there would Read More