Author Archives: Rabbi Kaufman

Our Response to the 100 Jewish Leaders Letter

We Are For Israel has been asked to offer a response to the letter written by 100 American Jewish Leaders seeking that Israel work with Secretary of State Kerry to produce a plan demonstrating “Israel’s readiness to make painful territorial … Continue reading

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Syria, Iran, and Fear of Regional War

Friends, as the situation in Syria deteriorates, it is becoming more and more likely that a major confrontation between Israel and the Iranian and Hizballah forces fighting in Syria and Southern Lebanon will occur. An article in the Times of … Continue reading

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A Response to the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East

The National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East [NILI] is an organization of leading members of a host of religious communities in the United States. In some cases, the representative is the leading figure in a particular … Continue reading

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Realistic Hopes for Peace in the Real World

I have heard many powerful speakers over the years talk about Israel. Few among them compare with Leon Wieseltier whose absurdly elevated language and flowing shockingly white hair would make him stand out in any crowd of speakers. Wieseltier is … Continue reading

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The E-1 Gambit Explained

The Palestinians sought to upgrade their status in the UN in order to pursue diplomatic and legal efforts to against Israel rather than engaging in negotiations that would involve making painful concessions. Israel almost immediately announced that it would advance … Continue reading

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URJ and CCAR Statement about Israel and Palestinian Situation

The Union for Reform Judaism URJ and the Central Conference of American Rabbis issued a joint statement, supported by its Zionist arms, ARZA and ARZA Canada, concerning the upgrading of the status at the United Nations of the Palestinian Authority … Continue reading

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Observed States and Unsettled Issues

Upon his return  to Ramallah after the UN elevated the Palestinian Authority’s status to Observer State, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas celebrated pronouncing, “We now have a state.” This is, to an extent, the equivalent of Jews celebrating the Balfour Declaration with the … Continue reading

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Sudan, Iran, and Gaza

In the aftermath of Operation Pillar of Defense, the role of Sudan in helping Iran ship weapons to Hamas is becoming clearer. There is now a full blown alliance between Iran, Sudan, and Hamas.  Hamas leaders have publicly thanked Iran in recent … Continue reading

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The Ceasefire and Thoughts about the Future

Below is the text of the Ceasefire Agreement as Announced Today. Commentary follows the text of the agreement. Following is the verbatim English text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza that was reached on Wednesday with … Continue reading

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Why There May Be No Ceasefire

Today, leaders around the world called for Israel to avoid escalation of the conflict in Gaza as Israeli bombing raids continued and rockets poured forth from Gaza. As I noted in my articles over the past few days, this conflict … Continue reading

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