At what point do citizens become responsible for the actions of their government? As a dual American and Israeli citizen, I have found myself living with this question on two fronts. When Trump was first elected in 2016, he lost the popular vote. Many Americans did not support him. Voter turnout was low, and it … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Israel
Stupidity and Hubris: How Trump, aided by Netanyahu, helped break the world
I just listened to the latest episode of Fareed Zakaria GPS, and I have to say—it left me genuinely frightened. https://edition.cnn.com/world/video/gps-0322-tehran-nuclear-bomb Israeli analyst Danny Citrinowicz made a striking point: this could be the war that pushes Iran past the threshold toward acquiring a nuclear weapon. His analysis is thoughtful, measured, and deeply concerning. I strongly … Continue reading
Israel’s actions and its impact on the Jewish Diaspora
Most Israeli Jews think of themselves first as Israelis and second as Jews. Regarding the Jewish diaspora, they generally believe that one of Israel’s core purposes, the Zionist mission, is to provide a safe haven for Jews. While I disagree with the actions of the current Israeli government, I subscribe to this belief myself. I … Continue reading
I Will Not Allow Antisemitism to Steal My Humanity
The months since October 7, 2023 have changed something in the world as well as something in me. The barbaric attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians shook Israel to its core. Families murdered. Women assaulted. Hundreds taken hostage. I spoke almost daily with friends in Israel. The grief in their voices was raw. The fear was … Continue reading
Israel and the Future of the Jewish People Part II
The history of the Jewish people before the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel around 1000 BCE, under King David, is not fully understood. What we do know is that the ancestors of the Jewish nation lived in Canaan. The Kingdom of Israel was their first independent state. Over time, the land was conquered repeatedly—first … Continue reading
Israel and the Future of the Jewish People: Part I
I am deeply saddened and concerned about what has been happening in Israel, especially since October 7, 2023. But it did not begin that day. For years, Israel has been shifting steadily to the right, particularly under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu. Ironically, had Arab citizens of Israel voted at the same rate as Jewish … Continue reading
A Week in Tel Aviv – What I Learned
We left Israel, where we had been living for eight years, for a trip to Europe on October 3, 2023, stopping first for five days in Bodrum, Turkey. It was there that I heard the news of October 7th. Like so many, I was stunned. We decided to continue our trip in Europe and return … Continue reading
Lebanon, a Country I Will Never be Able to Visit
As I approach 80 years, I often think of the countries I will never visit. Since the age of 18 in 1963, when I became a Merchant Seaman and sailed around Asia, I have traveled worldwide, and I am still doing that. Fortunately, I am very healthy and have the financial means to travel. Since … Continue reading
Yossi Elaz 1947-2024
Yossi Elaz (left and Israel Brill (right). Rehovot Israel aroundd 1978. Me at that time Sadly, I am writing once more about a dear friend, Yossi Elza) who passed away a few days ago. The number of such occasions is accelerating, I am afraid. I moved to Israel for the first time in 1974, fifty … Continue reading
The Book I Never Finished Writing
It was the summer of 1966. I was 21 years old. Having spent almost a year in Europe mainly in Paris and London writing poetry, it had been my plan to emigrate to Israel and live on a kibbutz. I had gotten as far as Athens when for reasons I still do not understand, I … Continue reading
Two Thirds Done 