February 5th, 2010 by Rocky Mountain Jew
Add a comment Rumblings of a most strange kind of being heard across Europe. Italy’s prime minister, the infamous Silvio Berlusconi, earlier this week called for Israel to join the European Union.
Is this just a somewhat crazy man’s fantasies, or is there some merit in his proposal?
In certain areas, such as sports competitions, Israel has always been classified as part of Europe. (Though this is due to rejection from its Arab neighbors rather than a sense of belonging to the European continent.) Many Israelis are European by descent; however upon arrival, most immigrants assimilated quickly into the burgeoning Israeli society without looking back.
But the real issue here is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the was founded as an economics driven organization, it is now also a political union, and all members must adhere to a specific set of laws. What would this mean for Israel? Tearing down the fence/wall and withdrawing from all Palestinian territories. The chances of this happening? Pretty much zero. For its own security, Israel cannot take such measures.
But as a hypothetical: Let’s say Israel was on track to EU membership and took the above mentioned steps. This would certainly fast-track a two-state solution and with EU backing Israel would likely feel more secure making these risky moves. Could be a win-win.
But does Israel want to play along with EU rules and regulations? Israel’s top priority is its security. And by joining the EU, the Jewish state would cede much of its sovereignty. Keep in mind, too, that being an EU member also allows for the freedom of movement, meaning any EU citizen could move to Israel. So a Palestinian granted citizenship in say Britain, could then emigrate to Israel.
But let’s face it. This was Berlusconi, alterantely the most villified and ridiculed European prime minister. It made for an attention-getting soundbyte, something the showman surely realized, but a real initiative? We don’t think so.
January 29th, 2010 by Rocky Mountain Jew
Add a comment 
The latest release from filmmaking auters Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man, tells the story of Larry Gopnik, a physics professor living in 1967 Minneapolis. His story closely parallels that of the book of Job; a seemingly good person is afflicted by a deluge of misfortunes. His wife leaves him; his health is questioned; his brother, who is incapable of taking care of himself, is involved in gambling and perhaps sexual troubles; an anti-Semitic and racist neighbor is encroaching on his land.
Like all Coen brothers’ films, A Serious Man intertwines details large and small to create a complete story; however, as in most Coen Brothers’ films, the larger picture is not always immediately obvious. One such example is the opening sequence, which portrays the encounter of an Old World couple with a dybbuk. The theme of dybbuk does appear later in the main feature and the vignette does question the viewers’ perception of reality, and truth and fiction, but how the vignette relates directly to Larry Gopnick’s story? We’re not sure. A Serious Man, again like most Coen Brothers’ movies, surely requires repeated viewings. [More...]
January 22nd, 2010 by Rocky Mountain Jew
2 Comments The catastrophic effects of the earthquake in Haiti on January 12 are being deeply and keenly felt. Something that makes this crisis so difficult to combat effectively is the instability of the Haiti prior to the earthquake. Despite it being the first independent state in the West Indies, Haiti has consistently had a hard time gaining its footing as a nation. According to Wikipedia, the country has experienced 32 coups in its 200-year history. Plagued by the cycle of dictatorship - [military] coup - installation of a new unilateral leader, up until last week Haiti was characterized by civil unrest and dire poverty. Now, of course, the earthquake will hold a pivotal place in the country’s story.
How is medical and humanitarian aid received, processed and doled out in such a country? Haiti had little functioning infrastructure prior to the earthquake; can it even deal with the deluge of aid coming its way?
But despite the logistical nightmares facing those wanting to help, Israel has managed not only to deliver aid, but even to build a makeshift hospital. This week’s IJN includes coverage of Israel’s efforts, alongside an IJN editorial with commentary on Israel’s humane - and effective - actions.
The lesson? Where there’s a will there’s a way.
