Political Columnist, Ha'aretz
Senior columnist and editorial writer for the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz; co-author of Lords of the Land: The War for Israel's Settlements in the Occupied Territories, 1967-2007
PROFILE
Akiva Eldar
Guest
FROM Akiva Eldar
To the Point
Israel at 60: A Confident Past, an Uncertain Future George Bush, Tony Blair and Mikhail Gorbechev are among the international dignitaries who will be in Jerusalem next week to mark Israel's 60th anniversary . The landmark event has produced both a joyous celebration of extraordinary progress and somber reflection on what's to come. A tiny country has become a haven for Jews, a world capital of culture and technology and a nuclear power. But it's surrounded by hostile neighbors, internationally criticized for treatment of the Palestinians and beset by uncertainty about its future identity. With an Arab population that's growing fast, can Israel be both democratic and Jewish? What are the prospects for a "two-state solution?"
Which Way, L.A.?
Can President Bush Bring Peace to a Scarred Holy Land? The first President Bush had Madrid. President Clinton had Oslo. Now President George Bush has Annapolis , his crash program to try and negotiate a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Many skeptics argue that Bush has ignored the problem too long or that peace can't be forced on the warring sides, but the White House refuses to back down from its goal of at least restarting the peace process. Although Middle East leaders have agreed to come to Maryland next week, nothing else is certain. It is not clear who will attend, how much support they will provide or how much room the leaders have for compromise. With just a year left in office, the President is struggling to make history against terrible odds.
To the Point
Can President Bush Bring Peace to a Scarred Holy Land? The first President Bush had Madrid. President Clinton had Oslo. Now President George Bush has Annapolis , his crash program to try and negotiate a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Many skeptics argue that Bush has ignored the problem too long or that peace can't be forced on the warring sides, but the White House refuses to back down from its goal of at least restarting the peace process. Although Middle East leaders have agreed to come to Maryland next week, nothing else is certain. It is not clear who will attend, how much support they will provide or how much room the leaders have for compromise. With just a year left in office, the President is struggling to make history against terrible odds.
Which Way, L.A.?
Two Views of the Cease-fire in Lebanon The world's biggest story today is, of course, the cease-fire in Lebanon and what it will mean for the parties involved. While Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah declared a "strategic, historic victory" today, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was telling the Knesset a different story. He said the Israeli army had damaged Hezbollah's massive arsenal, its confidence and its capabilities. Meantime, despite a warning from Israel not to travel, tens of thousands of refugees jammed the roads into southern Lebanon today. Will Hezbollah disarm? Will it submit itself to the Lebanese army bolstered by international forces? Will Israel's new leadership survive? We get perspective from political scientists and journalists in Israel and Lebanon. (An extended version of this discussion originally aired earlier today on To the Point.
To the Point
How Long Can the Cease-fire in Lebanon Last? In the first few hours of the cease-fire, there were no Hezbollah rockets fired on northern Israel, and Israeli artillery fell silent for the first time in many days. There were reports of fighting in southern Lebanon, but refugees were streaming back into devastated towns despite Israel's ban on travel. At the UN, diplomats were struggling to put together a credible 15,000-person peace-keeping force to restrain both sides in a crisis that may not be over for some time to come. Both sides are claiming victory, but Israeli Prime Ehud Minister Olmert is under heavy criticism from the left and the right. Will Hezbollah willingly disarm under the watch of international peacekeepers?
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To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?