Miami Herald
'Focus on Israel' writer for the Miami Herald; retired Israeli Air Force colonel and senior aide to then-Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres; analyst with the Israel Democracy Institute
PROFILE
Uri Dromi
Guest
FROM Uri Dromi
Which Way, L.A.?
Has the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Entered a New Phase? The nightmare scenario that Israel has feared since its establishment came true." "The barrier of fear has been broken." Those are Israeli commentators on what Defense Minister Ehud Barak describes as "the Palestinians' transition from suicide-bomber terrorism" to "mass demonstrations, deliberately unarmed." They're all quoted in a Washington Post article by Joel Greenberg in Jerusalem. With Middle Eastern regimes under challenge as never before, are the Palestinians adopting a new strategy in their struggle with Israel? How will President Obama respond to claims that the US is losing influence in the region?
To the Point
Political Change and Continuing Conflict in the Middle East On Sunday, Israel's 63rd anniversary, massed Palestinians approached the country's borders from Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Some were fired on by soldiers, but Israeli leaders concede that a shift from suicide bombs to unarmed masses creates challenges of a new and different kind. Another challenge will come in September, when the UN General Assembly might well declare a Palestinian state. This week, it's President Obama's turn, with a much-anticipated speech on the so-called "Arab Spring" and meetings with regional leaders, including today's meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan.
Which Way, L.A.?
The High Price of Saving a Single Soldier Israel is obsessed with a young soldier kidnapped and held by Hamas in Gaza for more than three years. What is it worth to get Gilad Shalit back? Hamas is demanding release of a thousand prisoners, including a multiple-murder convict supporters compare to South Africa's Nelson Mandela, who might bring political unity to the Palestinian cause. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is caught between the ancient Jewish tradition of rescue and giving the kidnappers a major victory. What are the terms of a potential deal? What are the immediate risks and possible benefits in the long term?
To the Point
The High Price of Saving a Single Soldier Israel is obsessed with a young soldier kidnapped and held by Hamas in Gaza for more than three years. What is it worth to get Gilad Shalit back? Hamas is demanding release of a thousand prisoners, including a multiple-murder convict supporters compare to South Africa's Nelson Mandela, who might bring political unity to the Palestinian cause. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is caught between the ancient Jewish tradition of rescue and giving the kidnappers a major victory. What are the terms of a potential deal? What are the immediate risks and possible benefits in the long term?
Which Way, L.A.?
After 10 Days, No Let-up in Gaza The invasion of Gaza is ten days old and there's no sign of a slowdown as Hamas vows to continue firing rockets across the border and Israel vows to continue until they stop. More than 500 Palestinians have died in the past 10 days; 2600 have been wounded. Five Israelis have died from Hamas rocket fire. While European leaders work for a ceasefire, the US says it has to be "durable and sustainable." We update the fighting and the diplomacy.
To the Point
There Is No Let-up in the Fighting in Gaza The invasion of Gaza is 10 days old, and there's no sign of a slowdown. Israel says the invasion will go on until Hamas can no longer fire rockets over the border. Hamas says the rockets won't stop. More than 500 Palestinians have died in the past 10 days; 2600 have been wounded. Five Israelis have died from Hamas rocket fire. While European leaders work for a ceasefire, the US says it has to be " durable and sustainable ." We update the fighting and the diplomacy.
To the Point
And the Walls Coming Tumbling Down in Gaza Early this morning, there were 17 explosions along the nine-mile border fence between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. As large portions of the fence went down, tens of thousands of Palestinians rushed to the Egyptian town of Rafah for food, fuel and other supplies. People in cars, donkey carts and on foot rushed to buy food, fuel and other supplies denied for weeks by an Israeli blockade designed to stop rocket attacks. We hear how the fence went down and what it's been like at the border. Is it a propaganda coup for Hamas? A defeat for Fatah? What does it reveal about Israeli security and Egypt's obligation to maintain the border?
To the Point
Today's Elections, a Referendum on President Bush and Iraq? American culture has spread all over the globe. Now trade, terrorism and global warming have made the planet smaller than ever. So the rest of the world is watching as the Superpower goes to the polls. Do today's elections look like a referendum on President Bush and the war in Iraq? Is there hope for continuity or change? Does the US retain the moral authority it gained in the immediate aftermath of September 11? We go to the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Mexico.
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Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
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?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.