Israel Diaries
✕
Menu
From Academia
Academic studies from various disciplines tackle issues related to Israel. I will critically and fairly examine published articles that find their way to my screen.
Current Events
Politically and Diplomatically Speaking
Here I respond to Israeli current events – to what is happening within the country and what is happening internationally regarding Israel. My views are still evolving and my writing will reflect my continuing growth and exploration of the issues. I examine academic writings in the fields of history, sociology and political science, as well as opinion pieces and analyses that appear in the media. I do not promise to be consistent because my political views are still changing as I learn more. I do promise to be provocative and perhaps a bit irritating to some. Feel free to express your thoughts and your agreements and disagreements with me: I value debate, respectful debate, and anticipate engaging with my readers.
First-Hand and Investigative
As I try to develop my skills as a journalist, I will look for opportunities to get out into the field and away from my computer to write about people and events first-hand. In other cases, my first-hand reporting will be Internet based investigations.
Keeping up with our Elected Representatives
We elect a party whose platform seems to most closely fit with our vision of what needs to be done to ensure that Israel develops as a healthy and ethical state. The Members of Knesset (MKs) are those who propel this boat and the Cabinet is supposed to be the rudder. Are they fulfilling their promise? In order to judge, we need to know what they are doing. I will, periodically, check in with them and see what they are doing within the Knesset plenum and in committees and report back here what I find.
Jew-Hate
Both Jews and non-Jews can be antisemitic. Here I will post summaries and critiques of academic articles dealing with Jew-hate, as well as opinion pieces.
Book Reviews
I critically review books that come my way. I am honest and assess a book for its message and how well it is substantiated. I do not have to agree with the author — if the book is well documented and researched, I consider that a valuable contribution to the reading materials available to professionals and laypeople.
Random Reflections
Reflections on Jewish Holidays
Holidays and symbols involved in their celebration can have meaning for us in the modern world in which we live. I will reflect on what the holidays mean for me.
Reflections on Random Torah Verses
I open the Torah, landing on a randomly selected page. At some point in reading that page, I find something that causes me to stop and reflect. I invite you to engage in conversation with me: telling me what the selected verse means to you, whether you find something meaningful that either coincides with what I wrote or is contrary to it. You don’t have to be Jewish!
Search
Tag:
Martin Blecher
Academic & Journalistic Topics
•
Book Reviews
•
Gifts
October 10, 2018
•
Views: 0
New Book Contends Well With Old Accusation Against Israel (Without Taking Sides)
Search
Search
Recent Posts
Nadera Shalhoub-Kevordian: A series of letters
Egyptians and the establishment of the Zionist university
Wake up Israel – why are they doing this to us?
anti-Hamas Gazans
This is the psychoanalyst that was arrested
Categories
Current Events
Getting to Know Israel
Gifts
Links
Random Reflections
Uncategorized
Archives
Select Month
December 2025
October 2025
September 2025
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
↑
Close
