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Stephen Rutman

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Jul 14, 2013, 11:41 AM

Two Paths to a Two-State Solution

If one assumes, as I do, that there will be a Palestinian state within the near future, one must recognize there are two possible routes toward that state’s development. The first potential method is for Palestinians to establish all...

Jun 19, 2013, 7:38 PM

Shifting Public Relations Strategies in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

It has become commonplace to hear that Israel has poor public relations. In part, Israel’s failure to present itself favorably to the global community stems from the misconception within Israeli society that Israel is still perceived internationally as the...

Jun 10, 2013, 9:13 PM

Reclaiming Zionism

On several occasions recently, I have endured a deep sense of disappointment upon encountering Jews who either do not consider themselves Zionists or hesitate to do so. The holders of such views come from a wide array of geographic,...

Jun 4, 2013, 2:36 PM

Why Denial is an Untenable Strategy for Israel’s Social Problems

For the past several weeks I have been living in Lod, a city of approximately 74,000, which in many ways represents a microcosm of the social challenges prevalent in contemporary Israeli society. The demographics alone in Lod are a...

May 23, 2013, 10:10 PM

Israel at 65, What to Expect

When the United States of America celebrated its 65th birthday, it was 20 years away from the most gruesome war in its history to date. The U.S. had been formed less than a century prior, born out of ideological...

May 12, 2013, 12:42 AM

The Danger of Symbolism in Israeli-U.S. Relations

After President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel in late March, I—like many other American Jews—felt a renewed sense of confidence for Israeli-U.S. relations. I’d like to think I viewed the visit rationally, understanding that Obama’s gestures of solidarity with...

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About Me

Stephen Rutman studies Modern Middle Eastern Studies and English at the University of Pennsylvania; Originally from New York, Stephen is interested in Israeli culture and politics and the way it is portrayed in American media and society