Ed Rettig

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Dec 25, 2017, 12:31 PM

People of conscience need to criticize Abbas’s speech

Illustrative. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks at a press conference following a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) about US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, on December 13, 2017, in Istanbul. (AFP Photo/Yasin Akgul)

If all you do is reprimand Israel for violating human rights, you'll never be heard; use empathy to get through

Aug 20, 2017, 11:38 PM

After Charlottesville: Now More Than Ever: People, Torah, Struggle for Human Rights

In these days following the Charlottesville fiasco, it is time to take a hard look at ourselves. Among the minority of Jews who voted for Trump, some continue to accept arguments along the lines of “but someone else is...

Oct 26, 2014, 2:39 PM

Peeping Toms and Murderers?

Most of the discussion of the peeping tom rabbi from Washington came from the Orthodox wing of our community. That is understandable. The allegations relate to a powerful figure in the American Orthodox Jewish community. The direct victims sought...

Aug 17, 2014, 11:47 PM

For crying out loud America, elect a capable president!

16 years of inept leadership by Bush and Obama will have done incalculable damage abroad and at home

Aug 4, 2014, 12:23 PM

Javier Bardem teaches a lesson in antisemitism

So many struggle with a challenge. How to tell when criticism of Israel is legitimate political assessment and when it is antisemitism? Along came a group from Spain and provided an unsolicited teaching tool. JTA reports that 100 Spanish...

Jul 28, 2014, 9:16 PM

Mr. Shirtsleeves and proportionality

Pondering the ugly reason Europeans can't abide Israel's exercise of its right to self defense

Jul 6, 2014, 11:52 PM

EU Warnings: “Go With and Feel Without”

Israel once had a commercial for a brand of bra. Women who wore it could “go with and feel without.” The ad seemed to me subversive political commentary masquerading as commercial copywriting. How much political behavior we can summarize...

May 25, 2013, 11:23 AM

Israel’s Homemade Economic Problems

Several years ago a cache of explosives was discovered beneath a home in a rural community in Israel. During the 1948 War of Independence someone hid it beneath the floor. Imagine the feelings of the occupants when they discovered...

May 5, 2013, 1:21 PM

The Arab Peace Initiative: Why the Lukewarm Response?

Like a couple of aged swimmers afraid of the cold water, Israel and the PA warily dipped their toes in the renewal of the Arab Peace Initiative (API). The latest stage of the API began when Qatar’s Foreign Minister,...

Apr 16, 2013, 3:06 PM

Natural gas: Handle with care

The pros of energy security are mixed with risks of reckless spending, gutting long-term supplies and making enemies

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About Me

Ed Rettig is the Chair of Shomrei Mispat, Rabbis for Human Rights.