Howard F Jaeckel, at The Blogs

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Sep 27, 2023, 6:57 PM

A Dangerous Moment at the Court

On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Israel will hear arguments in a case even more momentous – and more threatening to the unity of the country -- than the arguments heard a few weeks ago concerning the “reasonableness law.” If...

Sep 15, 2023, 9:30 AM

Book Review — “The Postcard”

Because of my family background, I’ve read many books dealing with the Holocaust. None has affected me more than Anne Berest’s autobiographical novel, The Postcard. Mass murderer Joseph Stalin is said to have observed that a single death is a...

Sep 8, 2023, 8:46 PM

Three eminent authors are wrong on judicial reform

Instead of backing unbridled judicial supremacy, Klein-Halevi, Gordis and Friedman should be working on electoral reform

Aug 4, 2023, 6:40 PM

How Would Ben Gurion Have Advised Today’s Protestors?

Last evening, I opened the Times of Israel on my computer because I wanted to read the details of Maccabi Haifa’s dramatic extra-time win on Wednesday to advance in its quest again to qualify for UEFA’s Champions League. But...

Jul 29, 2023, 11:41 PM

Book Review — ‘The Jews Should Keep Quiet,’ by Rafael Medoff

There is a longstanding debate about Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s actions — or inactions — in response to the Holocaust. According to one school of thought, Roosevelt — constrained by economic depression, public isolationism, and widespread antisemitism — did what he could to aid the Jews of Europe,...

Jul 27, 2023, 5:17 PM

A Possible Compromise on Judicial Reform?

Exhibiting a typically Israeli aversion to hyperbole and overstatement, opponents of judicial reform are proclaiming the “death of democracy” because of the modest measure enacted by the Knesset on Monday. As an American friend of Israel, I’m once again...

Apr 24, 2023, 10:16 PM

Book Review: ‘Jabotinsky,’ by Hillel Halkin

Last night, I listened to a Tikvah Foundation podcast, featuring Yossi Klein Halevi discussing Valdimir Jabotinsky's famous essay, "The Iron Wall." It made me think of Hillel Halkin's excellent biography of Jabotinsky, and I thought I would post my review...

Apr 13, 2023, 8:00 AM

The Murder of Lucy, Maia and Rina Dee — And the West’s Reaction

Although the murder of innocent civilians by Palestinian terrorists is always profoundly shocking, no matter how ungodly common it becomes, there is a special pain about the recent murder of two young sisters, Maia and Rina Dee, ages 20...

Apr 11, 2023, 1:31 AM

An Erstwhile Leftist Despairs of the “Two State Solution”

As an American who is intensely interested in Israel -- and why shouldn't I be fascinated with one of the most dramatic and miraculous stories in history -- I've read a lot of books about the Jewish state. And...

Mar 27, 2023, 11:32 PM

What Is To Be Done?

Watching from America, I’ve previously expressed astonishment at what seemed to me the overwrought reaction of hundreds of thousands of Israelis to the government’s proposals for judicial reform. Now I’m appalled by what's happening. Remember that blocking roads can prevent...

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About Me

Howard F Jaeckel is a retired American lawyer who worked for a major broadcasting company for many years. He has a longstanding interest in constitutional law and has followed the issue of judicial reform in Israel closely.