This week in power: Syria airstrikes, Scottish church, Beck comparison, Hawking retreat

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Serious about Syria
“Israeli airstrikes in Syria on Iranian weapons destined for Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia could be seen as heralding wider international involvement in Syria’s intractable civil war,” ” target=”_blank”>said Marc Ambinder at The Week. “At the end of the day, it's an issue of survival (for Assad) and retaliation will further endanger that survival,” Bilal Saab, director of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, North America, ” target=”_blank”>according to reports. In“The Inheritance of Abraham,” it stated that “reconciliation can only be possible if the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and the blockade of Gaza are ended.” The Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland put it out last week. “The church owes the Jewish people an apology for this incendiary text that is more fitting to the 13th century than to this one. Jewish groups, Church of Scotland members and others must join together to oppose and repudiate this vicious and defamatory text,” ” target=”_blank”>comparing people to Nazis. At the National Rifle Association's annual convention last weekend, Beck ” target=”_blank”>Here they are: “When somebody argues for gun control, they are either living in self-imposed ignorance or they are just living an argument of control,” Beck stressed to the crowd of more than 10,000. He urged the group “to make sure that we give no more power to those in government at any level,” and held New York City up as an example of where things are headed. “I am amazed at how many of my New York friends have become absolute dopes and just will accept the soda ban, the popcorn ban, the salt ban,” he spat. “I've come up with a new advertisement for New York, a new slogan: 'You will love New York!'”

Hawking rouses anger
People were aghast on Wednesday when ” target=”_blank”>wrote Daniel Cressey at Nature.

Lipman smear
American Dov Lipman, who is a freshman Knesset member of the Yesh Atid party, had his name ” target=”_blank”>Lipman wrote: “I certainly hope the misquote will be acknowledged and that the comparison to Amalek and Haman will be taken back.  Misunderstandings happen and can always be corrected. Let us all learn the lesson of the dangers of the rumor mill and misquotes and let's work together to strengthen Torah study, the spreading of Torah values, and unity amongst the Jewish people.”