Word: roles
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...return to Palestine. For them, ^ there could be no Israeli state until the appearance of the Messiah. In order to overcome such objections to nationhood, David Ben-Gurion, the country's political founder, shaped an agreement with Jewish religious leaders in 1947 that attempted to define the role of religion in Israeli life. That declaration, known as the "status quo," made several key concessions to religious authorities. Among them was a pledge that the traditional Friday- evening-to-Saturday-evening Jewish Sabbath would be Israel's official day of rest. Ever since then, Israelis have been quarreling over the practical...
Given the fragmented nature of Israeli politics and the pivotal role of the four religious parties, it is highly unlikely that such a document could be enacted anytime soon. An alternative step might be a reform of the electoral system to allow for more stable parliamentary majorities and reduce the power of marginal parties. Labor politicians are urging such changes, though chances are that Israel will continue to muddle along with its current system. Yet some durable solution must be found if Israel, surrounded as it is by hostile powers, is not to become a house fatally divided against itself...
...badly. The Massachusetts Governor, whose image of rock- solid integrity has been a major selling point, had to accept the resignations of his two top aides for their part in bushwhacking the Biden candidacy. Worse, Dukakis first denied his campaign's part in undermining Biden, then revealed his aides' role, then hesitated before letting them go. His handling of the crisis made him look ill-informed and indecisive...
Rafsanjani's political position was reinforced last week, when Mehdi Hashemi was executed. Although Hashemi was accused of kidnaping, murder and plotting against the regime, his role in exposing attempts by Rafsanjani to buy arms from the U.S. in exchange for hostages helped seal his fate. After Hashemi's arrest, his supporters leaked details of Rafsanjani's deals with the U.S. to the Beirut magazine ash-Shiraa, thereby precipitating the Iran-contra scandal...
...know about the Pope who built the Sistine Chapel except that he hired Michelangelo to paint the ceiling? What does anyone know about who was king of anywhere when the Book of Genesis was written, or the pillars of Stonehenge erected? As Gore Vidal once tartly summed up the role of the artist in society, "I'm the one who's keeping score...