In a possible sign of further Iranian defiance in the face of such pressure, several sources said Iran had put in place additional enrichment centrifuges—two interlocked networks of 174 centrifuges each—in its Fordo facility, buried deep inside a mountain to protect it against enemy strikes. One source suggested hundreds of machines had been installed.
Western diplomats have said they believe Iran is cleansing the Parchin nuclear site to remove any evidence of illicit nuclear activity at a place where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspects it has conducted tests that had a military dimension. One Western envoy said that the suspected clean-up at Parchin was “intensifying” and that this made it doubtful that inspectors from the IAEA would uncover any hard evidence there, even if they were allowed to go.
Jewish slugger Kevin Youkilis will play for Israel in World Baseball Classic if healthy
(JNS.org) Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis will play for Israel’s team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) if he is healthy enough to do so, Israel Sports Radio reported Aug. 22.
Israel will be among 16 countries participating in the qualifying stage of the international tournament this September, with the top four advancing to the WBC in March 2013. Diaspora Jews are eligible to play on Israel’s team, and Youkilis told the radio station that there are other Major League Baseball players looking to take the field for the Jewish state. Already, former Jewish Major Leaguers Brad Ausmus, Gabe Kapler, and Shawn Green are assisting the Israeli squad with coaching, recruiting and fundraising, with Green possibly playing on a limited basis.
“[Israel’s Word Baseball Classic team] impacts the North American and Israeli Jewish communities more than the athletes themselves,” Kapler told JNS.org last year. “Those people are going to be psyched. It’s worth dreaming about what could happen because this creates momentum and excitement, which in turn gets more people who want to participate [in the Israeli team’s efforts].”
Youkilis, who made three All-Star teams and won two World Series titles during his time with the Boston Red Sox before he was traded this season, is currently hitting .241 with 15 home runs and 47 runs batted. Israel’s first qualifying game is Sept. 19 against South Africa, and other members of its qualifying round group include Spain and France.
Chabad rabbi wins prestigious Hungarian award
(JNS.org) Coinciding with public commemorations of the founding of Hungary, President Janos Ader bestowed Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Baruch Oberlander with the prestigious Order of Merit award. The award was presented by Hungary’s Minister of Human Resources Zoltan Balog on Aug. 20, according to Chabad’s website.
Rabbi Oberlander came to Hungary in 1989 and established the country’s first Chabad House. He has been credited with helping revive the Hungarian Jewish community, which had been devastated by the Holocaust and decades of Communist rule.
The Order of Merit, Hungary’s highest award, recognizes distinguished service to the country.
Green technology company ‘Better Place’ completes battery exchange network in Israel
(JNS.org) The American-Israeli green technology startup Better Place Inc. is set to unveil its latest battery exchange station at Kibbutz Eilot near the southern Israeli city of Eilat, according to Globes.
Started in 2007, Better Place was the vision of Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi. It seeks to increase the global use of electric cars by constructing battery exchange networks to enable drivers to overcome limitations in the battery life of electric cars. In less than five minutes, a vehicle can have its battery swapped out for a fully recharged one.
In 2009, Better Place partnered with carmaker Renault-Nissan to construct the electric cars. Better Place chose Israel and Denmark to be its first customers due to their small size and high fuel prices.
The completion of the station near Eilat will now enable Israeli electric car drivers to travel anywhere in the country. “This is a milestone for the company, and especially for our first customers, who were partners in the vision,” said Better Place CEO Moshe Kaplinsky.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel says U.S. was convinced of Israeli strike on Iran
(JNS.org) In an interview with Israeli Army Radio, former Clinton Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk said that Washington was convinced Israel would attack Iran last spring.
“The administration was convinced that Israel was going to attack in the spring. That was the official assessment, everyone ran to battle stations, mobilized, engaged with the Israelis, did whatever they could to calm them down and make it clear that the President [Barack Obama] was absolutely committed to Israel’s security and to ensuring that Iran would not get nuclear weapons,” said Indyk.
When Israel did not attack, Indyk says that the Obama administration felt it had been a victim of a “complete bluff.” Indyk also believes that Obama should travel to Israel to help calm Israeli fears on Iran, but he does not think Obama will travel there before the November election.