International

Religious Action Center, NJDC welcome START treaty ratification

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — A pair of Jewish groups, in statements, have pointed to the possible impact on the Iranian nuclear buildup of the Senate’s ratification on Wednesday, Dec. 22. of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia.  Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, headed by Rabbi David Saperstein: “We applaud the Senate’s […]

Religious Action Center, NJDC welcome START treaty ratification Read More »

USA

Rocket attack near kindergarten increases pressure for retalliation

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There has been some unpleasantness close to the border with Gaza. Rocket and mortar attacks have increased, as have Israeli retaliations. Or maybe Israeli retaliations have brought an increase in rocket and mortar attacks. Israeli officials claim the former; Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza claim the latter, perhaps in an

Rocket attack near kindergarten increases pressure for retalliation Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

ADL: Arab media makes practice of demonizing Israeli prime ministers

NEW YORK (Press Release) — No matter which government is in power, or whether it is a time of relative quiet or conflict, newspapers across the Arab and Muslim world consistently portray Israel’s prime ministers with outrageous, hateful, and at times anti-Semitic caricatures. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) documents this decade-long assault by political cartoonists against

ADL: Arab media makes practice of demonizing Israeli prime ministers Read More »

Middle East

As Israel’s relations with Turkey freeze, those with Greece warm

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Athens and Jerusalem are the two code words that describe the poles of Western civilization, viewed by some as being in perennial conflict, by others seen in fruitful dialogue. The Jewish version of the ongoing struggle between Hellenism and Hebraism in whatever guise, under whatever name and in whatever time period

As Israel’s relations with Turkey freeze, those with Greece warm Read More »

Middle East

Tel Aviv University psychologist examines 9/11’s impact on U.S. Muslims

TEL AVIV (Press Release) ― Clinical psychologist Dr. Hisham Abu-Raiya of Tel Aviv University’s Bob Shapell School of Social Work is investigating how various Islamic beliefs and practices impact the psychological well-being of its adherents.  Among American Muslims, he’s attempting to scientifically quantify how the after-effects of the 9/11 attacks have affected mental well-being and what

Tel Aviv University psychologist examines 9/11’s impact on U.S. Muslims Read More »

USA

What Pew Poll shows about Middle Eastern support for terrorist groups

By Barry Rubin   HERZLIYA, Israel — There’s a lot of interesting material in the Pew Foundation’s latest poll of the Middle East, a survey that focuses on attitudes toward Islamism and revolutionary Islamist groups. The analysis that accompanies the poll, however, is not very good, so here is mine. For example, in evaluating attitudes toward

What Pew Poll shows about Middle Eastern support for terrorist groups Read More »

Middle East

AJC, ADL, NCJW disappointed over DREAM Act failure in Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Releases)–Three Jewish advocacy groups expressed regrets on Monday following the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass the DREAM act to extend cititzenship to children raised in the United States who complete college or serve in the military.   The organizations and their statements were: American Jewish Committee:  “AJC is profoundly disappointed that the U.S.

AJC, ADL, NCJW disappointed over DREAM Act failure in Senate Read More »

USA

Appeals court upholds conviction of man who told terrorists of planned movements of USS Constellation battle group

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The U.S. Second Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Hassan Abu Jihaad, a sailor who sent notification to terrorists of the planned movements from San Diego to the Persian Gulf of the U.S.S. Constellation battle group.  Here is a text of the court’s decision.

Appeals court upholds conviction of man who told terrorists of planned movements of USS Constellation battle group Read More »

USA

Terrorists reportedly planned to poison salad bars and buffets

WASHINGTON, D.C (WJC)–The US Department of Homeland Security has reportedly discovered a plot devised by a cell of the Islamist terror network al-Qaeda of Osama Bin-Laden to poison buffets and salad bars at several hotels and restaurants in the United States over a single weekend. The broadcaster CBS reported the story on Monday. An unnamed

Terrorists reportedly planned to poison salad bars and buffets Read More »

USA

Hebrew University to inaugurate legal center named for Aharon Barak

JERUSALEM – The Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University will inaugurate the Aharon Barak Center for Interdisciplinary Legal Research this week on December 22. The event will be attended by the former President of the Supreme Court, Prof. Aharon Barak, President of the Supreme Court, Justice Dorit Beinisch and Dean of the Faculty of Law

Hebrew University to inaugurate legal center named for Aharon Barak Read More »

Middle East

Reform Jews hail repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– In response to the Senate’s historic vote ending the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Mark Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: The  Senate vote ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was long overdue: After 17 years of misguided and discriminatory policy, gay and

Reform Jews hail repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Read More »

USA

A Palestinian lunch to launch a new Israeli peace party?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The headline is upbeat: “Palestinian Leader Has 60 Israelis to Lunch.” The picture features Mahmoud Abbas alongside Amram Mitzna, a former head of the Labor Party. Both seem pleased. The article mentions individuals concerned with the Geneva Initiative, “a group of Israeli and Palestinian figures who negotiated an unofficial blueprint

A Palestinian lunch to launch a new Israeli peace party? Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East