International

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch decries anti-Semitism and delegitimization of Israel

NEW YORK (Press Release) — In remarks at a dinner where he was honored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for his stalwart support of Israel and his commitment to promoting respect and speaking out against anti-Semitism, media magnate K. Rupert Murdoch described in stark terms what he sees as an “ongoing war against the Jews” and […]

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USA

San Diego Jewish Book Fair: Mosab Hassan Yousef, ‘Son of Hamas,’ who speaks Nov. 3, made 180 degree turnaround

Son of Hamas, by Mosab Hasan Yousef with Ron Brackin, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,  264 pages, 2010. By David Strom SAN DIEGO — Human beings are complicated and because of this, life is interesting. If you are raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, grow up in an Orthodox community, go to Orthodox religious schools, play

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Middle East

U.S. agrees recognizing Jewish character of Israel a legitimate demand

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJC) — the United States sees as legitimate Israel’s demand that Palestinians and other Arab states recognize Israel’s Jewish character, a State Department spokesman has said. P. J. Crowley was asked by reporters during a briefing about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to extend a partial settlement building freeze in exchange for the Palestinian leadership’s

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Middle East

Turkey withdraws from OECD tourism conference in Jerusalem

ANKARA (WJC)–Turkey will not attend this year’s tourism conference of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which is to be held in Jerusalem later this month. Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay spoke to reporters on Tuesday and confirmed that Ankara would not be sending representatives to Israel for the conference despite prior

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Middle East

Ahmadinejad questions al Qaeda’s 9/11 link, urges expulsion of Zionists from ‘Palestine’

BEIRUT (WJC)–Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was scheduled to visit Hezbollah strongholds near the Lebanese border with Israel today (Oct. 14) after he was warmly received in Beirut on Wednesday. Ahmadinejad is on a state visit to Lebanon.  Speaking at a late night rally staged by Hezbollah in the capital, the Iranian leader again questioned that the 9/11

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Middle East

Obama bungling has pushed Mideast to brink of serious violence

By Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Now that the Chilean miners are above ground, Israel’s media and those elsewhere will turn to other items. The drama recalls Josef Stalin’s line that one death is a tragedy, while a million are a statistic. It also makes me think about The Ballad of Ira Hays, one of my

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Analyzing the ‘Jewish state’ demands of Netanyahu and Knesset partners

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The issue of Israel as a Jewish state is currently at the top of the blah blah agenda, with two issues adding to the noise and creating some confusion. One is the proposal that passed the government (but is some distance from becoming law) requiring new non-Jewish citizens to swear allegiance to

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

RJC urges candidates to prove friendship for Israel by returning J Street contributions

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has launched ads in Missouri and Pennsylvania calling on Democrats Robin Carnahan and Joe Sestak to give back the campaign contributions they received from J Street PAC. RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said: “It’s important that when someone is seeking the trust and support of the

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USA

ADL criticizes anti-gay comments made by NY Republican candidate for governor

NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino for a series of anti-gay remarks, including his assertion that children should not be “brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option.” Ron Meier, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement: “We are

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USA

Netanyahu offers temporary settlement freeze for recognition of Israel as ‘Jewish’ state

JERUSLAEM (WJC)–Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to extend a temporary construction freeze in West Bank settlements if the Palestinians recognize Israel as the Jewish state. President Mahmoud Abbas immediately rejected the offer. “If the Palestinian leadership will say unequivocally to its people that it recognizes Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, I

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Middle East

MERIA editor Barry Rubin addresses Middle East peace process Oct. 14

LA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — A free lecture about “Israel’s Struggle for Peace and Legitimacy” will feature Middle East expert, Professor Barry Rubin on Thursday, October 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Sherwood Auditorium at the Museum of Contemporary Art at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037. The event is presented by

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Middle East

ADL says Israel’s proposed citizenship oath should apply to all immigrants

NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday, Oct. 11, called on the government of Israel to extend a proposed amendment to the citizenship law to cover all immigrants seeking citizenship. Under the 1952 Citizenship Law, naturalized immigrants currently declare:  “… I will be a loyal national of the State of Israel.” 

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Middle East

Commentary: Tea Parties and tempests in tea pots

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — While American politics are currently being roiled by Tea Parties, and their capacity to capture Republican Party nominations by individuals who had admitted to an affinity with witchcraft and liked to dress in the uniform of the most reprehensible unit of the Nazi army, Israeli politics are currently being roiled

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East