Middle East

Short Story: Gershon’s Bus Ride

Gershon is sitting on the bus with two baskets brim full of purchases from the open- air market at his feet, one basket crowding his legs, the other half in the aisle, a traditional arrangement on Jerusalem’s buses as they aren’t designed for ample purchases. Jerusalemites like to purchase in bulk. They have large families. Besides, at any time someone or many someones may “drop in.” Gershon’s wife, Rachelah, who was not blessed with children, likes people to drop in. She is fond of quoting Gershon who quotes from the Mishna: ‘Let your house be open wide.’ [Larry Lefkowitz]

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Jewish Fiction, Middle East

Former Druze MK New Shlicha from Israel

The Jewish Agency for Israel and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington on Tuesday announced their collaboration to bring former Member of Knesset Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh (Yesh Atid/Blue and White), the first female Druze member of Israel’s Parliament, to Washington, DC as a senior shlicha (Israeli emissary). She will also support Israel engagement efforts on North American college campuses working closely with Hillel International. [Jewish Agency for Israel news release]

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israel allows some Gaza exports, Hamas demands more amid fragile truce

Published by Reuters By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Rami Ayyub GAZA/TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Israel allowed a limited resumption of commercial exports from the Gaza Strip on Monday in what it called a “conditional” measure, one month after a truce halted 11 days of fighting with the Palestinian enclave’s Hamas rulers. But following a meeting with

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Middle East

Political Biography Includes Anecdotes About Biden and Jews

While this book was published prior to the election by which Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, there is much in it that remains of interest — particularly for people like myself who are interested in the relationships between American presidents and the Jewish community. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Naftali Bennett

Throughout his personal and political life, Bennett has faced many challenges, and has spoken of one particular problem that he solved creatively, noting that “I had to improvise. So we MacGyvered it.” The term “MacGyvered” refers to the MacGyver television show whose eponymous lead character routinely jerry-rigged solutions to problems he was confronted with. What was Bennett referring to when he said “we MacGyvered it”? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Israel criticizes hardliner’s victory in Iranian presidential vote

Published by DPA Israel’s prime minister on Sunday criticized Iran’s election of hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi as the country’s next president. “Raisi’s election is, I would say, the last chance for the world powers to wake up before returning to the nuclear agreement, and to understand who they are doing business with. These guys

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Middle East

Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021)

In the June 20, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Winner of Iran presidency is hardline judge who is under U.S. sanctions

Published by Reuters By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) -Ebrahim Raisi’s record of fierce loyalty to Iran’s ruling clerics helped explain why the senior judge had been expected to win Friday’s presidential election, a contest the authorities limited almost exclusively to hardline candidates like him. The win for Raisi, 60, an implacable critic of the West

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Middle East, USA

N.Z. Jewish Leader’s Speech Interrupted by Walk-Out

More than a dozen Muslim attendees at an anti-terrorism conference in New Zealand shouted “Free Palestine” and staged a walkout during a speech by a leader of the country’s Jewish community. It happened while Juliet Moses, spokesperson for the New Zealand Jewish Council, told the crowd that the country’s leaders should be consistent when condemning terrorism. [JNS]

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International, Middle East

Petition Urges New Zealand to Establish Embassy in Israel

Pastor Nigel Woodley of the Flaxmere Christian Fellowship has initiated a petition calling upon the New Zealand Parliament to establish an embassy in New Zealand. “Israel, in good faith, has had an Embassy in our country now for many years and I think it is time for New Zealand to reciprocate the goodwill,” Woodley writes in an announcement of the petition drive.  “At a time when the misguided are shouting ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Close the Israeli Embassy in Wellington,’ we can be involved in pushing that dangerous and negative rhetoric and narrative to the back by calling for the proper diplomatic representation of New Zealand within Israel itself. [John McCormick]

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International, John McCormick, Middle East

Biden to withdraw ‘hundreds of troops from Middle East’

Published by Al-Araby The United States is set to radically reduce weapons systems and troops in the Middle East, mostly in Saudi Arabia, as it refocuses its attention to potential threats from China and Russia, an official has revealed. It is believed Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

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Middle East, USA

IPO Performs at Negev Hospital for Israelis with Disabilities

ADI (formerly ALEH Jerusalem and ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran) is legendary as Israel’s most comprehensive provider of residential and rehabilitative care. The village, that sits on 25 acres, is home to 165 individuals with severe disabilities. There are over 500 professional staff members, including doctors, nurses, therapists and special educators, and more than 800 annual volunteers.  It has a hydrotherapy pool, special education school, integrated nursery, green care farm, and a therapeutic horse farm and petting zoo.  [Toby Klein Greenwald]

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Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Toby Klein Greenwald