The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been meeting with American, European and Israeli government representatives to end-run both the American Taylor Force Act (anti-“pay for slay”) and the Israeli law prohibiting financial transfers to the Palestinians in the amount the PA remunerates terrorist “salaries.” [Shoshana Bryen]
P.A. Seeks to End Run U.S. Law Against Paying Terrorists Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
Almost all of the Dead Sea Scrolls that have been found to date are housed in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. How did Israel obtain a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dead Sea Scrolls Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The March 21, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news includes the following highlihts:
• With half the population fully vaccinated, Israel’s Covid-19 infection rates have plummeted.
• The UK benefits from two more Israeli medical innovations.
• Many Israeli activities for Good Deeds Day – the country where it began 14 years ago.
• Israeli-designed Instagram Lite is rolled out to 170 countries.
• Israelis enjoy newly opened parks, restaurants, entertainment and sporting events.
• Kosovo opens its Jerusalem embassy.
• 1900-year-old Jewish relics discovered in Dead Sea cave. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 21, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Ambassador Raphael Morav did not plan to move to Israel; his parents brought him there when he was still in primary school. He did not plan to become a diplomat, he simply saw a listing for jobs, took a test, and got in. He never planned on becoming the Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia, but that is the position that opened up at the time and he applied. Lastly, Ambassador Morav never planned on completely changing Ethiopian Jewish life nor perceptions of Jews in Addis Ababa. But that is what he did, with calm and persistence and his usual kind demeanor. [Sam Litvin]
Israel’s Envoy Seen as ‘Modern Moses’ in Ethiopia Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Sam Litvin
The adoption of an Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum on Thursday, March 18, by the State Board of Education drew mixed responses from Jewish advocacy groups. It was hailed by some and decried by others. [Donald H. Harrison]
State Board Approves Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
I ordered this book from Bibliophile because the blurb proclaimed that its main character was a pilot who fell in love with an Israeli woman and fought for his adopted country. That, in essence, is the nub of the story, but around it surges and swells a series of events and adventures involving love and enmity, joy and sorrow, and a veritable roller-coaster of emotions for the reader, who cannot help but be drawn into this gripping tale of romance, adventure and action. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
A Pilot’s Love Affair With a Beautiful Israeli Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
In Israel, much of the evening news swirls around the gossip about who will sit with who in a new government coalition after the upcoming election on March 23. What has been singularly missing from the chatterbox TV news programs has been the vitally important plans of each party over the future of the Israeli economy. This brief summary will give you an idea of how each party intends to tackle the economy if it should gain power. [Barry Shaw]
Israel’s Leading Parties’ Economic Plans Read More »
Barry Shaw, Business & Finance, Middle East
JERUSALEM — Where are we now? Who knows? Indications of infections are down. The parties and religious events at Purim do not seem to have produced an increase. Widespread inoculations are the explanation. They work to prevent a spread. So we’re getting ready for a Passover close to normal. Seders with 30 or perhaps 50 members are said to be okay, if there isn’t an increase in infections before then. (ira Sharkansky, Ph.D)
Impossible to say who’ll win Israel’s upcoming election Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Not many Jews today recall a 19th century Jewish leader who wrote a booklet that inspired young Jews to move to the Land of Israel. The man at first believed passionately in assimilation as an answer for Jews and later, due to what he saw as rising anti-Semitism advocated a new idea, what eventually became known as Zionism. He himself met with notables all over Europe to advance his plans. The booklet made an impact and led to his chairing a movement that convened a groundbreaking convention of Jews who came from all over Europe to speak about practical ways to spark a mass Return to Zion. [Moshe Phillips]
A Bicentennial to Mark Modern Zionism Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastIn the March 14, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
Israel re-opens to millions of vaccinated and recovered Israelis.
Israeli researchers have successfully implemented an alternative to animal testing.
An IDF medical team is on its way to treat victims of explosion in Equatorial Guinea.
An Israeli diaper cleaning system protects the environment.
Israeli cultured beef will help Brazil cut greenhouse gas emissions.
After a century, Israel’s Moshav farms are still going strong. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 14, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationThe latest scandal to erupt in Israel’s literary arena has been triggered by the book published by Galia Oz, the daughter of the late, greatly-esteemed writer, Amos Oz. The memoir, entitled Something Disguised as Love, burst upon the Israeli reading public in a blaze of publicity arising from its controversial revelations concerning the behavior of Amos Oz towards his daughter. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Dorothea: In total, this is not the Oz I knew Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to illegally extend its judicial gavel into areas beyond its jurisdiction and probe into Israeli actions in the disputed territories. Although the State of Israel is not a member of what has mutated into a politicized judicial club, the ICC is set to begin possible investigations into Israeli “war-crimes” in these areas. Israel has its own robust and honest judicial system which is well capable of investigating any crimes and prosecuting when necessary. Recent history proves that. [Pastor Nigel Woodley, Ph.D]
New Zealander Speaks Against ICC Probe of Israel Read More »
International, Middle East
Two ideas for fighting antisemitism and domestic extremism were offered Thursday by Democratic Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and Tom Malinowski of New Jersey during a Zoom meeting sponsored by the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA). [Donald H. Harrison]
Government, Social Media Reform Needed to Fight Extremism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, USA
The Palestinian leadership is supplying SNL’s Michael Che with unexpected material for his Covid-19 vaccine punchlines.
The Palestinian Authority, which administers limited public services in Israel’s territories, is now accused by its own people of distributing Covid-19 vaccines to the privileged at the expense of needy Palestinians. Such an allegation should make one wonder how the Palestinians will govern their own independent state. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Palestinian Authority Deals Vaccines to Favorite Few Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East