Middle East

Egypt, Jordan, Germany, France push for resuming Mideast peace talks

Egypt, Jordan, Germany and France on Monday asserted their commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as their foreign ministers met in Cairo in an attempt to revive the Middle East peace process. The meeting comes as two Gulf Arab countries – the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – as well […]

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International, Middle East

US lawmakers urge quick reversal on ‘terrorist’ branding of Yemen Houthis

Washington (AFP) – Key US lawmakers on Monday urged a quick reversal of outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s branding of Yemen’s Huthis as a terrorist group, saying he had worsened a humanitarian crisis. “The designation of the Huthis as a terrorist organization is a death sentence for thousands of Yemenis”, said Senator Chris Murphy,

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Middle East, USA

Kissinger: Biden Should Build on Arab World’s Warming Relations with Israel

JERUSALEM (Press Release) — According to former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, “The new normalization agreements between Israel and the Arab states have opened a window of opportunity for a new Middle East. Arab countries understood that they could not survive in constant tension with parts of the West and with Israel, so they

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Middle East, USA

Iran ex-president’s daughter blames Tehran for deaths of 500,000 Syrians

The daughter of a former Iranian president has spoken out against her country’s policies in Syria, saying that by assisting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Iran had participated in the killing of more than 500,000 people. Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani, whose father Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was president of Iran from 1989 to 1997, gave an interview

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Middle East

Good News from Israel (January 10, 2021)

NETANYA, Israel — In the January 10, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

Groundbreaking Israeli hi-tech innovations for brain, lung and knee surgery.
Israeli air purifiers protect UK bus passengers from the coronavirus.
An Israeli company recycles disposable personal protection equipment.
Israeli companies are helping reduce pollution and car accidents in Japan.
Beer making has returned to the Golan Heights after a 6,000-year absence.
Some remarkable coincidences helped an Israeli paramedic save a man’s life. [Michael Ordman, San Diego Jewish World]

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

Jewish members of Congress divided on Trump

Jewish elected officials, reflecting partisan divisions in the country, are split over the validity of Joe Biden’s election as President, whether Donald Trump is culpable for the mob that attacked and ransacked the Capitol building resulting in five deaths, and what, if anything, should be done about Trump in the days remaining before his term ends, and Biden’s begins, on Wednesday, January 20th. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Illinois Rep. Mary Miller apologizes for using Hitler reference in speech, but blames others for trying to twist her words

CHICAGO — Facing increasing calls for her resignation after citing Adolf Hitler in a recent speech, newly inaugurated Downstate Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller apologized Friday and said she regretted using the reference while blaming others for “intentionally trying to twist my words.” Miller, only days into office, received condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike

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International, Middle East, USA

US envoy visits Western Sahara after Morocco-Israel deal

A top US envoy visited contested Western Sahara on Saturday, after Washington recognised Morocco’s sovereignty there in exchange for Rabat normalising ties with Israel. Western Sahara is a disputed and divided former Spanish colony, mostly under Morocco’s control, where tensions with the pro-independence Polisario Front have simmered since the 1970s. Last year Morocco joined the

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International, Middle East, USA

Morocco’s Islamist PM who signed Israel normalisation deal rejects accusations of betraying Palestinians

Morocco’s prime minister has pushed back against critics, who have accused him of betraying the Palestinian cause by signing a normalisation agreement with the US and Israel on 22 December. During a meeting with his Justice and Development Party, PM Saad Eddine El Othmani said that he understands the criticism but rejects anyone who questions

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Middle East

BDS Activists Happy Even If They Lose, So Long as Israel is Vilified

BDS resolutions serve a dark purpose regardless of whether or not they are successfully voted on and acted on by the respective universities. By repeating the campaign’s calumnies, libels, and historical distortions against Israel, it is thought, a universal loathing of the state will gradually evolve, an objective clearly stated by the divestment effort’s proponents. Whether or not actual divestment takes place is of secondary concern; the repeated, unrelenting, often vitriolic condemnation of Israel and Zionism is the principal goal.  [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

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Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Qatar and Saudi Arabia: A Gift of a Different Sort, Maybe

The still-tentative agreement between Qatar and Saudi Arabia to reopen political relations and closed borders after four years is part of the Trump administration’s priority to reduce friction among its allies. The goal is to decrease the possibility that American forces will waste time and capability putting out smaller fires, thus leaving them in a better position to deal with broader issues: cybersecurity, improving readiness, boosting NATO, countering China and not participating in civil wars in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Out of Syria. Out of Afghanistan. Out of Somalia. Out of Iraq? [Shoshana Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 10-16, 2021)

Following are streaming Jewish programs of academic and lay interest that may be accessed via the Internet.  All times Are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Attack on U.S. Capitol Causes Free World to Shudder

The sight of a crowd of people ascending the steps Wednesday in front of the Capitol building and forcibly entering the American House of Representatives, as happened yesterday and was beamed live all around the world, must have sent shudders down the spine of every freedom-loving individual everywhere. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, USA