Middle East

German foreign minister defends meetings with anti-Israel groups

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel defended his meeting last week with radical left-wing groups “Breaking the Silence” and “B”tselem” during his visit to Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu had ultimately cancelled his planned meeting with Gabriel as a result, after threatening to do so should Gabriel meet with the groups. In an interview with the German […]

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International, Middle East

Op-Ed: Cannabis can reduce opioid misuse

By Michelle Janikian NEW YORK — The United States is in the grip of a devastating opioid epidemic. Nationwide, opioid overdoses caused 33,091 deaths in 2015, which increased to over 50,000 deaths in 2016. Opioids include prescription painkillers, like OxyContin and Fentanyl, and illicit substances, like heroin. A recent study found that 44% of Americans

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Campus trips to Mideast win friends for Israel

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Subsidized trips to Israel for non-Jewish student leaders have helped improve understanding of the situation in the Middle East as well as the campus climate at San Diego State University, Hillel representatives reported at a parlor meeting Thursday night in the home of Jeremy and Joan Berg. The

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Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Chutzpah or faith? Bride plans wedding without groom

The Wedding Plan written and directed by Rama Burshtein, distributed by Roadside Attractions; Hebrew with English subtitles.  To be presented May 26 at Hillcrest Cinemas. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There is a scene in The Wedding Plan in which Michal (Noa Koler)  is being driven to the wedding hall. She has on her

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Trump: Middle East Peace Deal ‘Not Difficult’

U.S. President Donald Trump told Palestinian leaders visiting the White House Wednesday that he does not think achieving peace in the Middle East will be as difficult as previously thought. Sitting down to lunch with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior U.S. and Palestinian officials, Trump said securing a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians

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Middle East, USA

Saudi Arabia will be Trump’s first foreign visit; Israel and Vatican will follow

WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia will be the first country President Donald Trump visits since his inauguration, the White House announced Thursday. The president will then visit Israel and the Vatican before attending previously announced summits in Belgium and Italy, the White House said. Senior administration officials, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity, said Saudi

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International, Middle East, USA

United States Jewish roundup: May 4, 2017

Reform Judaism leaders oppose church-state changes WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — In response to President Trump’s dangerously broad executive order masquerading as protection of religious freedom, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement Thursday on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference

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Middle East, USA

Israel reprimands Swedish envoy over ‘nasty propaganda’ at UNESCO

Foreign Ministry expresses ‘bitter disappointment’ to only European country to back text rejecting Israeli claims to Jerusalem By Raphael Ahren Carl Magnus Nesser, Swedish ambassador to Israel (courtesy Swedish Embassy) Sweden’s ambassador to Israel was summoned Wednesday to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, where he was dressed down over Stockholm’s support for an anti-Israel resolution

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International, Middle East

Israeli envoy: Weigh response to UNESCO decision carefully

Israeli envoy to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Carmel Shama-Hacohen responded to the UN body”s anti-Israel resolution passed Tuesday, which denied Israel”s sovereign control over the city of Jerusalem, and the angry response by Israeli lawmakers to the resolution”s passage. The UNESCO Street Committee voted Tuesday afternoon 22 to 10 to

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International, Middle East

Trump’s approach to Mideast peace deal: Get to yes, figure out details later

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump, hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House, pledged Wednesday to attempt “the toughest deal” — peace between Israelis and Palestinians. “I’ve always heard that perhaps the toughest deal to make is the deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” Trump said, Abbas at his side. “Let’s see

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Middle East, USA

Michael Solomonov named best chef for his Israeli cooking

The Philadelphia-based co-owner of Zahav and other restaurants takes home prestigious James Beard award By Jessica Steinberg Co-owner of Philadelphia’s acclaimed Zahav restaurant, chef Michael Solomonov was just named best chef of the year at the 2017 James Beard Awards, the Oscars of the cooking world (Courtesy Michael Persico) It’s a big moment for the

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Middle East, Travel and Food, USA