Middle East

Palestinian Rivals Agree on Elections to End Dispute, But Doubts Persist

Published by Reuters By Lamine Chikhi and Nidal al-Mughrabi ALGIERS/GAZA (Reuters) – Rival Palestinian factions meeting in Algiers for talks mediated by the Algerian government agreed on Thursday to resolve 15 years of discord through elections that will be held within a year, a Palestinian and an Algerian official said. However, there was scepticism back […]

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Middle East

Arab-Jewish Musician Releases CD Exploring His Heritages

Yoni Avi Battat’s debut album, Fragments, explores his Arab-Jewish identity through nine selections. He composed the music for seven of them, delving into the Arabic melodies of his grandparent’s native Iraq for inspiration and including native instruments such as the oud (Arabic lute), qanun (chordaphone with many strings), nay (reed flute), riq (tambourine), frame drum, karakeb (large iron castenets), darbuka (goblet shaped drum) and joza (coconut shell fiddle held on knee). [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

US Fumbles Israel’s Marine Border Negotiations with Lebanon

Envoy Hochstein, in the tradition of American negotiators in Israel’s sphere, has proposed that it accept 100% of Lebanon’s demands in the Eastern Mediterranean, with some minor concessions to Israel. In any event, Hezbollah rejects the entire agreement, adding additional requirements. Acting Prime Minister Lapid had immediately commented favorably on the proposed deal, although the opposition vehemently disagrees. (Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Offshore Gas Deal Seems Fair, Though Ill-Timed

The Americans were given the task of producing a draft agreement, and the man they chose for doing the deal is a Jew, a former Israeli, and veteran of the IDF, who subsequently moved to Washington and joined the State Department. Amos Hochstein expresses the mix of Israeli and American identities. He’s produced something that seems reasonable, especially given Israel’s economic strength and Lebanon’s economic desperation.  [Ira Sharkansky]

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Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Middle East, USA

The Syrian-Born Jew Who Built a Banking Empire

By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — I received a pre-publication copy for review of A Banker’s Journey: How Edmond J. Safra Built a Global Financial Empire, by Daniel Gross, from the publisher’s representative. It’s a fascinating look at both Sephardic Jews and the banking industry. “Rather than a biography of a single man this

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Israel-South Korea Free Trade Agreement Passes Final Hurdle

By David Isaac (JNS) South Korea ratified its free trade agreement with Israel on Tuesday. It’s the first FTA that Israel has signed with an Asian country. The agreement goes into force on Dec. 1. Israel exports about $1.5 billion annually to South Korea and imports $2 billion in goods. “South Korea is the 11th-largest

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International, Israel, Middle East

Iran’s Army and Secret Service Warn Against Participation in Protests

Published by DPA Iran’s military has issued a stern warning to protesters, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported on Friday, as state media reported thousands of people taking to the streets in solidarity with the government. “We will not allow enemies to use the situation,” a military statement said, according to ISNA. The secret service

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Middle East

Israel to Sell Air Defense System to United Arab Emirates, Sources Say

Published by Reuters By Alexander Cornwell and John Irish DUBAI/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Israel has agreed to sell an advanced air defence system to the United Arab Emirates, two sources familiar with the matter said, in the first such known deal between them since they forged ties in 2020. The deal reinforces how, for some

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Middle East

Israel preparing to connect to gas field disputed by Lebanon

Published by Al-Araby Israel’s energy ministry said Friday it was set to conduct tests on a maritime field claimed in part by Lebanon, ahead of connecting it to the Jewish state’s gas network. The ministry “was preparing to connect the Karish reservoir to the Israeli system,” a statement said. The gas field has been licensed

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Middle East

Girls School Athletic Trainer Bashes Israel, Loses Job, Claims Discrimination

Natalie Abulhawa had multiple advantages going for her after she filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against a Main Line school: her own disingenuous voice, the aid and comfort of excuse-laden Arab-American spokespersons; and kid-glove treatment in a Philadelphia Inquirer story filed by an Arab-simpatico reporter. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Terror, the Queen, and the deadline for Parties to Run in Israel’s Election

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — They seem to be on an upswing, but Palestinian attacks against Israelis are a continuous phenomenon. For a summary of attacks since May 2016 and through July 2022, provided by the Israeli government, in English, you can look here. A graphic display appears below. The first graph shows the

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Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Middle East, Opinion