Middle East

Rabbi Scott Meltzer Introduces B’nai Mitzvah to the Joy of Giving

Beginning in 2014, Rabbi and Mrs. Meltzer invested $100 per month in the Kiva organization until they had built up a credit of approximately $8,000. They pored over lists of worthy borrowers, who were vetted by Kiva’s microloan partners throughout the world.  The Meltzers then decided to which borrowers they wished to make interest-free repayable loans. [Donald H. Harrison]

Rabbi Scott Meltzer Introduces B’nai Mitzvah to the Joy of Giving Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Biden Administration Slaps More Sanctions on Iran After Nuclear Deal Falters

(JNS) The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S. State Department jointly announced new sanctions on a network of Iranian petrochemical producers and its international front companies in China and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Triliance Petrochemical Co. and Petrochemical Commercial Co. were named in a news release as “entities instrumental

Biden Administration Slaps More Sanctions on Iran After Nuclear Deal Falters Read More »

Middle East, USA

Class-Action Suit Launched Against Unilever Over Ben & Jerry’s Boycott

(JNS) A U.S. shareholder filed a class-action suit against Unilever Plc in New York federal court on Wednesday, claiming the British-based global consumer goods company concealed a boycott of Israel by its Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand that shaved billions off its stock market value. The suit, filed by The City of St. Clair

Class-Action Suit Launched Against Unilever Over Ben & Jerry’s Boycott Read More »

Middle East, USA

Nominating Committee of The Jewish Agency Selects Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog for Chairman of the Executive

JERUSALEM (Press Release) — On Thursday, the Nominating Committee of The Jewish Agency for Israel recommended the nomination of Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog as its candidate for the position of Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for the next four years. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog previously served as the Commander of

Nominating Committee of The Jewish Agency Selects Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog for Chairman of the Executive Read More »

International, Middle East, USA

Israeli Education Ministry Freezes Youth Trips to Poland Holocaust Sites

(JNS) The Israeli Education Ministry announced on Tuesday that it was freezing youth trips to Holocaust sites in Poland, according to Israeli media reports. The main reason for the cancellation is a disagreement between Israel and Poland over security arrangements during the visits, which are accompanied by armed Israel Security Agency agents, according to Walla.

Israeli Education Ministry Freezes Youth Trips to Poland Holocaust Sites Read More »

Holocaust, International, Middle East

Israeli Researchers Find ‘Indisputable Proof’ of Oldest-Ever Fruit Tree Domestication

(JNS) Israeli researchers on Thursday announced the discovery of the earliest evidence of fruit-tree domestication, dating back seven millennia. According to researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University, charcoal remnants of olive trees found at the Chalcolithic Tel Zaf site in the Jordan Valley indicate that the trees were planted intentionally. This is

Israeli Researchers Find ‘Indisputable Proof’ of Oldest-Ever Fruit Tree Domestication Read More »

Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

‘Belligerent Occupation,’ Belligerent Report From UN

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — If only Israel would end its “belligerent occupation.” Most of us know better, but don’t tell that to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Its Commission of Inquiry released the first of what they hope will be decades of annual reports on Israel’s oppression of the poor Palestinians. The

‘Belligerent Occupation,’ Belligerent Report From UN Read More »

Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, Opinion

21 Countries Defend Israel Against UN Commission of Inquiry

By Mike Wagenheim (JNS) While an official U.N. Commission of Inquiry seeks Israel’s diplomatic isolation, 21 nations came out in support of the Jewish state on Monday, expressing concern about the commission’s uncommonly broad mandate and the U.N. Human Rights Council’s irregular targeting of Israel. In Geneva, the three members of a U.N. Commission of

21 Countries Defend Israel Against UN Commission of Inquiry Read More »

International, Middle East, USA

Israel Says US Should Helm Mideast Build-Up Against Iran

Published by Reuters JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel and Arab countries that share its worries about Iran should build up their military capabilities under Washington’s aegis, the Israeli defence minister said on Tuesday ahead of a visit to the region by U.S. President Joe Biden. Biden’s July 13-16 tour will include Israel, the Palestinian territories and Saudi

Israel Says US Should Helm Mideast Build-Up Against Iran Read More »

Middle East, USA

Biden Signals US-Saudi Thaw

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden will meet with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next month, abandoning efforts to ostracize the kingdom’s de facto leader over the horrific murder of a dissident. The White House ended weeks of speculation Tuesday, announcing that Biden will travel to Israel, the Palestinian

Biden Signals US-Saudi Thaw Read More »

Middle East, USA

In Shaky Coalition, Any MK May Press Demands

Israeli politics is living on the edge. Its widely diverse government ranges from left to right, with an Arab party. It squeaks from one crisis to the next. Mostly they’re about individual Knesset Members who seek to exploit the possibility or reality of their voting against a government measure for the sake of some aspect of their political ego. Arabs claim that the government is not doing enough for their community. Maybe they are pressing for a personal appointment, as head of a local authority. Jews threaten to vote against a government that gives in to Arab pressures. But maybe they are pressing for something more personal. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]

In Shaky Coalition, Any MK May Press Demands Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

US Mission to Palestinians Renamed, Will Report Directly to Washington

Published by Reuters By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The U.S. diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in Jerusalem said on Thursday that it had been redesignated and will report directly to Washington “on substantive matters”, signalling an upgrade in ties ahead of a planned visit by President Joe Biden. The former “Palestinian Affairs Unit” (PAU) was

US Mission to Palestinians Renamed, Will Report Directly to Washington Read More »

Middle East, USA