JERUSALEM (Press Release) –Israel’s President Shimon Peres on Wednesday, May 14, sent a letter of condolence to his Turkish counterpart President Abdullah Gül in the wake of the mining disaster near Soma, Turkey, where at least 245 people were believed killed following a mine explosion. Peres wrote: “Your Excellency, “I wish to extend my deepest condolences, […]
Peres offers sympathy, aid, for Turkish mining victims Read More »
Middle East
By Moshe Phillips and Benyamin Korn PHILADELPHIA — Mahmoud Abbas’s choice of peace with Hamas over peace with Israel “surprised officials in Washington,” the New York Times recently reported. According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration was “apparently taken unawares” by the PA’s move. It’s not the first time that U.S. officials were caught
U.S. policy makers continually surprised by Arab choices Read More »
Middle East, USABUENOS AIRES, Argentina (WJC) — This week, a group of rabbis and Catholic priests from six Latin American countries will embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, just days before the arrival of Pope Francis there. “If we can establish firm ways of understanding between Jews and Catholics, we will leave our children a
South American clergy heads for Israel ahead of Pope Read More »
International, Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) – Ronald S. Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), on Tuesday, May 13, condemned a call by a group of American actors led by Danny Glover for an all-out cultural boycott of Israel. Earlier this week, Glover and other actors starring in ‘American Revolutionary’ had urged the cancelation
Lauder: Hollywood should speak out for Israel Read More »
Middle East, USABy E. Leibowitz Condensed from Hapeles – Mussaf PETACH TIKVAH, Israel (Press Release)–The clinic was busy as usual, filled with people of all ages. The silence was interrupted from time to time by murmured grumbling over the long wait. Yehuda would have preferred to remain ensconced in the Yeshiva, but the stomachache that had been
Family of cancer patient, 19, felt blessed by routine Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
TEL AVIV (Press Release) — The devastating loss of memory and consciousness in Alzheimer’s disease is caused by plaque accumulations and tangles in neurons, which kill brain cells. Alzheimer’s research has centered on trying to understand the pathology as well as the potential protective or regenerative properties of brain cells as an avenue for treating
Protein can protect cells from collapse by Alzheimer’s Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
TEL AVIV (Press Release) – Hundreds of Lone Soldiers from around the world serving in multiple Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units are expected to gather May 15 at Beit Hachayal in Tel Aviv for a special “Yom Sidurim,” the one day allocated to them every two months in which they can perform all of their essential
Israel’s Lone Soldiers to get a special day Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – For the first time in its long history the Jewish people enjoys a secure and independent Jewish state as well as a free and vibrant Diaspora, but it also faces unprecedented challenges that can and must be addressed. That was the message that Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the recently retired
Nuclear Iran, global anti- Semitism dominate AJC forum Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (TNA)– A growing number of secular Israeli university students are embracing Jewish rights to the Temple Mount, following months of violence against Jewish visitors and tourists at the holy site and a growing Hamas presence. During the Jewish holiday of Passover, the Temple Mount remained closed to both Jewish visitors and tourists
Students seek more Jewish access to Temple Mount Read More »
Middle EastBy Alina Dain Sharon/JNS.org Israeli President Shimon Peres is retiring in July, capping a seven-year term and a nearly seven-decade political career in the Jewish state. After replacing disgraced former President Moshe Katzav, who was convicted of rape in 2007, the younger-than-his-years Peres turned the largely ceremonial role of Israeli president into a pseudo-ambassadorial position,
A primer on Israel’s presidential hopefuls Read More »
Middle East
TEL AVIV (WJC) — A district court on Tuesday sentenced former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to six years in prison for bribery and handed him a fine of US$ 290,000. Olmert’s spokesman said he would appeal to the Supreme Court and ask to be freed on bail until it had ruled. Olmert maintains his innocence. The former Kadima and Likud politician and ex-mayor
Former PM Ehud Olmert sentenced to six years in prison Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As anyone who regularly attends events at the Jerusalem Theatre knows, it’s difficult to find a good parking place for one’s car there. The solution that works best for us is to get there well ahead of time. The problem then is, what do you do with all
Meeting a talent on the trail of the arts Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — In democracies with strong institutions, individuals do not generally make major decisions. They come from parties, organizations, and governmental bodies, with the oversight of courts that are designed to neutralize the egos and policy preferences of those claiming leadership. Yet personalities are part of the process, and can get in
Abbas tells Peres, Indyk one thing, Netanyahu another Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Ambassador Eric Edelman & Ambassador Dennis Ross Co-Chairs, Gemunder Center Iran Task Force WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than three months since the implementation of the interim deal with Iran over its nuclear program, formally known as the Joint Plan of Action (JPA), we thought it valuable to offer an assessment of the impact of the agreement.
Iran gains momentum, dollars in interim deal with West Read More »
International, Middle East