Middle East

Abbas tells Peres, Indyk one thing, Netanyahu another

By 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

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Iran gains momentum, dollars in interim deal with West

By 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.

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International, Middle East

Israel joins hunt for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls

JERUSALEM (WJC) — Israel has joined the international bid to find the 223 schoolgirls abducted by a group of Islamist terrorists in Nigeria four weeks ago. “Israel expresses deep shock at the crime against the girls,” Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quoted the Israeli prime minister as telling Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in a telephone conversation. “We

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International, Middle East

Abbas’ ‘reversal’ on Holocaust really wasn’t

By Moshe Phillips and Benyamin Korn PHILADELPHIA –To judge by the account in the Washington Post, the recent statement about the Holocaust by Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas was a game-changing reversal of Abbas’s previous Holocaust-denial. In an “unusual step,” the Post asserted, Abbas released “a strongly-worded statement” in which he “denounced” the Holocaust as

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Jewish History, Middle East

UN names two BGU researchers to anti-drug unit

NEW YORK (Press Release)–Two Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers were appointed to the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), which will raise international awareness about the prevention and treatment of drug and substance addiction. Prof. Richard Isralowitz, director of BGU’s Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, and Dr.

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International, Middle East

100 Orthodox rabbis want Mount of Olives cemetery to be protected against ongoing Arab vandalism

NEW YORK (Press Release) – More than 100 prominent Orthodox rabbis, including the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, Ha Rav Dovid Lau, have signed a petition urging action against the ongoing Arab attacks on the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. “The continuing Arab desecration of the Mount of Olives cemetery must no longer

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Jewish Religion, Middle East

Congress celebrates likely prospect of awarding Israel’s President Shimon Peres the Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Dozens of Congressmen, Senators and Jewish community leaders gathered on Wednesday, May 7, to celebrate the Jewish American Heritage Month in the ornate LBJ Room of the US Capitol. The annual event, organized by The Friedlander group, highlighted the work of 5 individuals who were chosen as honorees for their

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Middle East, USA

Vandals deface Jerusalem church

JERUSALEM (WJC) — Vandals have defaced a church in Jerusalem just a few weeks before Pope Francis visits the Holy Land. Israel Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said anti-Christian graffiti had been discovered on the outside wall of the church on Friday morning. The graffiti read “Price tag, King David is for the Jews, Jesus is garbage.” In addition,

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Middle East