Middle East

Israel, Thailand, Australia Ease Travel Curbs as Lockdowns Bite Elsewhere

Published by Reuters By Jiraporn Kuhakan and Jonathan Barrett BANGKOK/SYDNEY (Reuters) -Thailand, Australia and Israel eased international border restrictions significantly on Monday for the first time in 18 months, offering a broad test of demand for travel worldwide amid the coronavirus pandemic. The relaxation contrasts with tightening lockdowns elsewhere, notably in eastern Europe where infections

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Middle East

American Lifestyles Contrast with Israel’s, Western Europe’s

You want it, you pay for it. Economic liberalism is the essence of the American experience. Don’t tread on me. Don’t make me pay for someone else’s benefit. Of course it’s not total. In the U.S., there are programs to pay, or help to pay for those in need. And there’s lots of insurance, often associated with a job, that pays most or all of health care needs. And government programs to lend money for education.  [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Business & Finance, International, Ira Sharkansky, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA

Economic Relief for Low Income Families Could Diminish Israel-Bashing

Let’s hope Congress soon adopts the twin bills for infrastructure and social reforms. They will likely jumpstart the economy and aid both lower and middle-income Americans. This legislation could also yield dividends for Israel and American Jews: Eliminating much of the anti-Semitism from the Left. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Arab vs. Arab Homicides Increasing in Israel

Yes, there’s gang violence in Israel, but not nearly on the scale of American gang violence. Violent crime in Israel is predominantly found in Israeli Arab towns and in mixed Arab-Jewish cities. It’s often clan/tribal related, consisting of organized crime disputes and more personal, vengeance attacks. In addition, there’s a continuing problem with so-called honor killings, which are intra-family. (In general, Israel is a very safe place, with women not afraid to walk on city streets at night and children having few limits placed on their play time.) [Steve Kramer]

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Middle East, Steve Kramer

Both Parties Harbor Anti-Semites

Both political parties seek to hang onto base voters by tolerating anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry to some degree. Perhaps the right is a more dangerous threat to American Jews, but anti-Semites on the left are holding their own among Democrats. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, for those who brand her an anti-Semite, was even endorsed last year by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the Democratic primary for her congressional seat. [Bruce Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

San Diego School Board Modifies Resolution Calling for ‘Unbiased’ Materials on Israel

By Jacob Kamaras (JNS) The San Diego Unified School District’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved, though modified, a resolution condemning antisemitism that would have also supported “unbiased and politically neutral” classroom materials pertaining to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the approved version of the resolution, the board stated that it “affirms the rights of Jewish

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

US criticizes Israel on settlements

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – The United States on Tuesday voiced concern about Israel’s decision to build settlements in the West Bank, saying it will “strongly oppose” such expansion on occupied Palestinian land. The criticism by President Joe Biden’s administration was some of the strongest in years on Israel after previous leader Donald Trump

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Middle East

South African Billboards Promote Israel

Three billboards were placed on the major highways in Sandton, Kempton Park and Germiston, in Johannesburg, South Africa on Oct. 21, showcasing the impact that Israeli water, innovation, technology, and job creation has had on the well-being of South Africans. One billboard shows Former President Nelson Mandela’s positive and supportive stance towards Israel. [StandWithUs]

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International, Middle East

Israel Allocates $9 Billion for Arab Sector Improvements

The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday approved two five-year plans for the advancement of the country’s Arab sector. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, one plan involves the allocation of some 30 billion shekels ($9 billion) in total, to provide greater employment, innovation and housing opportunities. The other is a program to combat increasing violence in Arab-Israeli society. [JNS.org]

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Business & Finance, Middle East

Thousands of Jews Across the World Participate in Shabbat Project

After more subdued celebrations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the international Shabbat Project roared back to life last weekend with record-setting participation in the initiative’s ninth year, holding 1,166 citywide “unity events” in addition to thousands of private events across 1,511 cities worldwide.

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International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Israeli official says reopening of U.S. Palestinian mission in Jerusalem may not happen

Published by Reuters JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s deputy foreign minister said on Sunday that the Biden administration may shelve its plan to reopen a U.S diplomatic mission for Palestinians in Jerusalem after Israel voiced opposition to such a move. The Jerusalem consulate was subsumed into the U.S. Embassy that was moved to the contested city

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Middle East

Israeli government approves technology-driven climate plan

Published by DPA Ahead of the upcoming COP26 world climate conference, the Israeli government on Sunday approved a comprehensive climate protection plan. The aim is to boost climate-friendly innovation, the development of technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and preparation for climate change, the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said. Israel wants to

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Middle East