VATICAN CITY (WJC)–Pope Benedict XVI has moved his controversial war-time predecessor, Pius XII, a step closer to sainthood, declaring that Pius had displayed “heroic virtues” throughout his life and thus been a Christian worthy of imitation. Pius was one of 17 people approved by Benedict on Saturday in a list that also includes Pope John […]
WJC provides background on its doubts about Pius XII sainthood Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)–A new poll has revealed that 61% of Americans support the United States coming to the military defense of Israel if it strikes Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran retaliates. The December Survey of The Israel Project, carried out during December 14-16, also found that 51% of Americans favor military strikes by the
ZOA reports poll finds Americans favoring military action to stop Iran's nuclear program Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO–The Guardian of Great Britain called the recently completed Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, “the biggest environmental meeting in history.” But the final result is an agreement that calls for monitoring emissions but neither sets a target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and no deadline for reaching a formal international climate treaty.
Climate Change Summit long on rhetoric, short on action Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release)—Recent press reports rehashing an interview from 10 years ago regarding the practices at Abu Kabir forensic institute have no relation to the false accusations that appeared this past August in the Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet. In the 2000 interview, Dr. Yehuda Hiss, then head of the Abu Kabir facility, acknowledged that body
By Jeanette Friedman NEW YORK–Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Prof. Elie Wiesel and New York Governor David Patterson participated in the installation of Rabbi Yaakov Kermaier, spiritual leader of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue, to his new post as President of The New York Board of Rabbis. Congregants and well-wishers packed the East 62th Street sanctuary on the seventh night
HAIFA, Israel (Press Release) — Students of the School of Political Sciences at the University of Haifa have produced a series of short videos campaigning for the release of Gilad Shalit and to enroll volunteers in “Gilad’s Army of Friends”. The campaign, which can now be viewed on the Internet, was carried out as part
University of Haifa students mount video campaign for Gilad Shalit's release Read More »
Middle EastEthan Bronner, “Weighing Netanyahu as a Peacemaker,” in New York Times Dean Calbraith, “Sol Price valued his workers over stockholders,” in San Diego Union-Tribune Helen Gao, “Library’s Secret Treasure: Wangenheim Room,” in San Diego Union Tribune Blair Grubb, “It Should Again See Light,” on Chabad.org. (Thanks to Phyllis Kahn for spotting it) Donald H. Harrison,
Recommended reading and viewing #7 Read More »
Middle East, San Diego CalendarJERUSALEM (WJC)–Israeli authorities could soon use special commando units, unmanned spy planes and cell phone-jamming equipment to enforce a moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank, military officials said on Sunday. Enraged settlers leaders vowed to resist the plan, prompting Defense Minister Ehud Barak to warn that settlers would face the full wrath of
Barak says electronic isolation may be used to rein in West Bank settlers Read More »
Middle EastRAMALLAH, Palestinian Authority (WJC)–Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed media reports that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offered him Israeli land near the Gaza Strip in exchange for settlement blocs that Israel wanted to annex after a peace deal with the Palestinians. Abbas said that the proposed swap would have given the Palestinians
Abbas says Olmert offered to swap land in Negev for Israeli settlement blocs Read More »
Middle EastPARIS (WJC)–The French authority in charge of regulating electronic media has warned the satellite broadcaster Eutelsat that carrying the Hamas TV channel ‘al-Aksa TV’ violated the law. The ‘Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel’ (CSA) said the law prohibited “all forms of incitement to hatred or violence on the ground of race, religion or nationality.” The Washington-based
French broadcast authority warns carrying Hamas TV violates the law Read More »
Middle East, USAAUSCHWITZ, Poland (WJC)–The infamous “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”) sign, stolen from the site of the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz, was found in northern Poland and five men were arrested on Sunday evening Polish police have said. The metal sign was found cut into three pieces. A major search had been launched
Stolen Auschwitz sign found cut into thirds Read More »
Middle East‘Naveed Haq’s intention was to frighten Jews…The jury held that holding extremist views does not make you insane, but it does make you dangerous’— King County (Wash.) Prosecutor Dan Satterberg By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — With two trials, Naveed Haq could not snow his second Seattle jury with an insanity defense. After 2 ½ days of
Haq trial shows the pitfalls for society of an insanity defense Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Israel needs protection that may go beyond its own considerable military power. Iran and its stooges (Hamas and Hezbollah), the new allegedly strategic alliance between Syria and Lebanon, and the openly unfriendly (perhaps even hostile) attitude of some members of the European Union are three of the many dangers from without.
Israel facing enemies inside and outside Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)–On December 7, 2009, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) joined three other Jewish organizations in filing an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief urged the Court to reverse a Fourth Circuit decision and “establish as the law of the land” that foreign government officials