Middle East

Olympic Gold Medal Rekindles Debate on Israeli Civil Marriages

Artem Dolgopyat won a gold medal for Gymnastics, and became a national hero. Both the President and the Prime Minister telephoned their congratulations. Bibi also weighed in with a good word, but made an error of doing it on Shabbat. That got a bad reception from ultra-Orthodox Knesset Members. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Jewish History, Middle East, Sports & Competitions

Michael Herzog Nominated as Next Israeli Ambassador to U.S.

After a brief period of speculation this week, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Friday officially announced the nomination of experienced former peace-process negotiator Michael Herzog to serve as the next Israeli ambassador to the United States. Herzog, 69, is the older brother of new Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the son of former Israeli President Chaim Herzog. [JNS.org]

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Middle East, USA

Good News from Israel (August 8, 2021)

In the August 8, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–Israeli researchers discover early warning markers for secondary cancer.
–Israeli doctors save the sight of a toddler from Gaza.
–An Israeli startup is 3D-mapping 18 million Australian buildings.
–Israel’s economic rating is still A+ despite the pandemic.
–Two Israeli gymnasts have won Olympic gold medals.
–Israeli archeologists found evidence of an earthquake that was recorded in the Bible. [Michael Ordman]

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA

Mac Engel: Former Rangers All-Star Ian Kinsler re-writes walk off with Israel in Olympics

Published by Fort Worth Star-Telegram FORT WORTH, Texas — Ian Kinsler figured his playing career was pretty much over. And while he was not happy that an injury forced him out of the game, he was at peace with the decision when he retired. The former second baseman for the Texas Rangers aimed to retire

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International, Middle East, Sports & Competitions, USA

Hezbollah Fires 19 Rockets from Lebanon at Israel

Hezbollah’s decision to fire 19 rockets at northern Israel on Friday came after the Lebanese terror organization took 24 hours to deliberate over a major dilemma: How should it respond to Israeli airstrikes in Southern Lebanon, launched early on Thursday morning? The Israeli strikes targeted a Lebanese area that was used on Wednesday by a Palestinian terror faction to fire three Grad rockets at the Israeli northern town of Kiryat Shmona. The Israel Air Force also hit what it described as “infrastructure used for terror in Lebanon” and areas used by Palestinian factions to fire on Israel in the past as well. [JNS.org]

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Middle East

U.S., Israel Confer on ‘Next Steps’ Following Iran’s Attack on MT Mercer Street

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout on Friday:  “Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz about Iran’s July 29 attack on the M/T Mercer Street, which killed two innocent civilians.  [U.S. Defense Department]

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Middle East, USA

Moderate Overtakes Progressive Democrat in Ohio Congressional Contest

Pro-Israel and establishment Democrats secured a major victory on Tuesday as their favored candidate, Cuyahoga County council member Shontel Brown, handily defeated former State Sen. Nina Turner on Tuesday to become the Democratic Party’s nominee in the special election to fill the vacant Ohio 11th Congressional District seat. Brown won by securing 50.2 percent of the vote against Turner’s 44.5 percent. [JNS.org]

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Middle East, USA

Chanan Weisman Names White House Jewish Liaison

The Biden administration has chosen a former White House Jewish liaison to resume the position on Thursday after months of pleading from Jewish communal organizations to name someone to the post. Chanan Weissman, 37, who currently serves the administration as director of technology and democracy at the National Security Council, was first reported by The Washington Post to have gotten the tap from U.S. President Joe Biden. [JNS.org]

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Middle East, USA

Israel Renews Retaliatory Strikes on Lebanese Targets

Israeli fighter jets struck terror sites in Lebanon early on Thursday, renewing Israel’s retaliatory measures following a rocket strike against Israel’s north on Wednesday. The airstrikes were in response to three rockets that were fired into northern Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday afternoon. Two fell on the Israeli side of the border, with the third landing in Lebanese territory, according to the Israeli military. [JNS.org]

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Middle East

Hardline cleric Raisi sworn in as Iran president amid tensions with West

Published by Reuters By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) -Hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took the oath of office before parliament on Thursday, with the Islamic Republic’s clerical rulers facing growing crises at home and abroad. The mid-ranking Shi’ite cleric formally started his four-year term on Tuesday when supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei endorsed his victory

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Middle East