By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel — You probably already know about the most famous of Israeli “firsts.” Such as Intel’s microchip breakthroughs, SMS technology, the digestible camera and cherry tomatoes. But every week there is news of exciting discoveries and innovations from the Jewish State. Last week, there was even more than usual. Dr. Itai […]
Positively Israel: February 26, 2014 Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California–It’s been reported that hundreds of copies of Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl have been defaced at public libraries across Tokyo. Apparently, some 265 copies of the books have been ravaged at over thirty municipal libraries since the start of 2014–this is not an isolated act. A
Don’t blame all Japanese for acts of a few haters Read More »
InternationalPalestinian Authority owes Israel Electric Company $389 million (JNS.org) If the Israel Electric Company (IEC) were a private entity, it would shut off electricity to the Palestinian Authority because of the PA’s outstanding bill of 1.37 billion shekels ($389 million), IEC Chairman Yiftah Ron-Tal told the Knesset Finance Committee on Tuesday. “People complain about
JNS news briefs: February 26, 2014 Read More »
International
NEW YORK (Press Release) — AJC welcomed the successful conclusion of the fifth annual Germany-Israel bilateral consultations. A large German delegation led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, including 16 Cabinet ministers, visited Israel for two days. They engaged in intense discussions on a wide range of issues with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet “The
Christians legally granted separate representation from Muslim Arabs (JNS.org) A bill that allows the Israeli government to legally recognize Arab Christians as a separate national identity for the first time has passed the Israeli Knesset. The law, which passed 31-6 on its third reading, allows Arab Christians to identify solely as Christian, separate from the
JNS news briefs: February 25, 2014 Read More »
International
JERUSALEM – Israel’s General Security Service (GSS) announced Monday, Feb. 24, that it has arrested 15 Arabs who were members of a Hamas terror cell that operated against civilian traffic on route 443, a major road connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The terrorists, all resident of the village of UR-Tahtah in their late twenties and
Hamas highway marauders arrested by Israelis Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (WJC) — The World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald S. Lauder said Monday he looks forward to a democratic and peaceful future for Ukraine. “We hope and expect that all members of the new Ukrainian interim government will promote equal rights for all citizens and harmony among Ukraine’s diverse communities,” Lauder said. “We are
WJC: Ukraine must provide equal rights for its citizens Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM —Yesh Atid, the political party led by Yair Lapid, has tried to assert its pluralist and vaguely secular nature (despite its Members of Knesset who’re Orthodox) by promoting legislation to compel Orthodox men to serve in Israel’s army. So far, as pointed out by one of the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) parliamentarians
Why the IDF really doesn’t want Haredi soldiers Read More »
Middle East
By Estee Chandler LOS ANGELES — Stand With Us (SWU) Research and Education Director, Roberta Seid and CEO, Roz Rothstein’s opinion piece published in San Diego Jewish World under the title, “Israel foes, defenders spar before CSU Trustees” was an interesting read. But in the end, it gives me several reasons to be hopeful. They
Jewish Voice for Peace answers SWU critics Read More »
USA
PARAMUS, New Jersey (Press Release) – An unprecedented number of 20 dentists from around the United States who are planning to make Aliyah to Israel gathered Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, to take the Israeli Dentistry Licensing Exam, which was held for them at the Nefesh B’Nefesh (Soul by Soul) offices in Paramus, New Jersey. This
Dentists making aliyah take exam in New Jersey Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
NEW YORK (Press Release)– AJC welcomes the historic events in Ukraine, which have captured the world’s imagination and underscored the yearning for freedom and a new direction for the people of this country. AJC Executive Director David Harris, who has visited Ukraine many times and been honored by the Western-oriented government of President Viktor Yushchenko,
AJC’s Harris: We rejoice with Ukrainians Read More »
InternationalIran ‘handing out torches to pyromaniacs’ on all fronts, IDF chief says (JNS.org) For Israel, there is “no front where Iran is not involved, handing out torches to pyromaniacs, with munitions and rockets,” Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz told reporters during a tour of the Golan Heights on Sunday. Commenting
JNS news briefs: February 24, 2014 Read More »
International
NEWTON, Massachusetts (Press Release)– The seventh edition of Jewish Major Leaguer Baseball Cards – a 50-card set largely focused on events in baseball involving Jewish players over the last four years, will be released on March 15. The 2010 edition, the fifth update, was thought to be the last. But popular demand, contributions and encouragement
Why there’s a new edition of Jewish baseball cards Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israelis have been seeking accommodation for decades, depending on when you start counting, first with Arabs and later with Palestinians. It is common, and perhaps justified, for Israelis and our friends to blame the Arabs for intransigence as well as violence. That is a cultural perspective, one that sees Israelis with
Muslims, Jews see the world differently Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East