International

Abbas says Olmert offered to swap land in Negev for Israeli settlement blocs

RAMALLAH, 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 […]

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Middle East

French broadcast authority warns carrying Hamas TV violates the law

PARIS (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

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Middle East, USA

Haq trial shows the pitfalls for society of an insanity defense

‘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

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Middle East, USA

U.S. proposes sales to upgrade Egypt's defenses

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency has proposed  sales to Egypt of $1.186 billion in weapons systems, including: –156 kits to upgrade F-110-GE-100 jet aircraft engines, worth $750 million, to be built by General Electric Aviation of Cincinatti, Ohio. –One Fast Missile Craft and armament worth $240 million, to be built by Halter-Marine

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USA

U.S. to sell 2,742 TOW missile to Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Dec.16 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of 2,742 BGM-71E-4B-RF Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW-2A) Radio Frequency missiles and associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $177 million. The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a

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USA

U.S. to build base for Kuwait's 26th Al Soor Brigade

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Dec. 17 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of construction support services to provide administrative, operational, storage, support facilities and utility infrastructure for the 26th Al Soor Brigade facilities for a complete package worth approximately $360 million. The Government of Kuwait has

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USA

U.S. plans to sell four C-17 Globemaster III's to United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Dec. 17 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to United Arab Emirates of logistics support, training and related systems for four C-17 Globemaster III aircraft being procured through a Direct Commercial Sale. The complete package, including associated parts and equipment is worth approximately $501

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USA

Trade between Jordan and U.S. dips

Washington, D.C. (Press Release)- Representatives of the United States and the Government of Jordan convened a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 15,  of the Joint Committee of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Christopher Wilson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, led a U.S. delegation that included representatives from the Departments of

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USA

ZOA tells background of Supreme Court brief to protect foreign officeholders who acted in official capacities

NEW 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

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Middle East, USA

Is Israel overly preoccupied with Iran's nuclear goals?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–An American friend, who some time ago showed his disappointment with Israel, has sent another note that includes: “I scan three Israeli newspapers every day (well, actually, their web sites, in English). It’s less like visiting a foreign country than like visiting a foreign planet. The obsession with Iran’s supposed nuclear weapons

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Conservative legal group files suit to permit judge to display 10 Commandments in courtroom

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) – dedicated to the defense of constitutional liberties secured by law – on Thursday filed its brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on behalf of Ohio Common Pleas Court Judge James DeWeese urging the court to clear the way for the

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USA