By Ben Cohen/JNS.org It’s getting harder these days to survey the latest developments in the Middle East without feeling anxiety about the negative impact they will have on our own policy debate. I see a pattern—some may call it “Obama’s Law,” though I hesitate to do so—whereby the worse things get for Israel in a […]
‘Safe Hillel’ combats BDS drive on campuses Read More »
Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement in announcing the appointment of Daniel Rubinstein, a career diplomat who is Jewish, as a special envoy for Syria: “Daniel Rubinstein will be an outstanding successor to Ambassador Robert Ford as the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria. “This position is as important
Kerry appoints Rubinstein as special envoy to Syria Read More »
Middle East, USA
BETHESDA, Maryland (Press Release) — Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, president of RespectAbility, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, on Friday, March 14, praised the Jewish Council for Public Affairs for having “unanimously passed this resolution (see below) for the inclusion of people with disabilities.” “As you know, we have been fighting for equality for some
JCPA plank on disability wins plaudits Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – The Senate passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) to award Israeli President Shimon Peres with a Congressional Gold Medal. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now awaits passage by the House of Representatives. If the bill is enacted, President Peres would
Senate adopts bill to award medal to Shimon Peres Read More »
Middle East, USA
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice” — Martin Luther King Jr. NEW YORK (Press Release)–The following is a statement by Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc Jewish Action on President Obama’s order to review the administration’s enforcement of deportations. “We applaud President Obama for ordering a review
Immigration review applauded by Bend the Arc Read More »
USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — In a current television commercial lacking any wit, originality, or reverence, an actor playing Abraham Lincoln is seen chomping on a so-called “ballpark frank.” The obvious goal of this advertisement is to sell hot dogs. Lincoln is seen standing around amongst sundry contemporary, gleefully ingesting Americans, all citizen-caricatures,
Hot dog commercial degrades Lincoln’s memory Read More »
USA
WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – Being able to pay extra on a student loan can provide peace of mind that a financial burden is shrinking faster than usual. That’s until you learn that the extra money has been applied to future payments and interest, reducing your ability to pay down the principal. Congresswoman Susan Davis
Davis bill to facilitate paying off student loans Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Dmitriy Shapiro/JNS.org/Washington Jewish Week NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — In striking a more libertarian tone than in previous years, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) might be taking the constituency represented by its sponsor, the American Conservative Union (ACU), down a path that is alienating to some in the Jewish community. According to some
Will libertarian tone deter Jews from joining GOP? Read More »
USA
ATLANTA, Georgia (Press Release) – In his first public appearance since joining the U.S. peace process team, David Makovsky spoke at the JCPA Plenum last weekabout the need for a two-state solution and the prospects for peace. The Plenum is the annual conference for Jewish community leaders and representatives from 125 Jewish Community Relations councils
Makovsky outlines Mideast peace benefits to JCPA Read More »
Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –In response to mounting unhappiness in the West with Russia’s acquisition of Crimea and plans to split Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has struck again. The Russian Defense Ministry released a statement over the weekend saying, “The unfounded threats… are seen by us as an unfriendly gesture,” raising the possibility of “new
Time for U.S. to deploy E. Europe missile defenses Read More »
International, Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Arkady Mamaysky TARRYTOWN, New York –Freedom is every American citizen’s fundamental right. The most important part of an individual’s freedom is to be able to walk safely and freely on the streets of his or her own town. Back in the Soviet Union, the dictatorship took away the freedom, and sometimes life, of its
How can America reduce violent crime? Read More »
Arkady Mamaysky, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release)– The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) described itself as “pleased and proud” to announce that Brooklyn College President Karen L. Gould issued a public statement last Friday, apologizing in full to the four Jewish students who were forcibly thrown out of an anti-Israel, anti-Semitic boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) event at
ZOA recites background of Brooklyn College apology Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
ATLANTA, Georgia (Press Release)– Maryland’s Susan W. Turnbull was elected chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs Tuesday, March 11, at the JCPA’s Plenum in Atlanta. Turnbull will succeed outgoing chair, Larry Gold. “I have had the honor of working with Susan for many years in multiple capacities – as a member of our
Susan Turnbull new JCPA chair Read More »
USA
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Press Release)–Following is the transcript of comments by Anne W. Patterson, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and North African Affairs, at the outset of a meeting on ways to invigorate the private sector of the Palestinian Authority: I am very pleased to be here today and bring greetings and a strong
U.S. to foster business investment in Palestine Read More »
Middle East, USA