WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — AIPAC has praised the bipartisan group of 367 members of the House who sent a letter to President Obama underscoring key conditions for a nuclear agreement with Iran. The letter was initiated by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-California) and Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-New York). The letter […]
367 House members sign letter on Iran Read More »
Middle East, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is saddened by the death of Lee Kuan Yew, who served as Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. He was 91 years old. Lee led Singapore’s separation from Malaysia and independence in 1965. He oversaw the country’s transformation from a fairly underdeveloped colonial outpost
Lee Kuan Yew’s death saddens AJC Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The State Department has announced the withdrawal of its personnel from Yemen. It issued this statement on Sunday, March 22: Due to the deteriorating security situation in Yemen, the U.S. Government has temporarily relocated its remaining personnel out of Yemen. We have informed President Hadi of this step as part
U.S. withdraws personnel from Yemen Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Netanyahu won Israel in last week’s elections, but did he lose America in the process? Panicking not long before polling stations opened, the prime minister made two statements to woo voters: warning that Israel’s Arab citizens would vote “in droves” for their own and, second, that there would be
In winning election Netanyahu lost U.S. support Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Gevalt! This is not meant to mourn the election results, but the month or more of haggling and babbling that will surround us until there is a new government. Several times a day we’ll be hearing commentators speculating about who gets what ministries. Just as often we’ll hear the self-appointed “ranking”
In Israel, U.S., leaders face their constraints Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-California) became an original cosponsor of the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act to allow borrowers with high interest rates on their existing student loans in both the public and private markets to refinance these existing loans to lower interest rates. This would make these existing loans
Bill would permit students to refinance loans Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USALAUSANNE, Switzerland (Press Release)–Following is an excerpt of the comments made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday, March 21, on the status of the P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran: SECRETARY KERRY: … I also want to thank particularly the Swiss Government. I’d like to thank Didier Burkhalter for his personal generous welcome to
Kerry: As deadline approaches, gaps with Iran remain Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Donald H. Harrison The death of the mother of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, the onset of the Iranian New Year, and the approaching deadline for the conclusion of the P5+1 negotiations over Iran’s nucelar aspirations, have prompted President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and the State Department to issue several expressions of
U.S. rhetoric warms toward Iran, chills toward Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USAEuropean diplomat denies Iran’s assertion that framework nuclear deal is close (JNS.org) A framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear program is unlikely to be reached in the next few days of the talks between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 powers, a senior European diplomat said, blaming Tehran for its refusal to compromise. “Contrary to what
Jewish news briefs: March 20, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The New York Times is as far away from a realistic view of things Middle East as the Obama White House. It’s post election analysis was some element of bitter grapes, and dreaming about possibilities that do not exist. Its emphasis on deep wounds resulting from a bitter Israeli election campaign
Post- election opinions? Everyone seems to have one Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Jewish groups on Thursday, March 19, welcomed Israel’s Prime Mininster Benjamin Netanyahu’s clarification that he still desires a two-state solution with the Palestinians, although he considers circumstances very difficult for achieving this outcome. Here are the comments from the Jewish groups: American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC): “Today, Israeli Prime
Jewish groups welcome Netanyahu support for 2 states Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, March 19, delivered the following statement at a Committee hearing on the Iran nuclear negotiations: “Thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for calling this very important and timely hearing. “Mr. Deputy Secretary, Mr. Under Secretary:
Engel to Obama: Do not ignore Congress on Iran Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that the Assad regime used chlorine as a weapon again, this time on March 16 in an attack on the town of Sarmin. We are looking very closely into this matter and considering next steps. While we cannot yet confirm details, if
U.S. denounces chlorine gas use in Syria Read More »
Middle East, USASAN FRANCISCO (Press Release) – Following a rash of antisemitic incidents at the University of California (UC), 23 education and Jewish advocacy groups on Thursday, March 19, urged the UC President and Regents to adopt the U.S. State Department definition of antisemitism, which states that antisemitism may manifest itself with regard to the state of Israel. The
UC urged to strengthen anti- Semitism definition Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA