USA

Inertia, rather than conscious policy, often influences the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—What has Israel contributed to the impasse in the peace process, and to the suffering of Palestinians? That is a question several have asked me, often with a follow up charging that I have not responded. I have responded, more than once. Those convinced of Israeli culpability either have not understood my […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Iran announces plans for 10 new nuclear sites

TEHRAN (WJC)–In defiance of the international community, the Iranian Cabinet headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad  ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to begin construction of five uranium enrichment sites and propose five other sites for future construction within two months. The head of the nuclear body, Iranian Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, told state media

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USA

Some hard realities of negotiations and politics

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–In response to a recent column, an American friend wrote the following:   “In other words, you are saying that the Israeli gesture is not a good faith effort to restart peace talks. Isn’t that what the Israelis have done before when they offered “concessions” they knew were inadequate and not acceptable

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

New Lebanese government endorses Hezbollah fight against Israel

BEIRUT (WJC)–Lebanon’s new unity government has adopted a policy that recognizes the Shiite paramilitary group Hezbollah’s right to use arms against Israel, in spite of UN resolutions calling for its complete disarming. The text adopted by the Cabinet reaffirms right of “Lebanon, its government, its people, its army and its resistance” to liberate all Lebanese

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Middle East, USA

European Jewish Congress lobbies Kremlin against sale of missiles to Iran

MOSCOW (WJC)–At a meeting at the Kremlin President Dmitry Medvedev, leaders of the European Jewish Congress (EJC) asked Russia not to sell the S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran and to push for new sanctions against the regime in Tehran. “We asked that Russia stop supplying the S-300 to Iran,” said EJC President Moshe Kantor after

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Middle East, USA

Cookbook features world's kosher cuisine

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School has devised a delicious corollary to this publication’s motto that “there is a Jewish story everywhere.”  Gourmets may like the Orthodox school’s saying even better: “There’s great kosher food everywhere.” Coming out next week, in plenty of time for the December 11th first evening

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

At 104, Laura Simon worries for her aging children

LAURA SIMON—She’s 104 on Thanksgiving Day ___________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Among the celebrants of November birthdays at The Patrician senior residence in the University Towne Center area yesterday was Laura Simon, the oldest of them all.  Today, Thanksgiving, she turns 104. Simon smiled when Milica Todorivic, a member of the dining room staff,

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, USA

Out of court settlement reached in case of school prohibiting church flyers

FORT MYERS, Florida (Press Release)— Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have reached a favorable settlement with the Collier County School Board on behalf of a local church barred from participating in a flier distribution program open to other community groups. In June, ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Cypress Wood Presbyterian Church after

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USA

President Obama sends Hajj season greetings to world's Muslims

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (Press Release)–President Barack Obama on Wednesday sent the following message to Muslims around the world: “Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha.  The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve

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USA

Sara-N-Dipity Place: Some hidden history of Thanksgiving

By Sara Appel-Lennon SAN DIEGO–While researching Thanksgiving origins, I uncovered some hidden history. Many were taught that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock in 1620. The meal served only a small part of the celebration. Originally Thanksgiving focused on prayer to offer thanks for a bountiful harvest. In Jewish tradition the festival

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USA

Mitchell: Palestinian-Israeli negotiations should have a 'mix of contacts'

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Following is the text of a U.S. State Department press briefing given on Wednesday by George Mitchell, the U.S. special envoy for Middle East peace.  He was introduced by State Department spokesman Robert Wood. MR. WOOD: Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the briefing. As promised, Senator Mitchell is here, and he is

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Middle East, USA