WAHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released the following statement following the announcement that Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns will retire later this year: “It is hard to find words adequate to express who Bill Burns is, and what he means not just to the State Department, but to American foreign […]
Veteran U.S. diplomat William Burns to retire Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) –The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations lauded the announcement by White House spokesman, Jay Carney, that a visa to enter the US will not be issued to the proposed Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations, Hamid Abutalebi, who was involved in the 1979 takeover of the American Embassy
Conf. of Presidents lauds barring of Iranian diplomat Read More »
Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release). — In a list of intended nominations, U.S. President Barack Obama said he plans to appoint Rabbi Lee T. Bycel of Napa, California, as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. The White House website provided the following biographical information about Rabbi Bycel: “Rabbi Lee T. Bycel is Rabbi
Obama weighs Rabbi Bycel for Holocaust Commission Read More »
USA
By Maxine Dovere/JNS.org NEW YORK — On June 1, as it has for five decades, the annual Celebrate Israel Parade (formerly the Salute to Israel Parade)—billed as the American Jewish community’s largest show of pride and support for the Jewish state—steps off along Fifth Avenue in New York City. While the parade’s theme this
Tiff over what groups belong in pro- Israel parade Read More »
Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — ‘Let all who are hungry, come and eat.’ This invitation, part of the traditional Passover seder, inspired a call for Congress to provide nutrition support for seniors at the 6th annual National Hunger Seder in the U.S. Capitol. The event, organized by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and MAZON:
Seder in Capitol calls attention to the hungry Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — When writing about Sheldon Adelson, Thomas Friedman gets some things right, and others very wrong. He’s right to see Sheldon Adelson as an overly friendly threat against Israel. Friedman calls him “Iran’s Best Friend” in a recent NTY op-ed piece. If anyone currently active threatens the image of the Jew
Two influential Americans who dispute Israel’s future Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release)– Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations called on the governments of the United States and Cuba to immediately renew negotiations to gain the release of Alan Gross, an American citizen who is on a hunger strike in his Cuban prison.
Conference of Presidents urges freedom for Gross Read More »
International, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Lawrence Silverman, acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs of the U.S. State Department, testified on Wednesday, April 9, before the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Following is a transcript of his testimony, as provided by the U.S. State Department:
Lebanon endangered by Syrian incursions, refugees Read More »
Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Wednesday, April 9, welcomed a decision by Brandeis University to withdraw its invitation to Ayaan Hirsi Ali to receive an honorary degree at commencement ceremonies on May 18 and attributed the “victory over hate” to a unified community response. CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim
Brandeis withdraws honorary degree offer to writer Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Moshe Phillips and Benyamin Korn PHILADELPHIA –As debate rages over a new documentary about the “honor killings” of women by Islamic extremists around the world, former president Jimmy Carter has weighed in — and not on the side of oppressed women. The film, Honor Diaries, is being denounced by Islamist activists such as the
Carter mum in book on Palestinian ‘honor killings’ Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– April 8, Equal Pay Day, marks the extra days into the new year a woman would have to work to earn as much as a man. Congresswoman Susan Davis has been working to close the wage gap that still exists between women and men, while President Obama took executive action to
Davis pushes ‘Paycheck Fairness Act’ Read More »
USA
Editor’s Note: The Christian Broadcasting Network, in comment below the following story, says Pat Robertson was quoting Daniel Lapin’s book, and not voicing his own opinion. By Joe Gandelman SAN DIEGO — Televangelist Pat Robertson has struck again, recently saying Jews never fix their cars because they’re too busy polishing diamonds. Note that Robertson often
Pat Robertson and a Jewish stereotype Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joe Gandelman, USAEditor’s Note: Our correspondent from Mevasseret Zion, Israel, has been visiting the United States and occasionally blogging about what she sees. Here is a report from Richmond, Virginia. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson RICHMOND, Virginia — For me personally, the principal attraction of Richmond, Virginia is the presence there or in the vicinity of two first cousins
Richmond has history, art and many monuments Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Travel and Food, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– John Kerry’s peace process is dying. Or it was born dead, despite having parents who praised its prospects. The fault is not Israel’s, nor Palestine’s, but John Kerry’s. Or maybe Barack Obama’s, due to his appointing a visionary for a job that is supposed to be serious. Kerry’s various ideas join
Taps for the Kerry peace process Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA