Middle East

Winning battle for public opinion not the same as winning the real battle

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–“How many troops has the Pope?” If you are old enough to remember that question, you know that the answer is somewhere between “None,” and “Not too many.” The modern equivalent is, “How many troops has world public opinion?” Same answer, to the great sorrow of the Palestinians. Israel has not responded […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Cantor: Iran missile tests make sanctions imperative

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) on Wednesday issued the following statement after Iran’s successful test-firing of an improved, long-range ballistic missile capable of striking Israel and U.S. assets across the Gulf region. The test came after The Times of London this week revealed evidence that Tehran had been working on a trigger for a

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Middle East, USA

ADL urges Senate to act quickly on Iran sanctions bill

 NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday (ADL) hailed passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (IRPSA/H.R.2194), which seeks to pressure Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities. Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:   “This is a crucial time for

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Middle East, USA

Extraterritorial suits against Israel could spread to U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Four American Jewish groups are urging the US Supreme Court to reverse a lower court decision that could lead to Israeli officials being suject to civil lawsuits in the United States, the ‘Jerusalem Post’ reports. Coinciding with a British judge’s decision to sign an arrest warrant for Israeli opposition leader and former

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Middle East, USA

Miliband wants to curb court's powers to issue arrest warrants for foreign dignitaries

LONDON (Press Release)–Following the issuing of an arrest warrant for former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni by a London court, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband has declared it was important that senior figures from Israel could visit the UK and have a “proper dialogue”. His deputy in the Foreign Office, Ivan Lewis, said that the

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Middle East

Ismail Haniyeh says Hamas will not compromise with Israel

GAZA CITY (WJC)–Tens of thousands of Palestinians turned out in the Gaza Strip to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the Islamist terrorist movement Hamas. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, said his organization would not recognize Israel and would not stop fighting against the Jewish state. Supporters filled the streets,

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Middle East

London court issues, then cancels arrest warrant for Tzipi Livni

LONDON (WJC)–Israel officials have strongly criticized an arrest warrant issued by a British magistrates court against the former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni over her role during the Gaza war earlier this year. “The current situation has become intolerable, it is time that it change,” Israel’s ambassador in London, Ron Prosor, told a radio station.

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Middle East

Israeli goalie cursed by crowd in Spanish soccer match

PAMPLOMA, Spain (WJC)—The first-division Spanish soccer Club Atlético Osasuna is facing disciplinary action after the referee at the team’s recent game against Real Mallorca, Alfonso Álvarez, reported that home fans had subjected Mallorca’s Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate to anti-Semitic abuse. According to referee Álvarez, “From the 14th minute and on five other occasions in the

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Middle East

Rabbi attacked in Vienna following menorah lighting

VIENNA (WJC)–Moments after presiding over a public Chanukah menorah lighting in central Vienna’s Stephansplatz Square on Saturday evening, Dov Gruzman, a rabbi of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, had to be evacuated by ambulance after being attacked by a Palestinian man, who bit his finger. Gruzman, who serves as principal of the Lauder Chabad High School

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Middle East

Obama, Lebanon's Sleiman tell disagreements over Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)–Following is the text of a joint news conference held by U.S. President Barack Obama and Lebanon’s Michel President Sleiman on Monday. PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you very much, everybody.  I want to welcome President Sleiman and his delegation for the excellent visit that we’ve had.  I thought that this meeting was critical

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Middle East, USA