Middle East

Links to recommended reading and viewing, #2

Judy Lash Balint in Jerusalem tells of “anti-freeze” demonstration, favoring continued construction “Jewish Federations of North America Update on Rescue of Yemen Jews” Donald H. Harrison, “Santee Lakes are models of recreation and reclamation,” Examiner.com (Don is now doing general sightseeing stories in addition to his work as editor of San Diego Jewish World.  Friends […]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Turkey promises 'earthquake' of consequences to Israel if it violates airspace in Iran attack

CAIRO (WJC)–If Israel were to violate Turkish airspace in order to conduct operations against Iran, Ankara’s reaction would resemble an “earthquake,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said in an interview with an Egyptian journalist. Responding to a question about rumors that Israel had entered Turkey’s airspace for espionage purposes, Erdogan said that such

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Middle East, USA

Settlers demonstrate power of a religiously driven minority

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Israel’s limited, 10-month settlement freeze is not working like a well oiled Swiss watch, assuming that metaphor still has validity in the digital age. Settlers have massed to demonstrate against what they call the abominable anti-Jewish doctrines of the prime minister many of them had supported, and they are sending their teen

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Romans urge Shalit release, celebrate works of Luzzati

A sign demanding freedom for Israeli prisoner Gilad Shalit and an exhibit of Jewish Italian artist Emanuel Luzzati are highlights this December in Rome _______________________________________________________ Story by Ulla Hadar, Photos by Rafi Hadar ROME–Climbing the last few steps from the Forum Romano I entered the Piazza in front of the Palazzo Senatorio. My eyes opened

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Middle East

Lawrence Family JCC dinner, lecture to mark Talmis' return visit to San Diego Jan. 11

LA JOLLA, California — Yoav Talmi, former conductor of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, on Monday, Jan. 11, will discuss orchestras in Israel and the continuing controversy over whether they should play the music of composer  Richard Wagner, who was a Nazi sympathizer. Talmi currently is the permanent guest conductor of the Israel Chamber Orchestra,

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East, San Diego Calendar

Immigrants from North America helping to enrich Israel

JERUSALEM (Press Release)–The Jewish Agency for Israel has found a few interesting facts about those who have made aliyah to Israel recently: According to a study conducted by Deloitte Brightman Almagor Zohar (The Israeli branch of the Deloitte Touche network), the new Olim (immigrants) that came to Israel from North America between 2002 and 2008

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Middle East, USA

Torah cannot be ignored in analysis of Israeli motivations

By Rabbi Philip Graubart LA JOLLA, California–Why do Jews live in settlements on the other side of Israel’s supposed green line?  Recently, after yet another series of tension-filled discussions with the United States, Israel announced yet another settlement freeze.  This pattern of American-Israeli discussions, disagreements, threats, and then freezes and occasional subterfuge regarding the settlements

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Middle East, USA

RJC says Jewish voters have 'buyers' remorse' over Obama

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — According to a Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday, Jewish support for President Obama has tumbled to 52%. In January, Obama’s approval rating among Jews was 83%; by September it had fallen to 64%, according to a Gallup poll. The Quinnipiac poll asked respondents whether they approved of President Obama’s handling of

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Middle East, USA

Taglit/Birthright Israel may change 20 SDSU student lives forever

Past SDSU Hillel group frolics at the Dead Sea during Taglit/ Birthright Israel trip. Photo courtesy SDSU Hillel _____________________________________________________ By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –For 20 Jewish students at San Diego State University, there’s much to look forward to after finals, Chanukah and the New Year.   A free Taglit/ Birthright Israel trip to Israel,

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA

Neeman causes stir with apparent call to convert Israel to Torah law

JERUSALEM (WJC)–Israel’s Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman has caused a stir in the country after calling for Torah law to become binding in Israel. “Step by step we will bestow religious law upon the citizens of Israel and transform religious law into the binding law of the state.” Neeman, an observant Jew, told a conference of

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Middle East

Israel thanks Turkey for preventing Hezbollah attack on Israeli target in Turkey

JERUSALEM (WJC)–Turkish forces prevented a Hezbollah attack on an undisclosed Israeli target in Turkey, Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon has said, adding that he had thanked Ankara for the successful operation and for its cooperation. According to the newspaper ‘Haaretz’, quoting Israeli defense sources, the attack was meant to avenge the killing of senior Hezbollah

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Middle East

All or nothing solutions are unrealistic in Middle East

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Responses to my column on negotiations for a prisoner swap indicate it is time for comments about relations between Israelis and Palestinians. “The question I have is what has Israel done to make it completely out of the question for any enemy group to ever think of capturing an Israeli soldier again

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East