LONDON (WJC)–The eminent historian Andrew Roberts has said that the British government had a de facto ban in place on state visits by Queen Elizabeth II to Israel. “The true reason of course, is that the FO [Foreign Office] has a ban on official royal visits to Israel, which is even more powerful for its […]
Has Britain prohibited Queen Elizabeth from traveling to Israel? Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–An American friend shows his concern for Palestinians with several questions that deserve answers: 1. Why is there not much support, or any, for a Palestinian State composed only of territory on the West Bank? Wouldn’t it be better to take that incremental step and deal with Gaza (Hamas) later? 2. The
Middle East inertia the product of Palestinian intransigence, U.S. naivete Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAEditor, San Diego Jewish World I was playing on the web and found the link to my articles in the San Diego Jewish World. Of course, I knew you were running them, which I very much appreciate, but I just discovered they are sponsored by Waxie Sanitary Supply in memory of Morrie Wax. I was
Letter to the Editor: Bryen 'SO touched' to be linked to Morrie Wax's memory Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USADavid Brooks, “The Hannukah Story” in The New York Times (a different take) Keith Darce, “Scripps Hospital in Encinitas Gets $10 million donation (from Leichtag Foundation,” San Diego Union-Tribune Daniel Gordis, “A Real Miracle or the Doing of Extraordinary People,” in the Jerusalem Post Phil Jacobs, “Sharansky comes to Baltimore,” in Jewish Times of Baltimore
Links to recommended viewing and reading #3 Read More »
Middle East, San Diego Calendar, USAWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)–Following is a partial transcript of an interview that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave on Friday to Riz Khan of Al Jazeera television: QUESTION: The European Union, with a prompt from Sweden, has put forward a plan for East Jerusalem to be a capital for a Palestinian state. Obviously, it’s met
Clinton says Jerusalem a matter for Israelis, Palestinians to decide together Read More »
Middle East, USAJERUSALEM (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Friday condemned the vandalization of a West Bank mosque, allegedly by Jewish extremists. The perpetrators set fire to holy books, furniture and rugs, and spray painted hateful graffiti in Hebrew on the walls of a mosque in the Palestinian village of Yasuf. ADL’s Israel Office issued the following
ADL denounces desecration of mosque on West Bank Read More »
Middle EastVIENNA (WJC)–Michael Häupl, mayor of the Austrian capital Vienna, will be awarded the World Jewish Congress’ highest distinction, the Nahum Goldmann Medal, which is named after the long-time president of the organization and is awarded to statesmen and other leaders in recognition of their services to world Jewry. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder will present
World Jewish Congress to award highest honor to Vienna Mayor Michael Haupl Read More »
Middle EastLONDON (WJC)–Israeli officials reacted angrily about new product labeling guidelines issued by the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on goods produced in Israel and the Palestinian territories. “We think this is singling out Israel and it plays into the hands of those who are calling for a boycott of Israeli goods,” a
UK will label West Bank food origins as 'Palestinian' or 'Israeli settlement' Read More »
Middle EastJudy 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
Links to recommended reading and viewing, #2 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USACAIRO (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
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
Settlers demonstrate power of a religiously driven minority Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
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
Romans urge Shalit release, celebrate works of Luzzati Read More »
Middle EastLA 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,
Lawrence Family JCC dinner, lecture to mark Talmis' return visit to San Diego Jan. 11 Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Middle East, San Diego CalendarBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — How much should Israel to pay for the release of Gilad Shalit? He is the soldier who was seized in June 2006 during a raid by Gazans on the Israeli side of the border. In the same incident, two Israelis soldiers died and several others suffered injuries. Negotiations for a
How much should Israel pay for Gilad Shalit? Read More »
Middle East