Washington, D.C. (Press Release)- Representatives of the United States and the Government of Jordan convened a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 15, of the Joint Committee of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Christopher Wilson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, led a U.S. delegation that included representatives from the Departments of […]
Trade between Jordan and U.S. dips Read More »
USANEW YORK (Press Release)–On December 7, 2009, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) joined three other Jewish organizations in filing an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief urged the Court to reverse a Fourth Circuit decision and “establish as the law of the land” that foreign government officials
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–An American friend, who some time ago showed his disappointment with Israel, has sent another note that includes: “I scan three Israeli newspapers every day (well, actually, their web sites, in English). It’s less like visiting a foreign country than like visiting a foreign planet. The obsession with Iran’s supposed nuclear weapons
Is Israel overly preoccupied with Iran's nuclear goals? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In Parashat Miketz we learn that when Joseph’s brothers first appeared before him in Egypt: “Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize Joseph.” {Gen. 42: 8} How was this possible? The Talmud explains that Joseph was sold into slavery he was young and did not have
Judaism’s balance between tradition and modernity Read More »
International, Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) – dedicated to the defense of constitutional liberties secured by law – on Thursday filed its brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on behalf of Ohio Common Pleas Court Judge James DeWeese urging the court to clear the way for the
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – In a new report measuring infringements on religious beliefs and practices around the world, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that two-in-three people in the world today live in countries with high levels of restrictions on religion. The report gauges the level of restrictions due both to government actions
Middle Eastern countries most restrictive on religion, American countries the least Read More »
USASTRASBOURG, France (WJC)–Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s new foreign policy chief, has lashed out against Israel. In her first major speech since taking office on 01 December, Ashton – a former deputy minister in the British government and until recently EU trade commissioner – condemned Israel’s “occupation,” demanded that Israel lift its “blockade” of the
New EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton denounces Israel Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is supporting a petition signed by 39 Members of the Knesset calling upon the Israeli public to reconsider availing themselves of British goods and services in response to a recent British government initiative to recommend to all U.K. retail chains the placing of prominent labels indicating
ZOA endorses Israel counter-boycott campaign against British goods Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–While the Europeans were busy recasting Jerusalem in the image of Cold War Berlin complete with a wall and two governments-one free and one not-the Palestinians were busy revealing what their presumed state would look like. Follow the threads. In June, Fatah reaffirmed “the right of armed resistance” (terrorism) in
Fatah and Hamas may be gearing up for Civil War Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)—Our nation’s first African-American president,the pronounced intensification of global anti-Semitism, continued defiance from Iran, and an unabashedly biased anti-Israel report were among the top issues affecting Jews in 2009, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) annual list. “Much of the good news from the past year is, unfortunately, tempered by the bad,”
ADL lists its top 10 Jewish issues for 2009 Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–When Ehud Barak, the elected leader of Israel’s Labour Party, joined the Netanyahu government early this year as Minister of Defense, it was said in many quarters that he’d destroy the party that had already been greatly diminished in the election. The fact that several members of his Knesset faction rebelled
Barak's decision to join Netanyahu government may have been prescient Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–According to Israelis and others who talk and write about the country, it is the worst or the best place on earth. Hyperbole is the language of those who love and hate it. It is often in the cross hairs of international organizations flying the flags of justice and humane behavior. Or
Israel is a magnet for hyperbole Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release)– Many governments’ policies toward migrants worldwide expose them to human rights abuses including labor exploitation, inadequate access to health care, and prolonged detention in poor, overcrowded conditions, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday in advance of International Migrants Day, on December 18, 2009. A 25-page roundup of Human Rights Watch reporting on violations
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (Press Release) – Matt J. Whitworth, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to illegally transferring funds to Iraq in violation of federal sanctions. Ahmad Mustafa, 55, of Columbia, a citizen of Iraq and a lawful permanent resident alien
Fundraiser pleads guilty to sending money to Iraq during Saddam's time Read More »
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