USA

Obama could learn from Israel's mistakes with Palestinians, Lebanese

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The New York Times followed President Obama’s speech on Afghanistan with an article that is devastatingly skeptical. It seems to have been prepared largely before the speech, on the basis of details discussed for days. The article  details the corruption high and low in Afghanistan that depends on narcotics, and the dismal […]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Iran becoming more intransigent in nuclear controversy

TEHRAN (WJC)–Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said there was no need to hold further talks with the West over Iran’s nuclear program. In a live television interview, Ahmadinejad threatened to downgrade relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): “Friendly relations with the agency are over. We will cooperate as much as they offer us

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Middle East, USA

Shonda file: Attorney Scott Rothstein accused of $1 billion Ponzi scheme

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Office, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announced the filing of a five-count Criminal Information charging attorney Scott

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USA

Text of President Obama's speech announcing 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

WEST POINT, New York (Press Release)–Following is the transcript of the speech by President Barack Obama announcing an increase in troop levels in Afghanistan: THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our Armed Services, and to my fellow Americans:  I want to speak to you

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USA

ADL backs Wiccan's right to sue California prisons

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) urged a federal appeals court to allow a Wiccan religious leader to have his day in court to pursue a religious discrimination case. A Wiccan clergy member challenged as unconstitutional a policy of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that limits paid clergy positions to members of

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USA

Shoah Survivor Rita Ross speaks Dec. 14 at Adat Shalom

POWAY, California (Press Release)—The Temple Adat Shalom Adult Education Committee presents Rita Ross, the writer of an exceptional memoir that delves into her childhood during the Holocaust, saving the lives of children and personally experiencing the horror of the era. Her book, Running from Home, which will be available for purchase, is written in a

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San Diego Calendar, USA

Chabad of La Costa seeks yard-sale items

CARLSBAD, California (Press Release)–Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, spiritual leader of Chabad of La Costa, has issued the following appeal: “Our Annual Community Yard Sale is THIS coming Sunday (December 6) from 8am – 2pm at the shul (1980 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad). We need your saleable items now. Please bring items in good condition to the

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San Diego Calendar, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

ZOA to confer Theodor Herzl Medallion on Sheldon G. Adelson

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) announced that it will present to world-renowned businessman and pro-Israel philanthropist Sheldon G.  Adelson its most distinguished and historic award, the Theodor Herzl Gold Medallion for outstanding achievement in Zionism. The ZOA Dinner will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, 42nd

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Middle East, USA

Iran financing anti-Semitic films

PARIS (WJC)–The French comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala has announced that he secured funding from Iran for films meant to “combat Zionism” in France. Dieudonné and the head of France’s Anti-Zionist Party, which Dieudonné helped to found earlier this year, said the support was obtained during a recent meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran

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USA

Ivan Demjanjuk's attorney fails in efforts to change judges and prosecutors

MUNICH, Germany–On the opening day of the trial of suspected Nazi war criminal Ivan Demjanjuk in Munich, his attorney said it was unfair for his client to be charged for following orders when his superiors were never charged. Demjanjuk, 89, a former autoworker who lived in near Cleveland, Ohio, and was extradited in May to

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USA

European Union to consider recognizing East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

JERUSALEM (WJC)–The foreign ministers of the European Union are expected to endorse a document prepared by the Swedish EU presidency which calls for East Jerusalem to become the capital of a future Palestinian state, the newspaper ‘Haaretz’ reports. A draft document implies that the EU would recognize a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood, the paper

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Middle East, USA

The Canary in Israel's Coal Mine

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — For those who have asked why JINSA has kept Honduras in the spotlight since June, this is why: small democratic countries trying mightily to exercise legitimate governance and self-determination deserve our vocal support even – or especially – when they do things the U.S. would prefer they didn’t. Honduras

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Middle East, USA

Inertia, rather than conscious policy, often influences the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM—What has Israel contributed to the impasse in the peace process, and to the suffering of Palestinians? That is a question several have asked me, often with a follow up charging that I have not responded. I have responded, more than once. Those convinced of Israeli culpability either have not understood my

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Iran announces plans for 10 new nuclear sites

TEHRAN (WJC)–In defiance of the international community, the Iranian Cabinet headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad  ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to begin construction of five uranium enrichment sites and propose five other sites for future construction within two months. The head of the nuclear body, Iranian Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, told state media

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USA