-THE ARAB ENGLISH LANGUAGE PRESS: What they are saying.

A summary of reports on Middle East issues- July 17, 2009

Israel ready to admit 3,000 Ethiopian Jews

Israel has sent envoys to Ethiopia to examine the applications of 3,000 Ethiopians who claim to be descended from Jews and are waiting in transit camps to emigrate to Israel, an official said on Thursday. Some 100,000 Jews from Ethiopia already live in Israel. Many arrived in airlifts in the 1980s and 1990s in times of hunger and political strife in Ethiopia. Thousands more Falash Mura people, who claim they were forced to convert to Christianity in Ethiopia, have also immigrated in smaller groups, but Israel largely halted the flow about two years ago. Some Israeli officials cited financial concern and questions about the applicants’ Jewish origins as reasons for the halt. Interior Minister Eli Yishai of the Orthodox Shas party has tried to renew the influx from Ethiopia in an effort to bring an estimated 8,700 people living in squalid transit camps for several years to the Jewish state, officials said. Roi Lachmanovitch, a spokesman for Yishai, said the ministry had sent three officials, two from the ministry and one from the quasi-governmental Jewish Agency, to Ethiopia on Wednesday, to explore the eligibility for immigration of 3,000 people. “Yishai considers it important to bring all Jews, including those regarding whose credentials there may be doubts, to Israel and it’s too bad this hasn’t already happened,” Lachmanovitch said. – Arab News (Saudi Arabia), July 17, 2009

Syria tells US envoy it wants all of Golan back

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem told visiting US official Frederic Hof on Thursday that Damascus wants the Golan Heights back as part of any Middle East peace deal. Moallem stressed Syria’s wish to “recover the Golan as far as the border of June 4, 1967,” before Israel occupied the upland region in that year’s Middle East war, Sana official news agency reported. The Syrian minister reaffirmed “his country’s support for achieving a fair and global peace [deal] in the region in line with the principle of exchanging land for peace,” the news agency said. Hof, deputy to US special Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell, reiterated the US desire to work for a peace deal in the region, Sana added. The United States wants to play an active and balanced role to relaunch peace talks on all Syrian and Palestinian issues with Israel, the report quoted him as saying. Relations between the United States and Syria have begun to improve since Barack Obama became US president. – The Daily Star (Lebanon), July 17, 2009.

Jordan to host IFJ conference. Israel not invited

The Jordan Press Association (JPA) agreed to a request by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to hold its conference in the Kingdom in October, after the latter agreed to exclude Israel’s participation, a JPA council member said on Thursday. “We are against any form of normalisation with Israel, which still occupies Arab lands and violates Arab and Palestinian rights,” JPA Vice President Hikmat Momani told The Jordan Times, adding that the JPA also agreed to the organisation of several training workshops for journalists from across the region by the IFJ, provided that Israel does not take part. Momani added that Israel’s membership in the IFJ had been suspended for 12 years before the federation cancelled its membership last week. The IFJ Executive Committee unanimously agreed at its July 7 meeting in Oslo, Norway, to expel the National Federation of Israeli Journalists (NFIJ) from the IFJ, according to a statement posted on IFJ website. – Jordan Times, July 17, 2009.

Warship passage indicates Egypt-Israel front against Iran, says Hezbollah leader

The passage of two Israeli warships through the Suez Canal Tuesday are indicative of Egyptian/Israeli security cooperation against Iran’s nuclear program, said prominent Hezbollah leader Mohamed Yazbek. Yazbek told the Iranian news agency IRNA that there was a clear desire on the part of the Egyptians to cooperate with Israel in opposing what he deemed was a “peaceful” nuclear program. “Why does the peaceful Iranian nuclear program constitute such a threat to Egypt while Egyptian ships protect Zionist nuclear warheads in the Suez Canal?” Yazbek was quoted as saying. In late June an Israeli submarine passed through the canal, reportedly escorted by two Egyptian gunships. The Hanit had also crossed the canal both ways in June. Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahoronot said about the submarine passage that “Egypt and Israel wanted to show their coordination in the face of Iran pursuing its nuclear program.” Israeli submarines usually rounded Africa instead of going through the Suez Canal. – Daily News (Egypt) July 15, 2009.

High-tech Israeli-Palestinian firm defies barriers

Zvi Schreiber’s new software links users across the globe, but in order to meet the Palestinian engineers who helped create it he must drive to a petrol station in the middle of the desert. Schreiber, an Israeli Jew, is not allowed to travel to his company’s research and development centre in the occupied West Bank, and his 30 Palestinian engineers must apply for special permits to meet him in Jerusalem. “I’m perhaps the only CEO in the world who can’t visit the company’s main office, even though it’s like 15 kilometres from my house,” he says… Dror Globerman, who reports on the high-tech industry for Israel’s Maariv newspaper, says G.ho.st’s “offshore” approach to research and development could be a model for other firms. “I think the incentives are definitely there. (The West Bank) is cheap and close, and Palestinian engineers are talented people,” he says … We are creating jobs, we are getting good salaries, and we can work here in Palestine instead of going abroad,” general manager Khaled Ayyash says. He adds that G.ho.st is one of the only West Bank firms that give employees share options, allowing everyone to benefit from any possible acquisition. Ayyash blames Israeli governments for the failure of past peace efforts, but says his colleagues treat each other with the “utmost respect.” “There are no problems among us because we are all professionals,” – Kuwait Times, July 16, 2009.

Al Jazeera banned in West Bank

The Palestinian Authority ordered closure of Al Jazeera television in occupied West Bank yesterday for airing “false” information, the government said in a statement. The Information Ministry said that it was taking the Qatar-based satellite channel to court over a report that it aired the previous day and that its operations in the West Bank would be suspended in the meantime. The statement said that the pan-Arab channel “has been devoting significant segments of its broadcasts to incitement against the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority”. “Despite our repeated calls to remain neutral when it covers the Palestinian issue and to be balanced when it comes to the internal Palestinian situation, the channel continues to incite against the PLO and the PA,” it said. Al Jazeera said it was “stunned” that it had been sanctioned for the story, which had also been aired by several other media. – Times of Oman, July 16, 2009.

Israel to test Arrow missile on US range

Israel will soon test an Arrow interceptor missile on a US missile range in the Pacific Ocean in a joint exercise that also will involve three US missile defence systems, a top US general said yesterday. Army Lieutenant General Patrick O’Reilly, director of the Pentagon’s Missile Defence Agency, said the test will allow Israel to measure its advanced Arrow system against a target with a range of more than 1,000 km, too long for previous Arrow test sites in the eastern Mediterranean. The Arrow system, jointly developed by Israel and the US, is designed to defend the Jewish state against possible ballistic missile attacks from Iran and Syria. – Gulf Times (Qatar), July 14, 2009.

(Photo credit: cjp.org)

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- What others are saying on video

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING – ON VIDEO

JULY 13 2009 –  jewishinfoNews current selection of videos for this week include:

-CANADA AND THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – according to the views of Cuba, Pakistan, Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria.

-ABBA EBAN -  The 1958 Mike Wallace interview. As Israel celebrates its tenth anniversary, Abba Eban, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, talks to Wallace about Arab nations, the Arab refugee problem, Egypt’s President Nasser, Jews in America, and the charge that Israel threatens world peace with a policy of territorial expansion. (The Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas)

-ANTISEMITISM ON THE RISE IN EUROPE –  A CBN News Newswatch report.

-IRAN ELECTION –  Neda Tribute:  A very powerful video from Iran’s Sea of Green Movement.

-HITB UT-TAHIR AMERICA- The Muslim extremist group’s video promoting their upcoming conference on July 19, 2009 in Chicago.

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-We have a new feature service for you.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Welcome to the video link of jewishinfoNe.ws >>>

JULY 9, 2009 -  Jewishinfonews has now a new section to its successful news and information service. This new feature selects an assortment of current and relevant video links  pertaining to such subject matter as Israel,  antisemitism, hate, Holocaust and genocide,  Iran,  the Middle East,  peace projects and various international news items.

We intend to regularly examine various sources of news items from government agencies, international organizations and media and provide you with information that has value, such as unusual or enlightened new material and content.

We do not screen videos for the quality of research methods. We believe that it is important that everyone learn of published research in their area of interest, even if the research may be seriously in question.

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-FROM ALGERIA TO SAUDI ARABIA: The weekend in review

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

A compendium of news of interest to the Jewish community: July 6, 2009.

Saudis give nod to Israeli raid on Iran

The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites. Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility. The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials. “The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week. Although the countries have no formal diplomatic relations, an Israeli defence source confirmed that Mossad maintained “working relations” with the Saudis. – The Sunday Times (UK). July 5, 2009.

Bahraini officials make unprecedented Israel trip

Bahraini officials made an unprecedented visit to Israel to collect five Bahrainis detained trying to enter the Gaza Strip to deliver aid, local media reported yesterday. The Bahrain News Agency said the delegation was sent Friday by the interior and foreign ministries to collect the five Bahrainis from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli officials detained the five on Tuesday on a boat bound for Gaza from Cyprus that was trying to break the Israeli blockade on the territory. Friday’s trip marked the first visit by a delegation from Bahrain to Israel. Bahrain has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject an Israeli foreign ministry official confirmed that the Bahraini officials did land, but said they did not pass through Israeli border controls and so technically did not enter the country. He said Israeli officials went out to the plane on the tarmac with the forms necessary for the prisoners’ release then escorted the five to the aircraft. He said it should not be taken as a breakthrough in relations. “We were looking for a solution to an unexpected problem,” the official said. The predominantly Shiite Gulf state does have a very small Jewish population, one of which, Huda Noono, is the country’s current ambassador to the United States and Canada. Bahrain’s foreign minister created a stir when he said in an interview last year that Middle East nations should form a regional organization that includes Israel and Iran to try to resolve their disputes. – Kuwait Times. July 5, 2009.

Algerian Jews recognized by government for first time

The minister of Religious Affairs and Endowment in Algeria, Abu Abdullah Ghulam Allah, has announced that for the first time, the Algerian government will adopt formal representation of the Jewish religion with the creation of a Jewish association. The development comes in response to a February 2006 law on non-Muslims in Algeria that will allow the Jewish community to be incorporated into the legal framework of the country. El Khabar reported that this decision could likely “provoke violent reactions” from “extremists” in the country. Mohamad Fellahi, the spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment, announced that the new association will be headed by Roger Said, who though not a Rabbi, is a “religious and cultural person who will participate in many events in Algeria.” Said recently returned from Marseille to Algeria, where he left following an outbreak of violence against the country’s small Jewish community over a decade ago. The association will reportedly work with the government to restore Jewish tombs in Constantine, Bildan and Tlemcen. The size of the Algerian Jewish community is unknown, though it is assumed to be small—perhaps fewer than one hundred. Most Jews left the country following Algerian independence from France in 1962 out of fears of reprisals. – www.albawaba.com (Jordan). July 2, 2009.

Solution may be at hand for Israeli-Lebanese conflict

A possible solution to a territorial dispute over a small piece of land between Israel, Lebanon and Syria could have major positive repercussions for regional peace, a leading Israeli analyst told Xinhua on Sunday. A report of Israeli daily Ha’aretz on Sunday confirms what analysts have suspected for some time — that Saudi Arabia and the United States are jointly pressuring Syria to demarcate its border with Lebanon in the area known as the Shaba Farms. The 22-square km mountainous ridge and valley was deemed by the UN as occupied by Israel in the wake of the 1967 War. The UN and Israel regarded Shaba as being Syrian territory. However, in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, both Lebanon and Syria maintained the land was Lebanese.. . . A key reason for trying to resolve the issue is that the Syrian– and Iranian-backed Hezbollah says it has continued legitimacy to attack Israel so long as Israel continues to occupy Shaba — what it calls occupied Lebanese territory. – Xinhua News Agency (China). July 5, 2009.

Arabs shouldn’t live alongside Jews: Shas minister

Arab members of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) on Friday lashed out at Israeli Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Attias after he said that Arabs should not live with Jews. Speaking at the Israel Bar Association headquarters in Tel Aviv late Thursday, Attias said Israel was in danger of “losing the Galilee” if the Israeli-Arab population continued to “spread” in the north, and mentioned in particular the Wadi Ara area, where he said Haredim, an ultra-Orthodox community, planned to construct houses that could help stop the expansion. “Arabs buy apartments in places with a Jewish nature, which causes unwanted friction,” Attias, who is a member of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, said. “We can all be bleeding hearts,” said the minister, “but I think it is unsuitable (for Jews and Arabs) to live together.” Attias cited the Jewish-Arab clashes last year in Acre to explain his point. “Mayors don’t want mixed cities. We all saw the riots in Acre, we saw how dangerous it was. We can’t toy with that. The reality is that different sectors do not necessarily get along. The many Arabs in Wadi Ara make it an undesirable place to live.” – Arab News (Saudi Arabia). July 4, 2009.

Israelis eye slice of India’s e-gov pie

Israeli technology firms are joining the race for India’s e-governance projects, seeking to offer solutions for the unique identification card programme. “Israeli companies may bid along with Indian ones as we always need local partners for e-governance projects”, Consul General of Israel Orna Sagiv said. Sagiv was heading a delegation of 14 Israeli software companies to Bangalore to explore the opportunities in the Indian market and find local partners. Trade between the two countries is at $4 billion in 2008, up from $3.3 billion in 2007. Israel will be looking to partner the Indian technology giants especially because the country has e-governance solutions like e-payment, e-documentation, registration of population and citizen smart cards already running. “Many governments around the world came to Israel to see how we did it,” said Katrin Melamed, business development manager at the Israel Export and International Co operation Institute (IEICI).India is among top three trade partner for Israel in Asia and one of the top 10 trade partners globally. – The Economic Times (India). July 6, 2009.

Jordan trade union leaders arrested for anti-Israel rally

Jordanian police yesterday arrested 11 people, including trade union leaders, to break up a demonstration against fruit and vegetable imports from Israel, protest organisers said. They were taken to the Shmeisani police station, in west of Amman, half an hour after they started their protest outside the ministry of agriculture, the sources and an AFP reporter said. “We demand that the government bans imports of fruits and vegetables from the Zionist entity (Israel),” the 14 trade unions which organised the protest said in a joint statement. – The Peninsula (Qatar). July 6, 2009.

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