ISRAEL NEWS – WEEK BY WEEK
Week of Aug. 31-Sept. 7
Archeologists uncover 3,700-year-old wall
Archaeologists digging in Jerusalem have uncovered a 3,700-year-old wall that is the oldest example of massive fortifications ever found in the city, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Wednesday.
The 26-foot-high wall is believed to have been part of a protected passage built by ancient Canaanites from a hilltop fortress to a nearby spring that was the city’s only water source and vulnerable to marauders. The discovery shows that Jerusalem of the Middle Bronze Age had a powerful population capable of complex building project.
OTHER HEADLINES:
- Increase in Arabs applying for civil service
- Israel unveils plan to combat violent crime, alcohol abuse
- Israel’s Arava developing solar power plant
For the full eNewsletter, click here
Week of Aug. 10-17
On Monday, a group of 71 senators that includes senior leaders from both parties sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Monday to press Arab states to recommit to peace with Israel.
The effort, led by Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), is being promoted and circulated by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and comes two months after Obama’s June 4 speech in Cairo.
As Jewish Baltimoreans, we should THANK SENATORS CARDIN AND MIKULSKI FOR SIGNING THE LETTER. How can you do that?
Phone
Click here to find contact information for your Senators. You will be prompted to enter your zip code. You can also reach your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Sample phone script: “I am calling to thank the Senator for signing the Bayh/Risch letter urging Arab states to normalize relations with Israel and take steps toward peace.”
Click here to send an e-mail to your Senators.
OTHER GOOD NEWS FROM U.S. SENATORS: Top US Democrat breaks with Obama on settlements
A senior member of US President Barack Obama’s party broke ranks on Thursday, blaming Palestinians for a lack of peace negotiations and casting doubt on calls for a settlement freeze.
“I don’t think settlements are nearly the big issue that confronts the Palestinians and the Israelis in reaching an agreement,” said Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the American House majority leader, at a West Jerusalem news conference.
Read the full article
OTHER HEADLINES THIS WEEK:
- High-school basketball star to play in Israel
- Egypt thwarts assassination attempt against Israeli ambassador
- Hamas talks peace in English, promotes destruction of Israel in Arabic
- Homeless survivor wills $100,000 to Hebrew U.
Want more headlines? Read the full eNewsletter.
Week of Aug. 3-Aug. 9
Israel and the future of electric cars
The electric car market is catching the consumer’s eye, but where do you charge these vehicles? Mike Granoff, head of oil independence policies for Better Place, says his company has the answer.
OTHER HEADLINES:
Fatah: Israel behind Arafat’s death
Tank commander killed in accident was ‘modest genius’
Former chief rabbi locates his Holocaust rescuer
READ THE WHOLE ENEWSLETTER, click here
Week of July 27-Aug. 2
Couple accosted in Germany
Michael and Devorah Sitbon were heading to Israel, making a stop-over in Germany, when one of the German border police spat on Devorah’s Israeli passport. The couple, traveling with four children ranging in age from 4 weeks to 4-years-old, were threatened, humiliated and targeted with racial epithets. The parents had to pick each child up next to the passport photo and while holding the child the guard made sounds mimicking gunfire.
Israel’s other Israel: the Tel Aviv ‘bubble’
In Tel Aviv, residents forgo news about Hamas rocket fire for an espresso and then mosey down to the beach. While Jewish settlers spar with Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, “Tel Avivis” make merry at disco clubs.
Week of July 20-26
U.S., Israel wrangle over east Jerusalem building
The U.S. has told Israel to halt an east Jerusalem construction project, siding with some members of the international community who hold east Jerusalem to be a settlement. Israel captured and annexed east Jerusalem in 1967.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has responded, stating Israel can build anywhere in Jerusalem. He told his Cabinet over the weekend that Israel’s sovereignty over all of Jerusalem is “indisputable.”
“We cannot accept the fact that Jews wouldn’t be entitled to live and buy anywhere in Jerusalem,” he said.
- Israel to evacuate all outposts in a day
- Defense Secretary to Israel
- Australia says no to Israel boycott
- Committee approves bill outlawing public rejection of Israel
- Softball games to be held in missionary hot spot
Week of July 13-19, 2009
Israeli Cellcom commercial sparks controversy
A new Cellcom commercial shows Israeli troops patrolling alongside the West Bank security fence. … BOOM – a soccer ball crashes atop the hood of the IDF armored jeep. The soldiers, alarmed, exit the car. When they discover the “weapon,” they kick it back over the fence. Pause … the ball returns.
The soldiers jump on their cellular phones and call the “chevra,” their soldier buddies. A lively game of soccer ensues … between the Israelis on one side and what is assumed to be the Palestinians on the other.
A Facebook group is trying to get Cellcom to pull the TV commercial. They argue that it’s “racist.” The story first ran in Ha’aretz over the weekend. It was picked up this week by the Washington Post.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Is the Cellcom commercial racist?
OTHER HEADLINES TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK:
- Israel nabs wanted US criminal
- Israeli musician makes it big in US
- Pro-Israel groups fight pro-Palestinians with signage
- Hamas stops attacks against Israel
- Researchers find self-irrigating plant
To see the entire BZD e-Newsletter, click here
