Obama to Pollard, Peres, Knesset: Drop Dead

Posted on: April 10th, 2012

The White House on Monday rejected an emotional appeal by Israel's President Shimon Peres to commute convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard's life sentence. Peres based his appeal on Pollard's fast deteriorating health, after Peres' recent conversation with Pollard's wife Esther. Peres' appeal came after he had received a petition signed by 80 MKs, urging Obama to release Pollard.

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Nose King of Miami Gives in to ASPS, Cancels Controversial Music Video Contest

Posted on: April 10th, 2012

Leading Miami Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer announced Monday that he was canceling his music video contest, based on "Jewcan Sam, A Nose Job Love Song." the song about nose jobs by the punk-rock band, The Groggers. Originally, Salzhauer called on contestants to create their own video for the song, and the best video would win an all-expenses paid trip to Miami.

Pro-Arab Candidate for Joe Lieberman’s Senate Seat Clashes with Colleagues on Live TV, Behaves Badly

Posted on: April 6th, 2012

Democratic candidates vying for Connecticut’s US Senate, which is being vacated by Joseph I. Lieberman, are not sure their colleague Lee Whitnum should be allowed to participate in future live televised debates, after calling US Rep. Chris Murphy a “whore” for his support of Israel, during an NBC debate. Whitnum is suing the US over its support for Israel, saying it should send $600 million of it to Connecticut.

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New Survey: Fewer US Jews Support Obama, Fewer Still Like Sarah Silverman

Posted on: April 4th, 2012

As of now, 62 percent of Jewish voters favor Obama's return—down from 78 percent in 2008—but this number is still more than twice the number who said they would prefer a Republican candidate, according to the survey released Tuesday at a National Press Club briefing. Only 37 percent said Comic Sarah Silverman represented Jewish values well or very well. Eric Cantor only got 38 percent.

New Jersey Governor Has Warm Words for Israel

Posted on: April 3rd, 2012

When asked how he felt about the warm reception, the governor responded “it’s a little disorienting. I just got here 9 am this morning and did not expect to meet Americans from Tennessee, Minnesota, California, and New Jersey.” Chants of “2016” could be heard among the crowd, referring to the governor’s potential bid for the next presidential election in four years time.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in Israel for First Official Visit

Posted on: April 2nd, 2012

Gov. Christie, who is visiting with his family and a delegation of leaders from the business and religious sectors, told the Prime Minister that “this is my first visit abroad as Governor and there was never any question of where we would come first, so I’m glad we did.”

International Harpsichordist Ordered to Remove Mezuzah from her Doorpost

Posted on: April 1st, 2012

Barbara Cadranel, a renowned harpsichordist who delights audiences around the world with her unique interpretation of Baroque as well as contemporary music, says she's feeling "violated." The attorney for her Condo Association says his client permits residents to display religious objects on the outside of their doors, but not on "the frame around the door." One neighbor suggested the mezuzah could be a fire hazard…

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Israeli Diplomat’s ‘Spanking’ of J Street Conference Removed from Organization History; Read Entire Speech in the Jewish Press

Posted on: March 30th, 2012

Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the US Baruch Bina addressed thousands of J Street supporters last week, and his appearance had been hailed as a thawing of official Israeli approach to the pro-Palestinian organization. They were in for a big surprise. How big a surprise? The Baruch Bina speech has been removed from J Street's official history. It never happened. But we have it…

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Quick Takes: News You May Have Missed

Posted on: March 28th, 2012

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Supreme Court: Jerusalem Passport Issue A Matter For Lower Courts

Posted on: March 28th, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court returned to the lower courts the issue of whether Americans born in Jerusalem may list “Israel” on their passports – a ruling that drew praise from Jewish groups. The decision delivered Monday was a success for the family of Jerusalem-born boy Menachem Zivotofsky. His family for years has sought to force the State Department to agree to state on his passport that he was born in Israel, citing a law passed by Congress in 2002.

US Requesting Extra Funding for Israel’s ‘Iron Dome,’ Obama Gaining Praise

Posted on: March 28th, 2012

The Pentagon will ask Congress for additional funds for the "Iron Dome" missile shields for Israel, based on their success in intercepting rockets launched from Gaza. Coming one day after drawing fire for his open-mic remarks, President Obama is winning points from pro-Israel Congress members for his increased support. Rafael, which manufactures the Domes systems, just reported $111 million in net earnings for 2011.

Obama Off-the-Record: I Will Have Greater Flexibility on Foreign Policy After Presidential Election

Posted on: March 27th, 2012

President Obama was unaware that he was within microphone range at the Seoul Nuclear Summit when he made the comments to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

UNRWA Press Release: US is UNRWA’s Largest Bilateral Donor

Posted on: March 27th, 2012

The Commissioner-General of UNRWA expressed his gratitude for the crucial support extended by the United States: "The United States remains UNRWA's largest bilateral donor and this latest contribution again demonstrates America's strong support to the Agency and its activities, of which improving the lives of Palestinian refugee youth, and the opportunities open to them, is such an important part."

US Supreme Court Orders State Dept. to List Jerusalem, Israel, in American Passports

Posted on: March 26th, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday on the case of Zivotofsky v. Clinton, a suit in which Naomi and Ari Zivotofsky are challenging the way the State Department may list the birthplace of their son, nine-year-old Menachem. The State Department decided that little Menachem's US passport should show Jerusalem as his birth place, without an accompanying country.

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Ranking US Congressman Introduces Legislation Offering Further Assistance on Iron Dome

Posted on: March 26th, 2012

The Iron Dome Support Act (IDSA) authorizes and encourages President Obama to provide funds for the "procurement, maintenance and sustainment" of more of the anti-missile defense systems, should the Israeli government request it. The legislation was actually inspired by an op-ed by Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, in which he wrote that "at least ten Iron Dome systems will be necessary in order to defend the whole country."

Farrakhan Tweets Retaliation for Slain Trayvon Martin

Posted on: March 25th, 2012

As federal and local authorities investigate the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, and whether or not Florida's “stand your ground” law applied to the shooter, George Zimmerman (not Jewish), Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has been calling for "justice" in typically disturbing ways.

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Obama, Clinton, Abbas, Comparing Notes on Eve of Quartet Meet

Posted on: March 22nd, 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton phoned President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday, ahead of a meeting of the international Quartet scheduled for next month. Clinton's call to Abbas was to follow up on discussions between Abbas and Obama a day earlier.

Quick Takes: News You May Have Missed

Posted on: March 21st, 2012

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Aaron Klein Offers $50,000 Challenge To Pro-Palestinian Activist

Posted on: March 21st, 2012

On his WABC Radio show, Aaron Klein offered $50,000 to an organizer of the upcoming Global March to Jerusalem if the activist could name one city in the Middle East outside of Israel that has more freedom than Jerusalem.

Evangelical Ministers Converge On Jerusalem In Support Of Israel

Posted on: March 21st, 2012

From a raucous display of affection for the Israeli prime minister to an inspiring encounter with beleaguered Israeli citizens who live near the Gaza Strip, influential evangelical leaders visiting from the U.S. this week gave the people of Israel a much needed injection of moral support.

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