Wednesday’s “News in Review” Round-Up

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Wednesday, Apr. 2,  2014	Volume X1, No. 3,278	Yom Revii, 2 Nissan,  5774

 

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Wednesday’s “News in Review” Round-Up

 

 

Contents: |  Weekly Quotes |  Short Takes   |  On Topic Links

 

On Topic Links

 

Pollard and the Last-Ditch Effort to Save the Peace Talks: P. David Hornik, Frontpage, Apr. 2, 2014

Rumor Mill Turns Pollard into a Bargaining Chip: Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu, Jewish Press, Mar. 31, 2014

The Disastrous Outcome of the ‘Peace Negotiations’: Isi Leibler, Jerusalem Post, Apr. 1, 2014

John Kerry’s Departure From Reality: Jackson Diehl, Washington Post, Mar. 30, 2014

Something is Not Quite Kosher With the PQ Election Strategy: Chaim Steinmetz, Montreal Gazette, Mar. 28, 2014

 

 

 

“Introducing the name “Pollard” into the equation is a cynical, harmful attempt to exploit certain Jewish values, including the value of “returning our sons to their land,” over others. For 29 years, Jonathan Pollard has languished in prison so the U.S. could teach its good friend in the Middle East a lesson. Our friend the U.S. is forcing us to try to complete an unfair equation: one prisoner for 426. One man, who paid his dues over dozens of years in prison, who is not a threat to society, for hundreds of menacing terrorists, several of whom committed murder or were complicit in the slaughter of hundreds of Israelis. We all want to see Pollard out of jail and in Israel, but not like this.” — MK Danny Danon, Israeli deputy defense minister, responding to rumors that Jonathan Pollard, in U.S. custody since 1985, may play a role in extending peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. (Israel Hayom, Apr. 2, 2014)

 

“There is a basic refusal to accept the right of Jews to establish a national state,” — Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz. “In my opinion, we should not have even started talks without a fundamental mutual recognition. If there is no Jewish nation and no Jewish rights to a nation, then there is no reason for us to even speak…this should be the fundamental demand of any peace process. If one side refuses to recognize the very existence or right to exist of the other side it seems like a non-starter,” Steinitz added. (New York Times, Mar. 25, 2014)

 

“I…didn’t understand the government’s reasoning when it [said] the current Israeli-Palestinian negotiations take place in the context of the Arab Peace Initiative,” —Liberal MP and former Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, an honorary co-chair of Justice for Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries. Cotler added, “They’re actually taking place in the context of the US initiative and the Kerry proposals for a framework agreement in which the US itself has acknowledged that the issue of the Jewish refugees from Arab countries may well be part of the framework principles.” Cotler believes the Canadian government’s official recognition of Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa is an important first step but it must go farther. The report, Recognizing Jewish Refugees from the Middle East and North Africa by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, received unanimous concurrence in the House of Commons last week. However, the government has said that it won’t be complying with the second of the report’s two recommendations, which requires it to work to have the plight of those refugees included in the Arab-Israeli peace talks. (Jewish Tribune, Apr. 1, 2014)

 

“The silence of Quebec’s political leadership in the face of Mailloux’s overt, unabashed, anti-Semitic and anti-religious slander speaks volumes and is particularly alarming given the sense many in Quebec have that their religious freedom and accommodation are under attack by the proposed ‘Charter of Values’ being promoted by the Parti Québécois (PQ),” —Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, expressing concern at the continuing failure of political leaders in Quebec to condemn the antisemitic and religiously intolerant statements alleging a “kosher tax” by Louise Mailloux, a candidate for the province’s National Assembly. Foxman added: “Unfortunately, the failure of leadership to stand up to this hatred has only aggravated an already tense atmosphere, in which Jews and other religious minorities feel their religious freedoms and rights are being questioned and threatened.” Mailloux, a philosophy professor and PQ candidate in the upcoming April 7 provincial elections, told reporters that she stood by prior statements promoting the canard that there is a so-called “kosher tax,” for the financial benefit of the Jewish community.  Ms. Mailloux referred to kosher and halal certification as “theft” and a “religious tax” directly paid to religious institutions. The head of the PQ, Pauline Marois, defended Mailloux, saying “Her writings are eloquent, I respect her point of view.” (ADL, Mar. 31, 2014)

 

“The message is loud and clear that the French electorate is either not taking the threat from the far right seriously or they do not care,” —Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the European Conference of Rabbis, in a statement Monday. Jewish groups in France and Europe blamed voters’ indifference for the success of the far-right National Front party in French local elections. National Front candidates were elected mayors in 11 municipalities in the vote on Sunday — a dramatic increase over the party’s previous record of four mayors in 1997. “This result should sound alarm bells across Europe and indeed the world, that the politics of hatred are making a formidable comeback,” Goldschmidt said. Goldschmidt also referred to perceived inaction, saying, “No doubt most analysts will characterize the success [of the National Front] as a protest against what many see as the failings of [French President] Francois Hollande, but there is no question that it benefited enormously from a record abstention of 38.5 percent.” (JTA, Apr. 1, 2014)

 

“It feeds off hate for Israel. It feeds off anti-Zionism. Because anti-Zionism is an invitation to anti-Semitism…Criticism of Israel that is based on anti-Zionism — that’s anti-Semitism today, this is the refuge of those who do not accept the State of Israel,” —French interior minister, Manuel Valls, of the Socialist Party, at a memorial service marking the two year anniversary of the massacre at the Jewish Otzar Hatorah School in Toulouse. The continued threats experienced by French Jews, who currently make up the world’s third-largest Jewish community, have prompted two-thirds of them to  consider leaving. A large share of those are considering relocating to Israel. Mohammed Merah, the Islamist responsible for the Toulouse attacks in March 2012 that included an assault on a Jewish school killing 4 people, claimed that he committed the crime to “avenge the Palestinian children.” (Tower, Mar. 21, 2014)

 

“We will enter their lair…they will pay the price, they will be brought to account. How can you threaten national security?” —Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, declaring victory in local polls that had become a referendum on his rule, saying he would “enter the lair” of enemies who have accused him of corruption and leaked state secrets. “The old Turkey is no longer. The new Turkey is here,” he said, to cheers from supporters who shouted Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) and “Turkey is proud of you”. “Today is the victory day of the new Turkey, 77 million united … as brothers,” responded Erdogan. The harsh tone of his balcony address suggested he felt he now had a mandate for strong action against his enemies. “From tomorrow, there may be some who flee,” he said. (Jerusalem Post, Mar. 31, 2014)

 

“We’ve become experts in this, in death,” — Ghazwan Naji, a resident of the Baghdad neighborhood of Amiriya. Naji said his 7-year-old son had heard so many explosions that he could distinguish the different kinds of bombs. A series of bombings in Baghdad killed at least 33 people and wounded dozens more on Thursday, Iraqi officials said. At least three of the bombs struck Adhamiya, a largely Sunni neighborhood in northern Baghdad, and killed 22 people. (New York Times, Mar. 27, 2014)

“We are not a threat against any country, but we are able to respond to any threat at any level… thanks to the set of the defensive equipment in our possession,” —Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, on Sunday. As regards Iran’s capabilities in the military sphere, the minister said, “Compared with the regional countries, we enjoy great capabilities. Also at the global level, we have the scientific and technological capabilities, on a par with or close to the major countries which own the military industries.” He reiterated that Iran’s defensive preparedness and capabilities have brought about a state of  “deterrence”, meaning that “our enemies do not dare to either attack us or take any action against us.” (Tasnim News Agency, Mar. 31, 2014)

 

“True, today is my last day in military uniform, but I will continue to fight every day for an Egypt free of fear and terrorism,” —Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian general who ousted his country’s first freely-elected leader, declaring his candidacy for a presidential election he is expected to win easily. Sisi had to resign his posts of army chief and minister of defense so he could contest the election. “We must be truthful with ourselves: our country faces great challenges. Our economy is weak. There are millions of youths who suffer from unemployment in Egypt. This is unacceptable,” he added. If elected, Sisi would assume leadership of a country reeling from three years of political turmoil. Since Morsi’s removal from power, Egypt has suffered the worst internal strife in its modern history. (Jerusalem Post, Mar. 26, 2014)

 

Contents

 

 

 

POLLARD BALKS AT BEING A BARGAINING CHIP IN PEACE PROCESS (Jerusalem) — An Israeli Cabinet minister says Jonathan Pollard opposes being freed from a U.S. jail in exchange for Palestinians prisoners. Uri Ariel says people close to Pollard have told him that he opposes such a “shameful deal.” Talk of the possibility of Pollard’s early release has arisen as an incentive in the troubled Mideast peace negotiations. The idea is that if he is freed, Israel would make concessions and release more Palestinian prisoners. Kerry is trying to craft a formula for extending nine months of peace talks that are due to expire at the end of April. (National Post, Apr. 1, 2014)

 

ABBAS TAKES DEFIANT STEP, AND MIDEAST TALKS FALTER (Jerusalem) — The Middle East peace talks verged on a breakdown Tuesday night, after PA President Mahmoud Abbas defied the U.S. and Israel by taking concrete steps to join 15 international agencies — a move to gain the benefits of statehood outside the negotiations process. Abbas’s actions prompted U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to cancel a planned return to the region on Wednesday, in which he had expected to complete an agreement extending negotiations through 2015. Abbas, who had vowed not to seek membership in international bodies until the April 29 expiration of the talks that Mr. Kerry started last summer, said he was taking this course because Israel had failed to release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners by the end of March. (New York Times, Apr. 1, 2014)

 

POLL SHOWS: MAJORITY OF ISRAELIS OPPOSE TERRITORIAL CONCESSIONS (Jerusalem) — A poll conducted for the Knesset TV channel reveals that the majority of Israelis oppose territorial concessions as part of a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority. 61% of the Israeli public believes that Israel should not relinquish land in Judea and Samaria in exchange for a peace agreement; 39% believe this is the right move to make. The Knesset passed the Referendum Law two weeks ago, requiring a referendum in a scenario in which the government decides to make territorial concessions as part of a peace agreement. (Jewish Press, Mar. 30, 2014)

 

FORMER PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT CONVICTED OF BRIBERY (Tel Aviv) — Former Israeli PM Olmert was convicted Monday of accepting bribes in the Holyland corruption case. Tel Aviv District Court Judge David Rozen convicted Olmert of accepting bribes when he served as mayor of Jerusalem in exchange for helping the developers of the Holyland Park residential project in the city. Uri Lupolianski, who served as mayor of Jerusalem after Olmert’s tenure was over, was also convicted of accepting bribes, as was Uri Sheetrit, the capital’s former chief engineer. In 2012, Olmert was acquitted of major charges in separate cases involving his links to a U.S. businessman while he was Jerusalem mayor and an Israeli cabinet minister. (Ha’aretz, Mar. 31, 2014) 

 

S&P: ISRAEL NOW A ‘HIGH-INCOME’ COUNTRY (New York) — According to ratings company Standard and Poor’s, Israel’s economy is doing well enough that the country can now be considered “high-income,” with a per capita annual income of over $38,000. Even better news for Israelis: S&P expects that figure to grow to almost $42,000 by 2017. Just five years ago, per capita income was about $28,000. This is due, S&P said, to Israel’s “prosperous and diverse economy,” with a good mix of manufacturing and high-tech, and also to the benefits the economy will realize as the country’s natural gas production comes online. (Times of Israel, Mar 28, 2014)

 

JEWISH AGENCY TOUTS FRENCH ALIYAH INCREASE (Paris) — Aliyah from France in has rapidly grown over the past year with 854 new immigrants arriving in the first two months of 2014, the Jewish Agency for Israel announced on Sunday. According to JAFI, these immigrants represent a threefold increase over the same period last year and are part of an “upward trend in French Aliyah.” Immigration from France has been attributed to several factors, including increased anti-semitism, a stagnant European economy and concomitant high youth unemployment rates. (Jerusalem Post, Mar. 30, 2014)

 

BRITISH LAWYERS GET GUIDANCE ON SHARIA WILLS (London) — Islamic law is to be effectively enshrined in the British legal system for the first time under guidelines for lawyers on drawing up “Sharia compliant” wills. Under ground-breaking guidance, produced by The Law Society, lawyers will be able to write Islamic wills that deny women an equal share of inheritances and exclude unbelievers altogether. The documents, which would be recognized by Britain’s courts, will also prevent children born out of wedlock — and even those who have been adopted — from being counted as legitimate heirs. Anyone married in a church, or in a civil ceremony, could be excluded from succession under Sharia principles, which recognize only Muslim weddings for inheritance purposes. The guidance goes on to suggest that Sharia principles could potentially overrule British practices in some disputes. (Telegraph, Mar. 26, 2014)

 

BRITAIN ORDERS INQUIRY INTO MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD (London) — Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered an inquiry into the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood to determine whether it is using London as a base for planning extremist attacks following the military crackdown in Egypt. “Given the concerns now being expressed about the group and its alleged links to violent extremism, it’s absolutely right and prudent that we get a better handle of what the Brotherhood stands for, how they intend to achieve their aims and what that means for Britain,” a spokeswoman for Mr. Cameron said. Last month, when Saudi Arabia branded the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, the group’s response came in a statement from its London office, which said it was surprised and distressed by the Saudi decree. (New York Times, Apr. 1, 2014)

 

EGYPT ANNOUNCES NEW TRIAL FOR 919 ISLAMISTS (Cairo) — Egypt is continuing its crackdown on Islamists and on Wednesday its chief prosecutor ordered two trials for a total of 919 people. The charges against the defendants include murder and indicate a push with a series of mass tribunals of supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. The policy of mass trials sparked uproar among rights groups after a judge this week issued death sentences against more than 520 defendants on charges of killing a policeman during an attack on a police station last summer. (Arutz Sheva, Mar. 27, 2014)

 

STUDY FINDS EXECUTIONS ROSE IN 2013 (London) —Publicly disclosed executions jumped nearly 15 percent in 2013 compared with a year earlier, largely because of “virtual killing sprees” carried out by the authorities in Iran and Iraq, Amnesty International said in its annual report on death-penalty trends. The report said the number of publicly disclosed executions last year totaled 778, compared with 682 in 2012. Amnesty International considers China to be the world’s top executioner, killing more defendants than all other countries combined. The other top state executioners in 2013 were Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Iran carried out 369 officially acknowledged executions, but that the real figure might well have exceeded 700. “Credible sources pointed to many hundreds more taking place in secret,” the report said. (New York Times, Mar. 26, 2014)

 

U.N. EXTENDS TERM OF HUMAN RIGHTS MONITOR, ANGERING IRAN (Geneva) — The Iran government’s effort to portray a kinder and gentler image was frustrated on Friday by the UN Human Rights Council, which voted to extend the term of a monitor scorned by Tehran. The Council, concluding its annual meeting in Geneva, renewed the mandate Ahmed Shaheed, for another year. In his latest report, Shaheed commended the government of President Rouhani for releasing 80 political prisoners last September, but also noted what he called Iran’s “lack of adherence to the rule of law.” The report said Iranians continued to be arbitrarily detained “for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights to expression, association, assembly, belief and religion.” (New York Times, Mar. 28, 2014)

 

TALIBAN BLAMED FOR FRESH VIOLENCE AHEAD OF ELECTIONS (Kabul) —A provincial council candidate and nine of his supporters were killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan two days after they were kidnapped. The 10 were kidnapped Sunday and shot dead Tuesday night. The Taliban have not commented on the incident, which comes ahead of presidential and provincial elections to be held Saturday. In a separate incident Wednesday, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance gate to the Interior Ministry in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, killing six Afghan police officers. The violence is the latest to rock Afghanistan in the run-up to the April 5 vote. The Taliban have vowed to disrupt the elections and punish anyone involved in them. (CNN, Apr. 2, 2014)

 

SYRIA DEATH TOLL TOPS 150,000, SAYS WATCHDOG (Damascus) — The death toll in the three-year-old Syrian civil war has topped 150,000, a monitoring group said on Tuesday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 150,344 people, 51,212 of them civilians, including nearly 7,985 children. The Syrian civil war began with peaceful anti-government demonstrations and deteriorated into a full blown civil war as President Bashar Al-Assad cracked down on the protesters. Since that time, a second civil war has begun, and now, in addition to fighting the Syrian army, the more moderate rebel groups and the Islamist extremist groups are also fighting each other. (Arutz Sheva, Apr. 2, 2014)

 

AMERICANS DISAPPROVE OF OBAMA’S FOREIGN POLICY (Washington) —According to the most recent CBS News poll, only 36 percent of Americans approve of the job Obama is doing on foreign policy, while 49 percent disapprove. This was consistent with other polls over the past year. A November poll by the Pew Research Center showed 34 percent approval on foreign policy vs. 56 percent disapproval. The CBS poll showed a higher percentage of Americans approving of Obama’s economic policies (39 percent) and a higher percentage approving his handling of health care (41 percent). Foreign policy is the most unpopular thing Obama is doing right now. (Washington Post, Mar. 26, 2014)

On Topic Links

 

Pollard and the Last-Ditch Effort to Save the Peace Talks: P. David Hornik, Frontpage, Apr. 2, 2014—Secretary of State John Kerry hopped over to Israel from Brussels on Monday and left Tuesday morning. The mission: rescue what is known as the peace process, which has been tottering at the brink of collapse. 

Rumor Mill Turns Pollard into a Bargaining Chip: Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu, Jewish Press, Mar. 31, 2014 —The media’s favorite “anonymous but official” sources are spreading the word that the Obama administration may be willing to release Jonathan Pollard if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu frees a few hundred terrorists, possibly including those with Israeli citizenship.

John Kerry’s Departure From Reality: Jackson Diehl, Washington Post, Mar. 30, 2014—During a tour of the Middle East in November, Secretary of State John F. Kerry portrayed the region as on its way to a stunning series of breakthroughs, thanks to U.S. diplomacy.

The Disastrous Outcome of the ‘Peace Negotiations’: Isi Leibler, Jerusalem Post, Apr. 1, 2014 — As anticipated, the Obama administration’s efforts to impose a peace settlement have proved to be a disastrous failure.

Something is Not Quite Kosher With the PQ Election Strategy: Chaim Steinmetz, Montreal Gazette, Mar. 28, 2014—In the current election campaign, ugly bigotry is passing for politics as usual.

 

 

Rob Coles, Publications Editor, Canadian Institute for Jewish Research/L’institut Canadien de recherches sur le Judaïsme,   www.isranet.org Tel: (514) 486-5544 – Fax:(514) 486-8284. mailto:ber@isranet.wpsitie.com