From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Proposed congressional bill links BDS prevention, EU trade deal
(JTA) — A proposed congressional bill links a U.S. trade agreement with the European Union to combating the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.
The U.S.-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement Act introduced Tuesday will “leverage ongoing trade negotiations to discourage prospective U.S. trade partners from engaging in economic discrimination against Israel,” the Times of Israel reported.
The bill, which was introduced by U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), makes rejecting the BDS movement a prerequisite for moving ahead with a U.S.-EU trade plan that proponents say could be the largest free trade deal in history.
While the measure does not establish any penalties for failing to reject BDS policies, it would prohibit American courts from enforcing rulings made by foreign courts against American companies solely for conducting business in Israel. It would also monitor the BDS-related activity of foreign companies traded on U.S. stock exchanges.
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From PressTV
UN official calls for lifting Israel’s Gaza Strip siege
The UN coordinator for humanitarian affairs in the Palestinian territories has called for the lifting of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.
“The siege on the Gaza Strip has taken a significant toll on the strip’s ability to provide medical and humanitarian services,” James Rowley said during a press conference at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday.
The UN official also called for the reconstruction of areas damaged during Israel’s summer war on the Palestinian coastal enclave.
“The Israeli siege on Gaza must be lifted to allow the delivery of proper medical care and end patients’ suffering,” Rowley added.
He also asked countries which had pledged financial aid for the reconstruction efforts in the coastal sliver to fulfill their promises.
Rowley went on to urge the Egyptian government to open the Rafah border crossing “to allow the transfer of patients and medical supplies” into the besieged enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007. The blockade, which has cut off the territory from the outside world, has led to an economic and humanitarian crisis in the densely-populated enclave.
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From the Telegraph (UK)
Church bans 9/11 Israel conspiracy priest from using social media
The Rev Stephen Sizer banned by Church from using social media or any campaigning on Middle East after sharing ‘clearly anti-Semitic’ material
A vicar who promoted conspiracy theories that Israel was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks on the internet has been banned from speaking, writing, tweeting or blogging on the Middle East by the Church of England.
The Rev Dr Stephen Sizer has also agreed a complete prohibition on using any social media for at least six months. It is believed to be the first ban of its kind issued by the church.
From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Jon Stewart to leave ‘The Daily Show’
(JTA) — Jon Stewart will be stepping down from his post behind the desk of “The Daily Show” later this year, ending a 16-year run.
Stewart, 52, announced his plans to leave during Tuesday’s taping of the show, a move that was confirmedby a statement from Comedy Central.
Although Stewart did not found “The Daily Show,” his reign as its anchor transformed the show into political and cultural touchstone that satirized news and newsmakers with a combination of absurd humor, caustic wit, and sharp reporting. In the process, Stewart himself was transformed from a popular stand-up comedian with a pair of failed talk shows into one of the most trusted, and most polarizing, commentators in the country.
Stewart, born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, regularly invoked his Jewishness for laughs, often self-deprecatingly, but with obvious pride, although he regularly made clear that he does not practice religiously. He also periodically drew fire for his criticisms of Israel — criticism that he, in turn,lampooned on the show.
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From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Rallies worldwide to mark month since Nisman’s death
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA) — Argentines around the world will mark the one-month anniversary of the unexplained death of AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
The judicial employees union and prosecutors in Argentina called for silent marches throughout the country on Feb. 18 to mark one month since Nisman was found shot dead in the bathroom of his Buenos Aires apartment.
Marches also will be held by Argentines living in such places as Miami, Barcelona and the United Kingdom.
“We want this silence to represent the peace we need and the peace that investigators need to solve the case,” prosecutor Guillermo Marijuan told reporters Tuesday at the entrance to a Buenos Aires federal courthouse. “It is also recognition of his work and the sorrow that overwhelms us. If there are going to be flags, they should only be Argentine flags.”
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From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Pew survey: Europe’s Jewish population has plummeted in recent decades
(JTA) — Europe has lost more than half its Jewish population since 1960, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.
Approximately 1.4 million Jews live in Europe, down from the 2 million in 1991, according to the Pew survey, which came out Monday. In 1960, some 3.2 million Jews lived in Europe.
European Jews now account for about 10 percent of the world Jewish population, while in 1939, the 9.5 million Jews on the continent accounted for 57 percent of the world Jewish population.
The number of Jews has decreased most in Eastern Europe and areas of the former Soviet Union, according to the survey report.
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From PressTV
Palestine opens first W Europe embassy in Sweden
Palestine has opened its first embassy in Western Europe in the Swedish capital city of Stockholm amid Israel’s anger.
According to official Swedish sources, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom attended the inauguration ceremony of the Palestinian embassy in Stockholm on Tuesday night.
Israel’s reaction
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From Russia Today
Obama calls Putin before Minsk talks to discuss E. Ukraine peace deal
“President Obama underscored the rising human toll of the fighting and underscored the importance of President Putin seizing the opportunity presented by the ongoing discussions between Russia, France, Germany, and Ukraine to reach a peaceful resolution,” the White House said.
According to the Kremlin, the discussion was focused on the “objectives of achieving a peaceful settlement of the acute crisis in Ukraine.”
“Vladimir Putin provided a detailed assessment of the situation in the southeast of Ukraine, with an emphasis on Russia’s recent proposals discussed, in particular, in the context of preparation for the [Minsk summit],” the statement reads.
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From Ynet News
Most senior US senator to skip Netanyahu speech
Vermont legislator Patrick Leahy called Speaker Boehner’s invitation to Israeli PM a ‘tawdry and high-handed stunt’; Netanyahu says he will not back out. The US Senate’s most senior lawmaker said Tuesday he will skip Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress next month on Iran, calling the invitation by Republicans without White House consultation a “tawdry and high-handed stunt.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy , a 42-year veteran from Vermont, joined a half dozen Democrats who have decided to boycott Netanyahu’s speech, which comes in middle of delicate negotiations involving the United States, Western powers and Iran over its nuclear program. Republican House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress on March 3.
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From The Times of Israel
Wiki founder wins $1m Israeli prize
Jimmy Wales, 5 other laureates, honored for achievements in science, technology, cultural accomplishments
JERUSALEM — Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is among the winners of this year’s Dan David Prize for scientific, technological and cultural accomplishments.
The Dan David Foundation awards six $1 million prizes annually in three categories: past, present and future.
The prize is named after the late philanthropist Dan David and administered by Tel Aviv University. On Tuesday it announced the winners for 2015.
Wales is being honored for launching the world’s largest online encyclopedia.
The others honored this year are historians Peter R. Brown and Alessandro Portelli and scientists Cyrus Chothia, David Haussler and Michael Waterman. An award ceremony is planned for May.
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From The Times of Israel
Hezbollah at head of battle for Syrian Golan, monitor says
Lebanese terror group reportedly leading effort against rebels along Israel border, weeks after deadly cross-border exchange
Lebanese Shiite terror group Hezbollah has taken the lead role on a key frontline in southern Syria near the border with the Israeli Golan Heights, a monitoring group said Tuesday.
A Syrian military source confirmed Hezbollah was engaged in fighting in Quneitra and Daraa provinces as part of efforts to stop rebels advancing in the area.
Hezbollah and President Bashar Assad’s troops launched a new operation on Sunday to reclaim swaths of territory captured recently by rebels and jihadists, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
“Hezbollah has taken the initiative to lead army and Iranian forces in the triangle of territory linking Daraa, Quneitra and the southwest of Damascus provinces,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the British-based monitoring group.
“The frontline is on the border with the occupied Golan Heights,” he added. “They have since taken back a string of villages and hills.”
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From The Times of Israel
J Street launches campaign against Netanyahu
Online petition says PM ‘cannot claim any mandate to speak for Jews in the US’ when he addresses Congress on Iran
The American J Street lobbying group on Monday launched a petition denouncing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that his controversial upcoming speech before Congress will be on behalf of all Jews.
Netanyahu told a gathering of Francophone Likud party supporters on Sunday that he “came to Paris not only as the prime minister of Israel, but as a representative of the entire Jewish people.
“Just as I arrived there in Paris, thus I shall arrive to any place where I’m invited,” Netanyahu said.
J Street, a liberal pro-Israel organization, launched the petition on its website on Monday. “I’m a Jew. Bibi [Netanyahu] does NOT speak for me!” the petition read, adding that the Israeli prime minister “is not the spokesman for all Jews.”
From The Times of Israel
Birthright given $40m. by Adelson, $5m. by Azrieli
New donation includes a $20 million challenge grant
NEW YORK (JTA) — Sheldon Adelson is donating another $40 million to Birthright Israel and the Azrieli Foundation will give $5 million.
The gifts for the free 10-day educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults were announced recently.
The latest donation to the Birthright Israel Foundation from Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson’s Adelson Family Foundation adds to the $140 million it has already given Birthright. The Adelsons are the largest individual donors to Birthright. The new donation includes a $20 million challenge grant.
The Azrieli Foundation announced a five-year, $5 million gift to Birthright Israel Foundation of Canada to be used to support and expand offerings of Birthright trips for eligible Canadians, as well as sponsor trips for individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Like the Adelson gift, the Azrieli one includes a matching gift, or challenge grant, component.
Since 2000, approximately 350,000 Jews aged 18 to 26 from over 62 countries have gone on Birthright trips. In addition, 65,000 Israelis have participated in Birthright’s Mifgash program, which brings together Israelis and Diaspora Jews.
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From The Times of Israel
ZOA blasts disunity among Jewish-American groups over PM’s speech
Right-wing organization urges colleagues ‘not to act like the Jewish leaders of the 1930s’
The right-wing Zionist Organization of America suggested Monday that some American-Jewish groups’ behavior surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned address to Congress is similar to that of the “Jewish leaders of the 1930s,” in reference to the lack of unity and organization in the American-Jewish community in the years leading up to and during the Holocaust.
ZOA President Morton Klein issued a statement criticizing the Anti-Defamation League, president of the Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Rick Jacobs and J Street for their call to have Netanyahu cancel the speech and the American Jewish Committee and AIPAC for “their deafening silence on the issue.”
The PM’s planned address has caused an uproar over the past few weeks. In it, Netanyahu is set to warn against a deal with Iran that would enable it to become a nuclear threshold state. The timing, arrangements and likely content of the speech have infuriated the Obama administration and some congressional Democrats. The president is strongly pushing for a nuclear deal with Iran through the P5+1 world powers.
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From the Jewish Daily Forward
Adam Silver’s Shande Against All Knicks Fans
By Dave Goldiner
What ever happened to sticking up for a fellow member of the Tribe?
National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver committed a major shande by backing boorish New York Knicks owner James Dolan as ‘the consummate New Yorker’ after the team boss lambasted a Jewish lifelong fan as a “sad mess” and an “alcoholic” for daring to criticize his stewardship of the sad-sack hoops franchise.
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