Tag Archive for Israel US

| January 17, 2014
No comments

Int’l Real Estate Report: Israel is 3rd-largest foreign investor in U.S. properties

Israelis accounted for 6% of American commercial property sales to foreigners in past 3 consecutive years.

By Reuters

 

Israeli investors are increasingly looking to invest in U.S. properties as they seek to diversify their portfolios and as local real estate has grown pricey.

The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel in 2008.

The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel in 2008. – Photo: Bloomberg

A report by real estate services firm Colliers International with data through mid-2013 ranked Israel as the third-largest foreign investor in U.S. commercial real estate over the past three years with a 6% share, tied with Switzerland and behind Canada and Germany.

In the U.S. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| January 15, 2014
No comments

Israel’s Defense Ministry issues letter of apology to U.S. Sec.of State John Kerry

 

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon ‘apologizes if Secretary Kerry was offended by words attributed to the defense minister,’ letter of apology says.

Israeli official reports Prime Minister Netanyahu contacted top U.S. official in attempt to smooth over controversy accredit to the defense minister’s comments

By Reuter

 

The office of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon issued a statment on Tuesday, saying:

Israel and the United states share a common goal to advance the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians led by Secretary Kerry.

We appreciate Secretary Kerry’s many efforts towards that end. The defense minister had no intention to cause any offense to the secretary, and he apologizes if the secretary was offended by words attributed to the minister.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| January 14, 2014
No comments

U.S. VP Biden: Palestine & Israel could be an ‘island of stability’ in Mideast

 

Secretary of State Kerry is expected back in the region in the coming weeks to present his ‘framework’ for a future peace agreement.

By

 

 

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Monday tried to give a boost to the flagging Mideast peace process, saying he believes Israel and a future Palestine could become an “island of stability” in a turbulent region and expressing hope that leaders would make the “difficult decisions” needed for compromise.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Vice President Joe Biden – Photo: Matty Stern/US Embassy Tel Aviv

Biden made his comments at a sensitive time. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| January 9, 2014
No comments

Taglit-Birthright: The most successful Jewish program in the world

 

In Birthright’s 13 years, the program brought more than 350,000 participants to Israel from 64 different countries & infused $825 million into Israel’s economy.

By

 

Since it was launched in 2000, the Taglit-Birthright program has injected more than $825 million into the Israeli economy, according to the findings of an independent study conducted by the global accounting firm Ernst & Young, which were published on Wednesday.

A Birthright Mega Event in Jerusalem, May 9, 2012.

A Birthright Mega Event in Jerusalem, May 9, 2012. – Photo: Emil Salman

The State of Israel contributes $35 million a year to the program’s $110 million budget. The rest of the funding comes from private philanthropists, most prominently casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the Jewish federations of North America, Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: , , , ,
| January 8, 2014
No comments

UK Reporter: Snowden still has Israel-U.S. secrets to expose

 

British journalist, Glenn Greenwald, who 1st broke the story of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden’s leaks, said there are more stories to tell about the United States, Israel & the Mid-East.

By Reuters and Israel Hayom Staff

Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has more secrets to reveal about Israel, the journalist who first brought his leaks to the world’s attention said on Monday.

Whistle-blower Edward Snowden on television screens in a Moscow store – Photo: Reuters

Among allegations aired by Snowden last year were that the NSA and its British counterpart GCHQ in 2009 targeted an email address listed as belonging to then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and monitored the emails of senior Israeli defense officials.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| January 2, 2014
One comment

1st Time: Israel is naming a military facility after a non-Israeli

For the 1st time, Israel is naming an IDF military base, the Arrow site, after a foreigner, the former U.S. Senator and Medal of Honor recipient, Daniel Inouye.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
 

 

Israel plans to name an Arrow defense missile facility after deceased former US senator Daniel Inouye for his contribution to Israel, marking the first time Israel has named a military facility after a non-Israeli.

Arrow missile defense system. - Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Arrow missile defense system. – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

“I knew Inouye for 30 years, and he was Israel’s greatest supporter in Congress,” Robert Asher, a former president of AIPAC, told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| January 2, 2014
No comments

1st Time: US extradited to Israel man who refused to give ‘Get’

 

In legal precedent for both countries, Israel’s Justice Ministry uses suspected criminal offenses to ask American authorities to extradite man who fled Israel without granting his wife a Jewish divorce.

By Kobi Nachshoni

 

 

A man who fled to the United States without granting his wife a divorce has been extradited to Israel by the American authorities.

Woman 'chained' to her marriage - Photo: Shutterstock

Woman ‘chained’ to her marriage – Photo: Shutterstock

This is the first time an Israeli citizen is extradited over denial of a “get” (a religious divorce under Jewish Law), which is not considered a criminal offense – using other offenses he is suspected of. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: , , ,
| December 22, 2013
No comments

US rented flat across from Ehud Barak was loaded with electronic equipment

 

New details revealed regarding US surveillance of Israeli targets, including reports that Washington rented apartment across from then Defense Minister Barak.

US denies flat was used for spying despite the fact that Israeli intelligence detected sizable amounts of electronic equipment delivered to the US-rented apartment.

By Ronen Bergman

Israeli sources also stressed that in light of the spionage reports, the United States’ detention of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard is illegitimate. “If the Snowden affair manages to shock anyone in the wall of American hypocrisy that is holding Pollard there – then maybe this report will have done some good,” a source said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 22, 2013
No comments

Clinton: Israel’s Criticism is Good for American Diplomacy

Israeli criticism of P5+1 deal with Iran helps American diplomacy, says former Secretary of State.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Israeli leaders’ criticism of Western powers recent agreement with Iran has been good for America, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, according to Maariv/nrg.

Clinton reportedly said in a closed meeting in Washington that Israel’s open concern that the plan would be ineffective has kept the pressure on Iran and its allies.

Israel’s status as a perceived ally of the United States means that its warnings of a possible military strike are taken seriously in Iran, she explained. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 22, 2013
No comments

US, UK used American satellites to eavesdropped & read emails of Israeli officials

 

 

Secret documents revealed by intelligence contractor Edward Snowden: The US & UK conducted a large scale operation in which they used satellite connections to intercept SMS and email communications between Israeli officials.

By Ynet

Intelligence and government officials in Israel have been looking since Friday into a report according to which the National Security Agency and Britain’s General Communications Headquarters (GHCQ) intercepted the email traffic of former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and then Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and later spied on the communications of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a report from the German news website Der Spiegel, and similar reports from The New York Times and The Guardian, both agencies also targeted various Israel Foreign Ministry offices across the world. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| December 22, 2013
No comments

Gen. John Allen: Won’t let attacks on Israel happen under his watch

 

Renowned former commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen, was chosen by Obama to formulate security arrangement for future peace deal.

Former IDF General Gadi Shamni, ‘Allen is having sleepless nights, he won’t let attacks happen under his watch.’ 

By Yitzhak Benhorin

At the age of 59, US General Gadi Shamni was ready to take on one of the most important security roles the US has to offer. Shortly before his ascension to the role, Allen decided to serve his commander-in-chief in a different manner: He is the man meant to cause Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make history. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 21, 2013
No comments

Switzerland, Canada & Israel are the U.S.’s Top 3 Innovation Partners

 

Of the 16 countries that had strong innovative tech companies, the USISTF found that Switzerland is America’s biggest innovation partner, followed by Canada & then Israel.

By Alex Knapp, Forbes Staff

 

Despite the perennial myth of the lone genius, the fact remains that innovation depends on cooperation. And as technology becomes ever more complicated, improving that research requires larger and larger groups working together – including groups working across national borders.

USISTF report – Illustration source: Forbes

In an attempt to quantify that transnational cooperation, the US-Israel Science & Technology Foundation (USISTF) has created a “U.S.-Israel Innovation Index” to measure bilateral research and development between the U.S. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 20, 2013
No comments

US Senate committee passes bipartisan US-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill

 

The new Cooperation Enhancement Bill designed to foster partnership on developing natural gas, alternative fuels on academic, business & governmental levels.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, The US is “uniquely qualified to lead the effort to help Israel develop” its new-found hydrocarbon resources.

By SHARON UDASIN

 

 

The United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday passed a bipartisan bill that aims to bolster collaborations between Israel and the US on energy issues.

A natural gas rig west of Haifa, Israel. - Photo: Albatross Aerial Perspective/AP

The Tamar gas rig off the coast of Israel – Photo: Albatross Aerial Perspective/AP

Led by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), alongside Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill hopes to foster partnerships on developing resources such as natural gas and alternative fuels, on academic, business and governmental levels. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 20, 2013
No comments

Erekat: PA Ready for 12-Month Interim Deal – If Israel Meets Our 5 Demands First

PLO official claims PA ready for interim deal. The catch: meeting the PA’s demands on a number of key issues: designating borders, land swaps, security arrangements, Jerusalem, & “refugees”.

By Dalit Halevy, Tova Dvorin

 

Saeb Erekat, chief of the Palestinian Authority’s negotiating team, declared to journalists in Bethlehem Friday that the PA is ready to accept a 12-month interim deal with Israel – as long as demands regarding borders, land swaps, security arrangements, Jerusalem, and “refugees” are met.

“The deal is much more than a declaration of principles,” Erekat stated, “but it would need to turn into a [permanent] peace agreement after a short period of 6-12 months.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| December 17, 2013
No comments

Many American scholars regret ‘misguided’ ASA boycott of Israeli academia

ASA scholars stand behind the symbolic decision to boycott, but many of their colleagues worry that Israel-bashing has become too trendy in U.S. academia.

By

 

 

As the American Studies Association endorsed a boycott of Israeli universities and academic institutions Monday, colleagues at the Association for Jewish Studies gathered in Boston for their annual conference where several called the boycott “misguided” and even “offensive”.

Boycott Israel illustration.

Boycott Israel illustration. – Photo: Dreamstime

The ASA boycott, which is effectively more a symbolic than practical blow to Israel, was waged in protest of what the organization termed Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians and its occupation of Palestinian lands. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: , ,
« Older Entries   Recent Entries »