Tag Archive for US

Billy Joel shies from ambiguity by donning giant yellow star at Madison Square Garden concert

No equivocation here: Billy Joel openly protesting the growing visibility of neo-Nazi and antisemitic hate speech in the United States by publicly and proudly identifying himself as Jewish.

By AMY SPIRO

 

He’s not known for making big statements with his wardrobe. But during his concert in Madison Square Garden last night, Billy Joel came on stage for an encore wearing a very noticeable yellow Star of David on his suit lapel.

Joel was reportedly protesting the growing visibility of neo-Nazi and antisemitic hate speech in the United States – and the equivocation on the topic by US President Donald Trump. Continue Reading »

Israel Not Interested in UN ‘War Crimes’ Facade

The EU & US join Jerusalem in calling the UN’s commission a biased spectacle that cannot possibly produce true justice

By Ryan Jones

 

Israel, the United States and the European Union have all dismissed a UN commission of inquiry into possible war crimes committed during the Gaza war as little more than a sideshow with a foregone conclusion.

Canadian Prof. William Schabas

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday named a three-man panel to investigate allegations of Israeli war crimes during the Jewish state’s month-long battle against Gaza’s terrorist infrastructure.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the committee amounted to a “kangaroo court” whose findings were “predetermined.”

Continue Reading »

Egypt & United States, past cease-fires brokers, unable to help this time

Those countries that helped Israel & Hamas end previous conflicts may not be able, or eager to do so now.

 

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Escalations between Hamas and Israel are nothing new. What’s missing this time, analysts say, is the alignment of outside interests that has resolved such fights in the past.

Egypt’s government lacks the influence over Hamas of its predecessors and the United States is in hand-washing mode on the Middle East, said Ami Ayalon, a former chief of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.

“In the past, Egyptians could play a major role and America had an interest” in pressing for cease-fires, Ayalon told JTA.

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Despite serious budget cuts US senators see defense aid to Israel good for US

Senate Armed Services C’tee members say Washington’s grants to Israel unlikely to decrease, after current 10-year package expires in 2017.

By REUTERS

 

JERUSALEM – The United States will continue providing Israel with defense aid after a current package worth some $3 billion a year expires in 2017, and the grants are unlikely to wane despite Washington belt-tightening, two US senators said on Thursday.

wing of a Boeing 777, Rafale fighter jet

Rafale fighter jet – Photo: REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Kelly Ayotte and Joe Donnelly, who are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, visited Israel to confer on security issues like missile defense, on which the allies have partnered. Continue Reading »

US & UK urge UN to probe Israeli seizure of Iranian arms ship

 

Officials at the UN reported that if Klos C arms ship did actually originate in Iran, that would have violated standing UN Security Council sanctions.

By The Associated Press

 

UNITED NATIONS – The United States and Britain on Thursday called for a UN investigation of Israel’s claim that it intercepted an Iranian shipment of rockets headed for the Gaza Strip.

Dozens of powerful Syrian-made M-302 rockets with range of160KM  - Photo courtesy IDF Spokeperson's Unit

IDF seized Dozens of powerful Syrian-made M-302 rockets with range of 160KM – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

UN officials have said that if Israel’s claims are true, Iran would be in violation of Security Council sanctions.

US deputy ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo urged the Security Council committee that monitors sanctions against Iran to investigate the incident. Continue Reading »

Kerry: Syrian assault won’t be like Afghanistan, Iraq, or Libya

 

US Sec. of St. Kerry promises the American people that the U.S. military action in Syria will be “limited & tailored”.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF, MICHAEL WILNER
 

 

US Secretary of State John Kerry assured the war-weary American people on Friday that any decision the US would make on a military action in Syria would be a “limited and tailored response” and would not in any way resemble the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, nor its intervention to help topple former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

US Secretary of State John Kerry talking about possible US strike in Syria, August 30, 2013.

US Secretary of State John Kerry talking about possible US strike in Syria, August 30, 2013.

Continue Reading »

With UK Retreat, France Supports U.S. Military Intervention in Syria

U.S. initiative to intervene militarily in Syria was received with French backing following the British parliament’s rejection of UK forces participation in the U.S.-led offensive.

By Ari Soffer

 

French President Francois Hollande gave a boost Friday to US hopes of forging an international coalition for possible strikes against Syria after British lawmakers rejected any involvement in military action.

UN Chemical weapons experts inspecting site of attack in Syria – Reuters

The White House had signalled Thursday that President Barack Obama, guided by the “best interests” of the United States, was ready to go it alone on Syria after deadly chemical weapons attacks last week.  Continue Reading »

UN Chief Urges US & UK: Postpone Attack

UN Secretary-General Ban tells US & UK to delay strike on Syrian targets & give inspectors more time to investigate.

Syria takes advantage of ‘advanced warning’ to evacuate top military posts & prepare for attack.

By Maayana Miskin

 

 

The United States and Britain have come under pressure to delay military intervention in Syria, with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon urging both countries to hold fire.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon – AFP file

Speaking at a press conference at The Hague, Ban called to give UN inspectors more time to examine the scene of the chemical weapons attack near Damascus last week. Continue Reading »

Egypt’s Tamarod party calls on gov’t to cancel Israel peace treaty & stop US aid

 

The Tamarod movement played a major role in the ousting of President Morsi, is now demanding a referendum on banning US aid, canceling the peace agreement with Israel, & rewording security-related treaties to allow Egypt to “revive its national sovereignty”.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS

 

 

 

The Tamarod (“Rebellion”) movement in Egypt has joined a campaign calling to stop US aid to Egypt, and to cancel the 1979 Camp David peace treaty with Israel, Daily News Egypt reported on Saturday.

Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat at Camp David in 1978.

Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat at Camp David in 1978. – Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The campaign is in response to “unacceptable” US interference in Egyptian political affairs, after US President Barack Obama decided to cancel a joint drill with the Egyptian military in response to the outbreak of violence in the country earlier this week. Continue Reading »

Congressman Kennedy: Israel’s right to exist isn’t too much to ask

 

Joseph Kennedy (D-MA), grandson of assassinated RFK says Jerusalem should trust President Obama on Iran.

 

 

 

The sight of a fluttering Syrian flag just across Israel’s border on the Golan Heights on Sunday underscored for visiting United States Congressman Joseph Kennedy (D-MA) how important security is for a small country like Israel with hostile neighbors.
Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA) talks to 'The Jerusalem Post' at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA) talks to ‘The Jerusalem Post’ at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. – Photo: STEVE LINDE

During his five-day visit as part of a 36-member congressional delegation led by US Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), he also visited the Gaza border in the South, as well as the Lebanese border in the North, near the Golan Heights.

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Victory for Syrian rebels may bring broader regional war

 

Rebel forces being trained and armed by Washington are mostly radical Islamists, with many of them loyal to Al Qaeda.

By Israel Today Staff

 

A cousin and outspoken critic of embattled Syrian dictator Bashar Assad warned that if the rebel forces that America is now arming succeed in taking over the country, it will lead to a regional war including Israel and Turkey.

Warning: Victory for Syrian rebels means regional war

Syrian rebels – Photo from Israel Today

 

Speaking to Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz from New York, Ribal Assad noted that the rebels making up the Free Syrian Army are primarily Islamic extremists “who are worse than Nazis.” Continue Reading »

More Jewish groups joining in to give aid to Oklahoma tornado victims

Jewish groups around the nation have started fundraising and volunteer work for Oklahoma tornado victims

 

 

NEW YORK — Jewish groups are joining the effort to help those displaced by the tornado in suburban Oklahoma City.

JFNARabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, announced Tuesday that his organization will collect donations and distribute them to the American Red Cross and others on the ground in Oklahoma.

“We are numb with grief, and yet inspired by the heroic resilience of the people of Oklahoma,” Jacobs said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by this horrific tragedy.

Continue Reading »

Jewish center taking in displaced Oklahomans

The Chabad center has begun passing out supplies and giving shelter to those left homeless after the deadly tornado devastated parts of the State.

By JTA

 

A Chabad center in Oklahoma City opened its building as a shelter for those displaced by a deadly tornado.

 

A man walking over the ruins of his destroyed house following the deadly tornado in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Photo Brett Deering Getty

A man walking over the ruins of his destroyed house following the deadly tornado in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Photo: Brett Deering/Getty

 

The Chabad Community Center of Southern Oklahoma also is collecting supplies for those left homeless by the tornado that tore through an Oklahoma City suburb on Monday afternoon, leaving at least 24 people dead, including several children, and injuring hundreds. Continue Reading »

US & PA condemn Israeli plans for building 296 homes in Beit El

Palestinian Authority says continued building of Jewish homes could sabotage US efforts to revive peace process.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF & KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

The Palestinian Authority and the US on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to advance plans to build 296 homes in the West Bank Beit El settlement, warning that it could sabotage American efforts to revive the frozen peace talks.

Ulpana outpost near Beit El

Ulpana outpost near Beit El – Photo: REUTERS/Nir Elias

“We see this decision as a message to the US Administration and a blow to the peace process,” said PA presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rdaineh.

“The Israeli government is aiming at dragging the area toward violence instead of peace and stability by approving such plans.

Continue Reading »

Greece, Israel & the U.S. Launch Joint Naval Exercise

US, Israeli & Greek warships begin a 2-week joint naval exercise codenamed “Noble Dina” on Thursday, the Israeli military reported.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Israeli, Greek and US warships began a joint two-week Mediterranean naval exercise on Thursday, IDF spokespeople revealed. The exercise has been codenamed “Noble Dina.”

NavyThe drill will test a variety of skills, including navigation, search and rescue, fast response to naval crisis situations, medical evacuation and more.

According to AFP, there are reports that the exercise was designed in part to practice defending offshore gas rigs. In recent years Israel has discovered huge gas fields off the Mediterranean shore. Continue Reading »