CURRENT ISRAEL TALKING POINTS

In an effort to provide the Jewish community with accurate information which will assist you in interpreting the recent events to friends and colleagues the JCRC is providing Current Talking Points on the Gaza Flotilla. Click HERE for Talking Points.

ISRAEL WIDENS SUPPLIES ALLOWED INTO GAZA

On June 9, 2010 The New York Times published the following article written by Isabel Kershner about Israel’s decision to let a wider variety of foods that they will allow into Gaza. To read the entire article, click on the title above

Israel has broadened the variety of foods allowed through its land crossings into Gaza, officials on both sides said on Wednesday, but Israel denied that this signaled any change in policy toward the Hamas-run enclave as a result of international pressure.

World leaders have been calling on Israel to lift or significantly ease its blockade of Gaza after an Israeli commando raid on a boat trying to breach the naval blockade turned into a violent clash and left nine activists dead in late May.

In the last few days Israel has added juices and preserves to the basic supplies it allows into the Palestinian coastal territory, and it has recently started allowing in jam, halva and other sweet snacks.

Israel rejected any suggestion it acted under pressure, however. An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity under army rules, said the broadening of the list of supplies was “the continuation of a process” ongoing for months.

CONGRESS SHOWS ISRAEL SUPPORT

The Jerusalem Post published the following article on June 9, 2010 about the many members of the U.S. Congress who have supported Israel during the flotilla incident. To read the entire article, click on the title above.

More than a dozen senators and over 60 members of the House of Representatives have issued statements since the flotilla interception last Monday, with almost all of them overwhelmingly supportive of Israel.

In the Senate, former presidential candidate John Kerry (DMA) said that “Israel has every right in the world to make certain that weapons are not being smuggled in after the thousands of rockets that have been fired on it from Gaza... It is not just Israel conducting this blockade; it is Israel and Egypt. So you begin that Israel has this right to protect itself.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) noted that “Israel has an obligation to protect its citizens and therefore has a clear right under international law to prevent weapons from getting in the hands of terrorists determined to target them. Israel indicated it was willing to put in place a process to ensure that legitimate humanitarian relief reached Gaza. Unfortunately this offer was rejected. Israel has pledged to carry out a transparent and thorough investigation of this incident, and I look forward to its findings.”

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said, “We should be very clear about who is responsible for the unfortunate loss of life in the attempt to break the blockade in Gaza. Hamas and its allies are the responsible parties for the recent violence and the continued difficulties for the people of Gaza. Israel exercised her legitimate right of self defense.”

BUILDING PEACE AND GREEN ARCHITECTS

ISRAEL21c.org published the following article written by Karin Kloosterman on June 3, 2010 about how an Israeli-Greek architect is organizing an important new sustainable building workshop for Palestinian and Israeli architecture students. To read the article in its entirety, click on the title above.

Despite recent troubles over the Gaza flotilla raid, Palestinian architecture students will be joining their counterparts in Israel for a one-week workshop this summer designed to introduce them to green building practices.

The six-day workshop, from July 25 until August 1, is being organized by the Greek-founded NGO Ecoweek, and run by Israeli-Greek green architect, Elias Messinas. It includes seminars and practice sessions with some of the world's hottest green architecture experts, and promises to put the Levant region - of Israel and the Palestinian Authority - on the green building map.

Green architecture is playing an increasingly significant role in the Middle East. In Israel a handful of architects already work solely as green architects, including Geotectura. In the Palestinian-Authority run West Bank, green training for the new generation is still very limited.

Over the last year, however, as the economic and social reality for Palestinians in the West Bank has improved, its youth now have the resources and ability to advance sustainable practices in building and design, and they are eager to catch up with the rest of the world. Some 15to 20 students from the West Bank are expected to take part in the 120-person seminar.

SOCIAL ACTION/PUBLIC POLICY

AMID ARIZONA IMMIGRATION PROTESTS, A NEW GENERATION DREAMS OF THE DREAM ACT

Marjorie Valbrun wrote the following Op-Ed on June 6, 2010 that was published in the Washington Post about the new hopes for comprehensive immigration reform to pass Congress. Ms. Valbrun is a journalist and senior writer at America's Voice, an immigration advocacy organization in Washington. To read the entire Op-Ed, click on the title above.

Among the 10,000 or so protesters who gathered in front of the state Capitol here last weekend under a scorching sun, one group stood out. Despite the heat, they wore graduation caps and gowns in shiny royal blue and sunburst yellow.

They were graduates of American colleges, young people who mostly grew up in the United States, accidental Americans who just happen to be living here illegally.

Like the rest of the crowd, they came to protest Arizona's controversial new immigration enforcement law, but they also sought recognition of a long-sought goal -- passage of the Dream Act, federal legislation that would provide a path toward legal status for people like them, undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children by their parents.

Unlike their parents, however, these young people aren't keeping quiet about their immigration status. They are staging protests around the country, risking arrest and deportation. It's something their parents, for the most part, would never thinkof doing. But as this group of mostly 20-somethings sees it, they are American in every way -- except on paper. They have lived in the United States for at least 10 years. They speak perfect English and attended grade schools and universities here. They have American friends, American lifestyles and typical American sensibilities.

THE CLIMATE MAJORITY

The following is a portion of an Op-Ed written by Jon A. Krosnick that was published in the The New York Times on June 8, 2010 about new surveys that show Americans still believe in global warming, despite recent attempts to disprove it. Mr. Krosnick is a professor of communication, political science and psychology at Stanford. To read the entire Op-Ed, click on the title above.

On Thursday, the Senate will vote on a resolution proposed by Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, that would scuttle the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to limit emissions of greenhouse gases by American businesses.

Passing the resolution might seem to be exactly what Americans want. After all, national surveys released during the last eight months have been interpreted as showing that fewer and fewer Americans believe that climate change is real, human-caused and threatening to people.

But a closer look at these polls and a new survey by my Political Psychology Research Group show just the opposite: huge majorities of Americans still believe the earth has been gradually warming as the result of human activity and want the government to institute regulations to stop it.

A WORTHY STRIKE AGAINST ROTTING HOUSES

On May 26, 2010, The Dallas Morning News published the following Editorial about a new city council proposal that would speed up the current process of getting abandoned homes torn down. To read the Editorial in its entirety, click on the title above.

The storyline has become a tired rerun in many southern Dallas neighborhoods:

A burned-out, torn-up house is left for dead by its owner. Eventually, the city seeks a demolition order. But the legal process is lengthy. And the degree of difficulty multiplies if the structure happens to be historic.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood suffers. Squatters – or, more likely, drug users – lay claim to the vacant structure. The property continues to deteriorate, becoming a dangerous blight.

And neighbors are left to wonder: Where are the bulldozers?

But a promising proposal that the Dallas City Council will consider this month would streamline cumbersome proceedings that, experience shows, can drag on for years.

(top)

THE IRAN REPORT

September 2007, the JCRC began a special section entitled “The Iran Report”.  Due to the looming serious nature of Iran and its politics within the global world, JCRCs across the country are providing community leaders with updated materials and articles concerning Iran, which will include political matters, divestment information, etc.  Both the United Jewish Communities (UJC) and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) have issued joint statements indicating that the subject of Iran should be on the top of the agenda for local Jewish communities. 

The JCRC will continue to bring the community updates on the situation with Iran and its implications throughout the Middle East and the world.

JCPA RESOLUTION ON IRAN’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) on March 27, 2007.

JCPA APPLAUDS UN SANCTIONS ON IRAN

Below is a the press release published by The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) on June 9, 2010 about their support for the new sanctions against Iran. To read the entire news release, click on the title above.

"The Jewish Council for Public Affairs today hailed the United Nations Security Council for its vote to impose sanctions to prevent a nuclear armed Iran.

In a 12 to 2 vote (with one nation abstaining), the UN Security Council adopted sanctions intended to financially cripple Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps as well as its military and nuclear industries.

Dr. Conrad Giles and Rabbi Steve Gutow, respectively the chair and president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, released the following statement welcoming today's vote:

"The United Nations Security Council today sent a clear and unequivocal message to Iran that the world will not tolerate its quest for nuclear arms. Today's vote underscores that the world's leaders believe Iran is a serious threat and that its nuclear ambitions definitely are not solely for peaceful purposes. These are some of the strongest sanctions imposed thus far, but the use of vigorous diplomatic and economic measures will only be effective if properly and expeditiously implemented."

UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS TOUGH NEW ROUND OF IRAN SANCTIONS

The following is a portion of an article written by Margaret Beesher that was published by VOA News on June 9, 2010 about the international reaction to new sanctions against Iran. To read the entire article, click on the title above.

The U.N. Security Council has adopted a fourth round of tough new sanctions aimed at halting Iran's suspect nuclear program. The resolution was approved Wednesday with 12 countries voting for, two against and one abstention, reflecting some division among the 15-member council.

Brazil and Turkey were the two dissenters in the vote, while Lebanon abstained.

Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said the recent efforts by Brazil and Turkey to negotiate a deal with Iran had not been given enough time to work. Under the two countries' plan, Iran would send some of its uranium to Turkey in exchange for fuel for use in a Tehran medical research reactor.

"The Brazilian government deeply regrets, therefore, that the joint declaration has neither received the political recognition it deserves nor been given the time it needs to bear fruit," said Ribeiro Viotti. "Brazil considers it unnatural to rush to sanctions before the parties concerned can sit and talk about the implementation of the declaration."

IRAN IS HIT WITH NEW SET OF U.N. SANCTIONS

On June 10, 2010, The LA Times published the following article written by Paul Richter about the details of the new sanctions against Iran. To read the article in its entirety, click on the title above.

A divided U.N. Security Council tightened sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program Wednesday, but left widespread doubt that the new strictures would slow the regime's nuclear program or force it to the negotiating table.

Whereas the vote allowed President Obama to claim a narrow win after months of haggling, it also divided world powers in a way that made the prospect of future sanctions seem more remote and a solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions more uncertain.

Iran, which tried to stave off the new sanctions with months of frenetic diplomacy, dismissed their importance. But even supporters of the Islamic Republic acknowledge that the vote represents a defeat for Tehran's establishment. Under international pressure, however, Iranians tend to put aside their differences and support the government.

GAZA BLOCKADE: IRAN OFFERS ESCORT TO NEXT AID CONVOY

Below is a portion of an article written by Ian Black that was published by Guardian News on June 6, 2010 about Iran’s call to aid in more flotilla ships to Gaza. To read the entire article, click on the title above.

Iran has warned that it could send Revolutionary Guard naval units to escort humanitarian aid convoys seeking to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza – a move that would certainly be challenged by Israel.

Any such Iranian involvement, raised today by an aide to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would constitute a serious escalation of already high tensions with Israel, which accuses Tehran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon and of backing Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza.

"Iran's Revolutionary Guard naval forces are prepared to escort the peace and freedom convoys that carry humanitarian assistance for the defenceless and oppressed people of Gaza with all their strength," pledged Hojjatoleslam Ali Shirazi, Khamenei's personal representative to the guards corps.

The threat came as the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, dismissed a UN proposal for an international commission to investigate last week's commando assault on aid ships, in which nine people died. Another aid ship, the Rachel Corrie, carrying Irish and other peace activists, was boarded peacefully by Israeli forces on Saturday, escorted to the port of Ashdod, and its passengers deported.

(top)

CRISIS IN DARFUR

February 2009 marked the sixth anniversary of the beginning of the violence in Darfur, Sudan.  For six years a government-backed militia known as Janjaweed (which in Arabic means, “evil men on horseback”) has continued to engage in a systematic program of expulsion, rape and murderous violence in Darfur, Sudan.  Millions of people now live in displacement camps lacking adequate food, water, shelter, healthcare, and sanitation. Attacks on \civilians continue.  As Jews, we have a particular moral responsibility to speak out and take action against genocide.  

The JCRC remains committed in its fight to end this battle and will continue to bring you facts and articles about this ongoing genocide. (For further information on Darfur, visit the JCRC web site “International” section at www.jcrcdallas.org.)

SUDAN IN CRISIS

Explore the history, people and politics behind one of the world's bloodiest conflicts in this interactive web site by The Washington Post.  Click the title above to be connected to this site.

BIDEN’S AFRICA TRIP IS ALL ABOUT SUDAN

Foreign Policy published the following article written by Josh Rogin on June 7, 2010 about Vice President Biden’s trip to Africa and what it means for Sudan. To read the entire article, click the title above.

Vice President Joseph Biden is leading an interagency delegation to Africa this week, but his final stop at the 2010 World Cup is not the point of the journey. Biden is there to get involved in Sudan policy and lend some senior-level supervision to an issue that has split the Obama administration for months.

On Wednesday, Biden will become the senior-most Obama administration official to meet with Southern Sudanese President Salva Kiir. The purpose of the meeting will be "to talk about the necessary steps to fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to plan for post-referendum Sudan," a senior administration official told The Cable, adding that the conversation will be "mostly about the future of southern Sudan." That's an indication that the Obama team is getting concerned about the January 2011 elections, when the South is widely expected to vote to separate from the North, a result that could spark violence or even a return to civil war.

There are Sudan meetings woven throughout Biden's seven-day journey through Africa. He already spoke about the future of southern Sudan with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, it's sure to come up in his Tuesday meetings with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and the vice president's office has said Sudan will be at the top of the agenda during Biden's meeting Thursday with former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

DARFUR DEATH TOLL RISES TO TWO-YEAR HIGH IN SUDAN

BBC News published the following news release on June 7, 2010 about 600 people who died in fighting in the Sudan region of Darfur in May, the highest monthly toll since peacekeepers were deployed in 2008. To read the news release in its entirety, click on the title above.

The joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force said most had died in fighting between Sudan's army and rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem).

The number of deaths has risen sharply since Jem walked out of peace talks last month. The rebels had signed a preliminary peace deal and ceasefire in February.

This meant Sudan's first multiparty elections for 24 years held in April, were relatively quiet in Darfur.

But Jem then left the negotiations in Qatar, claiming the government had launched new raids. A report by the Unamid peacekeeping mission said 440 people died in fighting in May between rebels and government forces, 126 in tribal violence and 31 in other violence, including murder.

(top)

*Click Here to Support the Activities of the JCRC*

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas does not necessarily endorse any political viewpoints expressed in any advertised programs, articles or editorial pieces that appear in this weekly update.

 

JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas
7800 Northaven Rd., Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 615-5254
JCRCDallas@jfgd.org
www.jcrcdallas.org