Interview With Ambassador Dennis Ross

The following is a portion of an interview with Ambassador Dennis Ross conducted by Benjamin Pauker, Senior Editor of Foreign Policy on January 20, 2012 about his views on Iran and Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Mr. Ross is a Counselor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and previously served as a special assistant to President Obama and as Senior Director on the National Security Council from July 2009 to December 2011. To read the full interview, click on the title above.

FP: Regarding the peace process, peace seems almost further away than ever. Do you agree?

DR: I do think there's a paradox today. When I go back and I look at the time I worked on this issue, and I look at where the two sides actually are in terms of substance, it isn't to say that on the core issues there aren't differences. Of course there are differences. But the differences substantively, they're not as profound as the psychological gaps.

When you look at polls [of Israelis and Palestinians] where the terms of a possible outcome are identified, you find an extraordinary convergence -- between 60 and 70 percent of the public on each side prepared to embrace those kinds of terms. And yet the same 60 to 70 percent are convinced it's never going to happen. So there's a real psychological gap, and that psychological gap creates a context for the two leaders. They have not had communication, and I think the psychological gaps have compounded the substantive gaps and made it really hard to get to the substantive gaps.

We're not on the brink of any kind of breakthrough. But there's a cost when there's a stalemate. There's no such thing as a status quo, particularly in this part of the world. It's never static. What you can't afford is to have a stalemate when those who reject the very idea of a two-state solution are able to exploit it to increasingly undermine the prospect of it. I think the premise of your question is right -- we're not on the brink of a breakthrough. And yet it's important to try to find ways to overcome the stalemate.

Ambassador Prosor Addresses the U.N. Security Council

The following is a portion of a speech given to the United Nations Security Council by Ron Prosor, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, on January 24, 2012 about the current situation in the Middle East and the threat of Iran's nuclear capabilities. To read the full speech, click on the title above.

As we gather in this chamber, an alarm bell is ringing. Never has it been so clear that Iran is seeking to build a nuclear weapon. This is the single greatest threat to the security of the entire world.

Now is the time to act. Tomorrow is too late. The stakes are too high. The price of inaction is too great.

The latest IAEA reports prove beyond any doubt that Iran has a nuclear weapons program, which is advancing rapidly. Iran recently announced that it will enrich uranium to a 20 percent-level at its nuclear facility in Qom. There is no plausible civilian justification for this action. It blatantly violates numerous resolutions of this Council - and will bring Iran significantly closer to producing weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium.

Each and every member of the United Nations - and particularly this Council - should lie awake at night thinking about what would happen if the regime in Tehran gets ahold of the most dangerous weapon on earth.

Only the pressure of a united international community can stop Iran from continuing its march toward nuclear weapons. The political and economic price that Iran will pay must be clear. Israel commends the recent steps taken by the U.S, the EU, and others in this regard. Although these are important steps, we all must judge them based on their results. It is time for the rest of the international community - and this Council - to join these efforts.

Will Israel Attack Iran?

The following is a portion of an Op-Ed by Ronen Bergman published in The New York Times on January 25, 2012 about Israel's response to Iran's attempt to develop nuclear weapons capability. Mr. Bergman is an analyst for the Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth and author of the book, "The Secret War with Iran". To read the full Op-Ed, click on the title above.

Netanyahu and Barak have both repeatedly stressed that a decision has not yet been made and that a deadline for making one has not been set. As we spoke, however, Barak laid out three categories of questions, which he characterized as "Israel's ability to act," "international legitimacy" and "necessity," all of which require affirmative responses before a decision is made to attack:

1. Does Israel have the ability to cause severe damage to Iran's nuclear sites and bring about a major delay in the Iranian nuclear project? And can the military and the Israeli people withstand the inevitable counterattack?

2. Does Israel have overt or tacit support, particularly from America, for carrying out an attack?

3. Have all other possibilities for the containment of Iran's nuclear threat been exhausted, bringing Israel to the point of last resort? If so, is this the last opportunity for an attack?

For the first time since the Iranian nuclear threat emerged in the mid-1990s, at least some of Israel's most powerful leaders believe that the response to all of these questions is yes.

At various points in our conversation, Barak underscored that if Israel or the rest of the world waits too long, the moment will arrive — sometime in the coming year, he says — beyond which it will no longer be possible to act. "It will not be possible to use any surgical means to bring about a significant delay," he said. "Not for us, not for Europe and not for the United States. After that, the question will remain very important, but it will become purely theoretical and pass out of our hands — the statesmen and decision-makers — and into yours — the journalists and historians."

Atlanta Jewish Times Publisher Out Over Obama 'Hit' Column

The following is a portion of an article by Bo Emerson published at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January 23, 2012 about the resignation under pressure of the owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times after writing an article in which he suggested Israel should consider assassinating President Obama. To read the full article, click on the title above.

The owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times has resigned under pressure after writing a column suggesting that Israel consider assassinating President Barack Obama, a Jewish news agency reported Monday.

Andrew Adler wrote the Jan. 13 column suggesting that the assassination would be among Israel's options in dealing with a hostile Iran equipped with nuclear weapons.

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Adler is "relinquishing all day-to-day activities effective immediately" and is seeking a buyer.

Though he apologized for the column last week, Adler came under pressure to leave the weekly publication.

After reading the column, "I was appalled, I was flabbergasted," said Michael Horowitz, president and CEO of the Atlanta Jewish Federation. Horowitz said the column made Adler the "worldwide center of negative attention."

The Federation issued a statement asking for Adler's resignation, saying, "While we acknowledge his public apology and remorse, the damage done to the people of Israel, the global Jewish people, and especially the Jewish Community of Atlanta is irreparable."

Technion's contribution to Israeli economy lauded

The following is a portion of an article by Sheri Shefa published by The Canadian Jewish News on January 23, 2012 about the contributions to society developed at Haifa's Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. To read the full article, click on the title above.

Another inspirational story Maital shared highlighted the work of Technion electrical engineering graduate Amit Goffer, who was involved in an accident that left him unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair.

Instead of being resigned to his fate as a quadriplegic, "He asked, 'How can you take people who cannot move their legs and put them on their feet and enable them to walk?' That's a question with a lot of chutzpah, even to ask the question," Maital said.

Goffer designed a prototype he called an exoskeleton, a mechanical device that a person wears on his legs.

"When a person leans forward, the computer senses that and moves the leg, and then the other leg."

The technology is called ReWalk, and it enables people with lower-limb disabilities to stand, walk, and even climb stairs.

"The device is being used now in veterans hospitals in the U.S. to help soldiers who've been wounded and crippled by war to walk. And you can imagine what that feels like for a 21-year-old ex-marine who is in a wheelchair, to be able to stand up and walk," he said.

Maital, who said he was asked to keep his talk brief, stopped himself from sharing many more awe-inspiring stories that showcase Technion's positive contribution to the world. But he encouraged the gathering to learn more about the technology institute and help the next generation of Technion students turn their ideas into something tangible.

"The thing about the Technion… is that the scientists who have made these discoveries, mostly are not satisfied with writing academic papers. They like to… implement their ideas."

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Social Action/Public Policy

Big Print Is a Big Step Toward Reigning In Payday Loan Fees

The following is a portion of an Op-Ed by Mitchell Schnurman published in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram on January 11, 2012 about recent state legislation that has just gone into affect that requires payday and auto title lenders to increase disclosure of rates and fees to better inform customers. Mr. Schnurman is a regular columnist for the Star-Telegram. To view the full Op-Ed, click on the title above.

If Texas won't fix payday lending, will Washington? Or how about better-informed customers? Consumer advocates have long pushed to rein in these high-cost loans that target the working poor. About 10 percent of Texas residents take out small cash advances, using future paychecks as collateral. But many roll over the loans and are overwhelmed by big fees. Some relief agencies have said that the loans forced many clients to seek their help.

Separate developments last week -- one in Texas, the other in Washington -- signal that improvements are coming. The 2011 Legislature enacted several changes that took effect this month. They include plain-language disclosures about the costs and risks of the loans, new licensing standards and a help-line number to the Consumer Credit Commissioner. New data collection requirements will show how often loans are renewed.

The loan form is a far cry from the usual fine print on such documents. It warns, in a clear graphic, that 4 in 10 people with a payday loan renew it five or more times. A chart puts the interest rate on a payday loan at 450 to 700 percent, and compares it with credit cards (16 percent), secured loans (28 percent) and pawn loans (180 percent).

The form says to ask yourself: Can I afford to pay this loan back in full in two weeks? Can I afford the extra charges, interest and fees if I miss the payment?

Consumer groups wanted more significant reforms, including fee caps and rollover limits to stop "the cycle of debt" that can trap borrowers. Some said the changes were little more than window dressing. In my view, the new rules are important steps in the right direction.

If the problem with payday loans is transparency and full disclosure -- in effect, that consumers are being tricked into these products -- that's been well addressed. A year from now, the data will also give advocates more leverage, just in time for the next Legislature.

And all this puts the industry, which has a heavy presence in Tarrant County and Texas, in a better position if a federal standard is created. Texas may never join the 17 states that tightly limit fees and interest on payday loans, but it's making progress. That could be a handy narrative as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gears up in Washington and takes a close look at the business.

Jews vs. The Farm Bill

The following is a portion of a blog post by Leah Kaplan Robins published in The Jewish Daily Forward on January 20, 2012 about the advocacy efforts of a number of Jewish agencies with regard to the Farm Bill and its impact on hunger. Ms. Robins is Senior Writer and Editor at American Jewish World Service. To read the entire blog post, click on the title above.

While it may seem like an unlikely target for a swell of Jewish activism, the Farm Bill—which dictates U.S. law on everything from agriculture to food stamps to biofuels—is packed with policies that go against the grain of Jewish ethics. The bill is up for debate and reauthorization this year, and six Jewish organizations are seizing the opportunity to call for reforms that they feel will go a long way toward achieving their Torah-inspired visions of food justice. Even though they're each tackling a different aspect of the bill, they've recently joined forces to maximize their power and mobilize their constituents toward a common goal.

The "Jewish Working Group for a Just Farm Bill"— comprised of American Jewish World Service, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Hazon, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Mazon and the Union for Reform Judaism—has collected nearly 15,000 signatures so far on its Jewish Petition for a Just Farm Bill, which presents a Jewish voice in Congress's upcoming 'food fight':

"The Farm Bill debate provides us with the opportunity to build a better food system. I want American food and agricultural policies to reflect my Jewish values. I urge you to enact policies that pursue long-term approaches to eradicating hunger by protecting the most vulnerable, promoting sustainable land use and investing in resilient local food systems. …"

Behind this lofty language, each organization is fired up by a specific issue that it'll be pushing on the Hill when hearings begin in February, from reforming food aid to increasing food stamp benefits to stopping industrial farming practices that are polluting the earth.

DISD's Superintendent Must Develop Principals and Teachers

The following is a portion of a Dallas Morning News Editorial published on January 20, 2012 as to their views on what DISD should look for in its search for a new superintendent. To read the entire Editorial, click on the title above.

As Dallas school trustees narrow their search for the district's next superintendent, they need to be emphatic about this point: Michael Hinojosa's successor must know how to recruit and develop strong leaders for the district's 230 campuses.

Ample evidence shows students won't realize their potential without leaders in charge of their schools and classrooms. The most recent data comes from researchers at Harvard and Columbia universities. Their survey shows students with top teachers over time are more likely to attend college, earn a higher income and avoid teen pregnancy.

Fortunately, several Dallas institutions, such as the George W. Bush Institute, SMU's Simmons School of Education and Human Development and the Meadows Foundation, are spending time and money studying and developing effective school leadership.

Some of this is common sense. Standout educators approach their jobs as a calling. They have a knack for relating to kids. They understand how to organize their schools and classrooms. They know their subjects. And they tailor instruction to a child's needs.

How does the Dallas Independent School District get more principals and teachers with these gifts and skills? That's the hard part, which is why the next superintendent must come to this job with a ready list of ideas. For example, he or she must know how to:

Match quality principals and teachers with inexperienced or struggling educators. DISD has mentoring systems to develop its existing talent, but they aren't always used. DISD's next chief must make mentoring a top priority in every school.

That's particularly important for developing principals. As David Chard, dean of SMU's education school, wrote recently on our Viewpoints page: A robust body of evidence indicates that under the leadership of a strong principal, a school can achieve twice as highly as one led by a weak principal.

Skilled principals also attract a more talented and committed staff. SMU's Reid Lyon, who studies education leadership, reports strong principals know how to launch successful programs, get buy-in for them from teachers and bring initiatives to scale.

The True Cost of High School Dropouts

The following is an Op-Ed by Henry Levin and Cecilia Rouse published by The New York Times on January 25, 2012 about President Obama's call to reduce high school dropouts and what more they think needs to be done. Mr. Levin is a Professor of Economics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Ms. Rouse is Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. To read the entire Op-Ed, click on the title above.

Only 21 states require students to attend high school until they graduate or turn 18. The proposal President Obama announced on Tuesday night in his State of the Union address — to make such attendance compulsory in every state — is a step in the right direction, but it would not go far enough to reduce a dropout rate that imposes a heavy cost on the entire economy, not just on those who fail to obtain a diploma.

In 1970, the United States had the world's highest rate of high school and college graduation. Today, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, we've slipped to No. 21 in high school completion and No. 15 in college completion, as other countries surpassed us in the quality of their primary and secondary education.

Only 7 of 10 ninth graders today will get high school diplomas. A decade after the No Child Left Behind law mandated efforts to reduce the racial gap, about 80 percent of white and Asian students graduate from high school, compared with only 55 percent of blacks and Hispanics.

Like President Obama, many reformers focus their dropout prevention efforts on high schoolers; replacing large high schools with smaller learning communities where poor students can get individualized instruction from dedicated teachers has been shown to be effective. Rigorous evidence gathered over decades suggests that some of the most promising approaches need to start even earlier: preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, who are fed and taught in small groups, followed up with home visits by teachers and with group meetings of parents; reducing class size in the early grades; and increasing teacher salaries from kindergarten through 12th grade.

These programs sound expensive — some Americans probably think that preventing 1.3 million students from dropping out of high school each year can't be done — but in fact the costs of inaction are far greater.

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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.

Answering Iran

Below is a portion of an Op-Ed by Richard Haass published by Project-Syndicate.org on January 26, 2012 about what the U.S.'s options are towards Iran's effort to develop nuclear capabilities. Mr. Haass is formerly Director of Policy Planning in the U.S. State Department and is currently President of the Council on Foreign Relations. To read the entire Op-Ed, click on the title above.

We know quite a bit about Iran's nuclear program, and what we know is not encouraging. Iran is reported to be enriching uranium at two sites – some of it to levels of 20%, far beyond what is required for civilian purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency also reports that Iran is carrying out research to develop designs for nuclear warheads. In short, Iranian officials' claims that their nuclear program is aimed solely at power generation or medical research lacks all plausibility.

Yet there is still much that the world does not know. For example, we do not know whether Iran is conducting secret activities at undisclosed sites, or when Iran could develop a crude nuclear weapon, with estimates ranging from several months to several years. We also do not know whether Iran's divided leadership has decided to develop nuclear weapons, or to stop just short, calculating that the country could derive many of the benefits of possessing nuclear weapons without running the risks or incurring the costs of actually doing so.

Either way, Iran's activities confront the world with difficult choices. None is costless or risk-free. Moreover, neither the costs nor the risks are possible to calculate with precision.

One option would be to accept and live with a nuclear or near-nuclear Iran. This assumes that Iran could be deterred from using its weapons, much as the Soviet Union was during the Cold War. Missile defenses could be expanded; the United States could extend security guarantees so that Iran would understand that the threat or use of nuclear weapons would be met with a decisive American response.

But there are significant drawbacks to acquiescing to a nuclear-armed Iran. Given its use of subversion and terrorism against its adversaries, a nuclear-armed Iran might be even more assertive. It might also transfer nuclear-related material, technology, or weapons to allies (Hugo Chávez's Venezuela, for example) or radical organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. And, rather than promoting caution and stability in the region, Iran or Israel could be tempted to strike first in a crisis.

Iranian Lawmakers Take Up Bill Banning Oil Sales to Europe in Retaliation for Embargo

Below is a portion of an article by the Associated Press published by The Washington Post on January 25, 2012 about Iranian discussions about how they will respond to increasing pressure on Iran to stop their nuclear ambitions. To read the entire article, click on the title above.

Iran's parliament will begin debating a draft bill requiring the government to immediately halt oil exports to Europe, a prominent lawmaker said Wednesday, as Tehran weighs its options following the European Union's decision to stop importing oil from the country.

The EU embargo, announced on Monday, was the latest attempt to try to pressure Iran over a nuclear program the United States and its allies argue is aimed at developing nuclear weapons but which Iran says is for purely peaceful purposes. It came just weeks after the U.S. approved, but has yet to enact, new sanctions targeting Iran's Central Bank and, by extension, its ability to sell its oil.

Many Iranian lawmakers and officials have called for an immediate ban on oil exports to the European bloc before its ban fully goes into effect in July, arguing that the 27 EU nations account for only about 18 percent of Iran's overall oil sales and would be hurt more by the decision than Iran. China, a key buyer of Iranian crude, has blasted the embargo.

"The bill requires the government to stop selling oil to Europe before the start of European Union oil embargo against Iran," lawmaker Hasan Ghafourifard told the parliament's website, icana.ir. Debate on the bill is to begin on Sunday, he said.

Iran Sanctions Needs to Be Tougher, Israeli Defense Minister Warns

Below is a portion of an article by Harriet Sherwood published by The Guardian on January 25, 2012 about Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak's statement that more pressure will be needed to stop Iran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions. To read the entire article, click on the title above.

Israel's defense minister, Ehud Barak, has warned that tougher sanctions need to be imposed on Iran despite the unprecedented oil embargo agreed by the European Union earlier this week.

Although he conceded the EU measures would add significant pressure to the Tehran regime, Barak told Israel Radio the embargo was unlikely to force Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. "In my opinion, we are not there yet," he said.

His comments followed those on Monday by the Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, in response to the EU decision. Netanyahu warned party colleagues the impact of the embargo was unknown but it was a step in the right direction‚ hinting that he believed further measures would be needed.

"Very strong and quick pressure on Iran is necessary," he said. "Sanctions will have to be evaluated on the basis of results. As of today, Iran is continuing to produce nuclear weapons without hindrance."

The remarks went further than the international consensus, which is that Iran has not yet reached a stage where the production of nuclear weapons is possible.

The unprecedented EU decision means its 27 member states will stop importing Iranian oil by July, about the time when stiffer US sanctions will kick in. Some observers fear the measures will lead to an acceleration of Iranian moves towards nuclear capability.

Israel has long pressed for tougher sanctions, linked to threats of military action, to halt Iran's nuclear development.

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Crisis In Darfur

February 2012 will mark the ninth anniversary of the beginning of the violence in Darfur, Sudan. For nine 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.

Why I Volunteered In Darfur Over the Holidays

The following is a portion of a blog post by Meghan Higginbotham published at Act.MTV.com on December 29, 2011 about why she spent her holidays volunteering in Darfur. Ms. Higginbotham is a Darfur Dream Team Sister Schools Program Assistant at the Enough Project.. To read the entire blog post, click on the title above.

I recently returned from spending two weeks in Darfuri refugee camps in eastern Chad as a member of the Darfur Dream Team (DDT) Sister Schools Program. DDT works with US schools and donors to support refugee education and build connections between American students and their Darfuri peers.

Many of the nearly 300,000 Darfuri refugees have lived in the camps since the Darfur conflict ignited in 2003. Fadlah, a Darfuri refugee and grandmother, described the camp to me as "an open prison". As refugees, she explained, they are limited in their capacity to provide for themselves; without access to land, excess water, resources, tools, jobs, commerce, and security, they are dependent on local and international NGOs for nearly all of their basic survival needs.

The everyday challenges faced by the Darfuri refugees are unimaginable for most Americans, but despite their circumstances, everyone I met remained hopeful. A mother in Djabal camp told me, "I hope that my son is able to continue his education so that he can make a life for himself and not have to experience the challenges and suffering of raising his children in a refugee camp."

Their hope is fueled by the prospect and power of education: "With education our students can reach the sky and run our country; without it, they cannot. What the Darfuris will build in the future will be well thought about and well built. Ignorance will bring more damage; education will bring development. Life without education is darkness; education is like a sun for the universe," said Umda Tarbosh, a teacher in Goz Amer camp.

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