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Hamas reshuffle further dents hopes of unity
17 may 2012
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad have sworn in 11 new members in a major cabinet reshuffle.
The changes suggest that a unity between Palestinian factions – Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza – has run into trouble.
Reconciliation between the two had seemed possible early this year after the signing of an agreement in Doha , under which Abbas would lead an interim unity government for several months until elections.
But rifts have since emerged. A spokesman for Hamas has slammed these latest changes to the cabinet, calling them an attempt to avoid the Doha pact.
Israel has spoken out against unity between Hamas and Fatah , saying that any deal between the two Palestinian factions would close the door to future peace talks.
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European Jewish Parliament Convenes for Second Day
17 may 2012
In the command center of pan-European politics, the European Jewish Parliament convened for a second day… At the European Parliament, panel discussions were held on the economic crisis in Europe and its impact on extremism, populism and anti-Semitism … Dr. Antonyia Parvanova, a member of the European Parliament from Bulgaria, moderated… Parvanova says she and her colleagues are aware that baseless hatred for Jews is rearing its ugly head again in violent acts, in anti-Israeli sentiment and in politics…
Igor Kolomoiskiy , the President of the European Jewish Union, was the guiding light behind the first-ever Parliament for Jews and forging ties with other European leaders is one of its priorities. The European Jewish Parliament was modeled in some ways after the European Parliament. Its members are elected osein contrast to how other Jewish leaders in Europe are chosen which is usually by those inside existing organizations. The European Jewish Parliament hopes its system can attract young, unaffiliated Jews with fresh ideas.
A Jewish woman from Washington joined the EJP’s meetings…but she’s not an American working for President Obama or Republican candidate Mitt Romney …Her boss is King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain… Hoodah Nunu is the Bahraini Ambassador to the US, a Jewish woman who represents her Muslim country. EJP members also expressed hope that they can help build bridges between Jews and Muslims wherever they clash. Nunu’s colleague – the Bahraini Ambassador to the EU – attended the panel discussions. Tomorrow these new Jewish reps of Europe will head back to their home countries after two days of sharing ideas, solutions and meeting like-minded politicians.
Jordana Miller, JN1 , Brussels
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Israelis, Tourists Flock to Tel Aviv Beaches
17 may 2012
It's mid-May and Tel Aviv has started to gear up for the summer. People have shed the winter jackets and boots , and pulled out their summer attire. Bathing suits are a key item on the shopping list, seeing as the official bathing season has just opened up along Israel's shores. The Israeli beaches are already filling up along the Mediterranean. This past weekend, locals and tourists alike flocked Tel Aviv's beaches, sitting in cafes along the shoreline, reading books and listening to music.
"Matkot" is a form of beach paddleball, and is commonly played all along Israel's beach coasts. Though it is considered a leisure sport, it is taken very seriously by some, and is often referred to as "Israel's unofficial national sport." As the temperature warms up, and weeks before it becomes too hot, the month of May might just be the perfect timing to enjoy the great weather in Israel. With tourism on the rise this month in Israel, the summer has officially begun in good spirit.
Sivan Raviv, JN1 , Tel Aviv
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Israel planning missile defence along Egypt’s border
16 may 2012
Israeli defence forces , the IDF, are said to be planning the deployment of missile defence systems along Israel’s southern border with Egypt amid growing concern over the threat of rocket attacks from the region.
While Israel is long-used to mortar and rocket fire being launched from the Gaza Strip , the threat from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has dramatically increased after the war in Libya which flooded the region with weapons.
Just last week an arms convoy laden with surface-to-surface missiles, surveillance equipment and munitions was seized by Egyptian forces as it headed towards the peninsula on Israel’s southern border.
The missile defence system, known as the Iron Dome, has proven to be highly successful at intercepting missiles and the plans to deploy batteries near the Red Sea resort of Eilat come after the Obama administration pledged an additional USD 680 million in funding for the Iron Dome system .
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Social Protest Movement Returns
16 may 2012
We were here in this park last summer at the height of the social protest movement. There were tents everywhere. Israelis had decided to sleep outdoors to protest the high cost of housing and living expenses . They were part of the movement which first began on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv. But where does the movement stand one year later? The committee set up by Prime Minister Netanyahu to respond to the public's concerns has made some changes, but many Israelis seem far from satisfied.
They're vowing to take to the streets again this summer. And it began this weekend as thousands in Tel Aviv , Jerusalem and Haifa demonstrated. But their numbers were noticeably smaller and the message less unified. We wanted to ask Israelis if they thought the social protest movement was still alive and kicking. Take a listen.
But despite the enthusiasm, there are already signs that this summer's protests may not reach the feverish pitch they did last year. The movement's young leaders who inspired the public, like Dafna Leef, are so far keeping a low profile. They say they're waiting to see what the new budget looks like and if the new unity government will change the Tal Law to more fairly distribute the burden of army service to the religious community . Critics also say the movement's priorities are unclear now that so many causes are under one umbrella and that makes some question how effective they can be at getting changes from the government.
Jordana Miller, JN1 , Jerusalem
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Israelis Protest Naqba Day at Tel Aviv University
16 may 2012
I'm standing outside Tel Aviv University where dozens of Israeli citizens protested the annual Palestinian "Naqba" Day. "Yom anNaqba", is Arabic for the “day of catastrophe” – referencing the day that the state of Israel was established, what Palestinians view as a tragic day in their history. This was the day they believe many Palestinians were displaced therefore creating a refugee problem . On the other hand, Jewish Israelis are very angered at Arab Israelis living in this country and yet mourning its creation. Along with Arab and Jewish students demonstrating on both sides of the political spectrum, for and against the commemoration of Naqba day, Members of Knesset showed up at the protest to give their input as well.
Sivan Raviv, JN1 , Tel Aviv
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Palestinians celebrate as 1,600 prisoners stop fasting
15 may 2012
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have agreed to end a mass hunger strike after winning concessions from Israel to improve their conditions and limit detentions without trial.
Israel’s Shin Bet security service said that in return for a number of concessions from Israel, prisoners had pledged to stop terror activities within jail.
They also said that terror group commanders outside prison had agreed to commit to preventing militant activity against Israel.
Apparently not on the list of compromises made by Israel was the opportunity to pursue academic study; access to certain television channels remained restricted, though two Russian language channels would be replaced with Arabic ones.
The deal ended one of the largest prison protests ever staged by the Palestinians, in which two men had refused food for 77 days, joined last month by a further 1,600 fasting prisoners – a third of the nearly 4,800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Israeli Spokesman Mark Regev:
"In response to a request from Palestinian President Abbas , Israel has acted to end the strike. It is our sincere hope that this confidence-building measure will serve to strengthen peace."
As a further goodwill gesture, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to release 100 bodies of Palestinian terrorists currently buried on Israeli soil.
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German Literature Recovers After Book Burning by the Nazis
14 may 2012
On May 10, 1933, public book burning , directed by the Nazi party, erupted in university towns all over Germany. On May 10, 2012, a public ceremony in memory of the authors of burned books, many of them Jewish, takes place here at the German National Library . On May 10, 1933, Joseph Goebbels , Nazi Minister for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, told enthusiastic crowds of book burning university students that “Jewish intellectualism is dead” and endorsed the students’ “right to clean up the debris of the past.”
The book burnings and other steps to remove “ Jewish influence ” from German institutions foreshadowed much more catastrophic Nazi plans for the Jews of Europe. Eerily, among the books consigned to the flames in 1933 were the works of beloved nineteenth-century German-Jewish poet Heinrich Heine, who in 1822 penned the prophetic words, “Where they burn books, they will, in the end, burn human beings too.”
80 years since books were burned and 70 years since the corpses of those murdered were burned in the crematorium, in Roemerberg Square in front of city hall, on the same Frankfurt square were Nazi supporters gathered on May 10, 1933, to witness the book burning, the City of F rankfurt hosts a memorial reading. The ceremony takes place around a plaque in the cobblestones that commemorates the book burning. One hundred million is the toll of books destroyed by the Nazis throughout Europe. From 1933 to 1945 the mass murder of Jews was accompanied by the most devastating literary holocaust of all time.
Wilson Ruiz, JN1 , Germany
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Egyptian Candidates Increasingly Anti-Israel
14 may 2012
Many officials here in Jerusalem are saying off the record that they’re not very surprised by the anti-Israel remarks made in Egypt’s first-ever Presidential debate. Ever since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak , many aspiring Islamist and even moderate politicians have made Israel their target, attacking the state’s legitimacy and questioning the peace treaty signed more than 30 years ago. Fanning the Egyptian public’s hostile and even anti-Semitic views has now become commonplace and it continued as millions watched two of the leading candidates face-off…
Israel was far from the focus of Egypt’s and the Arab World’s first Presidential debate… But the little that was said as Amr Moussa and Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh battled it out has gone a long way in reinforcing concerns about fraying Israeli-Egyptian ties … Both candidates used hostile terms to describe Israel…the former Arab League head, Moussa, called Israel an “adversary.” The former Muslim Brotherhood member, Abul Fotouh, chose the word “enemy.”
On the subject of greatest concern to Israel – the staying power of the 1979 Camp David Peace Accords - both candidates suggested changes could be made. Moussa and Abol Fotouh pledged to quote “review” the peace treaty… Working for former President Hosni Mubarak – who defended and guarded the peace treaty – seems to have had little effect on Moussa . At a recent campaign rally, he went further than he did on the televised debate, calling the treaty “dead and buried.”
Almost all of the 13 candidates running to become Egypt’s next leader have attacked the validity of the historic peace agreement. Some Israeli officials believe the candidates are just pandering to the masses who never supported the peace treaty to win votes. And they don’t believe the treaty will be amended or broken later…
But other officials and experts say the show may go on after the elections…the President elect could introduce reviews of the treaty into the Parliament, which is dominated by Islamist, anti-Israel members . That could put into jeopardy the number of Israeli troops allowed into the Sinai Pennisula , a key security concern for Israel. With another debate scheduled before the first round of voting begins on May 23rd, Israeli officials say they are bracing to hear more hostile remarks.
When I asked my source at the Foreign Ministry if they’re able to hold back-channel talks with any of the Egyptian Presidential candidates to better assess their positions, I got a telling response. The source said in the New Egypt everything is about pluralism, progress and openness, except that is when it comes to Israel. No one in the new political arena is talking to Israeli officials. They’ll have to wait until the new President is elected which will likely be in June after a second run-off vote.
Jordana Miller, JN1 , Jerusalem
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Israeli ministers re-approve prospecting along Syria border
13 may 2012
20 years after a decision to stop looking for oil in the Golan Heights region along Israel’s border with Syria, Israeli infrastructure minister Uzi Landau has re-approved prospecting.
Israel Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau :
"There is no special explorations just over there. That's a part of Israel and if there will be those who will be interested to explore all over the country, we are not making any differences."
But although Landau framed the decision as changing little, analysts predict that Syria will protest.
The Golan Heights , which contain important water sources, form a strategic plateau between Israel and Syria of about 1,200 square kilometres.
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Protesters take to the streets in cities across Israel
13 may 2012
Protesters have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv , Jerusalem and in other cities across Israel, expressing anger over the high cost of living and other social issues.
Demonstrator Gershon Diner:
"I believe we need to go out on the street like what happens in Spain and Greece and Germany . The economics are different today. We must go out onto the streets and demand very basic stuff for the people. We are paying a lot, we are paying a lot of tax. It doesn't make sense, you know."
Police said there were more than a thousand demonstrators in Tel Aviv, while newspapers reported several hundred marching in Jerusalem .
Demonstrators called for a revival of last year’s social justice campaign, which saw thousands hit the streets across the country and a tent city in Tel Aviv .
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Israeli PM submits reply to Abbas’ grievances letter
13 may 2012
A representative for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented a letter to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in response to a letter from Abbas laying out grievances as the two sides try to restart stalled peace talks.
The visit by Netanyahu’s aide Isaac Molho comes nearly a month after Abbas submitted his letter and almost two weeks later than Netanyahu had promised. But the prime minister’s office was optimistic that the gesture would be a positive step, although Israeli officials have not released the content of the response given to the Palestinian president.
Israeli Prime Minister Spokesman Mark Regev:
"Prime Minister Netanyahu's special peace envoy met with the Palestinian president Abbas. He handed him a special letter from my prime minister. We hope honestly this exchange of letters between the two sides can hope push the peace process forward."
Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip meanwhile criticized the meeting, calling it a waste of time and urging West Bank leaders to support Palestinians in Israeli jails.
The peace process stalled two years ago over the issue of settlement building in the West Bank. Although the two sides held exploratory talks earlier this year, they have failed to find enough common ground to restart full negotiations .
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Israelis Celebrate Lag Ba'omer in Tel Aviv
11 may 2012
Out here in Tel Aviv , are plenty of Israelis celebrating the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer. This day marks the anniversary of the death of the Jewish sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Traditionally, most people come out and light bonfires as a symbol of the impact of Bar Yochai's spiritual teachings. Lag Ba'omer has also become a national holiday in Israel, commemorating the 'Bar Kokhba revolt' and victory against the Roman Empire.
Collecting wood aimed to be used for the bonfires is a fun activity occupying many kids and teenagers, ahead of the holiday. Then when the holiday eventually arrives, the kids group up and put it all together in order to light up the fires . Kids of all ages enjoy themselves and take pride in their campfires. However, parents find the time to have fun as well. While bonfires took place all across beaches and parks in Israel, many Israelis headed to Mount Meron in Northern Israel, put up tents and spent the night by the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
Sivan Raviv, JN1 , Israel
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Soviet Union's World War II Veterans Recognised in Israel
10 may 2012
May 9th marks Victory day around the world, commemorating the millions of people killed in the Soviet Union during World War II while fighting for their independence from the Nazis . There are about 20,000 war veterans from the Soviet Union currently living in Israel, and this day has become a national holiday here for several years now. Events are taking place in order to pay tribute to these veterans, in the Knesset, the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum , and in cities across Israel.
Approximately 1.5 million Jews fought in the allied armies during World War II , with half a million of them in the Red Army alone. About 200,000 of these Jews perished, and those who survived lived to tell their story.
Sivan Raviv, JN1 , Israel
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New report: 22,000 IDF soldiers need welfare assistance
10 may 2012
A new report from the IDF shows that 22,000 conscription soldiers are struggling to make ends meet, a rise of 70% over the past five years.
Every year there are 2,000 additional requests for welfare provisions. According to the report, the figures do not include soldiers who were living in poverty or who were receiving social welfare.
Some 60 per cent of these soldiers serve in combat units and more than a third of the soldiers receive some kind of support from the army's welfare services in infantry units.
Even though the IDF's welfare budget is slated to increase this year by NIS 6 million, officials say the amount given to each soldier remains unchanged and add that that unless the budget is raised in line with growing demand, the amount of welfare money each soldier will receive will actually decrease.
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Media in the Arab world reacts to unity gov’t
10 may 2012
The coalition agreement struck this week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Shaul Mofaz attracted a wave of media attention not only in Israel, but also in the Arab world.
London-based paper al-Quds al-Arabi ran a headline reading “Netanyahu is forming a war government” and described the Israeli PM as a man “scheming and planning wars after murdering the peace process ”.
UAE paper al-Bayan meanwhile went with an editorial headed by the words “a government challenges peace” whilst Saudi Arabia ’s al-Madina paper proclaimed “Israel prepares for war”.
In Lebanon , the as-Safir paper’s editoral argued that Israel’s Arabs neighbours were establishing truly democratic states, whilst the Jewish State ’s leaders behave like crime bosses.
But perhaps most stinging for Netanyahu and Mofaz will be the criticism from within their own country. Labour Party leader Shelly Yachimovich has called the unity government a conspiracy, but the two men say that their coalition will bring stability to Israel.
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Francois Hollande's Stance on Israel
10 may 2012
The defeat of Nicolas Sarkozy in the French presidential elections to Socialist Francois Hollande is raising a host of new questions here in Israel. Sarkozy was seen by top politicians as an unwavering ally and personal friend of Israel. They saw him as someone committed to ensuring the country's security, stopping Iran's nuclear program and fighting anti-Semitism in France. Now many want to know where Francoise Holland stands on these key issues. Will France relationship with Israel change under his leadership?
The newly elected President of France is thought by many to have a neutral position on Israel – not overly negative or positive. On paper, his positions on Israeli security issues are almost identical to Sarkozy's. The crucial difference is that Hollande's new socialist government -- unlike Sarkozy's -- will include hard line left wing parties that have a long history of expressing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic views… The worry is not about Hollande, but about who will be working with him, advising him and influencing him…
France's Jewish community of 600,000 would also be affected…attacks by government officials on their community or Israel would only feed the growing problem of anti-Semitism and the violent attacks it can provoke. On the issue of Iran's nuclear program , Israeli officials may also have concerns about Hollande. Israel welcomed Sarkozy's tough and aggressive stance on Iran, his push for tighter sanctions and his willingness to flex France's military muscle as he did in Libya . Hollande has promised to be quote "firm" with Iran, but has not elaborated on what that means. And his foreign policy advisors say he opposes Israeli or American military action in Iran even if Tehran develops a nuclear bomb .
The West is giving Iran perhaps its last diplomatic chance later this month to resolve the dispute over its nuclear program, but some Hollande may offer Tehran more time… Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak would not take well to that…the last thing they want is to give Iran more time…they're pushing for sanctions to cripple Iran's economy and threatening military action… On the peace process, Israeli officials don't expect Hollande's position to be very different from Sarkozy's. He supports a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. He also opposes Israeli building in the Jewish settlements and has called for Hamas to abandon its armed resistance. Its expected that Hollande will make his first official visit to Israel this summer – he did promised to plan a trip soon after he was elected.
TAU Intl Relations Prof. Emmanuel Navon:
"One of the people that he's considering to nominate for Prime Minister is Martin Aubri who is known for her very anti-Israel statements. So there is going to be a change in the way France behaves internationally regarding Israel and the Israeli-Arab conflict and yes, there is room for concern… it looks very much like Mr. Hollande is going to try to start those talks again and repeat the same mistakes that President Obama did three years ago. So there is concern on the issue ofIran that Hollande may undo the coalition that has been built by America and France over the last year…"
Jordana Miller, JN1 , Jerusalem
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Israel subjected to 10,000 cyber-attacks a minute
9 may 2012
At the opening of Interpol ’s European Regional Convention in Tel Aviv , the organisation’s president Khoo Boon Hui said that some 10,000 cyber-attacks occur in Israel every minute.
According to Khoo, terrorists and criminals are quick to utilize new technologies to carry out the attacks and that 80% of online violations are committed by crime organizations.
He also suggested that in today’s digital world, conventional theft is being abandoned in favour of the cyber variation, due to the lower risks and higher payoff. Banks in the US lose around 0 million a year to cyber-crime, and increased sophistication is required in order to get one step ahead over internet criminals.
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Authorisation granted to sell eggs and milk
9 may 2012
Arab farmers in Israel have received government authorization to produce and sell milk and eggs, for the first time since the foundation of the state.
The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, a non-governmental organization promoting the rights of Arabs in Israel, has spent the past 15 years assisting Arab farmers with appeals and applications to obtain commercial permits.
Arab rights campaigner Sawsan Zaher:
"So it's about as well as the state funding and state budget that every farmer that gets license will also get their subsidy, so we are talking here about a lot of money that only allocate to the Jewish farm and not to the Arabic farms."
In Israel , the prices of milk and eggs are decided by the government and producers are tightly regulated.
An official from the Israeli Agriculture ministry said the reasons for such strict government control were complex and that quality control was a guiding concern.
Ministry of Agriculture official Jamal Medij:
"A farm needs to be specialized. I mean if you are expert in producing flower , you need to be acquainted to that field, and you can never be experts if you just divide your time and efforts between two or more than two kinds of branches."
An initial group of 36 Arab farmers have received such licenses, which many hope will be a key milestone in intercommunal commercial cooperation .
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Israeli PM and opposition reach unity agreement
8 may 2012
In a surprise move, Israeli leaders have scrapped plans to hold early elections in September after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Shaul Mofaz reached an agreement to form a unity government.
Netanyahu’s Likud party has reportedly agreed to back a proposal by Mofaz ’s Kadima to do away with exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from serving in the Israeli military in exchange for support of Likud policies until elections are held in 2013.
Political analyst and strategist, Gerald Steinberg, said the pact includes former top military figures that is capable of dealing with the Iranian threat .
Political analyst and strategist, Gerald Steinberg:
"The two largest parties are at the nucleus of this coalition and it includes three former chiefs of staff, it includes very many people with a lot of military and security experience and so it is going to be able to tackle the major problems and threats and challenges that Israel faces both domestically and in the region particularly vis a vis Iran .”
Mofaz , who is a former army chief and defence minister, has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu’s calls for a military strike against Iran, and his inclusion in the new government could change the course of Israeli foreign policy , at least in the short term.
Political analyst and strategist, Gerald Steinberg:
"It sends a very strong signal to Tehran but also to Europe and the United States, that Israel is united, the leadership is capable of dealing with the threats that are there, if and when it becomes necessary."
News of the deal, negotiated secretly, called off a marathon debate held in Israel 's parliament that had been expected to culminate in a vote to dissolve itself after Netanyahu called last week for an early election to be held in September.
After hours of deliberation, the Knesset announced early on Tuesday it would not hold a final vote for dissolution. Israel's main news channels opened their morning broadcasts with politicians from across the political spectrum and commentators to discuss the implications.
Border disorder: Palestinian terrorists open fire at IDF soldiers operating within Israeli territory near the security fence with north Gaza. No injuries are being reported
Equal rights: Israel’s High Court rules that the onus is on employers to explain why they pay women lower salaries than men
Listening in: Justice Ministry proposes a bill that would expand the state’s power to tap phones and almost double the number of state agencies allowed to access the data while conducting investigations
Earphone law: Lawmakers are mulling new legislation that would forbid bicycle riders to listen to music with earphones while on the road
Anti-US assistance: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says US military assistance to Israel, including the recent decision to grant Israel an additional USD 70 million for the Iron Dome missile defense system, is encouraging the Jewish state to commit war crimes
Emergency landing: a London-bound El-Al jet makes an emergency landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport shortly after takeoff on Friday after the jet’s flaps malfunctioned and the plane dumped its fuel the sea
Equal rights: Israel’s High Court rules that the onus is on employers to explain why they pay women lower salaries than men
Listening in: Justice Ministry proposes a bill that would expand the state’s power to tap phones and almost double the number of state agencies allowed to access the data while conducting investigations
Earphone law: Lawmakers are mulling new legislation that would forbid bicycle riders to listen to music with earphones while on the road
Anti-US assistance: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says US military assistance to Israel, including the recent decision to grant Israel an additional USD 70 million for the Iron Dome missile defense system, is encouraging the Jewish state to commit war crimes
Emergency landing: a London-bound El-Al jet makes an emergency landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport shortly after takeoff on Friday after the jet’s flaps malfunctioned and the plane dumped its fuel the sea
Israel
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European Jewish Parliament Convenes for Second Day
In the command center of pan-European politics, the European Jewish Parliament convened for a second day… At the European Parliament, panel discussions were held on the economic crisis in Europe and its impact on extremism, populism and anti-Semitism … Dr. Antonyia Parvanova, a member of the European Parliament from Bulgaria, moderated… Parvanova says she and her colleagues are aware that baseless hatred for Jews is rearing its ugly head again in violent acts, in anti-Israeli sentiment and in politics…
Igor Kolomoiskiy , the President of the European Jewish Union, was the guiding light behind the first-ever Parliament for Jews and forging ties with other European leaders is one of its priorities. The European Jewish Parliament was modeled in some ways after the European Parliament. Its members are elected osein contrast to how other Jewish leaders in Europe are chosen which is usually by those inside existing organizations. The European Jewish Parliament hopes its system can attract young, unaffiliated Jews with fresh ideas.
A Jewish woman from Washington joined the EJP’s meetings…but she’s not an American working for President Obama or Republican candidate Mitt Romney …Her boss is King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain… Hoodah Nunu is the Bahraini Ambassador to the US, a Jewish woman who represents her Muslim country. EJP members also expressed hope that they can help build bridges between Jews and Muslims wherever they clash. Nunu’s colleague – the Bahraini Ambassador to the EU – attended the panel discussions. Tomorrow these new Jewish reps of Europe will head back to their home countries after two days of sharing ideas, solutions and meeting like-minded politicians.
Jordana Miller, JN1 , Brussels
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Sephardic Jewish Cuisine Celebrated in Germany
The gruene sosse or green sauce festival marks the beginning of spring, and celebrates Frankfurt’s most popular dish which in turn is a symbol of Frankfurt ’s Jewish heritage. For more than six centuries Frankfurters have indulged in green vegetables and herbs – a custom that also ties in with the arrival of Sephardic Jews in the Frankfurt region.
About 30,000 Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 came to Germany. The Sephardic kitchen was characterized by the absence of garlic and a very generous use of herbs. The seven herbs found in the Frankfurt green sauce certainly do justice to the old Sephardic cuisine. Nowadays, there are of course countless varieties of the original Jewish green sauce recipe .
Jews not only provided the original recipe for green sauce, for centuries they also made the herbs available to the public. Many became peddlers, buying the products directly from the farmers and selling them in the streets of Frankfurt . At the beginning of the 20th. century in Frankfurt the Jewish peddler were members of the Jewish community living in the East End of the city, the home of about four thousand Jews who immigrated from Russia and Poland.
The East End had the largest synagogue in Frankfurt, boasting 1600 seats. It was destroyed on November 9, 1938, when the Nazis unleashed a wave of pogroms against Germany's Jews . Today in Frankfurt's East End on the site of the destroyed synagogue, the Place of Remembrance documents a facet of National Socialist viciousness: In 1942 a civil defense bunker was erected by French prisoners of war on the foundation of the destroyed Synagogue. The bunker now contains a permanent exhibition on Jewish life in Frankfurt ’s East End in the pre- Nazi period. It’s a place of learning and reflection about the site and it’s past.
Seventy years after Festival the Holocaust Jewish heritage and culture is once again thriving in Frankfurt … and Frankfurters of all ethnic backgrounds are discovering the centuries old Jewish recipe for green sauce.
Wilson Ruiz, JN1 , Frankfurt
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EJP Holds General Assembly in Brussels
The newly elected European Jewish Parliament held its first general session in Brussels… The 120 members were elected last fall in an online vote that drew over 400,000 Jews across western, central and eastern Europe. Now the representatives of 47 countries are meeting to set their agenda…it’s a diverse group of men and women, religious and secular, old and young…
The alarming political gains of far right-wing nationalist parties is one of the newest and most pressing issues. EJP Co-Presidents Vadim Rabinovich and Joel Rubinfeld say the Parliament will build ties with the European Parliament , the EU and others to defend the needs of the Jewish community.
The European Jewish Parliament , for the first time is bringing Jews from the East and West together under one umbrella organization. The hope is that some of the more established communities – like in France and England – can help some of the smaller struggling communities in the east with the challenges they face… After the opening remarks, the Parliamentarians broke into committee groups on topics ranging from foreign affairs to education to culture.
Jordana Miller, JN1 , Brussels