|
Summer in Israel
Gaza Implodes
Tel Aviv on Two Wheels
Stop the Boycott
|
Click here for a printer-friendly version.
|
If your email program has difficulty viewing this page, see web version.
Prepared for the
by the Jerusalem Center
for
Public Affairs
sponsored by
Subscribe
Back Issues
Suggest a Story
|
It's Time to End the Vilification of Israel
by Howard Jacobson
Heigh-ho, it's boycott time again - as Zionophobic zealots of our British universities decide to have another go at ostracizing their fellow academics in Israel.
Whether it's in the best of taste to like Jews better when they're in concentration camps than when they're in their own country I leave to less interested parties to decide. But if anti-Semitism is repugnant to humanity, then it is no less repugnant to humanity to single out one country for your hatred, to hate it beyond reason and against evidence, to pluck it from the complex contextuality of history as though it authored its own misfortunes and misdeeds as the devil authored evil, to deny it any understanding and - most odious of all - to seek to silence its voices. For make no mistake, this is what an intellectual boycott means. We silence you. We will not let you speak.
The British University and Colleges Union resolution includes proposals to "organize a UK-wide campus tour for Palestinian academics/educational trade unionists." In other words, we will hear them, we will not hear you. Imagine the rapturous applause awaiting these Palestinian educational trade unionists - given free rein to vent their grievances while the other side of the argument is gagged. Like the millions cheering Stalin while the gulags quietly filled. I am normally wary of such comparisons, but someone from one of our participating universities needs to explain how what is proposed differs in spirit from the practices of those all-censoring autocracies that made the last century an inferno.
If you are Jewish and Israeli, catastrophe exists in a continuum that encompasses both past and future. Yesterday's victory is only yesterday's victory. Tomorrow can easily bring defeat. Never mind the size of your armory. Someone else will always get a bigger one. Considering this unceasing agitation and dread, it strikes me as miraculous how many of the civic arts of civilization and culture have managed to flourish in modern Israel.
The charge of being "complicit in the occupation" - the assumption on which the entire boycott is based - is breathtaking. An Israeli scholar dare not be in even the most partial agreement with his government. For an Israeli academic not to think exactly as they think on the campuses of Birmingham and Brighton is to be guilty of a crime for which the punishment is expulsion from the international community of thought.
Source: Independent-UK |
|
|
|
June 14, 2007
Summer's Almost Here -
What Israeli Teens are Doing this Summer
by Israel HighWay Staff
As the last day of high school on June 20th quickly approaches, Israeli teenagers are gearing-up for the Chofesh haGadol (literally the "Big Vacation," practically speaking, summer break). Summer in Israel brings with it the hot weather of the Middle East, trips to the beach and exploring the country's vast network of hiking trails, nature reserves and national parks. While much of what Israeli teens do is similar to the activities of the typical American teenagers, there are differences that set the Israeli summer apart.
In Israel, 250,000 or more kids participate in summer programs through their youth movements. Unlike summer camp in North America where kids go away for anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks, the Israeli youth movements generally offer their participants the chance to come together by age group for a week or ten days. Youth groups in Israel play a prominent role in the social lives of many Israeli teens; so much so, that the entire country gets out of school early on Tuesdays to accommodate the traditional youth group meeting day. Kids look forward to these short, but intense, summer outings with their youth group friends.
Issue of the Week is continued below 
Shimon Peres Elected Israel's Ninth President
by Shahar Ilan and Mazal Mualem
Vice Premier Shimon Peres was elected Israel's ninth president Wednesday, winning 86 votes in a second round ballot after his two rivals in the race threw their support to him. Despite the octogenarian Peres' record as a Nobel laureate, former prime minister, protege of David Ben-Gurion and founder of Israel's nuclear program, much of his political legacy was still riding on the vote, following a string of electoral defeats going back decades. (Ha'aretz)
View list of Israel's presidents (Yahoo News/AP)
Barak Wins Leadership of Labor Party in Israel
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak won the Labor Party primary over a relative political newcomer, Ami Ayalon, a former chief of the Shin Bet security agency, At a victory gathering in Tel Aviv, Mr. Barak called for party unity and pledged to pursue a policy that "combines uncompromising security, protecting Israel’s solidarity and democracy, determined pursuit of real peace, reinforcement of the rule of law and healing Israeli society."
(AP/New York Times)
Hamas Attacks Escalate in Gaza as Palestinians Fight for Power
by Steven Erlanger and Isabel Kershner
Gunmen of rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah sharply escalated their fight for supremacy on Tuesday, with Hamas taking over much of the northern Gaza Strip in what is looking increasingly like a civil war. In one Hamas attack on a Fatah security headquarters in northern Gaza, at least 21 Palestinians were reported killed and another 60 wounded, said Moaweya Hassanein of the Palestinian Health Ministry. (New York Times)
Spy Satellite Ofek-7 Launched Successfully
by Hanan Greenberg
Israel successfully launched the Ofek-7 intelligence satellite early Monday morning. Professor Haim Eshed, head of the Defense Ministry’s Space Program, personally supervised the launch. The new satellite is expected to provide Israel with better intelligence, particularly with regards to Iran. Defense establishment officials were very excited over the successful launching. "This is a very important event," said Brig-Gen Bortman. "We see the launching and the activity accompanying it as part of a complete activity. Today is a day of pride for us all." (YNetNews)
New England Aliyah Center Sends Record Number to Israel this Year
by Raphael Kohan
The surge of area residents immigrating to Israel continues, as more New Englanders will make aliyah in 2007 than any other year to date. So far, 180 people from the region have begun the immigration process to take up permanent residence in the Jewish state before the calendar year is up. And this Sunday, the Israel Aliyah Center will honor Israel’s future citizens at the Olim Farewell Reception held at the Brookline Holiday Inn. "This is a major moment, and a huge responsibility for me," said Tova Grushko, regional director of the center. "These are high-quality people coming from this area who are going to change the face of Israel." (Jewish Advocate)
Fischer Popular as Israel's Bank Chief
Israel's central bank chief, Stanley Fischer, was standing in a Cyprus airport when an Israeli recognized him. The traveler wanted to pick Fischer's brain on a pressing economic issue. "Should I change money here or in the hotel?" the traveler asked. It was more than just an amusing exchange. It was a sign of acceptance for Fischer, who has emerged as a surprisingly popular figure since leaving a high-profile career on Wall Street, immigrating to Israel and entering the cutthroat world of Israeli politics two years ago. Since accepting Israeli citizenship and joining the bank, he not only has won the respect of the political establishment. He also has become an unlikely celebrity, thanks to a booming economy and a widespread perception that he didn't take the job for personal gain. (AP/Anchorage Daily News)
Israeli Portal Plans to Connect the World, Family by Family
by Nicky Blackburn
The goal of Famillion's company web site, which allows users to create their own personal family trees, is to map the entire world through these trees. This sounds preposterous, until founder and CEO of social family network portal, Danny Rolls, explains that by the end of this year the site will have mapped the entire Jewish population of the world - some 12-13 million people, and within about two years will have mapped the Western world.
"Our vision is to connect all the people in the world through family trees," Rolls explained. "We are all connected, Famillion's strength compared to other genealogy or family network sites is that once a user has posted their family tree, the Famillion technology can recognize genealogical matches between individuals and families, enabling it to be merged with other related trees. As a result family trees begin to connect automatically, allowing users to discover new family members they might otherwise have been unaware of. (Israe21c) 
Jewish Student Union Links Teens to Heritage
by Elana Altman
It's a Wednesday afternoon, and nine students at Bergen Academies have gathered to share a passion for Judaism, Israel and free doughnuts. Their adviser, Malya Kurzweil, leads them in a discussion about the Six-Day War. The Bergen Academies group comprises a small part of the 6,000 teens continent-wide who meet weekly to discuss their heritage at 170 public high schools under the umbrella of the five-year-old Jewish Student Union (JSU). Funded by private philanthropists, the Orthodox Union and Jewish federations across the country, each JSU is sanctioned by its host school and supervised by a school faculty member. Each JSU adviser is responsible for supplying kosher refreshments, delivering a teen-savvy educational program and serving as a link to the organized Jewish community.
At meetings, students do more than just discuss. They have guest speakers, watch presentations prepared by the Jewish Student Union, and plan community service projects. In past years, the Bergen Academies JSU has delivered Purim baskets to an oncology ward and brought apples and honey to a nursing home for Rosh Hashanah. (North Jersey) 
Israeli Soccer Youth Savour the Spotlight
by Ofer Ronen-Abels
Israel's appearance in the UEFA European Under-21 Soccer Championship this week is their greatest footballing achievement since reaching the 1976 Olympic Games - and the chance to go to China next summer is spurring the surprise finalists on to greater heights. Ben Sahar, despite his young age, epitomises the mature and professional approach taken by the squad Guy Levy (pictured) has diligently built up over the last couple of years. "Our opening match against the Dutch will be immensely important," Sahar said. Of course, Israel will wish to do better than the three defeats suffered in Portugal. And Levy, who kept a calm demeanour amid the burden of guiding a nation starved of success at this level, summed up he feeling in the camp that positive results are distinctly possible. "Each match is a key match, for us and we would like to win every match in this tournament," he said. "This is our approach before setting foot in Holland. We respect each one of our opponents but also rate ourselves as well." (UEFA)
Andy Ram Wins 2nd Career Tennis Grand Slam
by Allon Sinai
Andy Ram claimed his second career Grand Slam title on Thursday, winning the French Open mixed doubles tournament with Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy. The Israeli/French duo, which was seeded eighth at the French Open, defeated number five seeds Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik and Serbian Nenad Zimonjic 7-5, 6-3 on the Philippe Chatrier Court. Just 11 months ago Ram became the first Israeli to lift a Grand Slam title trophy, winning the 2006 Wimbledon mixed doubles tournament with Russian Vera Zvonareva. "I'm honored and lucky to bring Israel a second Grand Slam title and I hope I can continue doing so with [mens doubles partner] Yoni Erlich," Ram said. (Jerusalem Post)
Exploring the City on Two Wheels
by Danit Nitzan
This Saturday, at 8:30 A.M., Tel Aviv's Rabin Square will be packed with bicycles waiting for riders who wish to spend part of their day on an urban bicycle trek. A total of 600 street bicycles and 100 bikes for children above age 6, will be offered free of charge to those who want to get to know Tel Aviv on two wheels and use this opportunity to learn about bike-riding as an alternate means of transportation. Three urban paths, as well as three paths in Hayarkon Park, will be designated for bicycles and route maps will be distributed to cyclists. Instructors from the Yisrael Bishvil Ofanayim (a brilliant pun meaning either "Israel for Bicycles" or "Israel on the Bike Paths") non-profit organization will instruct participants in riding, safety and navigation on the paths. The Tel Aviv Municipality has already paved 74 of the 100 kilometers set aside for bicycle paths, to be completed by 2009, the year of the city's centennial celebrations. (Ha'aretz) 
British Boycott Plan Puts Our Reputation at Risk
by Members of the British House of Lords, Professors, and Nobel Laureates
The proposal by the [British] University and College Union for a boycott of Israeli universities is against all the principles of academic freedom that universities espouse. Such action threatens the universality of research and learning and is condemned by the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and Universities UK, representing all universities' vice-chancellors. It is explicitly opposed by the International Council for Science on the grounds that it conflicts with the vision of universities founded on freedom of inquiry, independent of political pressure.
Nor will a boycott help the cause of the Palestinians or their universities, where there are many ongoing Israeli-Palestinian joint academic activities. (Guardian-UK)
Before Ceding the Golan
by Dore Gold
The Israeli leadership is strongly hinting that it is willing to withdraw completely from the Golan Heights. The Israeli public deserves answers to several critical questions before these proposals to Syria go forward.
1. Everyone knows that the Syrian regime is completely isolated and facing an international tribunal.Israel has a great deal of leverage, and certainly does not have to agree to full withdrawal.
2. Moreover, in 1975, President Gerald Ford wrote to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin that the US would "give great weight to Israel remaining on the Golan Heights." And, even if Israel wishes to test Syrian intentions through negotiations, why start with a complete collapse of Israel's negotiating position.
3. If the government seeks to come down from the Golan Heights, is it certain that it can achieve any of the "security arrangements" suggested in the past.If the Syrians are unwilling to agree to these arrangements then the Israeli government cannot provide the alternatives to the Golan Heights that were advanced by those who advocated withdrawal in the 1990's.
4. An alternative model for security without the Golan Heights requires a huge expenditure by the US for high technology weaponry for the IDF.
5. And what is the actual line of withdrawal?
6. Most importantly, what is driving the government to do this? Is there a demographic problem on the Golan Heights? No.
In fact, the Golan has been in Israel's hands more years than it has been in Syria's hands. It is time to be serious and stop experimenting with Israel's future.
Dr. Dore Gold heads the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. (YNetNews)
Issue of the Week continued
Groups like Bnei Akiva and Ezra are Orthodox groups with a strong religious Zionist ideology. Other groups like Betar and Ha'shomer Hatzair are strongly affiliated with various political ideologies and have little or no religious component. Tzofim, the Israeli Scouts, may be familiar to you from their frequent appearances in North America at Israel Day celebrations, day school functions and Yom HaAtzmaut activities. Tzofim are not affiliated with any particular stream of Judaism or political movement, but instead are an Israeli parallel to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in America.
Traditionally, American-style sleep away camps have not been very popular in Israel, both for cultural and economic reasons. However, over the last number of years, as the economy has improved, a few sleep away camps have begun to appear. Not surprisingly, many of the campers at these camps come from families who have made Aliyah from North America where camping is so prevalent, especially for Jewish teens.
One very special camp is Camp Koby, sponsored by the Koby Mandell Foundation. Camp Coby was founded by Rabbi Seth and Sherri Mandell in memory of their son, Koby, and his friend, Yosef Ish Ran, who were brutally murdered by terrorists as they hiked in the wadi near their home six years ago. Camp Koby brings together American and Israeli teens who serve as counselors to the campers, all of whom have lost loved ones in terror attacks or while serving in the army. The six-week program is a wonderful way for the counselors to meet their American and Israeli peers and to make a difference in the lives of young Israeli kids who desperately need support.
Another camp experience that is unique to Israel is the phenomenon of Israeli teens going abroad to work at various summer camps. These camps are often associated with one of the Israeli youth movements, but there are many independent camps as well. Thousands of Israeli teens go to work at both sleep-away camps and local Jewish day camps to help build a connection between Jewish kids in America and their Israeli peers. Many Israeli kids go abroad through the Jewish Agency’s Summer Shlichim (Zionist Ambassadors) Program though others make their own arrangements directly with camp directors or through friends, siblings or other relatives who have worked at camps in previous years.
Fun and Sun
What about summer fun and entertainment? There are a number of ways Israeli teens keep busy. Camping is a major activity in Israel during the summer; virtually anywhere you travel from the Negev to the Golan, you will see families, or groups of teens, enjoying time outdoors and camping inexpensively.
Concerts are also a staple of Israeli teen summer life. Many teens are sure to make it to Eilat’s Red Sea Jazz Festival at the end of the summer (August 27-30). The festival, set on the beach in Eilat, features dozens of performers from around the world in a series of organized concerts as well as all-night informal jam sessions after the concerts are over. Others - looking for a more spiritually and religiously significant setting will head up north for the annual Tsfat Klezmer Festival which features venues large and small scattered throughout the ancient city of Tsfat. Wandering the narrow streets and alleyways of the city during the Klezmer festival, you never know what you may find when you turn the corner!
Israeli kids like to hit the beach, too. No matter where teens live in Israel, they are never far from the beach. Israel is blessed with 273 kilometers (170 miles) of beaches along the Mediterranean coast, not to mention Lake Kinneret and Eilat on the Red Sea. The broad sandy beaches extend from Naharia in the North to Ashkelon in the South and serve as a haven for teens looking to spend time with their friends, cool off in the waters and play beach volleyball, paddle ball and soccer. Click here to check out live webcams of Israeli beaches.
Swimmers beware, the currents at Israeli beaches along the Mediterranean are extremely strong - much stronger than what you will generally find at the beach along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts in America. Swimming accidents are, unfortunately, common in Israel; make sure that you never swim at a beach that is not fully staffed by lifeguards.
While teenagers all over the world have mostly similar summer experiences, there are a number of activities unique to Israeli teens. The nature of life in Israel, including strong youth movements, the fear of terrorism, and constant tensions with its neighbors, lends itself to unique summer experiences for Israeli teens. Furthermore, teens in Israel know that they are soon to be heading to the army, and this adds to their desire to unwind, enjoy and explore during the summer. The Israeli teen summer experience is one of the many things that make Israel a unique and special place. Come and experience the Israeli summer for yourself! (Israel HighWay)
See this week's Action Item at left
|
|
