25 Jan
Uncategorized

China Hedges Its Bets in the Middle East

By Gabriel Weinstein Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to the United States was only the beginning of a busy week of diplomacy. Last Tuesday 10 Chinese government officials and academics arrived in Israel for three days of meetings with Israeli academics, policy analysts and government officials. The meeting is China’s latest attempt to bolster relations with Israel and become a trusted ally among Middle Eastern Countries. For most of Israel’s history official relations with China were non-existent. Israel sought to establish a firm partnership with China after the declaration of the People’s Republic of China in January 1950, but the Chinese government  did not acknowledge Israeli's recognition. The relationship disintegrated in the mid-1950’s when Israel supported UN forces during the Korean War and chose to align with the...

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20 Apr
Latest

UN Racism Conference Starts Today–Ahmadinejad Accuses Israel of Genocide

By Benjamin Schuman-Stoler Well, it's not as if the United Nations Durban II conference against racism was ever going to avoid controversy. The primary storyline going into the conference was the contentious--if not by any means surprising--abstention by the United States and Israel (as well as Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and Holland).  But news has just come out about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech earlier today that we must post first. JTA has the scoop on the speech, which occurred a few hours ago, in which European diplomats walked out in protest: In a speech at the U.N.-sponsored anti-racism conference in Geneva, the Iranian president first blamed the West for injustice, then went on the offensive against Israel, calling it the “racist perpetrators of genocide.” “Under the pretext of Jewish suffering, they have helped bring to power the most oppressive, racist regime in Palestine,”...

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07 Nov
Latest

World Leaders React to Obama—Drama Ensues

Everyone is talking about Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to president-elect Barack Obama. The letter, according to Iranian news agency ISNA, congratulates Obama and expresses Ahmadinejad's wish for real change in US policy towards Iran. Every major newspaper has an emphatic headline for Ahmadinejad's letter, which reflects the world's on-edge expectations for the new administration. We Jews are definitely waiting to see how Obama's campaign promises play out in Iran. Will Obama shun Ahmadinejad the way President Bush did when the former sent a long-winded letter that many perceived as a tendril of friendlier relations? And the other great piece of news from world leaders comes out of Italy, where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called Obama "young, handsome and also tanned." Of course, it's a dubious racial reference that has been rightly protested across the globe. But...

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25 Sep
Culture, Latest, Misc

This Week's Links

Sir Paul McCartney is soooo the man. He's bringing "a message of peace" to Israel. This is definitely not kosher: Charedi men were caught sneaking to computer labs late at night and looking at porn. Getting tired of Ahmadinejad talk yet? Too bad. Lots of people are irate at his planned appearance at an interfaith dinner tonight. His Royal Highness Prince Charles has a thing for Judaism, apparently. "The peculiar character traits I have noticed displayed by Jews over the years are the comic equivalent of gold dust." Comedian Mark Maier on Jews and comedy. Either Bill Clinton is procrastinating, or he really cares about the high holidays. He won't start campaigning for Obama until they're over. —Benjamin Schuman-Stoler

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24 Sep
Latest

Ahmadinejad's UN Speech, Full Text

We don't think this needs much of an introduction. For more information on the UN meetings this week, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech in particular, go to CNN, BBC, AP, or Al Jazeera. New York, September 23, 2008 In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful "All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, and peace and blessing be upon our Master and Prophet, Mohammad, and his pure household, and his noble companions." "Oh God, hasten the arrival of Imam Al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness." Mr. President, Excellencies, I am grateful to the Almighty for granting me another opportunity to be present in this world Assembly. In the last three years, I have talked to you about great hopes in the bright future of...

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