Weekly News Items from the Israeli Press, May 17, 2012
JFNA Partners in the Israeli Press
Report: Non-Jews manage to sneak onto Birthright trips
(Israel Hayom) Youths deemed non-Jewish under Law of Return traveled to Israel at expense of Israeli taxpayers.
Welfare and Social Issues
Danino: Crime rate dropped, but the sense of fear is rising
Civil Society
Deportation of South Sudanese is legal, ministry says
(Times of Israel) In light of leaked report, human rights organizations plead for more time to ensure asylum seekers are not at risk in war-torn home country
Young haredim want to study, open to army, work
State Comptroller: Not enough haredim in IDF
(Ynet) 2012 Report shows 60% increase in number of yeshiva students who dodge army draft; says authorities not meeting government goals for integration of haredim in labor force
Could gay marriage in America lead to civil marriage in Israel?
(Times of Israel) The Obama declaration on gay marriage, along with this week’s formation of a broad-based unity government in Israel, accelerates the possibility of civil marriage in Israel.
Aliyah and Immigration
Op-Ed: The Back-Forth Phenomenon
(Israel Hayom) Jews leaving, Jews coming - what is the balance? What other effect could the Iranian nuclear threat have if Israel does not do something about it?
Bnei Menashe aliya to resume this summer
For the first time in five years, a large group of Bnei Menashe immigrants from northeastern India is slated to make aliya this summer.
Religious Pluralism in Israel
Female Reform rabbi joins religious council of Jerusalem suburb
(Times of Israel) Court had ordered Religious Affairs Ministry to approve Rabbi Alona Lisitsa’s appointment
Jewish World
Can a judicial court nullify a conversion?
The recent controversy relates to the standards of conversion and who has the authority to determine them.
Israel Advocacy/Relations
Poll: Israel viewed negatively around the world
Demographics
'It is sad that an Israeli minister spews racist remarks'
(Israel Hayom) Interior Minister Eli Yishai's call to round up all African migrant workers and imprison them sparks fury.
Israel-US Relations
(Ynet) Op-ed: Israel should use its experience to offer global consultancy services on Diaspora relations
Israeli group wins terror suit against Syria, Iran
(Ynet) Washington court finds Iran, Syria guilty of supporting Islamic Jihad in attack which claimed 11 lives; awards Israeli advocacy group $323 million in damages
Science, Technology and Development
The Israeli pharmacologist who kick-started marijuana research
(Israel 21C) 'Working in a small country certainly has its positive aspects,’ Raphael Mechoulam says. ‘It couldn’t have happened in the United States.’
Thousands flock to Israel’s ‘Woodstock of agricultural technology’
(Times of Israel) Advances in food production and water conservation were on display this week at AgriTech 2012
Op-Eds and Opinion Pieces from the Israel Press
Ma'ariv comments on the peace process with the Palestinians and claims that the Israeli media is too uncritical of Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen's, "continuing refusal to enter into any kind of dialogue." The author asserts that, "Netanyahu needs to be a little flexible but, at the same time, Abu Mazen also needs to be flexible," and warns, "As long as we do not criticize his refusal, we are – in effect – encouraging him to dig in rather than compromise."
Yisrael Hayom refers to the ongoing controversy over illegal – mainly African – migrants in Israel and avers, "Israel must make a decision that sets a reasonable quota for work migrants, who – after the fact – would be eligible to be absorbed here. But the decisive majority of those infiltrators who are seeking – and this must be underscored – economic welfare, must return to their homelands." The author believes, "This is the ethical choice to which the Government is obligated vis-à-vis its citizens."
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