JFNA Daily Media Report -- Feb. 19, 2013

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 9:40am

Israel & Mideast:

In Mideast issues, a NY Post columnist looks at why European nations won’t label Hezbollah a terror group; Hezbollah issues another warning to Israel; Iran launches an anti-Hollywood offensive; and the AP reports newly installed Sec. of State Kerry will not visit Israel on his upcoming Mideast trip.

In domestic Israeli issues, PM Netanyahu will appoint former opposition leader Tzipi Livni to a coalition post to lead talks with the Palestinians; the Times of Israel profiles the first U.S.-born Knesset member since Meir Kahane; Israel releases a new report on the suicide of an alleged Mossad agent; and the Forward reports on one of the Women of the Wall.

Mideast:• N.Y. Post (op-ed, Benny Avni) -- Why Europe won’t name terrorists http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/why_europe_won_name_terrorists_VZuCfgBXxxLgvGtCjmytlO• Ynet News -- Nasrallah warns Israel against attacking Lebanon http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4345592,00.html• N.Y. Times -- Stung by ‘Argo,’ Iran Backs Conference Denouncing ‘Hollywoodism’ http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/world/middleeast/stung-by-argo-iran-backs-conference-decrying-hollywoodism.html• Miami Herald (AP) -- Kerry 1st trip to Europe, Mideast; no Israel stop http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/19/3242343/kerry-1st-trip-to-europe-mideast.htmlDomestic Israeli Issues:• Times of Israel -- Netanyahu and Livni announce deal, vow to seek peace  http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-and-livni-announce-deal-vow-to-seek-peace/• Times of Israel -- Dov Lipman’s rock-solid struggle for a better Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/dov-lipmans-rock-solid-struggle-for-a-better-israel/• N.Y. Times -- Israel Releases Part of Report on Prisoner X’s Death http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/world/middleeast/israel-releases-part-of-report-on-prisoner-xs-death.html• Forward’s ‘Sisterhood’ blog -- Sarah Silverman’s Niece Vows to Return to Kotel http://blogs.forward.com/sisterhood-blog/171476/sarah-silvermans-niece-vows-to-return-to-kotel/For more Israel news, see the weekly JFNA Israel news page: http://www.jewishfederations.org/Weekly-News-Items-in-Israel.aspxFor more security news, see JFNA’s Secure Community Network (SCN) news page:http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1091809/bcb5afdb71/521804587/8fddab0b42/

Israel Advocacy:

Israel Action Network head Geri Palast blogs about an IAN mission to Israel; Fox News reports a human rights group will adopt the Hamas version of Operation Pillar of Defense; and Ynet looks at the controversial narratives in an Israeli-Palestinian film nominated for the 2013 Oscar.

• Israel Action Network (Geri Palast, blog post) -- Shalom From Israel! http://israelactionnetwork.org/geri-palast-israel-blog/• Fox News -- Human rights group adopts Hamas’ version of Gaza offensive, claims Israel http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/02/18/human-rights-group-adopts-hamas-version-gaza-offensive-claims-israel/• Ynet News -- Oscar contender on West Bank irks many http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-4343809,00.html

For more Israel advocacy news, see the Israel Action Network’s newly redesigned and enhanced website: http://israelactionnetwork.org/

Global Jewish Issues:

U.S. legislators will urge Cuba to release imprisoned American-Jewish citizen Alan Gross.

• JTA -- U.S. lawmakers in Cuba to push for release of Gross http://www.jta.org/news/article/2013/02/19/3119911/us-congressional-delegation-in-cuba-to-push-for-gross-release

Federations/Philanthropy:

Globally, the Baltimore Sun reports on the recent Heart 2 Heart women’s mission to Israel; the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent reports on JFNA’s Congressional testimony against changes to charitable tax deductions; PM Netanyahu says Natan Sharansky should remain head of JAFI, the JPost reports; JAFI issues a resolution urging the U.S. to free Jonathan Pollard; the Times of Israel reports on charges about birth control given to Ethiopian immigrants; and the Chronicle of Philanthropy reports on new global participants in the Giving Pledge.

Federations are highlighted in St. Joseph Valley, IN; and Houston.

Global:

• Baltimore Sun -- Women take heart from visit to Israel (highlights Federation, JFNA) http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/neighborhoods/pikesville/bs-gl-good-works-heart-mission-20130215,0,610394.story• Philadelphia Jewish Exponent -- Congressional Testimony Centers on Charitable Donations (highlights JFNA) http://www.jewishexponent.com/congressional-testimony-centers-on-charitable-donations• Jerusalem Post -- PM: Sharansky should get another term as chairman http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=303697• JTA -- Jewish Agency asks Obama to grant clemency to Pollardhttp://www.jta.org/news/article/2013/02/19/3119946/jewish-agency-asks-obama-to-grant-clemency-to-pollard-yair-lapid-speaks-with-him• Times of Israel -- Ethiopian birth control revelations ignite debate http://www.timesofisrael.com/ethiopian-birth-control-revelations-ignite-debate/• Chronicle of Philanthropy -- Giving Pledge Adds 12 Families From Overseas http://philanthropy.com/article/Giving-Pledge-Adds-12-Families/137383

Local:

• Northwest Indiana Times -- Synagogue reuse project hits a homerun (highlights Federation) http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/shore/environment/green-notes-synagogue-reuse-project-hits-a-home-run/article_096cc883-6280-5165-bb3d-521e0caf5c32.html• Houston Chronicle (blog, Lee Wunsch) -- Houston Jews: A Mission of Destiny to the Land of Their People (highlights Federation) http://blog.chron.com/