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Baku to establish an embassy in Israel amid Iran threat

(JNS) — After 30 years of diplomatic relations and amid tensions with Iran, Azerbaijan has decided to open an embassy in Israel, media in the South Caucasus nation reported.

Arzu Naghiyev, a lawmaker and member of the Azerbaijan-Israel parliamentary friendship group, told his country’s Pravda news site last week that “there is already a decision” and that “the opening of Azerbaijan’s embassy in Israel can only be delayed by technical reasons.”

The lawmaker also mentioned Iran opening a new consulate and establishing close ties with Armenia, with which Azerbaijan fought a war in 2020.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Azerbaijan early last month to discuss security and policy and foster security cooperation.

Gantz met with Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, during his visit.

Last April, Azerbaijan opened a tourism office in Israel for the first time and signed a cooperation agreement. The month also marked the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Both Israel and Azerbaijan see Iran as a threat. Azerbaijan fears Islamist influence.

Itamar Ben-Gvir stresses security after strong showing by Religious Zionism

(JNS) — Itamar Ben-Gvir hailed a strong showing by his Religious Zionism Party in Tuesday’s Knesset elections, with exit polls projecting the faction to win up to 15 seats in the next parliament.

Ben-Gvir, the head of the Otzma Yehudit party, ran on a joint list together with Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich.

While Ben-Gvir cautioned against celebrating too early, he described his election performance as a “huge achievement.”

He stressed security in his victory speech, stating that his party represents every sector of society. “All of them are asking for a real change. They’re asking to go safely in the streets. They’re asking not to tie the hands of our soldiers and our policemen,” said Ben-Gvir.

The security situation in Israel has deteriorated in recent months. On Election Day, a Jewish woman in Tiberias narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping by an Arab man. On Sunday, five Israeli soldiers were wounded in a terror attack in the Jordan Valley.

“We shall act against those who throw Molotov cocktails or stones and put at risk prison guards, women and do everything to jeopardize the system,” Ben-Gvir said Tuesday night.

“It’s about time that the soldiers of the IDF and the policemen get support and backing,” he added. “It’s about time we go back to being the owners of this country.”

Israeli coastline contaminated with two million tons of microplastics

(JNS) — The Israeli coastline is contaminated with over two million tons of microplastics, according to a new Tel Aviv University study. The most polluted Israeli beaches were found to be in Tel Aviv and Hadera.

The main sources of pollution include food packaging, single-use plastic products, and fishing nets, according to the researchers.

The study was published in the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, the university said in a statement on Sunday.

The study’s authors called the results “alarming,” warning that “given the current situation in Israel, exposure to microplastic waste, which is dangerous to the environment and human health, is inevitable.”

The study, connected jointly with the Mediterranean Sea Research Center of Israel, saw researchers collect sand samples from six beaches, from Haifa to Ashkelon.

The researchers assessed that Tel Aviv and Hadera beaches were specially polluted due to their close proximity to streams that carry microplastic particles to the sea, thereby intensifying the level of contamination on the beaches.

The Alexander stream, for example, collects leachate from untreated West Bank sewage, as well as waste from agricultural and industrial areas located near the riverbeds. Similarly, microplastics accumulate at the Yarkon River from the industrial centers in Tel Aviv.

Jewish federations’ General Assembly returns in-person

(JNS) — After a three-year, in-person hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,200 Jewish communal leaders are gathering this week in Chicago for The Jewish Federations of North America’s annual General Assembly (GA). During the three-day program, which began on Sunday, community leaders will discuss critical issues facing North American Jewry.

“We are living in complex times when anti-Semitic incidents are increasing at an alarming rate, anti-Israel rhetoric is rampant, millions of people are displaced by war and our communities are overwhelmed by a mental-health crisis,” said Jewish Federations of North America board chair Julie Platt. The General Assembly provides a venue for “our communal leaders to come together to tackle these complex challenges, discuss practical steps towards building flourishing Jewish communities and return to our communities invigorated to implement these strategies.”

This year’s GA is focused on responses to geopolitical challenges, such as the situations in Ukraine and Russia, as well as challenges and opportunities towards building flourishing Jewish communities. Security issues, concerns about the mental health and wellbeing of younger members of the Jewish community and the role of religion in American Jewish life also among the topics on the agenda.

Guest speakers at this year’s GA include Israeli President Isaac Herzog, U.S. Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, Israeli actor Michael Aloni and philosopher and French author Bernard-Henri Levy.

First held 90 years ago, the GA brings together Jewish leaders of diverse backgrounds in a space that fosters productive dialogue and debate. This year’s event includes a special reception to mark the 60th anniversary of National Young Leadership Cabinet and the 50th anniversary of Lions of Judah, which represent models of leadership for the Jewish world.

Secure Community Network, Federations step up fight against anti-Semitic violence

(JNS) — The number of Jewish communities in North America with security programs has increased by 42 percent following the creation of the LiveSecure initiative last year.

A $130 million program, LiveSecure aims to help protect every Jewish community in the United States and Canada thanks to a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America, with matching funds from the local federation.

Each participating organization works with SCN, the Secure Community Network, which was established by leading Jewish communal groups in the aftermath of 9/11 to ensure they have a security initiative that addresses their local needs based on best practices.

Julie Platt, board chair of JFNA, said that four years ago, at the time of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, “only a smattering of communities had professional community security initiatives, but since the launch of the LiveSecure initiative, things have gotten better. It’s incredible to see LiveSecure in action, making our communities safer every day, even as anti-Semitism and hate are on the rise.”

Since LiveSecure began last year, the number of Jewish communities with security programs rose from 45 to 64. Among the regions that have benefitted from LiveSecure are: San Diego, Houston, Birmingham, Ala., Rockland County, N.Y. and Jacksonville, Fla.

In addition to LiveSecure, JFNA has advocated for increased funding of the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps bolster the physical security of communal institutions such as synagogues and day schools.

The success of the LiveSecure initiative was touted on Sunday during the opening plenary of the Jewish Federations of North America’s annual General Assembly conference. Some 1,200 Jewish community leaders are attending this year’s event, which is being held in Chicago.

Ye promotes Jewish control over media and medicine in latest anti-Semitic remarks

(JNS) — The rapper Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) continued to double down on anti-Semitic rhetoric, in new remarks that promote canards about Jewish control over the media and the medical profession.

“It was a Jewish doctor that diagnosed me of having a disorder that would’ve had me on medication right now,” Ye, who was originally diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being hospitalized for a psychiatric emergency in 2016, said in a video circulated on Twitter. “At a time like this, if I was on medication right now, then one pill could’ve been swapped out, and it would be Michael Jackson and Prince all over again. But because I didn’t take the misdiagnosis, and I didn’t take the medication, I’m able to speak to you guys clear of thought and transparently.” (Jackson and Prince both died of overdose incidents.)

Ye proceeded to read a long list of broadcast production studios as well as print and online media outlets on his phone, before noting that the executives at all of those companies are Jewish.

The anti-Semitism scandal surrounding the musician began when he tweeted that he was “going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”

Forbes reported that Ye’s net worth dropped from $2 billion to $400 million after the German sporting goods giant Adidas ended its “Yeezy” brand partnership with the rapper. The film and television studio MRC halted plans to distribute its recently completed Kanye West-themed documentary, while professional athletes Jaylen Brown and Aaron Donald left Ye’s agency, Donda Sports, over his anti-Semitic remarks. 

Meanwhile, CNN reported that Ye had wanted to name his 2018 album after Adolf Hitler.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar honored for combating anti-Semitism, calls out delayed response to Ye

(JNS) — National Basketball Association legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar received the first annual Ally Against Antisemitism Award from Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for what the organization described as “being a steadfast ally in the fight against antisemitism and building bridges between communities.”

Upon receiving the award on Oct. 25 at a fundraiser in Toronto, Abdul-Jabbar addressed the ongoing antisemitism scandal surrounding the rapper Ye by saying, “I get condemnation from people who don’t want to see any progress, and I get support from people who understand that what people like Kanye West have to say is intolerable. We can’t have our people who set standards and who everybody wants to emulate…talking like that. That’s not what we’re supposed to be about, especially in America where we say that all men are created equal.”

He continued, “Look what happened in the time it took for all the people who ended up condemning Kanye, look how long it took for them to get around to saying what they had to say. In the meantime, Jewish kids were intimidated and bullied and had to deal with a whole lot of violence or violent thoughts directed at them because someone like Kanye West says it’s okay. It’s not okay.”

Abdul-Jabbar’s award and vocal stance against anti-Semitism comes as another prominent figure in the NBA, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, has come under fire for linking an anti-Semitic movie on his Twitter page. Irving has been criticized for his actions, including by the owner of the Nets, Joe Tsai, who tweeted, “I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.”

Tsai also tweeted, “This is bigger than basketball.”

Saudi Arabia shares intel with US on ‘imminent’ Iranian attack

(JNS) — Saudi Arabia has shared intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran is planning an “imminent” attack on the kingdom, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.

The U.S. National Security Council said in a statement on Tuesday that the United States was “concerned about the threat picture” and was in “constant contact” with the Saudis via military and intelligence channels.

“We will not hesitate to act in the defense of our interests and partners in the region,” the statement added.

According to the report the heightened concern in Washington comes as the Biden administration is stepping up its criticism of Tehran over its ongoing deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, and for supplying arms to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine.

According to Interfax, citing Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Russia has begun delivering petroleum products to Tehran as part of a swap agreement.

The U.S. last month expressed “grave concerns about Russia’s acquisition of these UAVs from Iran in violation of U.N. Security Council resolution 2231,” which formally endorsed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

After anti-Semitic tweet, NBA star, team donate $500,000

(JNS) — Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets took responsibility for a tweet last week promoting an anti-Semitic film, according to a joint statement by the NBA team and the Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday.

“I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility,” Irving said in the statement.

Irvin and the Nets will donate $500,000 “toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities,” it said.

“I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light,” the seven-time All Star said in the statement.

The ADL tweeted that it commends Irving and the Brooklyn Nets “for listening to the concerns of everyone who spoke out against #antisemitism and taking it as an opportunity to learn and do better.”

20 Democrats say keep Israel out of Visa Waiver Program

(JNS) — As the United States appears to be close to adding Israel to the list of countries in the Visa Waiver Program, 20 progressive Democrats in Congress are trying to prevent it.

The group, led by Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Oct. 27 that said that Israel should be kept out of the program because of “ethnic-based discrimination” and racial profiling. The letter, which was leaked to Jewish Insider, argued that Israel does not meet the criteria of the program because of “discriminatory restrictions” for entry into Judea and Samaria.

Israel has long chafed at its lack of inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program alongside many other United States allies. Inclusion would allow Israeli citizens to avoid the time-consuming and expensive process of attaining a visa to travel to the United States. If included in the program, Israelis would be able to travel and stay in the United States for up to 90 days without a visa—a boon to both tourism and business collaboration.

Both Blinken and U.S. President Joe Biden have said that they planned to push forward the process of including Israel in the program.

In addition to Beyer and Tlaib, the letter was signed by Reps. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Marie Newman (D-Ill.), Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and André Carson (D-Ind.). Washington D.C.’s non-voting delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) also signed the letter.