Weekly roundup of world briefs

Israel ranked fourth happiest country in world

(JNS) — Israel is the fourth happiest country in the world, according to a report produced by the U.N.-affiliated Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Based on Gallup World Poll data, the study leverages six key factors to help explain variation in self-reported levels of happiness across the world: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and absence of corruption.

The report was released on Monday to mark the International Day of Happiness, which was established when the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/281 in June 2012.

The report named Finland the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Israel and the Netherlands.

This year’s Happiness Report found that despite several overlapping crises, most populations around the world continue to be remarkably resilient.

“The happiness movement shows that well-being is not a ‘soft’ and ‘vague’ idea but rather focuses on areas of life of critical importance: material conditions, mental and physical wealth, personal virtues and good citizenship,” said Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, who worked on the study.

Rounding out the top 10 countries on the list were Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg and New Zealand.

The United States ranked 15th, Britain 19th and France 21st.

Israel placed ninth in last year’s report.

Israeli foreign minister in London to press positions on Iranian threat

(JNS) — Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen landed in London for a visit aimed at pressing Jerusalem’s position on the Iranian threat and bolstering bilateral economic ties.

According to the British Foreign Office, the 2030 Roadmap for U.K.-Israeli Bilateral Relations “contains detailed commitments for deepening cooperation across the breadth of the Israel-U.K. relationship, including on trade, cyber, science and tech, research and development, security, health, climate and gender.”

Cohen participated in a memorial ceremony for former Israeli Ambassador to the U.K. Shlomo Argov, who was severely wounded in a Palestinian terror attack in 1982.

The attack, which was carried out in London by the Abu Nidal terror group, paralyzed Argov from the neck down, and was one of the proximate causes for the IDF’s Operation Peace for Galilee in Lebanon.

He is also slated to meet with members of the local Jewish community before flying to Warsaw, Poland.

With respect to Iran, U.K. Security Minister Tom Tugendhat confirmed late last month that Tehran was “mapping” Jewish leaders.

“Between 2020 and 2022, Iran tried to collect intelligence on Israeli and U.K.-based Jewish individuals,” said Tugendhat before the House of Commons. “We believe this information was a preparation for future lethal operations.”

He added that since 2022, authorities have foiled 15 credible Iranian threats to kill or kidnap people in the United Kingdom.

Netanyahu meets German opposition head, hails ‘special ties’ with Berlin

(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem.

The two men focused on the countries’ “special relationship” and the potential for expanding ties in a range of areas, foremost security. They also discussed international issues, primarily the war in Ukraine.

Netanyahu called on Berlin to help curb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile programs.

Among those participating in the meeting were Israeli National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert.

Last week, Netanyahu traveled to Berlin for a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

At a Holocaust memorial, the premier made an indirect reference to Israel’s efforts to prevent Iran from threatening the Jewish state with nuclear weapons.

“The calls to destroy the Jewish people have not ended. The main lesson we have learned is that when we are faced with such evil, we must stop the evil plans early to prevent a disaster,” said Netanyahu.

To prevent nuclear Iran, US should arm Israel, write 44 retired generals and admirals

(JNS) — In a March 20 open letter issued by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, 44 retired U.S. generals and admirals asked the White House and Congress to “immediately provide Israel with the advanced weapons it needs to deter and prevent a nuclear Iran.”

“Iran is coming ever closer to crossing the nuclear threshold and, thereby, sparking a crisis in the Middle East,” according to the letter released by the Washington, D.C. nonprofit. It first appeared in The Hill on March 21.

The signatories added that Washington should apply lessons from the one-year-old conflict in Ukraine.

“As retired American military leaders who devoted our lives to the defense of our nation, we prefer a diplomatic solution that would genuinely end the threat posed by Iran’s escalating nuclear program,” they wrote. “But no such deal is imminent, nor realistic.”

Herman Shelanski, a Jewish retired vice admiral who signed the letter, told JNS that projecting strength is a very important way to dissuade would-be aggressors.

“The focus for the United States is to remain a very strong and powerful military to avoid having to go to war. There are countries that look at signs of weakness and will act if they perceive weakness,” he said.

Just as the United States delivered arms to Ukraine, it should do the same for Israel, according to Shelanski. “Better to be strong and prevent than to have to go to war.”

Only Israel has the means, will and ability to stop Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold imminently, the letter stated.

To that end, it said, the United States should sell, lease or place in position Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tankers; McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets; and precision-guided munitions.

“JINSA organized this letter because many leading U.S. military leaders understand that Iran’s unprecedented nuclear escalation represents a dire threat to American security interests, and that Israel has demonstrated the most will to counter Iran and prevent its achieving nuclear capability,” Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of JINSA, told JNS.

“Hopefully, this letter will help galvanize more Democrats and Republicans in Congress to press the Biden administration to expedite to Israel the military tools it needs to defend itself and prevent a nuclear Iran,” he said.

Shelanski thinks that the letter will have an impact.

TIME names Jerusalem one of World’s Greatest Places

(JNS) — Jerusalem was named one of TIME magazine’s 50 most extraordinary travel destinations, as part of the publication’s third annual list of the World’s Greatest Places.

TIME solicited nominations for the list—including countries, regions, cities and towns—from its international network of correspondents and contributors.

“The locations must be enthralling, exciting, and offer new or advanced experiences to meet the criteria for TIME,” according to the outlet.

Jerusalem is listed among the other destinations including Kyoto in Japan, Musanze in Rwanda, Giza and Saqqara in Egypt, Ladakh in India and Aqaba in Jordan.

The Tower of David Museum’s 360-degree view of Jerusalem was featured by TIME as one of the must-see attractions in the city. The museum is set to reopen to the public on June 1 following a three-year, $50 million renewal and conservation project, which included the preservation and conservation of the historic citadel and archaeological park.

The other sites mentioned in the Israeli capital were the Biblical Zoo, Jaffa Gate, Kerem Tunnel and the Mahane Yehudah market.

Tehran remains top threat for Israelis traveling abroad

(JNS) — The Israeli government has published its regular travel warning ahead of the spring holidays, with Iran remaining a top threat to Israeli tourists.

“Iran is still the main generator of global terrorism and continues its activities to promote harm to Israeli citizens around the world directly and through affiliates and proxy elements it operates, in various countries of the world, while violating their sovereignty,” states the report from the National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Division.

According to the NSCCTD assessment, Iran will continue to attempt to harm Israelis and Israeli interests around the world. The report cites recent examples over the past couple of years of Iranian operations against Israeli and Jewish targets that were prevented, including in Georgia, Turkey and Cyprus.

Countries close to Iran and in the Mediterranean basin such as Greece and Cyprus are listed as having a higher risk factor for an Iranian-aligned attack. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are listed—the two Gulf Arab countries signed the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel but have also recently shown an interest in becoming closer to the regime in Tehran along with other Gulf states.

In addition to Iran, the NSCCTD said that global jihadist organizations such as Islamic State, Al-Qaeda and Al Shabaab continue to pose a threat, with Islamic State recently showing increasing interest in harming Israelis and Jews.

Egypt is a popular destination for Israelis and the report warns visitors from the Jewish state to stick to tourist spots such as the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh and avoid deep trips into the Sinai Peninsula where terrorist groups are known to operate.

The report also warns about an increase in antisemitic violence against Jewish communities, notably in Europe and North America. The NSCCTD cites examples from recent years of attacks on Jewish institutions during religious holidays such as the deadly 2019 shootings at a synagogue in Germany during Yom Kippur and earlier that year during Passover at a synagogue near San Diego, California.

A warning is also given about the Muslim fasting holiday of Ramadan partially coinciding with Passover, saying that tensions in Israel around the holiday could threaten Israelis traveling in other countries.

The travel warning is published every year at the beginning of the spring and summer tourist seasons.

Michigan GOP party slammed for tweet trivializing the Holocaust

(JNS) — “History has shown us that the first thing a government does when it wants total control over its people is to disarm them. President Reagan once stated, ‘If we lose freedom here, there is nowhere else to escape to. This is the last stand on Earth.’” So read a tweet on March 22 from the Michigan Republican Party.

Quoting the former president and opposing gun control are red-meat issues for a conservative social-media account. But the photo of rings that the Nazis confiscated from Jewish victims—along with the caption “Before they collected all these wedding rings … They collected all the guns.”—sparked outrage, including from conservatives.

Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Jewish Coalition, called the tweet “absolutely inappropriate and offensive.” He said it should be taken down immediately.

Another Twitter user, who stated that he is Jewish and worked for the Michigan Republican Party, said: “I’m so disgusted and furious beyond words that this horrible trivialization of the Holocaust is being normalized by my state party.”

“Whether you are opposed to gun control or support it, this tweet should be called out as extremely offensive,” wrote Joel Petlin, superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District in New York state. “The Holocaust should never be used as a political weapon, and such false analogies are insulting to both the victims and survivors of the Nazi genocide. Shame on you.”

Jewish comedian Eli Lebowicz added: “Not enough oofs in the world for this one.”

More than four hours later, the tweet remained live.

Herzog wishes regional leaders a ‘peaceful Ramadan’

(JNS) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke over the past few days with a series of regional leaders to convey the Jewish state’s well-wishes for the upcoming month of Ramadan.

Herzog spoke with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; King Abdullah II of Jordan; United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; and Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas.

During the calls, Herzog expressed his “hopes for peace and stability in the region and wished them and their peoples a Ramadan that will bring them peace, happiness, and health,” according to a statement from the president’s office.

Herzog also spoke with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Albania, Senegal and Kosovo.

The Israeli leader sent letters to other heads of state, including the king of Morocco and the president of Egypt.

“The blessed month of Ramadan celebrates values that are very close to my heart. These values—of love for one’s neighbor, charity and support for the weak, and tolerant discourse—are core values that I promote all year round,” wrote Herzog.

“As you embark upon this month, I pray that we can take shared steps down the path of peace together in the coming year too,” he added.

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that Ramadan would begin this year on the evening of March 22.

UK group appeals to Olympic Committee to allow Israeli team in South African tournament

(JNS) — Three days before an international rugby tournament in South Africa, UK Lawyers for Israel has asked the International Olympic Committee to intervene to ensure that an Israeli team may participate.

UKLFI wrote on Tuesday to Girard Zappelli, IOC Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, pointing out that World Rugby (the international federation for rugby union) has known about the flagrant violation of its own regulations and the Olympic Charter since at least Feb. 7.

The IOC had previously declined to intervene on the grounds that World Rugby was assessing the position.

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI, said: “We understand why the International Olympic Committee would not wish to intervene if World Rugby were actively dealing with the matter. However, World Rugby to be dragging their feet until the exclusion of Tel Aviv Heat becomes a fait accompli. Any further delay will make it impossible for Tel Aviv Heat to participate. We hope that the IOC will make it clear that this is unacceptable.”

The South Africa Rugby Union withdrew on Feb. 3 an invitation to the Tel Aviv Heat rugby team to play in its Mzansi Challenge tournament.

Tel Aviv Heat’s participation had been planned for several months, and the invitation had been confirmed by SA Rugby’s Executive Council on two previous occasions before it was suddenly withdrawn without prior notice.

UK Lawyers for Israel has pointed out to the IOC that in these circumstances, “the IOC can and should now intervene in accordance with its mission and role as set out in Article 2 of the Olympic Charter.”

Munich says it can’t block Roger Waters concert

By David I. Klein

(JTA) — Weeks after the city of Frankfurt canceled a Roger Waters concert over his anti-Israel activism, the mayor of Munich says he cannot find legal standing to do the same.

“We do not currently see any legally secure possibility … to reverse the decision already made,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter, according to Deutsche Welle. “I do not want to have him [Waters] here, but now we’re going to have to endure it.”

Waters, the former Pink Floyd bassist, is suing the Frankfurt municipality after the city blocked him from performing in May at the Festhalle, a venue that was also the site of the deportation of 3,000 Jews during the Holocaust. 

“The background to the cancellation is the persistent anti-Israel behavior of the former Pink Floyd frontman, who is considered one of the most widely spread antisemites in the world,” the city said in a statement. 

Waters has for years been a vocal leader of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel, calling on fellow artists to avoid performing there. He has in recent months defended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to cancellations of some of his concerts in Poland.

Deutsche Welle reported that the Munich City Council is looking into ways to show solidarity with Israel and Ukraine on the date of his show in the city in late May.

Munich Jewish Community President Charlotte Knobloch criticized Munich authorities, saying they have “missed a chance to follow through with deeds on their many declarations of intent against antisemitism.”