Weekly roundup of world briefs

New head of Birthright’s foundation an alumnus of its inaugural trip to Israel

Elias Saratovsky, who participated in Birthright’s inaugural trip to Israel in 1999-2000, has been named the new president and CEO of the Birthright Israel Foundation.

Saratovsky, who will start the new position on Sept. 1, has worked at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for more than two decades, most recently as national director of regional affairs.

“I remember standing at Birthright’s Mega-Event in Jerusalem alongside thousands of other young Jewish adults from all over the world. That trip shaped my...