San Diego Jewish World~July 31, 2007--issue 92

GOOD TO SEE YOU—Norman Sarkin of La Jolla hugs grandchildren Ben, 10, and Lee, 13, with
daughter Ingrid following tour of Museum of the Blind.

Museum in Holon enables visitors to learn to
navigate the world as if they were blind

By Norman Sarkin

HOLON, Israel—My granddaughter Lee, 13, organized for my wife Heather, daughter Ingrid and grandson Ben, 10, an excursion to the museum “Dialogue in the Dark” in this Tel Aviv suburb.

It was a most remarkable experience of “seeing” the world through Blind eyes. This museum is one in about 17 countries that experiences the “world of the blind”.

It teaches us to use all our senses . In particular, touch, smell and hearing come into play all the time. Our guide, Meier, 36, who has been blind from birth, gave us canes and with his help and guidance, we experienced over the next hour a virtual world without pictures.

In a room so dark we didn’t need blindfolds to feel sightless, we walked through a virtual city where sounds were helpful at the traffic lights (beep, beep,). We used our canes to warn us where the sidewalk ended. Cars honked, dogs barked and we stumbled on. We also visited a market where we had to feel the fruit to distinguish between potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, etc.

“Mind Your Step” – and carefully we stepped into a small boat. We felt the rocking – the engine noise, the wind and the spray. We stepped out into a park and heard birds and the rustle of the wind in the trees, smelled the flowers too. Ben “hopped” on to a bicycle that was parked there – rang the bell and we all could feel the frame and wheels, etc.

All these experiences taught us that being blind means the exclusion from many everyday things we, the seeing world, take for granted. On the other hand, the lack of vision is compensated by another kind of “seeing” whereby everyday life assumes a different quality, namely that of a non-visual nature.

We were asked to learn to see by not seeing – by touch, feel, smell, and so forth.

That is how “Dialogue in the Dark” was born, an exhibition which tries to take as a starting point the ideals and non-visual perceptions of blind people, in order to discover the unseen within and around us.

This museum is well worth the time. You must call and reserve a time with an English speaking guide. The number in Tel Aviv 650-3010.

(Return to top)

New religious council agrees all holy sites need protection

(Editor's Note: A meeting of the heads of all religious communities within Israel occurred last month but Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted the results of that meeting only today.)

JERUSALEM—On 27 June 2007, a new forum called the Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel was inaugurated in Jerusalem. The conference was the culmination of months of work by a steering committee, set up at the initiative of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Interior, for the purpose of improving inter-religious dialogue and promoting issues of common interest to all the religions in Israel. Representatives from the Jewish, Muslim, Druze, Greek Orthodox and other Christian denominations, Bahai, Ahmadiyya and Samaritan faiths attended the conference.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni sent the following message, which was read at the conference:

"Heads of the Religious Communities in Israel, Chief Rabbis, I wish to congratulate you on the convening of this important meeting of the Council of Religious Community Leaders in Israel. Dialogue and interfaith understanding have an honored place in establishing good relations between countries and peoples.

Israel is a unique place from an historical and religious perspective. Here are to be found the holy sites for the members of the three major faiths, and almost every stone has symbolic significance to them.

My hope is that this conference will serve as a basis and as a framework for promoting cooperation among the various religious communities which constitute the diverse mosaic of Israel, and will serve as an example for similar cooperation between Israel and her neighbors. Well done!"

At the meeting, the religious leaders adopted the following covenant:

Covenant of the Heads of the Religious Communities in Israel
27 June 2007

We, the Heads of the Religious Communities in the State of Israel, having come together to establish a council for cooperation between us, declare our faith in the Creator of the Universe who rules His world with grace and mercy, and who demands that we human beings live with each other in peace and respect.

Therefore, we hereby declare:

We are committed to doing all we can in order to fulfill this important command, especially in the Holy Land which is so dear to all of us.

First and foremost, we declare our commitment to the sanctity of human life and denounce all violence against the innocent, especially when this is done in the name of religion, which constitutes sacrilege.

In order to establish peace and mutual respect among the various religious communities in our country, we must educate our children and our communities accordingly, and avoid any affront to the sensibilities and beliefs of others.

The holy sites are a legacy from the past, which requires their preservation as religious and cultural heritages. This also is in accordance with the law of the state regarding the preservation of the holy sites; the integrity and special character of the holy sites must be safeguarded, and they must be protected from all violence and desecration. It is our responsibility, as religious community leaders, to strengthen this approach and to call upon our communities not to harm the holy sites of other religious communities.

Accordingly, and in keeping with the religious commandments and prohibitions of the various faiths, free access must be guaranteed for all believers to their holy sites, and the relevant authorities must assure this.

Our religious heritages teach that peace and tranquility, doing what is right and just, are the commandments of the Holy One Blessed Be He, and as religious community leaders we bear the responsibility to be attentive to the cries of the weak among us and to work together for a just and fair society.

Bearing a prayer to the One Most High, we thank the Creator of the Universe who enabled us to gather today in order to work together and bring a blessing to all the inhabitants of the State of Israel.

The preceding story was provided by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Return to top

Letter from Jerusalem
By Ira Sharkansky

Pensioners, Palestinians and politics

JERUSALEM—Here are a couple of stories for those cynics who are sure that politics is something for the uncivilized, and enjoy occasional proof.

In the last Israeli national election, large numbers of voters turned up their noses at all the established parties. Predictions were, and eventually realized, for record low turnout.

Close to election day, a sizeable number of people discovered the Pensioners' Party. It had run several times in the past, but never got enough votes to make it into the Knesset. Now, however, it seemed to have an energized leader.

Rafi Eitan is a wizened 80+, with eyeglasses that look like the bottom of coke bottles. But he has an impressive record, and remains vibrant. Not all of his accomplishments are widely viewed as positive. The best was his leadership of the team that snared Adolph Eichmann. Less popular was his management of Jonathan Pollard, and according to Pollard and his supporters, abandoned him to capture and a life sentence in the United States.

Pre-election predictions were that the Pensioners' Party might win enough votes to get over the threshold for entering the Knesset. As a result of publicity on the news programs, more and more Israelis, including young adults, saw it as a way to cast a protest vote that might just improve the condition of the country's aged and other poor folks.

The results gave the Pensioners seven seats, and made them an attractive target of Ehud Olmert's efforts to construct a governing coalition. He made Eitan the head of a new program to deal with pensioners, gave another new old MK the Ministry of Health, and passed out some other goodies.

After the election, commentators wondered what would come of the Pensioners' Party. Except for Eitan, people knew very little about its Members of Knesset. Would they demonstrate parliamentary skills, and do something that would allow them to repeat their electoral success?

Eitan has enhanced his reputation as a wise man who speaks frequently and intelligently on national issues, especially those concerning security. He has shown himself to be a good soldier, loyal to Olmert. The Ministry of Health never was very much. It usually caves in to the more powerful Health Maintenance Organizations and hospitals, and enforces few of the regulatory powers at its disposal.

A year and one-half after the election, there is no evidence that the condition of the country's aged has improved as a result of the Pensioners' Party's activities. But the party has provided us with a couple of juicy stories.

For a month, the police have been investigating a charge of sexual harassment. The wife of one Pensioner MK accused another Pensioner MK of enticing her into a bedroom, and of telling her that she had a nice ass.

Now there is a financial scandal. The police are being asked to look into a conspiracy among party leaders to remove from one of their number the authority to co-sign party checks, and to put another person's name on the authorized check-signing list without following normal procedures. Party leader Eitan is claiming that all is well, but he is refusing to answer journalists' questions.

One public opinion survey showed the Pensioners' Party likely to get three seats in the case of an election, down from the seven won the last time. An even more recent poll showed them barely at two seats, and marginal to the minimum percentage that would entitle them to any seats. (Jump to continuation)

(Return to top)

Europe

Israel's ambassador seeks Polish condemnation of
'greedy Jews' characterization by Polish radio priest

WARSAW (Press Release)—Israel’s ambassador to Poland, David Peleg, has called on Catholic leaders and the Polish government to condemn a controversial priest for making anti-Jewish comments.

Tadeusz Rydzyk, a Catholic priest who runs an ultra-conservative press and broadcast empire that includes the Catholic station “Radio Maryja," reportedly depicted Jews as greedy because of property restitution claims, and he criticized Polish president Lech Kaczynski for supporting the building of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, slated to open in 2009.

Rydzyk's comments were made public earlier this month in the Polish weekly magazine “Wprost." He has responded to criticism by saying he never meant to offend anyone. However, “Radio Maryja” has a history of airing anti-Semitic commentaries.

Ambassador Peleg told the Associated Press news service: "I think that this is the strongest anti-Semitic remarks here in Poland [for decades].” He added: “I definitely think that one of the aims of Father Rydzyk is to damage the very important dialogue which Catholics and Jews have developed. Peleg said he would also meet with the bishop of Lublin, who is in charge of Jewish-Catholic dialogue, to discuss the matter.

Peleg asked prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the president's twin brother, to condemn Rydzyk’s remarks, but the president and prime minister have so far withheld comment, saying they first needed to verify the authenticity of the recording obtained by “Wprost."

The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress

(Return to top)

Twenty three Jewish gravestones vandalized

PISEK, CZECH REPUBLIC (Press Release)—Some 23 gravestones at the Jewish cemetery in the Czech town of Pisek were damaged in an act of desecration last week. Vandals broke five tombstones and another 18 tombstones were toppled. The vandals remain at large.

The 19th-century cemetery in Pisek, a town 62 miles south of Prague, was in use until World War II and was renovated and opened to the public in 1993.

Two weeks ago, another Jewish cemetery was desecrated near the northeastern Czech town of Ostrava. Jirina Garajova, head of Ostrava's Jewish community, said that 25 tombstones had been overturned at the Jewish cemetery in the nearby town of Bohumin.

The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress

(Return to top)

Latin America

Jews of São Paulo donate coats for the poor

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL—The São Paulo Jewish community has donated 10,000 winter coats to a government-sponsored campaign.

Representatives from the São Paulo State Jewish Federation presented the donation last week to Brazil’s first lady, Monica Serra, who heads the annual Coats Campaign in which coats, blankets and pillows are collected and donated to the poor.

Some 200 young Jewish volunteers collected the coats last week in Higienopolis, a neighborhood where many Jews live. Sixty other drop-off locations were established in Jewish institutions and Jewish-owned establishments.

"This is a duty that the Jewish community has to the society," the federation’s president, Boris Ber, pointed out. “All those who were engaged have given a lesson of sympathy,” Serra, the wife of president Lula da Silva, added. São Paulo is home to about half of Brazil’s 120,000 Jews.

The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress

Dear Readers,

Along with my husband Don, I co-publish San Diego Jewish World. As a couple we have gone to many places. Cruising ranks at the top of our list of favorite ways to travel.

Watch this ad for a different cruising photo each day. A similar adventure can be yours!

America's Vacation Center, with which I'm affiliated, is a multi-branched travel agency that is able to provide you both good prices and good service. Before you book anywhere else, please ask me for a price comparison.

Please call me at (619) 265-0808 for information about booking a cruise from San Diego or anywhere. Or email me at sdheritage@cox.net

Thank you! Nancy Harrison

Adventures in Cruising

Carnival Spirit--San Diego-Mexico

Pool deck of Carnival Spirit

Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Africa

Reform Jews congratulate House
on Darfur divestment bill passage

______________________________________________________________
(In a related development, the United Nations Security Council voted to expand peace keeping operations in Darfur by creating a hybrid United Nations-African Union, peacekeeping force prompting U.S. Senator Russell Feingold (Democrat, Wisconsin) to make a statement on the floor welcoming protection for people of Darfur but questioning the Bush administration's willingness to compromise with the government of Sudan. Here is a link.)
___________________________________________________________________

WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) – In response to today’s passage of the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, Rabbi Marla Feldman, director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

We applaud the passage today in the House of Representatives of H.R.180, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act. This legislation works to starve the resources of the genocide by protecting the rights of states to divest from Sudan. It also requires the federal government to publish and maintain a list of companies that do business in or with the government of Sudan, prohibits U.S. government contracts with these companies and authorizes states to do the same.

Since the start of the violence in Darfur in 2003, approximately 400,000 civilians have lost their lives and 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes. During that same time, the Sudanese government’s revenue stream has continually increased, specifically through investment by foreign firms and particularly those in the oil sector. The Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act is a crucial step towards cutting off this revenue that funds the horrific violence in Darfur. A moral approach to divestment should seek to undermine the perpetrators of the violence while ensuring that humanitarian programs remain intact and civilians are not further made to suffer; this legislation does that.

Jewish tradition teaches that “whoever can prevent any person throughout the world from committing a sin but does not, is responsible for that person’s sin” (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 54b), yet blood continues to be shed on Sudanese soil. Our obligations to our neighbors include the use of conscientious investment and spending policies as a tool for positive social change. We recognize that divestment is a specific tactic to be used only in extreme situations. Yet we also recognize the failures of the diplomatic process thus far and support targeted divestment from Sudan. The circumstances in Darfur are such that divestment is timely, appropriate and likely to be successful.

We commend the House of Representatives for its vote today and hope the Senate similarly will recognize the importance of divestment as a step to ending the tragic violence in Darfur. We hope and pray that this and other positive courses of action, including the deployment of a hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force and a renewed dedication to the peace process, will soon stem the flow of innocent Darfuri blood.

The preceding story was provided by the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism

(Return to top)

United States of America

Bronfman Foundation to expand community learning

PARK CITY, Utah (Press Release)—The Samuel Bronfman Foundation announced the launch of the Bronfman Vision Forum at its three-day conference, “Why Be Jewish?” in Park City, Utah. The conference, whose participants included leading Jewish writers and thinkers, explored compelling modes of Jewish observance, study and identity. The first of its kind under the auspices of The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, the conference was hosted by Adam Bronfman, the Foundation’s managing director.

Adam Bronfman commented, “It was exciting to bring together so many important thinkers, writers and leaders from the Jewish world in order to explore and learn from the weighty and timely topic, why be Jewish? We are honored to have had such a great response and look forward to continuing these kinds of events as part of the Bronfman Vision Forum.”

As an extension of the Foundation’s recent work, The Bronfman Vision Forum will serve as the institutional home for a set of communal learning initiatives and programs that are an expression of the core belief that Jewish Renaissance is grounded in Jewish learning.

Commenting on the launch of the Bronfman Vision Forum, Dana Raucher, executive director of The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, said, “The Why Be Jewish gathering embodies our belief that Jewish content and study should be at the very heart of Jewish identity conversations. We plan to continue to offer venues for promoting a robust exchange of ideas about Jewish life.”

The goal of the Bronfman Vision Forum is to expand the network and reach of these programs by providing a space for Jewish communal conversations, facilitating an environment where ideas can grow and develop for the enhancement of Jewish life. Those programs include:

Weekly study sessions convened by Edgar M. Bronfman.
375 Series luncheon seminars focusing on contemporary issues.
Salon discussions featuring public intellectuals, writers, and world leaders.
Prayer and ritual experimentation development.
Conferences exploring a topic/theme in an in depth manner.

The preceding story was provided by the Samuel Bronfman Foundation

(Return to top)

NCJW magazine garners three national awards

NEW YORK, NY (Press Release)— The NCJW Journal, the flagship magazine of the National Council of Jewish Women, has received three awards this summer for its outstanding communications efforts: two Communicator Awards in the 2007 Print Competition and a 2007 Gold Hermes Creative Award.

The Winter 2006 NCJW Journal -- Women, Equality, and Empowerment Today and the Summer 2006 NCJW Journal -- Facing the Crisis in Women's Health each won a Communicator Award of Distinction in the 2007 Print Competition, an international award honoring excellence in communications. The Winter 2006 issue also brought home a Gold Hermes Creative Award, which is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.

Both annual competitions, judged by industry experts, identify companies, organizations, and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the field. Thousands of entries were submitted in each of the competitions.

"Every time the NCJW Journal receives formal recognition for its excellence, I know that NCJW's powerful message is having an impact. Our magazine keeps members and supporters engaged, informed, and inspired," said NCJW President Phyllis Snyder. "By spotlighting pressing issues -- the health care crisis, gender inequity, and threats to religious liberty -- the NCJW Journal serves as an ambassador for our campaigns and programs, and keeps NCJW members where they need to be: at the forefront of social change."

The preceding story was provided by the National Council of Jewish Women

(Return to top)

Jews in the News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like you, we're pleased when members of our community are praiseworthy, and are disappointed when they are blameworthy. Whether it's good news or bad news, we'll try to keep track of what's being said in general media about our fellow Jews. Our news spotters are Dan Brin in Los Angeles, Donald H. Harrison in San Diego, and you. Wherever you are, if you see a story of interest, please send a summary and link to us at sdheritage@cox.net and we'll acknowledge your tip at the end of the column. To see a source story click on the link within the respective paragraph.

*Woody Allen, commenting on the death of Ingmar Bergman, said yesterday the Swede was "the finest film director of my lifetime." The story by movie critic David Elliott is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*Paulina Geibel-Kravz, a Russian immigrant with an innovative approach to teaching English, is one of many women in the north of Israel being assisted by the New Israel Fund. Beneficiaries of the program are both Jewish and Arab women. The story by Lydia Aisenberg was carried by the J-Post.

*Los Angeles Planning Director Gail Goldberg says computer modeling for Los Angeles' traffic problems relies too heavily on cities with far more developed rapid transit systems and less urban sprawl. As a result, requirements placed on developers to mitigate traffic impacts may not be sufficient to deal with them, she said. The story by Sharon Bernstein is in today's Los Angeles Times.

*A bankruptcy court has awarded to the family of Ron Goldman the rights to O.J. Simpson's fact-or-fiction If I Did It, finding that family had a superior claim to the family of Nicole Brown Simpson, the other slaying victim in the famous O.J. case. The story by Curt Anderson of the Associated Press is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (Democrat, California) was author of a resolution calling on the government of Japan to formally apologize to the women that were forced to be sex slaves serving Japanese troops during World War II. The resolution was adopted yesterday. The Associated Press story is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*Dr. Kevin Schreiber, a New York pediatrician who just made aliyah with his family, also brought along a 250-year-old Torah scroll, originally from Krakow. The story about the Nefesh B'Nefesh program was carried by Y-Net News.

*U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (Democrat, California), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, says dramatic differences between a draft report on world health by former Surgeon General Richard Carmona and one suggested by the White House raises concern about the politicization of various federal offices by the Bush administration. The story by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar is in today's Los Angeles Times.

________________________

Click the ad above to go to the "I'm there for you baby" website

News Sleuths:

Watching the media gathering
and reporting the news
of Jewish interest

Date: July 31, 2007
Place: Sharm el-Sheikh
Spokespersons: Egypt's Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice
Subject: Miscellaneous MIddle East topics

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (Via interpreter) We had today a meeting, the group of the GCC plus Egypt and Jordan. We convened that meeting with Dr. Rice, the Secretary of State, and the meeting truly was one of the important meetings. We have covered a wide variety of regional issues and we agreed on a statement that will be issued and it will cover six points.

Obviously, the statement as well as the discussions cover the Middle East issue, the issue of Iraq, the Iranian nuclear issue, the issue of Lebanon, as well as the issue of terrorism, and lastly the nonproliferation and issues of weapons of mass destructions.

The meeting was very fruitful and we have exchanged clearly a variety of views. It was a frank discussions and we believe that there’s a great deal of understanding between the U.S. Secretary of State on the one hand and the other participants on the other hands.

The U.S. Secretary of State explained to us in details and with clarity the American vision and the American views to move and advance the Middle East peace process and the conference or the meeting that President Bush called for and expressing the American desire to advance a Palestinian-Israeli settlement that would lead to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and contiguous Palestinian state.

We also heard with a great deal of interest the American vision and the American views about Iraq regarding the upcoming period, which is the next 17 months the life of the Administration.

That was briefly what we have discussed. The U.S. Secretary of State and the U.S. Secretary of Defense, they will both be honored to meet President Mubarak after this press conference. Thank you.

SECRETARY RICE: Well, thank you very much, Minister. Thank you very much for arranging this meeting of the GCC plus Egypt and Jordan and the United States. This is the fifth time that we have met in this configuration, beginning with the meeting that we held during the UNGA last September. And I think it is a sign of our intensifying political dialogue that we have met more frequently, and I believe we are continuing to find this forum an excellent way to address the many challenges and opportunities that we have.

And today, we indeed, as you said, discussed a number of those challenges, particularly how to support a unified Iraq in which all Iraqis can live in peace and security. We talked about the challenges facing Lebanon and how we can support the democratically elected Government of Lebanon. But we also talked at some length, as you said, about the opportunities that may be there now to advance the two-state solution.

I thank you very much for welcoming, as did the other members of the GCC, Egypt and Jordan, the President’s statement of July 16^th. And I look forward to the consultations that we will have in advance of the convening of an international meeting sometime this fall. I said to the minister and to others that I expected to be frequently here in the efforts to prepare that meeting because we also need to enhance and work to accelerate progress on the bilateral track between Israelis and Palestinians.

So thank you very much for inviting us here, and it was a very fruitful discussion.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Also to comment on what Dr. Rice said, we have also told Secretary Rice that we’ll always welcome her here in Egypt and in the region.

(Jump to continuation)

affecting the Jewish community and/or Israel involve Jews as direct participants, so they really don't quite fit the requirements for the "Jews in the News" column above. Yet, there obviously is a community interest in such stories, so we will endeavor to provide links to them in this space

The Jewish Grapevine


AUTHOR, AUTHOR—Eugene Telser has published a new book, How to Become President of the United States, which is now available on Amazon. He says the novel "is a rather bawdy perhaps vulgar and lewd novel which depicts a fundamental political hypothesis. Namely, that in order for a man to be elected to important political office he must demonstrate to the electorate that he is, to put it bluntly, on the make. It does not deal with what characteristics a woman must make clear to the public. The recent flap over Hillary Clinton’s cleavage, the attention given to Barack Obama’s suits and John McCain’s sweater suggest that how a candidate projects himself or herself is drastically more important than what he or she stands for on issues."

BUSINESS BRIEFS—Larry Lerner, owner of Empire Building Solutions, is one of the newest members of the Jewish American Chamber of Commerce. His San Diego company helps people buy and sell businesses....

COMMUNITY INTEREST NEWS—Not all stories affecting the Jewish community and/or Israel involve Jews as direct participants, so they really don't quite fit the requirements for the "Jews in the News" column above. Yet, there obviously is a community interest in such stories, so we will endeavor to provide links to them in this space:

●Russia's President Vladimir Putin told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he considered him the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people. An Associated Press article may be found on the Ha'aretz site.

CYBER-REFERRALS—Bruce Kesler found thought-provoking a column by Hillel Halkin in today's New York Sun about the Exodus and the value of having world opinion on your side....

DATEBOOK—Members of the Jewish American Chamber of Commerce will join the networking group of the Young Adults Division of the United Jewish Federation in a celebration of the end of summer at the Witherby, at the corner of Market and 5th Streets, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 23. JACC President and Founder Mikael Besnainou said "participants will come dressed in all white, which should make quite a scene along the red carpet entrance. Paparazzi take note."

IN MEMORY—Freida Bitner, a past president of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Sisterhood, has died. Her funeral will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 2, at Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego...

             California

Insurance Commissioner Poizner praises GEICO

LOS ANGELES (Press Release) – Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today was joined by GEICO officials to announce his approval of their 10.8% rate reduction in personal auto insurance policies. This enormous reduction translates to a whopping $65.8 million in overall savings for GEICO customers. Commissioner Poizner also announced today GEICO’s early compliance with the Department of Insurance auto rating factor regulations, rewarding good drivers for their behavior.

“I am pleased to announce that GEICO is passing on tremendous savings to its policyholders,” said Commissioner Poizner. “As a top auto insurer in California, GEICO is an excellent example that insurers can serve the best interests of its customers and operate profitably at the same time.”

Commissioner Poizner ordered the Department of Insurance (CDI) Rate Filing Bureau to process GEICO’s rate reductions quickly, so he could approve the reductions and put money back into the pockets of GEICO’s 436,000 California policyholders. Under the reduced rates, GEICO customers will save an average of $150 per policy. The new rates will go into effect August 30.

Additionally, GEICO has filed to become 100% compliant with CDI’s auto rating factor regulations, one year earlier than the mandated deadline. Under these regulations, rates will be based primarily on three factors: driving record, number of miles driven, and years driving experience. Under old regulations, rates were heavily influenced by other optional rating factors, such as marital status, gender, and zip code. GEICO’s timely compliance with the auto rating factor regulations will help reward good drivers through lower premiums, instead of penalizing them for where they reside.

“How a person drives is more important than where a person lives, and I applaud GEICO’s efforts to accurately evaluate customer premiums by fully implementing our auto rating factor regulations,” added Commissioner Poizner. “GEICO has set an example of leadership and excellent customer service for all insurers in California. This is great news for policyholders.”

The preceding story was provided by the office of Insurance Commissioner Poizner

California, Arizona &    Nevada sales positions

           Start your career, help save the planet
The foremost environmentally friendly packaging company, Bubbla, seeks sales personnel throughout the three-state area to demonstrate and sell its packaging systems. We offer sales assistance, payment for pre-qualified customer demonstrations and a high commission structure for independent representatives. To find out more, email us at acooper@bubbla.com, or call our offices in Canoga Park at (818) 884-2000, or click on this link to visit our website http://www.bubbla.com (go to the "contact us" tab).

Congresswoman Davis wins educators' award

WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)— In recognition for her work in education and teaching, Congresswoman Susan Davis (Democrat, California) has been presented with a national teaching award.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards gave Davis their Friend of the NBPTS Award for her dedication to high standards for teaching and learning and her support for National Board Certification.

“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Davis, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee. “I am proud of the work I have done with the NBPTS and look forward to the work we will do in the future. We share a common goal on providing our children with top quality teachers.”

In a ceremony on Capitol Hill, Davis and Sen. Mike Enzi (Republican Wyoming) were both honored. The evening event was the culmination of a national conference held by the NBPTS in Washington.

“Representative Davis’s commitment to improving teaching and learning is phenomenal,” said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and CEO. “She consistently demonstrates a strong determination to promote high standards for teaching and learning. We are grateful for her support.”

As a member of the California State Assembly, Davis wrote the California law that provides merit pay to teachers who become board certified with the NBPTS. Davis has taken her effort to improve teacher quality nationally by sponsoring legislation in Congress to encourage teachers to become NBPTS board certified.

The preceding story was provided by the office of Congresswoman Susan Davis

{Click the above ad for more information}

               Sports

      The Jewish Sports Fan

Unless otherwise indicated, source for these stories is today's edition of The San Diego Union-Tribune, to which we gratefully provide the links below. We do not apply halacha to determine if a player is Jewish; rather, if he or she has a Jewish parent or has converted to the faith, we count him or her as a member of our community.

Overnight, tennis schedule turns partners into rivals

Irony of ironies. Shahar Pe'er of Israel and Sania Mirza of India, a Jew and a Muslim, had only a day ago teamed up to become doubles champions up at Stanford's Bank of the West tournament. But the partners barely had time to celebrate when they found themselves matched against each other in opening day singles play at the Acura Tournament in San Diego. Mirza was the winner scoring 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

FOOTBALL—Igor Olshansky, recovering from a groin injury, sat out San Diego Chargers practice yesterday.

JEWS IN SPORTS—If you like our daily coverage of Jews in sports, you'll love the "Jews in Sports" website, which although under construction already has posted some fascinating material. Here is a link. In a news release the JCC Association, comprised of JCC's throughout North America, noted: "Who knew that one of Spain's most celebrated bullfighters was a Jewish boy from Brooklyn? (Sidney Franklin) Or that one of the greatest American athletes of the nineteenth century was a Jewish Ivy Leaguer from Princeton (Phil King). You can find out much more about the long and illustrious history of Jews in sports at "Jews in Sports," a fascinating searchable archive established by the American Jewish Historical Society. The next generation of Jewish athletes is competing this month at the JCC Maccabi Games® in Orange County, California, Houston, and Baltimore. Thousands of Jewish teens are gathering to compete in 14 different individual and team sports. Go, team!



                                                    {Click the above ad for more information}

{Marc Kligman, who combines being a sports agent with his life as an observant Jew, invites you to listen. Click on the ad above for more information}


        News from the
Israel Baseball League

Darkness overcomes Lightning and Express,
leaving the two IBL teams tied 5-5 after seven

By Nathaniel Edelstein

TEL AVIV (Press Release)—Following the IBL All-Star Break play resumed on Tuesday, but not all games were completed as the Ra'anana Express and Tel Aviv Lightning were tied at five runs apiece through seven innings before the game was suspended due to darkness.

Tel Aviv went up 5-0 after two innings on a two-run double from Dominican shortstop Raul Franco, a two-run triple from third baseman Nate Fish, and an RBI-single from first baseman Stewart Brito.

After scoring one run in the top of the first inning, Ra'anana continued to chip away at the lead before designated hitter Scott Feller tied up the game in the seventh inning with his first homerun of the year. Following the seventh the game was suspended and the
tie-breaking homerun derby will be played at a later date.

In the late game at the Baptist Village in Petach Tikva the first-place Bet Shemesh
Blue Sox held on to beat the last-place Petach Tikva Pioneers 7-6. Michigan native Jason Benson earned his fourth victory with five innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and five walks.

The Blue Sox offense drew nine walks and stole eleven bases, including three from leftfielder Mike Lyons of Miami, Florida. Bet Shemesh was up 7-2 entering the seventh inning, but right-handed hurler Alon Leichman couldn't finish the game, giving up a few singles and walks before Scott Jarmakowicz came in to shut the door. The win
is the fourth consecutive victory for the Sox, who are now 2.5 games ahead of the Tel Aviv Lightning.

Meanwhile at Kibbutz Gezer the Modi'in Miracle defeated the Netanya Tigers 7-0 as Dominican Maximo Nelson picked up his league-tying fifth win of the season. The 6'5" right-hander threw a complete-game shutout, allowing six hits with nine strikeouts and three walks to lower his ERA to 3.42.

Nelson needed very little offensive support, but got plenty of it as Australian leftfielder Moko Moanaroa went 2-for-3 with a first-inning grand slam homerun. Designated hitter Steve Litvack added a three-run homerun in the third, his third long ball of the season.

Summaries:
                   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   R   H   E
Ra'anana     1   0   0   0   2   1   1   5    9   0
Tel Aviv     2   3   0   0   0   0   0   5   11 2
HR: Scott Feller (1)

                         1   2   3   4   5   6   7    R   H   E
Bet Shemesh     2   2   0   2   1   0   0    7    7    0
Petach Tikva     0   2   0   0   0   0   4    6    7    2
W: Jason Benson (4-1); L: Alper Ulutas (2-2); SV: Scott Jarmakowicz
(1); HR: None

                    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   R   H   E
Netanya        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0    6    0
Modi'in         4   0   3   0   0   0   x   7    6    0
W: Maximo Nelson (5-1); L: Julio Guerrero (1-1); HR: Moko Moanaroa
(2), Steve Litvack (3)

Standings:
Team                               W    L     %     GB
Bet Shemesh Blue Sox    20    7    .741     –
Tel Aviv Lightning          17    9    .654   2.5
Modi'in Miracle               16   10   .615   3.5
Netanya Tigers                10   15   .400   9.0
Ra'anana Express             10   16   .385    9.5
Petach Tikva Pioneers      5    21   .192   14.5

Wednesday the Modi'in Miracle and Ra'anana Express play a doubleheader at Kibbutz Gezer with the first game at 1 pm and the second game at 5 pm. Also at 5 pm the Netanya Tigers host the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox at Sportek and at 7 pm the Tel Aviv Lighting and the PetachTikva Pioneers play at Yarkon Field at the Baptist Village. For
directions to the fields visit www.IsraelBaseballLeague.com.

The preceding story was provided by the Israel Baseball League

(Return to top)

Arts & Entertainment


Works by Israeli conceptual artist Dorit Feldman will be shown for a month at James Gray Gallery

Israeli conceptual artist Dorit Feldman opens show

SANTA MONICA, California (Press Release)—Dorit Feldman, acclaimed Israeli conceptualist and neo-structuralist, arrives in Los Angeles for the opening of her new show, “Lucid Contexture,” at the James Gray Gallery in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. Her month-long exhibition opens on August 4 with a reception from 6-9 pm.

Feldman chose the title for her show, Lucid Contexture, because the various meanings of "contexture" reflect the themes ever present in the overall purpose of her work. "Contexture" combines the context of her pieces, the text within her work, and the texture of the various elements. Feldman has constantly sought to decode the concept of creativity, the act of creation; in short, the making of unity out of multiplicity. Her work is interdisciplinary in terms of ideas and materials and calls for a visual reading.

Feldman’s show at the James Gray Gallery will feature various works, including photographs, mixed media work on canvas, metal sculptures, and "book-objects." These book-objects in particular express the bonds between the physical and metaphysical that Feldman so insightfully presents to the viewer.

Art critics and lovers alike have commented on the broad reach of theoretical knowledge that Feldman fuses in to her work, as well as the provocative union of technology and classic texts and themes that she achieves through her art.

Material for the preceding story was provided by the James Gray Gallery

Life Style

Doing It Better
          Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D

Natasha, your editor really enjoyed this column

LA JOLLA, California—I have often heard people equating the giving of compliments with being a softy. Somehow, praising someone’s performance feels to many people like they’re not being tough enough and therefore might lose their staff’s respect.

Our language expresses this fear of the consequences of giving compliments: “It will go to his head, she’ll have a swelled head, you won’t be able to talk to him after this,” etc. Some of us like to receive compliments—it makes us feel good—but others are embarrassed by them. I am wondering whether the people who feel uncomfortable getting praise are the same ones who are ill at ease giving it?

In the hustle and bustle of the everyday world, it is all too often that we take people, and things, for granted. I recently saw a poster that went something like this: “Be quicker to praise, less quick to criticize.” The old adage, “A pat on the back goes a lot farther than a kick in the pants,” still holds true in today’s harried world. People respond to praise. It generates a feeling of good will.

Let the people around you know how much your truly appreciate their hard work and efforts. Saying something as simple as, “Thank you, you did a good job today,” will generate a sense of pride and accomplishment in them. By the way, leaders are no exception to the rule—they, too, like to receive positive reinforcement.

Giving a compliment is an art in itself. It is making a person feel good about themselves, and even more important, feel “special.” You will brighten someone’s day by letting them know that the job they did is not going unrecognized. It is never too late to start showing a little appreciation to those around you. Take a chance in conveying respect or even admiration for someone; you’ll be amazed with the response.

Studies have shown that people learn more from their successes than their mistakes. Learn to notice even routine good work; this will not make you any less of a good boss—quite the opposite.

A friend of mine, Ken Blanchard, who wrote the One Minute Manager, tells the story of being on a TV talk show and explaining about the one-minute praise that means catching someone doing something right. At the end of the show, one of the crew members came up to him and said with tears in his eyes: “I have been working at this station for over 20 years and no one has ever given me a compliment on my work. I wish they had heard what you have to say.”

A compliment will make people feel good, especially if it is tied to a specific piece of work or performance. Vague, general compliments are not as effective.

On the home front, after a dinner party, “Thank you for the lovely evening” is nice, but “I loved your flower arrangement” or “Your dessert was spectacular” or “I really enjoyed talking to your other guests” is more specific and more appreciated. In other words, whenever possible, find a particular thing to praise.

Recent studies have shown that telling a child that he or she did a good piece of work because he or she worked hard is much more effective than telling a child that his or her success is due to the fact that he or she is smart.

Children can control how hard they work and can be motivated to continue to do so. They have no control over their innate intelligence and therefore do not feel deserving of praise for something not due to effort on their part.

Although it’s important for our children’s self-confidence to confirm how bright they are, there is nothing like hard work that pays off—to give kids the self-confidence that they can make it.

So choose your compliments carefully, but not parsimoniously. Go ahead—make someone’s day. You’ll both be glad you did.

The preceding story also was published by the La Jolla Light

Story Continuations

Zionist Organization of America...
(Continued from above)
Additionally, Saudi Arabia also does not permit basic human rights, like freedom of religion. No religion other than Wahhabi Islam is permitted to be practiced, churches and synagogues are forbidden in the kingdom, women are not allowed to drive cars and Jews are excluded from medical and construction projects in the country.

Dr. Mordechai Nisan, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has recently written in a monograph, Saudi Arabia's jihad in the Middle East and the World: Implications for the US and Thoughts for American Policy, that "It is Saudi Arabia, more than Iran or al-Qaeda, which is the primary promoter of global jihad in our times … Israel … is a target of relentless Saudi ambitions … A revision of Washington's traditional policy towards Saudi Arabia is the issue to be considered."

Under the law, the president is required to formally notify Congress of an impending arms deal, and Congress then has a 30-day window to pass a Joint Resolution of Disapproval. Standing yesterday in front of the Saudi Consulate in New York, Congressmen Anthony Weiner and Jerrold Nadler condemned Saudi Arabia as a sponsor of terrorism unworthy of American military support and that they would introduce legislation to oppose it as soon as Congress is officially notified.

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) also joined Weiner in pledging to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval to block the deals when Congress is formally notified. At least seven other Members of Congress have expressed support for a Joint Resolution of Disapproval (New York Sun, July 30). Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) has also expressed deep concern about the proposed package ( Haaretz, July 30). Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) has indicated that there is much concern about the proposed deal and that getting it through Congress will be a challenge for the Administration.

Criticism of the proposed Saudi arms deal from legislators:

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY): "The folly of this arms deal is beyond belief. Saudi Arabia is the no. 1 exporter of terrorism in the world today. They are not our friends. We cannot trust how they will use their arms. … We don't have to give them high-tech weapons which may be turned against our friends or us" ( New York Sun, July 30).

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY): "They are paying the bills for the suicide bombers. It is not an accident that 15 of the 19 suicide attackers here on our soil were Saudis … looking for the moderate Arab state might be akin to looking for the unicorn" ( New York Sun, July 30); "The reputation of the Saudis has taken quite a beating since 9/11, and despite the fact that the administration has done everything to portray them as part of the moderate Arab world, members of Congress of both parties are increasingly skeptical" ( Washington Post , July 29). "Saudi Arabia should not get an ounce of military support from the U.S until they unequivocally denounce terrorism and take tangible steps to prevent it." (Press release, May 24).

Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee: "This is not a sale at Macy's that you go in and buy a bunch of stuff. There are a complex set of relationships behind it, and while it's very desirable to have the Saudis and others recognize that Iran is an existential threat, there is also a degree of responsibility that they have to show on broader U.S. foreign policy interests" (Washington Post, July 29).

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY): "We have grave reservations that this arms sale to Saudi Arabia could allow weapons to slip into terrorist hands" (New York Sun, July 30).

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, "The ZOA opposes this proposed arms package for Saudi Arabia in the strongest terms and praises the efforts being made by Representatives Engel, Lantos, Maloney, Nadler, Weiner and Wexler. The ZOA praises their activism on this issue. Saudi Arabia's record in funding and disseminating Islamist hate ideology worldwide and its support for terrorist groups that murder Israelis is something for which it has never been held to account. At a bare minimum, therefore, it is incumbent upon the United States to withhold advanced technology that would affect the military balance between Israel and the Arab states. While the ZOA strongly supports the increased levels of military aid for Israel proposed in this package, the Saudi arms package is an entirely separate issue that must be judged on its own merits – and these are completely lacking.

"Saudi Arabia has not behaved like a US ally that deserves this level of support and friendship from the United States. We should not forget that Saudi Arabia is not playing its part in fighting regional terrorism, because it continues to disseminate its extreme Wahhabi ideology in mosques around the world. Nor is it promoting Arab-Israeli peace. The Saudi so-called Peace Initiative demands massive Israeli concessions before the Arab states would even take any steps to recognize Israel and live in peace with her. Moreover, Saudi Arabia threatened Israel with war if it failed to agree to the terms of its Initiative , the Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud al-Faisal, even stating that " [If Israel does not agree to the offer, it will be placing its future] in the hands of the lords of war" (Washington Times, March 29). This is clearly not a state fostering peace or fighting terrorism.

"To proceed with this sale in effect simply tells the Saudis that we believe that their policies and conduct are satisfactory and that they need make no move towards fulfilling their commitments to America as an ally. In this context, it is worth noting that Saudi Arabia lied in November 2005 to the US in promising to drop its economic boycott of Israel, something which it has actually admitted to have continued since that date. Therefore, proceeding with this sale essentially tells the Saudis that they will not be held accountable for their words and deeds. Moreover, no-one has suggested that Saudi Arabia is likely to be attacked by Iran or needs it for its legitimate self-defense. That being the case, why are we selling these weapons to Riyadh?

"Selling sophisticated high-tech weaponry to Saudi Arabia will seriously reduce Israel's qualitative military superiority over Arab states that do not accept her existence, which the United States is pledged to uphold and is therefore inconsistent with both American and Israeli interests."

(Return to top)

News Sleuths....
(Continued from above)

QUESTION: (inaudible)

SECRETARY RICE: Well, the assistance discussions that we are having with Egypt, with Israel, with Saudi Arabia and with other Gulf states – and I might note that there are several Gulf states with which we are having those discussions – fall in a long line of American efforts in this region going back decades to help assure and – assure the security of our friends and allies in the region. There’s really nothing new about this. We’re coming to the end of a ten-year program with Egypt, the end of a ten-year program with Israel. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns will come out to the region sometime in the next couple of weeks to have further discussions.

But the United States is determined to assure our allies that we are going to be reliable in helping them to meet their security needs. We have a lot of interests in common in this region in the fight against terrorism and extremism, in protecting the gains of peace processes of the past and in extending those gains to peace processes of the future. So it makes perfectly good sense that positive agenda on the diplomatic side – and I want to emphasize that there is a very active now and intensive diplomatic process in place, too – that that diplomatic process would be accompanied by efforts to help our allies defend themselves against any threats. It’s a positive agenda. It’s not aimed at anyone.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: It is important to add to what the Secretary has just said that the American assistance, military assistance to Egypt, has been a going concern over the last two and a half decades. It started almost 1979 and it continues for the next ten years as the Secretary has indicated, and (inaudible) Burns will be indicating this as he comes to the region.

SECRETARY RICE: Let’s see. An American journalist?

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: An American. We’ll alternate it.

SECRETARY RICE: We’ll alternate. We’ll alternate, yes.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: And as we are the host, it will be two-to-one.

SECRETARY RICE: Oh, really? (Laughter.) Two-to-one which way? (Laughter.)

QUESTION: And this is a question for both the ministers. Was any fresh commitments of Iraq from the Gulf states (inaudible) and Saudi Arabia? If so, (inaudible)? If not, why not? Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: What is the –

SECRETARY RICE: Fresh commitments for Iraq.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Fresh commitments on --

QUESTION: Iraq.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Well, the Egyptian GCC Arab commitment is always to help a unified, united Iraq to reach that point of full stability. That we have been trying to do over the last four years and that we have been as Egypt hosting many conferences in this city, Sharm el-Sheikh, to reach a certain international, regional understanding how to bring Iraq as one unit to the point of stability.

We have been also calling for the non-interference of any foreign powers into Iraqi affairs, and that is something that we would renew.

I would refer you to the statement that will be issued at the end of our press conference. It relates directly to your question.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, it relates directly to the question. I think we know what the obligations are of the neighbors. They were undertaken at Sharm el-Sheikh. It’s now a matter of carrying forth those obligations. They are obligations for some states concerning debt relief. There are obligations for other states concerning financial support.

I just want to note that Egypt has been one of the most active states in terms of diplomatic support to Iraq, including the tragic loss of an Egyptian ambassador who was indeed accredited to Iraq. And so this was an effort to think together about what we can do, but I think the commitments were outlined at Sharm el-Sheikh and in the international compact, and people are carrying through on those commitments.

QUESTION: A question from (inaudible). Welcome back.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you.

QUESTION: What’s exactly the aim of the next coming conference or meeting in autumn? Is it only for the Palestinian authorities or for the aim of resuming the peace process exactly?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, I think President Bush made very clear that the reason to have an international meeting is to advance the progress of the two parties toward a two-state solution. No one can have a discussion, no one can have a negotiation, in lieu of or in place of the parties. This is something that the parties have to do.

But there can be international efforts to support diplomatically what the parties are doing. There is an active bilateral track now between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas. I am going to Israel and to the Palestinian territories in a couple of days, I guess, after I’m here and in Saudi Arabia, and it’s my intention to see what we can do to stimulate further progress on that bilateral track. Because I think when we get to an international meeting, we want it to be a well-prepared meeting that really does advance progress toward a two-state solution. That is what the President has in mind. That is what we have in mind. There is no reason to call the international community together just to review what has been done. The purpose is to give a spur to future and further progress. And so that’s what we will do.

I said to my colleagues that this conference shouldn’t be thought of as “Made in America.” We will be consulting about how best all of us can make steps to make sure that the meeting is a success.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (Via interpreter) I would like to just add to what the U.S. Secretary of State said. We, in today’s meeting, we have talked about our point of view and what we would like to see as a part of the agenda of that meeting and what kind of outcome we would like to see. We have told her about the results of the visit by the two foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan to Israel and the views that we heard from the Israeli side, and also what we would like to see as happening as an additional American efforts to advance into that direction. And we have emphasized that we would like to see a meeting with an elaborate agenda capable of dealing with the Palestinian issue in a way that would lead to the establishment of the Palestinian state in the very near future.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) (Inaudible) A question to Secretary Rice. What kind of reference are you going to use for the upcoming meetings? Is it going to be the UN Resolution 242? Is it going to be the Arab League? There is an Arab concern that maybe there are new terms of references or there is a change in the Arab League initiative.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. Well, I think that we can build on the several UN Security Council resolutions and other proposals that have been put forward, other plans that have been put forward. We have, of course, the Arab initiative. We should remember we also have the roadmap that the parties and the region are – and the international community are all agreed to. We have various statements that leaders have made, that Palestinian leaders have made, that Israeli leaders have made. I think we will want to put all of that together to put forward the most positive agenda that we can.

But let me just underscore the purpose again here. We really don’t want to have a meeting for the sake of a meeting. We – it doesn’t make any sense for the President of the United States to ask people to come wherever we ask them to come, which is still yet to be decided, but it doesn’t make sense for the President of the United States to ask people to convene unless we want to use that convention of parties to push the process forward.

There is a lot of work to do between now and then to lay a proper foundation so that the meeting can be a spur to further progress. That began today with the comments that I heard from my interlocutors here. There will be a Quartet meeting sometime probably in the fall. We will probably see each other again at the UNGA. I expect to come back to the region. There is a lot of work to do to make sure that this is an agenda that advances the cause that everyone is looking to, and so that’s what we’re going to be doing for the next few months.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: I would hope that the Quartet’s meeting as it takes place, the Arab working group would have the chance of having an encounter with the Quartet in order to coordinate the work for the coming meeting.

SECRETARY RICE: I know that’s very much wanted by the Quartet as well.

Yes, (Inaudible) --

QUESTION: Hi, this is for the --

SECRETARY RICE: No, it was (Inaudible).

QUESTION: Oh. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: I’ll make this one snappy. Two questions. First to you, sir. Can there be a two-state solution right now while the Palestinian state is essentially split in two? Can you move forward on the peace track?

And then, Madame Secretary, the neighbors agreement has been in place for long enough to, in a sense, judge how some of it’s going. Did you discuss behind closed doors a sort of progress report? Are there some areas where you see more things that need to be done?

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: May I? (Via interpreter) Regarding the question about the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state at a time when we see Palestinians split, I believe that what it is needed is accelerated moves in order to reach the horizon of that state and an agreement between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority regarding this settlement, this settlement that will be presented to the Palestinian people. If we wait, I believe this will have a negative impact on the general situation in dealing with the Palestinian issue. That is one dimension.

The other dimension that we hope that this split within the Palestinian community is a temporary status and there are calls for dialogue, for unification. There are some calls yesterday and through the Arab League foreign ministers meetings. That issue was discussed. And the focus is on the need to bring back the Palestinian legitimacy to Gaza. All these are elements we have to work very hard, but when we are working hard and in (inaudible) we have to work very hard in order to achieve an agreement between the two sides; otherwise, we will be threatening a great deal of what has been achieved during the last two decades or since October ’91 when – after the Madrid conference.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, in terms of the neighbors conference that took place under the auspices of the Egyptian Government and the UN and the Iraqis, yes, we talked about what we – progress has been made and what is remaining to do. I think the concerns of everyone center around the need to accelerate efforts toward national reconciliation, that the – all parties need to really now throw their weight behind this effort at national reconciliation that the Iraqi leaders are trying to carry out. It means an intensification of their efforts and it means an intensification of the efforts of those who have influence with the Iraqi leaders to make certain that they’re doing everything that they can to get to that point of national reconciliation.

But I would note, too, that there are other obligations that were undertaken that are continuing. For instance, there has been some good work done on border issues with some of the states. There is also work being done on debt relief. There are a number of obligations that were undertaken at the neighbors conference that are being carried out. But I think everybody recognizes that as the security situation will hopefully improve as a result of what the United States and coalition forces are doing to reinforce Iraqi security efforts, that there will be – that the Iraqis will use that space to really press forward on national reconciliation. And we take note of the fact that there are going to be several efforts by Iraqi leaders to get together to try to press that forward over the next month or so, and I think that there was a general agreement that everyone will do what they can to influence those who are part of that effort to be urgent about that – the priority.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) A question to Secretary Rice. There is an Arab belief that when the President Bush announced convening a peace meeting is just a carrot that the United States is throwing at the Arabs in order to send a save face to the United States in Iraq. Do you believe that the United States recognized that it’s in an entanglement and quagmire in Iraq and the meetings that you had today with ministers help you to save you in Iraq?

A meeting to – question to Mr. Aboul Gheit. You have told us what happened in the meeting and you said that the Middle East peace process is up front and is an issue. Secretary Rice said Iraq was among the first issues. How can we deal with this different views?

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: May I answer?

SECRETARY RICE: Sure.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (Via interpreter) In order to answer your question is you’re going to see the statement and the priorities of the statement. I urge you to go back to that statement that we will issue. The statement talks about the Middle East peace process as one issue followed by Iraq, followed by other issues. Thank you.

SECRETARY RICE: This is a regional approach, and that means that you address all of the issues of the region. We addressed not only the Middle East peace process and Iraq, we addressed Lebanon, for instance. And so it is extremely important to understand that we, the United States, recognizes that this is a time of challenge and opportunity for the entire region and there are – unless you can address all of the challenges and opportunities, you’re going to miss an opportunity to put this region on a more stable footing going forward. And so one doesn’t have to have a view that you just discuss one thing or just discuss another; you can discuss them all and hope to make progress on all.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Which we did.

SECRETARY RICE: Which we did. You will see that the agenda was quite long and quite extensive.

As to help for the United States, the help is for Iraq. Iraq has a long tradition. It’s a proud Arab nation that has now been liberated from a terrible dictator who started two major wars in this region and who was brutal to his own people. And now the effort is a regional/international one to help the Iraqis achieve a stable and democratic government. And that’s how we see it in the United States. I think that that is how I heard the members of the group today describe their efforts that everyone wants to see an Iraq that is stable and unified. It is in everyone’s interest and it would be against everyone’s interest if that is not the case, but it would be in everyone’s interest if Iraq is indeed stable and unified and moving forward on its democratic enterprise.

The Middle East peace and the Palestinian state is something President Bush talked about in 2001 when he said that it would be American policy to have a two-state solution. That’s long before U.S. forces were in Iraq.

I think we probably need to take maybe one last question. Yeah.

QUESTION: Um --

SECRETARY RICE: No? (Laughter.) It’s right here.

QUESTION: Hi, this is for the Egyptian Foreign Minister. The Iranian Foreign Ministry put out a statement yesterday voicing some alarm about this announcement of all these new weapons packages. I’m curious from your perspective; are you concerned that there could be some blowback from the Iranians as a result of the moves to strengthen the militaries in the Gulf, or do you think this is purely a positive, stabilizing effort?

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: I read the Iranian statement this morning, and in all honesty I was amazed because the military assistance to Egypt has been, as I stated, an earlier relationship that lasted now for the last 25 years. American-Gulf relations and the supply of Gulf states by American weaponry has been also a going concern for so long.

What is needed is stability in the Gulf, and you will see in the statement references aiming at that particular point: stability in the Gulf. The 6+2+1 aims directly to ensure Gulf stability.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, I have nothing to add. He said it very well.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Okay.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Thank you very much.

(Return to top)

Pensioners, Palestinians ...
(Continued from above)

For those following the activities of the Palestinians, there is a story to match that of the Pensioners. It is not a case of corruption, insofar as that is so common among the Palestinians as not to warrant news coverage. What we are seeing is a community leader once again scuttling his own people's chance of any progress.

Last week the media made a big point about a new declaration of policy by the Fatah Party, which used to run everything and is now in charge of a rump polity in the West Bank. The declaration omitted the customary endorsement of an armed struggle to liberate Palestine from the Zionists.

Hopeful Israelis and others saw this omission as a good sign. Maybe the Palestinians, after 60 years, were recognizing the limits to their power and getting ready to deal.

Not quite. After a few days of criticism from unreconstructed Palestinians, the Fatah Prime Minister announced,

Palestinians have a legitimate right to resist the Israeli "occupation" . . . "What is the essence of resistance, especially in light of the current occupation? . . . Does is not begin with all possible efforts to strengthen the permanence of the Palestinian citizens on their land? That is precisely the government's agenda."

Such backtracking is not going to increase the enthusiasm of Israelis for helping Fatah hold onto the West Bank. Without that help, the prime minister and others may, before long, be hanging from the lampposts, with Hamas ropes around their necks. Israel does not look forward to the West Bank in Hamas' hands, but it knows what to do. Should that happen, I would not expect that many lampposts will remain standing, or that there will be enough electricity to light those which are.

In my eyes, politics is the greatest hope of maintaining civilization. Disagreement and argument is the essence, followed by voting to select leaders. Leaders also argue, and then vote among themselves to select the policies of government.

Politics is also a profession to be learned. The untrained can ruin it for the rest of us. Clowns may win an election, but are not likely to do more than provide a circus. Those who vote for an unknown entity may get what they deserve.

(Return to top)

________________________ Click the ad above to go to the "I'm there for you baby" website

________________________

Click the ad above to go to the "I'm there for you baby" website