U.S. says new settlement violates road map
The United States criticized Israel’s plan to convert a West Bank military base into a civilian settlement.
“The establishment of a new settlement or the expansion of an existing settlement would violate Israel’s obligations under the road map,” State Department spokesman Gonzo Gallegos told reporters Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Washington.
“The U.S. calls on Israel to meet its road map obligations and avoid taking steps that could be viewed as predetermining the outcome of final-status negotiations.”
Israel announced that it was converting Makiot, a former military base in the northern Jordan Valley, into a settlement with homes for 30 families who were evacuated from Gaza last year. — jta
House power says Democrats back Iran, Syria dialogue
The new Democratic Congress will encourage contact with Syria and Iran, the U.S. House of Representatives’ majority leader said, outlining an agenda that differs radically from the Bush administration’s on domestic and foreign policy.
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said both parties’ support for Israel would remain unstinting.
“[Rep.] Roy Blunt and I will continue to make it clear that there is a bipartisan overwhelming commitment to Israel’s defense and security,” Hoyer said, referring to the minority whip, a Missouri Republican.
While a number of the marquee domestic items that the Democrats hope to pass in Congress’ first 100 working hours already have explicit Jewish backing, the leadership’s openness toward Syria and Iran conflicts dramatically with much of the mainstream pro-Israel community.
“Not talking is not particularly useful,” Hoyer said in a wide-ranging 45-minute phone interview. “It may be symbolic but it doesn’t get to solutions.” — jta
Expert favors Israel’s approach to gays in the military
A former U.S. military chief of staff cited Israel’s experience in recommending allowing gays to openly join the military. Gen. John Shalikashvili, who was chief of staff under President Clinton when the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was introduced, said it was time to move on to the next phase: open acceptance of gays in the military.
“I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces,” Shalikashvili wrote in an opinion article for the New York Times.
Shalikashvili cited “Israel, Britain and other allies in the fight against terrorism” as having militaries that have successfully integrated gays. — jta
Judges uphold law on inmate religion
In a ruling favorable to an inmate who sued after a Virginia prison denied his request for kosher meals, a federal appeals court on Dec. 28 upheld a federal law that protects the religious rights of incarcerated people.
The state of Virginia had challenged the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act after inmate Ira Madison complained in a 2001 lawsuit that prison officials were violating the act by denying him a kosher diet.
Virginia argued that Congress had exceeded its authority by tying compliance with the act to federal funding for prisons. But the appellate judges rejected that argument, saying the law does not force states to change prison policies.
Madison professes to be a Hebrew Israelite, a denomination of black Americans who regard themselves as the true descendants of the biblical tribe of Judah. — jta
Matisyahu was No. 2 in 2006
Chassidic singer Matisyahu had the No. 2 reggae album in 2006. Billboard reported Wednesday, Jan. 3 that the New Yorker sold the second most reggae albums with “Live at Stubb’s,” behind Sean Paul’s “The Trinity.”
Matisyahu also ranked second and third in the Billboard reggae singles chart with “King Without a Crown” and “Youth,” behind Sean Paul’s “Temperature.” — jta
Officer in Gibson arrest claims harassment
A police officer who arrested Mel Gibson for drunk driving said he is being harassed during a leak inquiry.
Deputy James Mee’s attorney said last month that following the July incident, Mee was suddenly transferred to another beat and that his work is being unfairly scrutinized by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office as it investigates who leaked Mee’s report of the arrest.
The office initially said Gibson had been arrested without incident, but Mee’s report, which was leaked to TMZ.com, indicated that the actor was belligerent and made anti-Semitic and misogynistic comments when stopped for drunk driving.
The office interrogated Mee for three hours and searched his house, confiscating his computer and phone records, attorney Richard Shinee said.
A separate investigation concluded that Gibson received no preferential treatment during or after the incident. — jta
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California