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Ed note: Allowing news cycle, the Daily Kickoff will be on vacation mode during Easter. The next Daily Kickoff will be published on Tuesday, 23rd. In the meantime, if you're having trouble looting, follow us on Twitter or look for news at JewishInsider.com. We wish you a happy and healthy Easter!
IVANKA TALKS "JEXODUS" ON THE TRIP IN AFRICA – In an interview with The Associated Press On a trip to Africa, Ivanka Trump said she was concerned about an "increase in anti-Semitism" and said there was "less support for Israel than Israel has traditionally experienced." She asked if she agreed with her father's statements that the Democrats had become an anti-Jewish party, "she said," I never make categorical statements, but there are certainly some who have said things that do not support the state of Israel. "
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In the interview, Ivanka revealed that her 7-year-old daughter, Arabella, recently used the nanny's phone to ask Siri's digital assistant how many people her father, Jared Kushner, had helped to get out of prison following the passage of the criminal justice law . . [AP]
FINAL STATEMENT WATCH – The government is expected to implement the long-awaited Middle East peace plan in June, White House chief aide Jared Kushner told a closed meeting with Blair House ambassadors on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, Kushner during his remarks retracted the idea that the peace plan was mainly focused on the economic package. "He said the plan would require concessions from both sides but would not jeopardize Israel's security," a source told the news agency. "Everyone needs to approach the plane with an open mind." [Pic]
Middle East peace envoy, Jason Greenblatt confirmed the statements, saying on Twitter: "This is an accurate report."
USA vs. PA ROUND 2 – Greenblatt also admonished the new Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, for saying that the peace plan will be "born dead".
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon Reporters at a UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday said that Israel is unlikely to take steps to annex the areas of the West Bank before launching the peace plan in June. "I do not believe there will be any movement on our side until we see the plan," Danon said. "Let's wait, let's get involved, and then let's decide."
REACTION – Amb. Daniel Shapiro account JI"It was never realistic to come up with a plan before Israel formed its government – many moving parts. But the fundamental problem is that the plan – if ever introduced – will be unacceptable to this Israeli government, calling two states, or unacceptable to the Arab states, by not asking for two states. Faced with this enigma, there is always a reason to postpone the presentation: Ramadan, August holidays, Jewish holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the 2020 election campaign. Unless the purpose is a plan that Palestinians and Arabs will reject, Trump can raise his hands, say he tried, and the green light of the Israeli annexation moves. We do not know what it is, which makes it hard to predict. "
The State Department has now updated the Foreign Affairs Manualto reflect the US's recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, AP's Matt Lee commented on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is preparing to lay off most of its Palestinian aid workers on its mission in the West Bank and Gaza, reducing the number of local staff from 100 to 14, NPR's Daniel Estrin . reported on Thursday.
WATCH – US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman tackled Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in a light manner as part of a traditional Easter greetings video published on Wednesday. In the video, Friedman is seen informing his team about the US updating the map of Israel to include the Golan when his wife Tammy interrupts him to prepare for Passover. [Video]
COMING SOON – Ambassador Friedman will receive an honorary doctorate and will deliver the keynote speech at the 88th Beginning of Yeshiva University on May 30 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon was honored last year, and Israeli ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer was honored by the YU in 2017.
BIBI 5.0 – Benjamin Netanyahu formally received the mandate of the Israeli president to form the Israeli government for the fifth time in his political career on Wednesday. Netanyahu now has 28 days to form a majority coalition with the option of a further extension of 14 days if necessary.
Netanyahu said he would use his fifth term as prime minister to unite Israel after a heavily disputed election campaign that divided the country. "I will work as the emissary of the whole nation, in all its parts; those who voted for me and those who did not, "Netanyahu told a news conference with President Reuven Rivlin.
On the plate of Bibi – Netanyahu will have to deal with a growing budget deficit and criticism of interventionist policies that question his reputation as an obstacle to capitalism and fiscal discipline, notes Ivan Levingston of Bloomberg. For Netanyahu to address the challenges, he would have to navigate between two politically unpleasant options: go against his stated preference for tax cuts or avoid giving his religious allies the money they normally demand in return for their support.
Netanyahu also has gained a place in Time's list of 100 most influential people released Wednesday morning. "Israel is the nation of Bibi," wrote David French, a Times columnist on the Israeli leader, after his re-election. "Bibi certainly deserves his share of credit for the strength of Israel, but persuading the Israelis that only he could achieve it is his true political achievement."
JI INTERVIEW – In a telephone interview with Jewish InsiderJacob Kornbluh, Susie Gelman, president of the Israel Policy Forum, discussed the reasons why his organization led a Broad and well supported letter to President Trump. The letter warned the president about supporting a possible Israeli annexation plan.
Gelman shared with deep concern another reason why the annexation could be seen by the new Israeli coalition as a viable option. Anticipating the implementation of the peace plan and the Israeli and Palestinian reaction to current speculation, Gelman says the assumption is that if the plan favors Israel over the Palestinians and the Palestinian leadership rejects the terms, it will provide "more incentive for Israel." attach. "
Address Representation of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez comments on reconsidering US aid to Israel if annexed, Gelman suggested that the reaction of Congress to this measure should be whether assistance to Israel through the MOU or additional defense aid is being used for considerable additional costs To a new security. barrier around Area C and checkpoints at the entrance of all Palestinian towns and villages in Areas A and B. "The question, I think, for Congress is: the US Congress, which has consistently promoted a bipartisan base? solution as the only way forward to resolve this conflict, going along with funding the security needs – which we are talking about billions of dollars a year – of such annexation, "explained Gelman.
Gelman also warned: "If anyone thinks BDS is a problem now, if Israel starts to attach a small part of the West Bank, it will inflame those who promote BDS."
"I think this may be heading for disaster if it does," she concluded. "I really hope the cooler minds prevail. I know the two state solution has been, for some time, challenged and no one is talking about going back to the negotiating table any time soon because the conditions are simply not right. But doing so would make it impossible to return to the negotiating table, and I do not think that is good for Israel's long-term future. "
Professor Alan Dershowitz said The Jewish week the two-state solution would only work if the annexation were "limited to large settlement blocks".
Questions & Answers – Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) I talked with Jewish Insider's Laura Kelly in a telephone interview yesterday, reflecting on her Jewish identity, connection to Israel and the danger of making policy when it comes to Israel.
"When I went with my colleagues in the Congress, there were 50 of us in my class, we all went to Israel together with our families. I can tell you that – and most were not Jewish and many were going to Israel for the first time – it was incredibly spiritual and [a] I would like to say that probably for any Jew, including myself, this improves his identity. I do not consider myself – I am not a "religious" person, you will not meet me in the Temple every Saturday morning, but I definitely identify myself as a Jew and understand the Jewish people's struggle. " Read the full interview here[Jewish Insider]
NO MONTE – by JILaura Kelly: The US administration is missing important steps in the formal recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Republican senators wrote in a letter to President Trump on Wednesday urging more action to implement the policy announced last month.
The letter – led by senators Tom Cotton (R-AK) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) – includes a procedure to change the policy of the State Department to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel in all official documents, publications and maps for the purpose of issuing passports for Americans born in the territory and expressing sovereignty in treaties and agreements. The letter also called for any "obstacles" to the implementation of those changes to be identified and the Congress notified.
Jewish Insider First, he reported that the State Department was awaiting instructions from the president on how to handle the holders of American-born Golan passports.
The majority leader of the house, Steny Hoyer (D-MD) accused President Trump of impeding bipartisan support for ending US involvement in the Yemeni war in a statement on Wednesday reacting to the veto of the chairman of the Yemeni War Powers Resolution. He also criticized Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for not taking steps to overturn the president's decision.
"President Trump has vehemently made it clear that he will disrupt bipartisan opposition in Congress to continue US involvement in Yemen, and it is deeply disappointing that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has signaled that he will not attempt a replacement . of the veto, which would have to happen before the House could act. With 22 million lives at risk, this fight is not over yet, and the House will explore more legislation and conduct rigorous oversight, "Hoyer said.
Representative George Holding (R-NC) asks the Education Department to launch a federal investigation into an event in the Middle East co-sponsored by Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill after allegations of "severe anti-Israeli prejudice and anti-Semitic rhetoric at a taxpayer-funded conference." .
CONDUCTING THE CONVO – Bret Stephens writes … "Ilhan Omar, Precursor of the Democratic Decline? What is significant is that Omar's defenders do not regard their prejudices on Jews as particularly disqualified, morally or politically, at least not when they oppose the things they like about it (and detest their enemies). As for her views on Israel, she is practically popular for her segment of the Democratic Party – a harbinger of what is to come when the old guard of pro-Israel liberals as Leader of Majority Steny Hoyer make way for the anti- Israel typified by Alexandria Ocasio -Cortez. [NYTimes]
Trump is not attacking Ilhan Omar, but all Muslims and minorities – by Jonathan Chait: "Anti-Semitism, of course, forms the background to this controversy because Omar made ugly remarks questioning the loyalty of the American alliance supporters of his country with Israel. If, like me, you opposed Omar's use of a double loyalty to the Jews, you should also oppose the dilemmas of dual loyalty to Muslims … The Democrats do not want to defy Omar's stains outright because they do not like they are making the same mistake as the Democrats who have refused to condemn their dual loyalty issues because they like it. " [NYMag]
Surveillance 2020 – Sanders makes the case, he can take back the Midwest … Pete Buttigieg calls for fund raisers for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to build his 2020 campaign chest. Former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe will not run for president in 2020. spot: Fox News …
PODCAST PLAYBACK – Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) discussed his support for Israel in Pod Save America podcast with Jon Favreau.
Favreau: Bibi Netanyahu has just won re-election. One of his promises before the election was that he could annex settlements in the West Bank. If you are president, Netanyahu decides to annex settlements in the West Bank, what do you do?
Harris: "Well, I am completely against a unilateral decision to attach, and I would express that opposition."
Favreau: How do you see your support for Israel – that I know you are a strong supporter of Israel – with Netanyahu's policies and the direction he has taken in this policy? What can you do as president to show that yes, we support Israel, but I'm unhappy with the direction?
Harris: "Let me be clear: I support the people of Israel. And I'm unmistakable about it. I am supporting the people of Israel does not mean, it should not be translated to support anyone who is in an elective office at that time. And so, my support for Israel is strong and sincere. There is also no doubt that we must speak when human rights abuses occur. We must work with our friend, who is Israel, to do what we collectively know is in the best interest of human rights and democracy, because it is this shared commitment to the democracy from which the relationship was born and therefore we have to cling. for this."
"I also believe there is no doubt that a Harris administration would be very strong in working toward a two-state solution. This has to happen.
Favreau: What kind of diplomatic pressure could you exert on Israel to ensure that this happens, or at least push them in that direction?
Harris: "Well, there are several things. But it has to be about opening a communication channel that is honest and not informed by lack of information or lack of historical perspective or lack of concern. And I think all these are concerns we should have about the current administration. " [PodSaveAmerica]
** Good Thursday morning! Enjoying the daily kick? Please share us with your friends and tell them to sign up for [JI]. Do you have a tip? We'd love to hear from you. Anything from hard news and pundits to lighter things, including event coverage, work transitions or even special birthdays, is much appreciated. Email [email protected]
BUSINESS COURSES: Blackstone getting ready to sell the Vegas Strip Casino and the Luxury Hotel [WSJ] • Penny Pritzker Launches $ 10 Million Award for South Chicago, West Side [REJournals] • Return of business to Saudi Arabia after the assassination of Khashoggi [NYTimes]
Mustang Bio rises 485% after it is Novel Gene Therapy Cured "Bubble Boys" – by Michelle Cortez: "A scientific breakthrough that cured eight children suffering from the devastating Bubble Boy disease raised the fate of a little-known company backed by Lindsay Rosenwald, a physician and a serial biotechnology entrepreneur. " [Bloomberg]
Barbie, Hot Wheels Go to Hollywood on Mattel CEO's Recovery Plan – By Paul Ziobro: "The company behind Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price has been in crisis for years with declining toy sales and the loss of the main licenses. and demoralized his workforce. AND Ynon Kreiz, an Israeli-born television executive who recently joined the Mattel board, had never worked one day at a toy company. " [WSJ]
TIME 100 LIST – The list of 100 most influential people in the world of 2019 includes Bob Iger, Mark Zuckerberg, Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, Adam Bowen and James Monsees. Political leaders on the list include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Alexandria Occasio-Cortez (D-NY).
NOS HOLOFOTES – The judge suspended prosecutors' efforts to release the police surveillance video of owner Robert Patricks – by Chris Francescani, Josh Margolin and Katie Conway: "The judge who oversees the case in which New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is accused of seeking prostitution has suspended plans by Florida prosecutors to release a police surveillance video of a spa in which Kraft and two dozen other men were indicted. " it was released until I had made up my mind, "Florida Circuit Court Judge Joseph Marx told an emergency hearing in a conference call with both parties and the media on Wednesday afternoon." [ABCNews]
CULTURE – What the Talmud Can Teach Us About Arguing With Each Other – by Daniella Greenbaum Davis: "In today's unkind society, when a person says or tweets something absurd or senseless, the widespread instinct seems to be to attack: , condemn and sometimes even silence. In the Talmud, the answer is quite different. Even crazy ideas encourage the Talmud's high-minded to look in, wondering if they might be missing out on anything. The Talmud presents two comprehensive schools of thought that are almost in constant conflict: Beit Shammai, or the house of Shammai, and Beit Hillel, or the house of Hillel. " [WashPost]
TALKING ABOUT OUR NATION – Morocco is a treasure trove of Jewish history if you know where to go – from Leanne Italie: "Today, after vast waves of departures over the years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and around 500 in other parts of Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still alive in a variety of sights. The Moroccan Museum of Judaism, in the suburb of Casablanca, for example, is the only museum on Judaism in the Arab world. Jews descendants of Moroccans, in Israel and around the world, return to the kingdom of North Africa frequently and some maintain second homes in familiar regions. Jewish heritage tours to Morocco are plentiful and easy to trace. Most cities have a mellah, which is an old Jewish quarter, along with Jewish cemeteries and synagogues. " [AP]
Lydia Pang, creative director at Refinery 29, reflects on her recent Reality Journey to Israel: "In the last 8 days, I was in Israel. I went straight from a red eye to a flock of sheep with 50 strangers, ate the best roasted cauliflower of my Roman life in Tel Aviv, did a storytelling workshop at an art gallery in Jaffa, met the creator of Fauda I was amazed [tour guide] Michael Bauer's mind explained the nuances of Israeli politics, drove an ATV along the Syrian border and stayed within the ruins of the Syrian HQ, spent the night with super-cool Ethiopian Jewish women listening to his immigration to Israel's stories, podcast Israel Story. while I ate cooked meat, I bought a large quantity of saffron that I would disguise as a gift, I went through the checkpoints and entered the West Bank to find a Palestinian journalist whose integrity for her work I will never forget, I ate the biggest falafel ball I have ever seen and I got a pimple on the face of the incident … "
"I spent the day at Yad Vashem, the holocaust museum, I felt my heart break in my chest as I heard Giselle, a 92-year Holocaust survivor telling her story, received on Shabbat (I learned what it really was !!) with a dinner inside of a house of local artists, I wrote my intention for the year and put it inside the western wall, floating my body full of men in the Dead Sea, I was left in the middle of a gorge and sent out in the darkness and talk to myself for ten minutes, I realized I had a lot to say, I danced under the moon with new friends in a Bedouin tent, I realized that Israeli politics is not something you can really understand, but trying is important, and there are many versions and a lot of power, a story. [Instagram]
TALK OF THE CITY – Measles Outbreak Upends Easter Traditions – by Melanie Grayce West and Kate King: "City officials expect the number of measles cases to increase over the coming weeks, in part because of the meetings during the holidays," said Herminia Palacio, the city's deputy mayor for health and human services. "We are very concerned about Easter," said Palacio … But many schools are closed during Easter, so recent measures of the city to encourage people to vaccinate will not work, said Gerald Schulman, a pediatrician working in an office in Williamsburg. Neighborhoods of Midwood, Brooklyn. [WSJ]
PASSOVER 2019 – This Passover feast involves three kitchens, 12 ovens and plenty of elbow grease – by Charles Passy: "At the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, holding one of the greatest Easter celebrations in New York is an exercise in controlled chaos. The 102-year-old non-profit nursing home, scattered over 32 acres in the Bronx, has about 1,000 mouths to feed when the Jewish holiday … For an institution that maintains kosher, this means a lot of preparation. Its three kitchens, 12 ovens, 2,000 pans and pans, and numerous dishes must be cleaned in advance to the highest degree, so that any traces of leavened products, such as bread, are removed according to holiday dietary restrictions … for Holiday begins in earnest on Thursday. Mr. Iatrou has planned Seder fancy menus, with offerings ranging from short ribs in red wine sauce to the classic gefilte fish dish. And 20 gallons of horseradish, the traditional accompaniment of gefilte fish, will be at your disposal. " [WSJ]
How Harry Potter and emoji became part of Easter – by Chavie Lieber: "Jordan Gorfinkel believes that the story of the Easter Exodus, in which the ancient Jews are enslaved and liberated from Egypt, is as exciting as any story of superheroes. This year, even in time for the holiday, he published the graphic novel Haggadah of Easter. In his version, the superhero in question is Moses, Pharaoh is a villain as scary as the Joker, and the Ten Plagues are drawn in the classic comic style. Illustrated by the Israeli artist Erez Zadok, the book offers a new vision of an old story, intended to engage children who may be bored with the Seder and adults who love superheroes. " [Vox]
BIRTHDAYS: A leader of the Jewish community in Detroit and former president of AIPAC, David Victor 60 years ago … Biochemist, geneticist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1985, Joseph L. Goldstein turns 79 … Managing director of fundraising consultants Mersky, Jaffe & Associates, former CEO of Ampal-American Israel Corporation and the Jerusalem Foundation, Michael Jaffe 79 years ago Saul Bernstein turns 74 … President of DeForest Concepts, a consulting firm in Burlington, Vermont, she was formerly a member of the Vermont State Senate (2002-2013) and co-founder in 1984 of Jogbra, Hinda Miller turns 69 … Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona (2004-2012) after two terms in Phoenix City Hall, Phil Gordon 68 years old … Composer, pianist and musicologist, Robert M. Greenberg complete 65 years … Dallas Lawyer and former Planning Commissioner, Sally Brenner Wolfish 64 years ago
A college basketball coach for 34 years, including 22 years as a coach at Long Beach State, University of South Florida and Virginia Tech, he is now an ESPN analyst. Seth Greenberg turns 63 … Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of four acclaimed books, Susan Faludi is 60 years old … Editor of Commentary magazine, columnist for the New York Post, author of books on politics and speechwriter for presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush, John Mordecai Podhoretz turns 58 … President and rosh yeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone institutions in Israel since 2018, before making aliyah, he was vice president of Yeshiva University (2005-2018) and Rabbi of the Synagogue of Boca Raton (1991-2005), Rabbi Dr. Kenneth R. Brander makes 57 years … VP and general counsel at Scholastic Inc, he is serving as president of the Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle, NY, Mark Seidenfeld 56 years ago
Executive Director of the American Zionist Movement since March 2017, he was previously deputy chairman of the Joint American Jewish Distribution Committee, Herbert Block turns 54 … Emmy Award-winning actress, known for her work on daytime television, Tamara Braun 48 years old … Director of cinema, producer, writer and actor, who as director and producer is more associated with the genre of terror, Eli Roth 47 years ago … Rabbi Chabad, founder and executive director of the Chabad Aspen Jewish Community Center, Mendel Mintz turns 44 … A partner in Paul Hastings' white collar and cybersecurity practices, he was previously an assistant secretary of cyber politics at the Department of Homeland Security, Robert P. Silvers turns 39 … Political director of the Florida region of AIPAC, Evan Philipson 30 years ago Dov Maimon…
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