Israel

November 17, 2009 -- TEL AVIV, Israel – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed a bilateral collaborative trade agreement between Israel and Wisconsin on research and development. The agreement, signed by Governor Doyle and Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Ben-Eliezer, promotes collaboration and a strong working relationship between Wisconsin and Israel in research and development.

“Wisconsin and Israel share a strong past and a bright future in research and technology development,” Governor Doyle said. “This agreement creates an important framework for Israel’s and Wisconsin’s scientists, engineers and researchers to embark on ground-breaking research and development in many promising fields, especially water technology.“    » read more »

Washington, Nov 3 -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement on the House Floor about H. Res 867, which condemns the ‘Goldstone Report’ or the Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict:

“Today we journey from Operation Cast Lead to Operation Cast Doubt. Almost as serious as committing war crimes is covering up war crimes, pretending that war crimes were never committed and did not exist.

“Because behind every such deception is the nullification of humanity, the destruction of human dignity, the annihilation of the human spirit, the triumph of Orwellian thinking, the eternal prison of the dark heart of the totalitarian.    » read more »

Oppose House Resolution on Goldstone Report

November 2, 2009 -- (Washington DC) - Members of the US House of Representatives should oppose a resolution that calls for the Obama administration to reject scrutiny of Israel and Hamas for laws-of-war violations in the recent Gaza conflict, Human Rights Watch said today.

House Resolution 867 calls on the US president and secretary of state to "oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration of the ‘Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' in multilateral fora." Debate on the non-binding resolution is scheduled for November 3, 2009.    » read more »

3 November 2009 -- On the eve of a United Nations General Assembly debate, Amnesty International has called on UN ambassadors in New York to grasp a unique opportunity to address accountability for war crimes in Gaza and southern Israel earlier in the year.

The General Assembly will convene on Wednesday to debate the comprehensive and authoritative report of the Fact Finding Mission led by Judge Richard Goldstone. The report found that the Israeli and Palestinian sides committed serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.

Amnesty International sent an open letter to all permanent representatives to the General Assembly and another to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.    » read more »

Middle East leaders call on new US administration to push progress on Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Dead Sea, Jordan, 17 May 2009 – Middle East leaders have called on the new US administration to push progress on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which they said lies at the heart of instability in the region.    » read more »

February 2nd -- President Obama signed a memorandum today directing more than $20 million for "urgent refugee and migration needs" in Gaza.

You can read the full text of the memorandum below.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
­
For Immediate Release February 2, 2009
January 27, 2009
Presidential Determination

No. 2009-15

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
SUBJECT: Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration

Needs Related to Gaza    » read more »

Lumps of still smouldering white phosphorus found in Gaza City

19 January 2009 -- The Israeli army used white phosphorus, a weapon with a highly incendiary effect, in densely populated civilian residential areas of Gaza City, according to indisputable evidence found an Amnesty International fact-finding team which reached the area last Saturday.

When white phosphorus lands on skin it burns deeply through muscle and into the bone, continuing to burn until deprived of oxygen.    » read more »

Signs Agreement to Increase Trade

June 15, 2008 -- JERUSALEM - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson met today with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and later signed an agreement with the Israeli government to begin a partnership that will result in more trade with New Mexico.

"I came to Israel to work together to exchange ideas, techniques and explore investment opportunities," Governor Richardson told about 30 business leaders with the American-Israeli Chamber of Commerce. Governor Richardson pointed out that New Mexico's trade with Israel has increased from 24 million to 47 million since he reopened a trade office in Jerusalem.    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement in response to Senator John McCain’s speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual meeting earlier today.

John McCain: Photo by Wigwam Jones (CC)

“Today, Senator McCain made clear that he would continue the policies of George Bush – policies that have made the entire Middle East more dangerous and left the United States and our allies, including Israel, less secure.    » read more »

Subsidiary of BioLineRx Opens U.S. Office in Rockville, Hires Local Business Development Executive

BALTIMORE, MD -- May 29, 2008 – As part of his economic development mission to Israel, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that BioLineRx USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BioLineRx, one of Israel’s leading drug development companies, has opened a U.S. office in Maryland.

BioLineRx USA has already hired a local Vice President of Business Development to seek out potential collaborative opportunities for BioLineRx in Maryland and the U.S.    » read more »

Jerusalem / Tel Aviv (ICRC) – The Israeli authorities must take immediate measures to allow Palestinian families from Gaza to resume visits to their relatives detained in Israel, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.

The family visits organized by the ICRC since 1967 had to be suspended on 6 June 2007 following a decision by the Israeli authorities. As a result, the parents, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers and children of more than 900 detainees have been deprived of direct contact with their detained relatives for almost one year. Detainees depend on these visits not only for psychological support but also for material assistance such as clothes and blankets.    » read more »

26 May 2008 -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has described Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip as "one of the greatest human rights crimes on Earth."

Mr. Carter was speaking Sunday at a literary festival in Wales. He told The Guardian newspaper that the Israeli blockade has led to what he calls the "imprisonment" of Gaza's 1.6 million Palestinians.

Israel and Egypt sealed their borders with Gaza after the Hamas militant group seized control of the territory last June. Israel continues to send fuel and humanitarian supplies to Gaza while blocking the regular crossing of people and goods.

Israeli leaders say the blockade is necessary to stop Gaza militants from firing rockets at Israeli towns.    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- May 14, 2008 -- "As the United States joins Israel in celebrating its 60th anniversary, today's cowardly rocket attack and tragic injuries remind us of the ongoing threats that Israelis face with courage and resolve. In the days and years to come, the United States must maintain its unshakeable commitment to supporting Israel’s right and capability to defend itself against these outrageous terrorist attacks, so that the Israeli people can live in peace and security."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

May 12, 2008 -- President George W. Bush today announced the designation of an U.S. Honorary Delegation to attend celebrations in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel on May 14-15, 2008 in Jerusalem.

Members of the Honorary Delegation:

Dr. Miriam Adelson, Chairperson, Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research
Mr. Sheldon G. Adelson, Chairman of the Board, Las Vegas Sands Corporation
Mr. Moshe Aflalo, CEO of Aflalo Equities
Mr. Neil Z. Auerbach, Managing Partner, Hudson Clean Energy Partners
Mr. Kenneth Bialkin, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLC
Mr. Elliott B. Broidy, Chairman and CEO of Broidy Capital Management
Mr. Matthew H. Brooks, Executive Director, Republican Jewish Coalition    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- "Today I join with all New Yorkers to commemorate and celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut – the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Over the past 60 years, the people of New York have shared a special bond with Israel, and now, New York is home to the largest Jewish population of any state in the nation. I am thrilled to share in Israel’s joy during this time of celebration.

New York Governor Paterson celebrates 60th anniversary of Israel's founding

Our bond with Israel is historic and cultural. The achievements of the Jewish people, in fields from business to the arts, have played a central role in making New York the capital of the world.    » read more »