Press Review n°190. By Gilberte Jacaret

Yitzhak Rabin on Jerusalem Day...Conference of Presidents

On Jerusalem Day 15 years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin told a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington: "Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish people and a deep source of our pride....It is the dream of the return to Zion....

In Israel we all agree on one issue: the wholeness of Jerusalem, the continuation of its existence as capital of the State of Israel. There are not two Jerusalem. There is only one Jerusalem." 

LIBYA

UN Watch in the News: U.S. envoy praises U.N. council on human rights as Libya is seated...Benny Avni, The New York Sun. May 13, 2010

There was little the American ambassador here, Susan Rice, could do today to stop the General Assembly from voting Libya and other known rights abusers for a seat on the Human Rights Council, but instead of expressing outrage, she chose to praise the United Nations’s least praiseworthy body.

Ms. Rice couldn’t even bring herself to condemn Libya’s specific human rights record or even tell reporters how America voted in the General Assembly, where 155 of the 192 members deemed the Colonel Gadhafi tyranny fit to sit in judgment of other countries’ human rights record.

International Scandal: Reactions Mount to Libya's Election to UN Human Rights Council- Global Media Cite UN Watch Campaign Against Qaddafi

The shock of Libya's election to the UN Human Rights Council last Thursday continues to reverberate around the globe.

In Europe, the France 24 news channel reported today that the UN's elevation of the Qaddafi regime "has been met with outrage the world over and is echoed on the web." Berlin's Morgen Post, Germany's second most-read daily newspaper, called it a "success for Muammar Qaddafi," and reported that "human rights groups are appalled."

Switzerland's 20 Minuten, the country's most widely read daily, noted that Libya continues to hold Swiss hostage Max Göldi, and that some consider the UN council "a cartel of perpetrators" that makes sure nothing that could potentially harm their power is even discussed much less decided."

In America, the Associated Press headlined their story, "UN elects rights violators to Human Rights Council." The New York Daily News criticized the fact that "America failed to raise a voice in condemnation."

The New York Daily Sun commented that "There was little the American ambassador here, Susan Rice, could do today to stop the General Assembly from voting Libya and other known rights abusers for a seat on the Human Rights Council, but instead of expressing outrage, she chose to praise the United Nations’s least praiseworthy body.

IRAN

Iran to ship uranium to Turkey in nuclear deal...
Network News, X PROFILE,  Washington Post,  May 17 2010

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran has agreed to ship much of its enriched uranium to Turkey in a nuclear fuel swap deal reached with the help of mediation from Brazil and Turkey.
The agreement could revive a U.N.-backed proposal for easing the international standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mahmanparast as saying Monday that a fuel swap will take place in Turkey.

The deal was reached during talks between Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran.

U.S. Is Skeptical on Iranian Deal for Nuclear Fuel... By David E. Sanger and Michael Slackman,  New York Herald Tribune,  May 17 2010

WASHINGTON — The United States, Europe and Russia responded with extreme skepticism to Iran’s announcement on Monday that it had reached an agreement to ship roughly half of its nuclear fuel to Turkey, saying they would continue to press for new sanctions against Tehran.

Nonetheless, officials from several countries said that the deal, negotiated with the leaders of Turkey and Brazil, was a deftly timed attempt to throw the sanctions effort off track.

If successful, the agreement would enhance and underscore the continued rise of Turkey and Brazil as global forces. Ferai Tinc, a political analyst writing in the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, said, “Ankara was neither a full supporter of Iran nor an advocate of violence and sanctions against it, but stood strongly for promoting a diplomatic resolution.“

Iran’s coup... David E. Sanger reported from Washington, and Michael Slackman from Cairo, Wall Street Journal, May 19 2010

Iran said it would send 1,200 kg. of low-enriched uranium to Turkey within a month, and no more than a year later get back 120 kg enriched from somewhere else abroad. This makes even less sense than the flawed October deal. In the intervening seven months, Iran has kicked its enrichment activities into higher gear. Its estimated total stock has gone to 2,300 kg. from 1,500 kg. last autumn, and its stated enrichment goal has gone to 20% from 3.5%.

If the West accepts this deal, Iran would be allowed to keep enriching uranium in contravention of previous UN resolutions. Removing 1,200 kg. will leave Iran with still enough low-enriched stock to make a bomb, and once uranium is enriched up to 20% it is technically easier to get to bomb-capable enrichment levels.

Only last week, diplomats at the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran has increased the number of centrifuges it is using to enrich uranium. According to Western intelligence estimates, Iran continues to acquire key nuclear components, such as trigger mechanisms for bombs. Tehran says it wants to build additional uranium enrichment plants.

The CIA recently reported that Iran tripled its stockpile of uranium last year and moved "toward self-sufficiency in the production of nuclear missiles." Monday's deal will have no impact on these illicit activities.

JEWS  WORLD WIDE

Obama to host first ever reception honoring U.S. Jewish Heritage month
... Haaretz, May 10th 2010.

We are a stronger, more hopeful country because so many Jews have made America their home....

Naasha Mozgovaya Tags: Israel news Jewish World Barack Obama US Jews …"The Jewish American story is an essential chapter of the American narrative. It is one of refuge from persecution; of commitment to service, faith, democracy, and peace; and of tireless work to achieve success," Obama said in a press statement regarding Jewish Heritage month.

"Jewish Americans have shaped our Nation and helped steer the course of our history," Obama said, adding that "we are a stronger and more hopeful country because so many Jews from around the world have made America their home.”‬

The president intends to invite leaders from the Jewish community, and prominent Jewish Americans ranging from top athletes to members of Congress, business leaders, scholars, military veterans, and astronauts, the press statement said.

"The reception serves as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the range and depth of Jewish American heritage and contributions to American culture," the statement added.

Since the U.S. president George Bush's administration, the White House has celebrated May as the month of Jewish Heritage. This year's reception intends to "highlight and celebrate the range and depth of Jewish American heritage and contributions to American culture," the White House statement said.

ANTI-SEMITISM

New anti-Semitic attack in Greece...
uropean Jewish Press, May 19 2010

Just days after a violent attack against the Jewish cemetery of Salonika., arson attack against synagogue in Germany. Three arrested for Nazis slogans at Greek Jewish cemetery.

ISRAEL

Israel invited to join OECD...
Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman and the Foreign Minister's Bureau, May 10 2010

The unanimous decision, taken by the 31 member-states, recognizes Israel's achievements, economic strength and ability to contribute to the organization and to the world's economy.

Expo 2010-China: The Israel Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai...

The Israel Pavilion is composed of two streamlined buildings hugging each other. The pavilion looks like two clasped hands, or a "seashell." One side of the "seashell" is made of authentic stone while the other is made from transparent glass. A green orchard will come into view as visitors enter the pavilion.
 
About 50 orange trees have been planted, and technology will make the trees "whisper" in English and Chinese when visitors walk close to them. The Hall of Light features a 15-meter screen that shows films highlighting the country's innovations and technological achievements.