From the Israel consulate

Elections in Israel Livni says won't join Netanyahu-led government
(YnetNews)
A week after Netanyahu was nominated to form the government, Livni has decided not to join the coalition. Kadima chairwoman ends meeting with prime minister-designate after Likud leader refuses to commit to two-state solution. 'This is a matter of principle,' Livni says, vowing to act as 'a responsible opposition'.

Iran
Iran is the Real Issue for Israel and America in Middle East
Mortimer Zuckerman (Ynet News)
The Middle East conflict is no longer one just between Israelies and Palestinians. Iran is at the core of a wider, unfolding struggle between radical Islamists and moderate national entities. Today, most Sunni Arab governments, including those of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and even Fatah-although not Syria and Qatar-are far more worried about Iranian regional dominance than they are about Israel. They know that Israel is not going to undermine or overthrow them, while radical, Iranian-sponsored Islamists just might. Given the threat from Hamas, which has stated and restated that the Palestinians will continue their jihad until the face of the Zionist state disappears, who can think that Israel would get peace in return for yielding land? Israel's abandonment of Gaza was wholly voluntary, a gesture for peace, but Hamas and many Palestinians chose to see it as a sign of weakness. Withdrawal from the West Bank, once negotiable, now seems to many Israelis to make Israel more vulnerable to yet another generation of Palestinians promising to push the Jews into the sea.

Iran's Clenched Fist Chicago Tribune More recently Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stowed the bombast and responded to President Barack Obama's oft-repeated desire for direct talks between Washington and Tehran. Ahmadinejad promised that if the U.S. is serious about changing the icy relations between the countries, Iran would respond. "It is clear that change should be fundamental, not tactical, and our people welcome real changes," he said. "Our nation is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere." Is Iran unclenching its fist, responding to Obama's inaugural address? Or just posturing to buy more time for its nuclear ambitions? We'd bet on the latter.




Palestinians Economic Recovery in the West Bank Meron Benvenisti (Ha'aretz)The West Bank is undergoing a period of economic recovery. There has been an increase in more than a third in commercial activity, and the rise in the standard of living is continuing. The West Bank remained calm during the Fighting in Gaza and was not dragged into reactions of protest.In view of this improvement, it is perhaps possible that Benjamin Netanyahu is correct in claiming that we should concentrate on "economic peace" and that in view of the lack of a chance for a permanent solution, attempts must be made to continue the economic development in the territories. Read the full story at this link. "Re-education" for West Bank Mosque Preachers Ali Waked (ynet news)Ever since Hamas took control of Gaza, PA officials in the West Bank have been waging an all-out war against anyone suspected of belonging to Hamas, taking action against Hamas' control of orphanages, community centers, health clinics, and groups for religious learning, among others. In the mosques, sermons are now given by moderate imams assosiated with Fatah.Read the full story at this link.

Israeli Skaters Win Gold Medal in China for Ice Skating The Siblings Alexandra Zaretski and Roman Zaretski - Photo: AFP
Xinhua - China
Israeli skaters Alexandra Zaretski and Roman Zaretski were crowned ice dance title at the Harbin Winter Universiade figure skating. "We did everything we can for the competition, and we are very satisfied with the gold medal," said the brother Zaretski.
"We performed to our personal best in the three events of the ice dance," he added. "It is not easy to fly to China. We really appreciate the great efforts of the organization committee and appreciate all the athletes for competing with us."


From Art to Heart - A photo exhibit comes to Detroit (March 7-March 31)

A photo exhibition illustrating the images of children from all over the world, whose lives have been saved by Israeli doctors, nurses and staff, is on its way to Beuamont Hospital in Michigan after being displayed at the University of Chicago Medical School. The exhibit has been brought to the United States by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Save a Child's Heart (SACH).
The photographs show how healing, humanity and cooperation can save lives. More than 2,000 children from over 30 developing countries have been treated by SACH, an Israeli-based international humanitarian project providing life-saving heart surgeries and follow-up care for children .
SACH patients, whose ages range from infants to teenagers, have come from Ecuador, China, Vietnam, Russia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Iraq and the Palestinian Authority. Frequently, some inspired photographers have joined these missions. All of the photographers have been touched by the children they have met and the faces that have greeted them. The photographs in this exhibition are their impressions.



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