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Obama to Host Second Jewish Heritage Reception

05/09/2011

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- President Obama will host another Jewish American Heritage Month reception, days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington.

Pelosi Delegation Meets With Netanyahu

05/08/2011

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A delegation of Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the minority leader, arrived in Israe and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahul.

The sides discussed "U.S.-Israel relations and regional security issues," said a statement Sunday, after the delegation arrived.

Israelis Observe National Memorial Day

05/08/2011

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- With a minute-long siren and moment of silence in memory of its war dead, Israel began its observance of Memorial Day, or Yom Hazikaron.

The annual observance of Remembrance Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism is in memory of the nearly 23,000 men and women who have fallen in battle for the State of Israel and the some 2,500 other Israelis who have been victims of terrorist attacks.

EU Covers Israel’s Suspended Tax Money to PA

05/06/2011

(JTA) -- The European Union approved an extra $124 million in emergency aid to the Palestinians to supplement tax moneys frozen by Israel.

"It is important that access to essential public services remains uninterrupted and the right to social services is respected," Reuters on Friday quoted Catherine Ashton, the E.U. foreign policy chief, as saying.

Israel stopped payment this week on $105 million in owes the Palestinian Authority on customs duties and other taxes because of the unity agreement the P.A.'s Fatah Party signed with Hamas, a banned terrorist group.

Kabbalah Centre Faces Federal Probe

05/06/2011

(JTA) -- The Los Angeles-based Kabbalah Centre is under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service's criminal division.

The probe reportedly also involves two charities that are connected with Madonna, the nonprofit center’s most high-profile celebrity supporter. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Internal Revenue Service is looking into whether funds were diverted for the personal use of the Berg family, which has run the Kabbalah Centre for more than 40 years.

Obama to Host Netanyahu at White House

05/05/2011

(JTA) -- President Obama will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for talks.

The meeting will be held on May 20 in the Oval Office, and the effort to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process reportedly will be the main item on the agenda.

"The leaders look forward to discussing the full range of issues of mutual interest to the United States and Israel," the White House said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.