Israeli Candidate Borrows a (Web) Page From Obama

The campaign Web site of Benjamin Netanyahu, right, looks a lot like Barack Obama's, and it's no coincidence.

The colors, the fonts, the icons for donating and volunteering, the use of videos, and the social networking Facebook-type options — including Twitter, which hardly exists in Israel — all reflect a conscious effort by the Netanyahu campaign to learn from the Obama success.

“Imitation is the greatest form of flattery,” noted Ron Dermer, one of Mr. Netanyahu’s top campaign advisers. “We’re all in the same business, so we took a close look at a guy who has been the most successful and tried to learn from him. And while we will not use the word ‘change’ in the same way in our campaign, we believe Netanyahu is the real candidate of change for Israel.”

Those who created the Obama Web site, including Thomas Gensemer, managing partner of Blue State Digital, say the Netanyahu site is closer to Mr. Obama’s than any others they have seen.

“Nothing has been so direct as the Netanyahu Web site, though we have seen others with shades of it,” he said. When a campaign is successful, he added, “people are going to knock things off, both in terms of functionality and aesthetic.”

Web sites aside, for liberals in both countries, the idea of Mr. Netanyahu as the Obama candidate of Israel seems mystifying. Of the three main contenders for prime minister in February’s election, including Tzipi Livni of Kadima and Ehud Barak of Labor, Mr. Netanyahu is the most hawkish and the least interested in the focus on dialogue with adversaries that Mr. Obama made a centerpiece of his foreign policy platform. Mr. Netanyahu has said he would shut down the current negotiations with the Palestinian leadership.

But it is precisely the break with the current policy that Mr. Netanyahu, known by his nickname, Bibi, believes will help him win. The most recent polls show him slightly ahead of his rivals.

Sani Sanilevich, who is managing Mr. Netanyahu’s Internet campaign, said the Web was one of the biggest focuses of the campaign, and with good reason.

“The main advantage of the Internet is the ability to communicate with citizens and people directly,” he said. “You can actually hear them and get them involved in this campaign. The whole idea is, together we can succeed.”

The phrase “Together we can succeed” is the campaign slogan on the Netanyahu site, and it echoes, to some extent, Mr. Obama’s “Yes we can.” Mr. Sanilevich said the Netanyahu campaign plans to make use of Twitter, the mass text-messaging service that sends out short “tweets.”

“There are a couple thousand in Israel on Twitter,” he said. “We have lots of people using the Web sites registered as volunteers, and I am sure we will be able to use Twitter, which is an amazing tool. I have it on my phone, and I go around with Bibi and everywhere we go he gives me things to say on Twitter.”

Netanyahu aides say direct communication with voters is important for many reasons; one of them is their belief that Israel’s mainstream news outlets are not sympathetic to the candidate, and he needs to go around them.

The campaign said that like the Obama operation, it would bombard its supporters with messages for volunteering and donating and set up a site where supporters could communicate with one another without the campaign’s direct involvement.

At least before Mr. Obama’s victory last week, Mr. Netanyahu might have been expected to have a stronger political rapport with Senator John McCain. The Republican positioned himself as the more reliable friend of Israel. His campaign portrayed Mr. Obama as an uncritical friend of a prominent Palestinian critic of Israeli policies in the West Bank, and accused him of associating with a terrorist.

But Dore Gold, a former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations and a close Netanyahu adviser, said the Likud leader liked and respected Mr. Obama, so it was not strange that he had taken a page from the president-elect. Mr. Gold said the two meetings they had held so far, in Washington in 2007 and in Jerusalem last summer, had gone well.

“I was at both meetings, and it was clear that the two leaders established a very good chemistry very quickly,” he said. “We are convinced that the Obama administration will be open to hearing new ideas from Israel on how to make progress in the region.”

Mr. Netanyahu is positioning himself as the candidate of new ideas both for Israel itself and for peace with the Palestinians.

The ideas revolve around economic opportunities, aides say, cutting red tape to improve the Palestinian economy; building peace from the ground up, not the top down; and improving life in Israel with a bold domestic agenda involving improved education, economic growth and personal security against increased crime.

The aides are convinced that negotiations with Palestinian leaders will lead nowhere and that the best steps Israel can take, as it waits for Palestinian attitudes to change, involve building the Palestinian economy. Ms. Livni has vowed to continue the talks with the Palestinians, which she is helping to lead.

Mr. Netanyahu’s aides add that just as the Obama campaign linked Mr. McCain to President Bush, they plan to label Ms. Livni as a continuation of the status quo and Mr. Netanyahu as the candidate of change.

“Yes he can,” one aide said, with a touch of self-parody. “He believes he is the guy who can do it.”

Ethan Bronner reported from Jerusalem, and Noam Cohen from New York.

Source: NY Times

Coushatta Tribe proclaimed its friendship with Israel

ELTON, L.A. – In a major ceremony November 17, the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana became the first Native American tribe to recognize, honor and welcome official representatives of the State of Israel.

“This unprecedented initiative will firmly establish the Coushatta Tribe’s role on both the national and international stages, while also opening the door to new business relationships and future economic development initiatives,” said Kevin Sickey, Chairman of the Tribal Council of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana.

The Honorable Asher Yarden, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, represented the State of Israel at the event. Yarden and other members of the Israeli delegation toured the Coushatta Tribe installations on the Coushatta Reservation in Elton, Louisiana, and joined with Coushatta Tribal Council leaders for a press conference.

During the ceremony, Coushatta leaders and Consul General Yarden signed a proclamation in recognition of “common histories” and a “shared spirit of endurance.” Yarden explained that one of these “common histories” is that “both of our ancient languages are still in use today.”

“This unique relationship, being forged between two sovereign entities, which live so far apart geographically, only goes to show that open hearts and open minds can bridge the gap between two old and historical cultures that may otherwise appear so far apart,” Yarden said.

Sickey explained that the proclamation is a way to honor the similarities and officially declare that the two nations will be tied together for years to come. In addition to the valuable cultural exchange, he said, the Coushatta Tribe hopes to build on the relationship by exploring possible business and investment opportunities as a way to expand on the Coushatta Tribe’s revenue base for the future.

“I am thrilled to see this opportunity materialize,” said Roee Madai, Consul for Economic Affairs to the U.S. Southern Region. “Israel is always vested in developing and expanding mutually beneficial economic relationships with other nations. As Israel’s economic consul, I will make myself and my office available to promoting business opportunities in Israel and stimulating the trade relations between Israel and the Coushatta Tribe. “

The agreement with the State of Israel is the latest and most important step in an ongoing effort by the Tribe to build relationships with other governments and explore new business opportunities. In June, 2008, the Coushatta entered into a cooperative agreement with the Jefferson Davis Parish Economic Development Commission – the first formal agreement addressing economic development efforts between the two neighboring governments.

“Many Native American Tribes have not explored the full benefits of being a sovereign nation, but it has been a part of our long-range planning for some time. This important event will not only highlight our sovereign status, but will serve to establish an important, mutually beneficial relationship with a major, international partner,” Sickey said.


About the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana was officially recognized by the Federal government in 1973 and marked a major turning point in tribal history in 1985 with the election by popular vote of the first Coushatta tribal government.

From their earliest days as a proud, hard-working people struggling to maintain long-standing traditions in the face of possible relocation, the Coushatta Indians have endured and overcome every hardship they have faced and have remained on tribal lands in and around Elton, Louisiana, since the 1800s. Despite serious setbacks and some population dispersal, the tribe’s character and ideals have not only held fast, but have been strengthened. The Coushatta language, Koasati, is now considered unique among Native Americans because it has survived in its purest form and is still spoken fluently in the Coushatta community today.

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana owns and operates Coushatta Casino Resort, which employs more than 2,700 area residents. The Coushatta are in the process of building a new, $12 million Coushatta Heritage Center, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2009 and will feature interactive exhibits and a language game that will allow visitors to hear and learn about the Koasati language.


Source: Native Times

Man Hanged In Iran For Spying For Israel

Electronic Specialist Was Convicted For Trying To Pass Nuke Secrets On To Mossad Agents
(AP) Iran executed a man convicted of spying for Israel, a judiciary spokesman said Saturday.


Ali Reza Jamshidi told The Associated Press that Ali Ashtari was hanged on Nov. 17 after being sentenced to death on June 30 by a revolutionary court in Tehran. It was the country's first known conviction for espionage linked to Israel in almost a decade.

IRNA, Iran's official news agency has confirmed the report.

Jamshidi said Ashtari was found guilty of relaying sensitive information on military, defense and research centers which the 45-year-old electronics salesmen worked with, to Israeli intelligence officers.

Iranian officials have said the material that Ashtari allegedly passed to Israel included information on Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

A top Iranian intelligence official said that the announcement of Ashtari's hanging was part of an "intelligence battle" with the secret agencies of Iran's enemies, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"We had specific intentions with announcing the execution of Ashtari ... we want to show that new intelligence battles with enemy's intelligence services have begun and that intelligence battles have become more serious," IRNA quoted the head of Counterespionage Department at the Intelligence Ministry as saying.

The news agency didn't identify the intelligence official by name, which is customary in Iran.

The semi-official Mehr news agency quoted the same official as saying Saturday that Ashtari's body was handed over to his family last Monday and later buried.

Jamshidi, the spokesman, said Ashtari was arrested in 2007 after cooperating with the Israeli foreign intelligence agency Mossad for three years. Prior to his trial, Iranian officials accused Ashtari of trying to "create a link" between Iranian experts and Israeli agents.

Iran and Israel have long been enemies. But the ruling against Ashtari is the first time since 2000 that an Iranian court has convicted an Iranian citizen of charges of espionage for Israel. The ruling against Ashtari was handed down by Iran's Revolutionary Court, which handles security issues.

A closed-door trial in 2000 convicted 10 Iranian Jews of spying for Israel and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from four to 13 years. All were released before serving out their full sentences.

Ashtari's hanging comes amid rumors of Israeli intentions to attack Iran's nuclear facilities because of charges that Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.

Israel, the United States and many Western countries contend that Iran's nuclear program is intended to produce nuclear weapons. Iran denies that, saying its program is for peaceful purposes.

Earlier this year, Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled its Eitam airplane, equipped with sophisticated intelligence-gathering systems.

Israel also launched an advanced spy satellite in January able to track events even at night and in cloudy weather - all of which could be used to spy on Iran.

In 1981, an Israeli air attack destroyed an unfinished nuclear reactor in Iraq. Israel also hit a suspected nuclear facility in Syria September 2007.


Source: CBS News

Hanukkah is around the corner

First, just to set things straight, the drawing above is NOT a Menorah. Since it has a total of nine candles (8 candles and a shamash), it is a Hanukkiya -- which is what it is called in Israel to this very day.

There are several ways of spelling Hanukkah in English (Chanuka, Chanukah, Hanukah, and so on). The only really correct way to spell it is in Hebrew.

In modern Israel, Hanukkah symbolizes the victory of the few over the many. Every year during Hanukkah, there is a torch relay race which sets out from Modiin where the Maccabean revolt broke out and where the Hasmoneans (Maccabees) are buried. All over Israel, giant Hanukkah lamps are visable for great distances and are lit during the holiday atop public buildings, such as the Knesset building in Jerusalem.

The First Book of Maccabees states that Judah Maccabee defeated the Greek army commander-in-chief, Lysias, and then entered Jerusalem and purified the Temple. The 25th day of Kislev was set as the day of the rededication of the Temple. This day coincides with the third anniversary of the proclamation of the restrictive edicts of Antiochus Epiphanes in which he had decreed that pagan sacrifices should be offered on a platform erected on the Temple alter.

In those ancient days, Greece was at the height of its military power. When you come to think of it, it is rather amazing that a small Israelite army soundly trounced and defeated the mighty Greek army.

Throughout the centuries, history has come full cycle. In 1977, near Hanukkah time, the Maccabee-Tel Aviv basketball team defeated the Greek National basketball team to win the European basketball championship. Today, Greece is militarily aligned with Syria, Israel's enemy. Israel has close military ties with Turkey, Greece's enemy. Israel and the Jews will never forget Hanukkah -- and neither will the Greeks.

The Second Book of Maccabees notes that the 8-day dedication ceremony was performed as an analogy with King Solomon's consecration of the Temple. The book relates how fire had descended from the heavens (a meteor shower?), in the days of Judah Maccabee. The historian Josephus writes: 'From that time onward until this day we celebrate the festival, calling it the Festival of Lights.'

Tradition states that on entering the Temple, the Hasmoneans discovered that the Greeks had defiled all the oil, except for one small container which had enough oil to keep the candelabrum burning for only one day. A miracle happened, and the oil burned for 8 days, which is supposed to be the reason Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days. -- Sorry kids, but the authenticity of the 8-day oil story was already questioned by Jewish scholars in the Middle Ages.

Iraq War Ends

A group of pranksters handed out more than 1.2 million fake New York Times newspapers mainly in New York City and Los Angeles on Wednesday with a front page story declaring "Iraq War Ends."

The elaborate 14-page edition, dated July 4, 2009, is said to be the work of a group called the Yes Men, whose previous hoaxes include masquerading as World Trade Organization officials announcing they were disbanding the body.

The newspaper includes a front page story saying that "Ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reassured soldiers that the Bush administration had known well before the invasion that Saddam Hussein lacked weapons of mass destruction."

Other headlines declared that the "Maximum Wage Law Succeeds," "Nationalized Oil to Fund Climate Change Efforts" and "Nation Sets Its Sights On Building Sane Economy."

There is also a full page fake advertisement on page three from the world's largest publicly traded oil company Exxon Mobil saying the company applauded the end of the Iraq war and that peace is "an idea the world can profit from."



Source: Reuters

Hoax site: http://www.nytimes-se.com/

F.C.C. Nods to New Use of Airwaves - white spaces

The Federal Communications Commission voted to open up unused, unlicensed portions of the television airwaves known as "white spaces" to deliver wireless broadband service.

"White spaces are the blank pages on which we which we will write our broadband future," said Jonathan Adelstein, one of two Democrats on the five-member commission. Adelstein added that white spaces could represent a "third channel" to reach consumers beyond the telephone and cable networks that represent the primary competition in today's broadband market

The discussion over how to handle white spaces emerged in light of an impending change in the way television signals were delivered. Starting in February, TV stations will be required to switch to digital from analog delivery.

Since 2004, the F.C.C. has been studying whether the frequencies between television channels — the white spaces — could be used by other devices, particularly because digital signals are less prone to interference. The F.C.C. performed two sets of tests that showed some potential for disruption on frequencies used by broadcasters, live theater performances or others who rely on the same spectrum.

Devices using the spectrum could be on the market within a year to 18 months. These might include portable communications gadgets as well as in-home electronics that, for instance, could carry a video signal from a computer or recording device to a television.

Opening up this spectrum to high-speed wireless connections has been a high priority for Internet companies, which stand to benefit as more Americans get online. Technology and equipment makers, meanwhile, are counting on a multibillion dollar market for advanced wireless devices to transmit and receive signals, including laptops, personal digital assistants and TV set-top boxes.


Source: NY Times
Source: Associated Press