Issues and Positions

IPA Leadership Development

Washington Wire

OU IPA Washington Wire - January, 25 2008
January 25, 2008
Please note: the Weekly Jerusalem Update will now be integrated into the regular IPA Washington Wire with weekly updates on the latest news from the IPA, Israel, and from Washington.


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Advocating for Jerusalem

The issue of Jerusalem's future remained a top issue on the Israeli political scene this week. At the influential Herziliya Conference, an opening day panel discussion was devoted to "The Heart of the Matter - Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel and the Jewish People", Prime Minister Olmert met with leaders of the Shas party and committed to keep them informed and up to date on any discussions with the Palestinians of "core issues" such as Jerusalem, while Palestinian President Abbas boldly told Israeli Knesset members and reporters that Jerusalem is on the negotiating table.

The coming weeks will continue to be critical ones for the fate of Jerusalem, and we are continuing our advocacy efforts through meetings with United States government officials as well as contacts with Israeli leaders. In just a few weeks, OU president Steve Savitsky, executive vice president Rabbi Weinreb and IPA director Nathan Diament will travel to Jerusalem and participate in meetings with top officials where our
advocacy for Jerusalem will continue.

In the meantime, please continue to pray for Jerusalem's welfare and talk to your friends, write letters to the editor - and ask political candidates in the U.S. seeking your support what their position is on the fate of our eternal capital.

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From the IPA
This week, the IPA sent a letter to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urging the members to support H. Res 185, a bill that would recognize the plight of Jewish refugees from Muslim countries. To learn how you can help, click here.

From Israel
The Jerusalem Post reports that the United States has blocked a UN Security Council presidential statement about the situation in Gaza that singles out Israel in the conflict with Hamas terrorists. To read the full article, click here.

From the Campaign Trail
Florida has become the latest battleground in the republican presidential race for the Jewish vote. The New York favorite Rudolph Giuliani has spent months in Florida, courting NY transplants, yet seems to be losing ground to John McCain of Arizona, with a little help from Joe Lieberman.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has entered the fray for Jewish votes in Florida. On Tuesday, he spoke in Boca Raton to the Republican Jewish Coalition. And on Thursday, two of the five Romney brothers double teamed the Jewish community - Tagg Romney will spoke at the David Posnack Hebrew Day School in Plantation while Craig Romney remained in Boca and appeared at FAU's Hillel.

JTA reports that Senator, and presidential hopeful, John McCain (R-Az) has called on the United Nations to condemn Palestinian rocket attacks on Israelis. To read the full article, click here.


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Links

IPA Website

IPA Blog

OU Defending Jerusalem Website

Conference of Presidents' DailyAlert
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[This email is comprised of excerpts from cited news articles and does not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or positions of the Institute for Public Affairs, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, its affiliates or its employees.]