Prison Service Mulls Special Wing for Olmert

JNS.org—The Israel Prison Service (IPS) is considering establishing a wing for the Holyland criminals, in which former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the six other sentenced individuals would serve their time together, Israel Hayom reported. In the coming days, the IPS will consult with the Shin Bet security agency to gauge the security required and the risks inherent in keeping prisoners who are privy to state secrets. Although Olmert will not be entitled to special treatment while he serves his time, the IPS must consider the dangers that may face him as a former prime minister in jail. Having led the country and made decisions that affect the public, being among the general population of prisoners could be particularly risky for Olmert.

Hillel Letter: J Street U Members Add to ‘Ideas Within Our Tent’

JNS.org—A letter sent to Hillel International colleagues by leaders of the Jewish campus umbrella said Hillel’s relationship with J Street will not change following the recent vote by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to reject the membership application of the self-labeled “pro-Israel, pro-peace” lobby. In a letter obtained by JNS.org, Hillel President & CEO Eric Fingerhut and board chair Sidney Pertnoy noted that Hillel is currently a non-voting adjunct member of the Conference of Presidents, and therefore did not participate in the vote on J Street’s application. “The vote has no effect whatsoever on Hillel’s relationship with J Street U and its student members. Like other Hillel students and student groups, J Street U’s members add their perspective to the rich tapestry of ideas within our tent,” the letter stated.

More Than 200 Christian Leaders Call for Protection of Mideast Christians

JNS.org—More than 200 Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant leaders, as well as several secular leaders, joined forces to call on the U.S. government to take action to protect Middle East Christians and other minorities under threat from extremism. “We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant leaders, have come together in this joint pledge to speak up for our fellow Christians and other threatened religious communities in the Middle East,” the statement said.

Japan, Israel to Bolster Defense Cooperation

JNS.org—Reuters has reported that PM Shinzo Abe and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced an agreement in Tokyo for the two countries to increase defense cooperation. At the start of a five-day trip to Japan Netanyahu said “There is a common bond between us. We’re both democratic, progressive, technological societies. You face North Korea, which is a rogue regime with nuclear weapons. We face the possibility of Iran, which is a rogue regime that wants to have nuclear weapons. They’re cooperating between them, and we should cooperate between us.”

Grey’s Anatomy Spotlights Israeli Med Tech

In a recent episode of Grey’s Anatomy, Dr. Cristina Yang comes across Israeli cutting-edge technology while visiting a Swiss hospital—the hyper-realistic, dynamic 3D holographic image of a beating heart, “floating in the air.” The image is enhanced with digital data from X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound imaging and can be manipulated and even sliced open virtually. RealView Imaging, based in Yokneam, is making it possible for surgeons to use three-dimensional holography in planning the steps of delicate, complex procedures.

Catholic Church in Israel Condemns Price Tag Attacks

JNS.org—The Catholic Church in Israel issued a statement condemning recent “price tag” attacks after a church property in Jerusalem was vandalized. According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, “Death to Arabs, Christians and all those who hate Israel” was found spray painted on a wall outside of the Office of the Assembly of Bishops in Jerusalem. Several of Israel’s top leaders have been outspoken in their condemnation of the recent “price tag” attacks and have vowed to crack down on them.

Looted Art Heading to Switzerland

Berlin—Kunstmuseum Bern has been named the “unrestricted and unfettered sole heir” of the German Cornelius Gurlitt, whose priceless hoard of long-hidden artworks last year set off an uproar over the fate of art looted by the Nazis. German investigators seized more than 1,000 artworks from Gurlitt’s Munich apartment two years ago after chancing upon the trove of paintings, print, and drawings by masters such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Marc Chagall. Authorities disclosed the find only in November following a report by German magazine Focus. Gurlitt, who died last week, agreed last month to a deal with the German government under which experts would check whether any of the works he owned were looted by the Nazis—leading to possible restitution claims—while they remained in authorities’ custody. All works cleared of suspicion would be returned to Gurlitt. The Bavarian Justice Ministry said Tuesday that the deal would be binding on all possible heirs.

VOA Calls for Support for Jordan

In order to forestall a potential domestic backlash against the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees that have flooded into the country, the VOA has called on the international community to boost its support for Jordan. Only about one quarter of a U.N. appeal for $4.2 billion—all to be delivered in 2014—has been fulfilled. The United States for its part earlier sealed an agreement this week to extend loan guarantees to Amman that the State Department insisted would “allow Jordan to access affordable financing from international capital markets, ensuring that Jordan can continue to provide critical services to its citizens.” Observers fear that the country is entering a cycle of instability. Recent months have seen a spike in tensions, and last week there was a wave of violence in southern Jordan that included the death of a civilian apparently at the hands of security forces.

Palestinians Threaten to Pursue Soccer Sanctions vs. Israel

JNS.org—The Palestinians are threatening to pursue sanctions against Israel at a gathering of soccer’s international governing body next month, Reuters reported. Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub said he is “going for sanctions against the Israelis” at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Congress if there is a lack of progress on the issues of freedom of movement and access for Palestinian athletes. “So far the Israelis are not cooperating,” Rajoub told Reuters, adding that Israel “cannot keep behaving like the neighborhood bully.” The Israeli Football Association, however, said it is working “in full cooperation and coordination with FIFA and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) to ensure the best possible sporting conditions for Palestinians.”

Israeli Minister Tzipi Livni Given Diplomatic Immunity for UK Visit

The Guardian reports that the British government has granted temporary diplomatic immunity to Tzipi Livni, Israel’s justice minister and lead negotiator in recent peace talks, who will meet Foreign Office ministers in London. The move comes amid efforts to secure a warrant for Livni’s arrest by London lawyers Hickman and Rose, acting on behalf of a relative of a Palestinian killed in Israel’s military assault on Gaza in December 2008 [in response to massive Palestinian rocket fire]. Working with the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), the law firm requested that police arrest Livni for suspected war crimes.