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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Palestinian poll: 
 
 Palestinians favor 1 state solution (62.5%) over 2 state solution (36.8)
 
Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) Poll No. 169      Date: February 1, 2010
 

Q 39. There are lot of strategic concepts for the resolution of the conflict
in the region and the self-determination of the Palestinian people. What is
your evaluation to each of the following?


1. One democratic state on the soil of the whole historical Palestine, in
which all its citizens should enjoy the same rights without religious,
ethnic, racial or gender discrimination. 62.5

2. Two states, one Palestinian, the other Israeli, live in peaceful
coexistence side by side as good neighbors (in conformity with the
resolution of the Palestinian National Council of 1988
and the UN-Resolution
no. 242). 36.8

3. I don't know 0.7

The most recent poll drafted by Dr. Nabil Kukali and published by the
Palestinian Center for Public Opinion on February 1st, 2010 included a
random sample of (1450) respondents representing all the demographic
spectrum of the residents of Gaza Strip at the age of (18) years and older.

Access via  http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=47112

JFNA: Pres. Budget Embraces Many Jewish Federation Priorities


The Jewish Federations of North America
 
For Immediate Release:                   
February 2, 2010
 
Contact:        
Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications
(202) 265-3000; (202) 641-6216 (c)
 
Presidential Budget Embraces Many Jewish Federation Priorities, but Undermines Critical Charitable Deductions
 
WASHINGTON – The FY 2011 budget recommendations issued by the President this week embraces many Jewish Federation priorities, but could reduce charitable contributions vital to Federation support, said a leading Jewish advocacy organization.
 
The Jewish Federations of North America is currently reviewing the nearly 2500 pages of the FY 2011 budget and finds numerous provisions that support the work of The Jewish Federations as well as some provisions The Jewish Federations hope Congress will reconsider prior to  passage of the final budget resolution.
 
The FY 2011 budget provides essential funding for programs managed by the Jewish Federation movement to support the older adults, disabled, unemployed, sick and homeless.  Included in this year’s recommendations, among others, are extended funding for the enhanced Federal Medicare Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rate that was set to expire at the end of this year and funding for the Administration on Aging’s Caregivers Initiative.  FMAP is the funding formula used to determine the amount of federal aid states will receive to support their Medicaid program.   The Caregiver Initiative, which recognizes the essential role of family members as caregivers, is among the Jewish Federations’ major priorities. The FY 2011 Budget proposal also enables charities, regardless of size, to qualify for a $5,000 tax credit for every net new employee hired in 2010.
 
“Jewish Federations and our affiliated social service agencies are continuing to respond to the devastation of the current economic crisis, and look to Congress and the Obama Administration for a fiscal lifeline to counter the enormous demand for our social programs,” said William C. Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington office.  “We look forward to working with Congress as it reviews the President’s budget recommendations and tackle these challenges to ensure our nation’s charities have the resources and tools needed to help the most vulnerable.”
 
The Jewish Federations was disappointed that the Budget includes a proposal limiting the value of itemized deductions, including charitable deductions.  Led by The Jewish Federations, charities across the country actively encouraged Congress to reject a similar proposal last year, because of the disincentive it will have on charitable giving at a time when charities are serving as a vital component of the nation's social safety net. The Jewish Federations of North America remains committed to ensuring that the nation’s network of charities and social services has access to the funding and resources it needs to continue to help those most affected by the economic downturn.
 
“More Americans today are facing unprecedented financial pressures at a time when many of them are unable to find work, and for many, the initiatives and programs managed by our nation’s charitable network are life-saving,” said Daroff.  “Anything that undercuts these vital programs is simply unacceptable.   The Jewish Federations of North America remains committed to working with Congress and the Administration to ensure that charities have the resources to help our society's most vulnerable.”
 
The Jewish Federations of North America represents 157 Jewish Federations and 400 Network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs. The Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent, protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning).
 
-END-
 

Theologian's "Jihad and Genocide" previewed by Christian media analyst

CAMERA.com's Christian Media Analyst, Dexter Van Zile, sat down to record some informal video notes for an upcoming review of noted Holocaust theologian Richard L. Rubenstein's book, "Jihad and Genocide".

 
 
Source:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP38bHFQiJ0


Informal comment by Dexter Van Zile:

I think the issue of the dhimma is of central importance to the current conflict. The dhimma is the treaty of protection offered to non-Muslims in Muslim ruled countries. In return for accepting their subject status, non-Muslims are allowed to maintain their religious identity. The underlying assumption is that Islam is supposed to be the dominant force in any society where it exists.

The notion of Jewish sovereignty, especially on land previously governed by Muslim rulers, is anathema to this understanding. It is an inversion of the way things are supposed to be.

The forces that contribute to the terrible treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East are the same forces that contribute to violence against non-Muslims outside the region by Islamists. 


Note:  We are referring here only to Radical or Revolutionary Islamism.  The average Muslim, even those who practice conservative traditional Islam, is not a Radical Islamist. As Prof. Barry Rubin puts it: "We should understand  [that]  Islamism is not [ and hasn't been] the only possible interpretation of Islam."   http://rubinreports.blogspot.com/2010/01/radical-islamism-introductory-primer.html