U.S.-Israel Relations

Blinken’s reversal of ‘Pompeo doctrine’ all about politics, experts say

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a phone call with U.S. officials, including the president, about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy against Hamas on Oct. 11, 2023, in the Oval Office. Credit: Adam Schultz/White House.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a phone call with U.S. officials, including the president, about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy against Hamas on Oct. 11, 2023, in the Oval Office. Credit: Adam Schultz/White House.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday appeared to reverse the Trump administration’s “Pompeo doctrine,” which stated that civilian Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria were not necessarily illegal according to international law.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Israeli Banks ‘Overreacting’ by Freezing Accounts Due to US Sanctions, Expert Says

Bank Leumi chairman Samer Haj-Yehia speaks at Jerusalem's International Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Bank Leumi chairman Samer Haj-Yehia speaks at Jerusalem’s International Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Israeli banks this week made the controversial decision to freeze the accounts of two Israelis sanctioned by the United States under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden. It is believed that the accounts of two other sanctioned Israelis will be frozen shortly. The EO states that the four are guilty of “Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank.”

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Friedman: Biden Admin ’Embracing BDS’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (center) and then-American Ambassador David Friedman, April 2018. Credit: U.S. Embassy in Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (center) and then-American Ambassador David Friedman, April 2018. Credit: U.S. Embassy in Israel.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed on Monday that the United States would be freezing scientific and technological cooperation with Israeli entities in areas over the 1949 armistice line, i.e. in Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights and parts of Jerusalem.’U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed on Monday that the United States would be freezing scientific and technological cooperation with Israeli entities in areas over the 1949 armistice line, i.e. in Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights and parts of Jerusalem.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Great Neck, NY, Signs ‘Sister Pact’ with Israeli Towns

Great Neck, New York, Mayor Dr. Pedram Bral (left) and Binyamin Regional CounciI head Israel Ganz sign a friendship and cooperation agreement last week. Courtesy of the Heartland Initiative.

Great Neck, New York, Mayor Dr. Pedram Bral (left) and Binyamin Regional CounciI head Israel Ganz sign a friendship and cooperation agreement last week. Courtesy of the Heartland Initiative.

A declaration of friendship and cooperation was signed in Israel this week at a festive ceremony between the mayor of Great Neck, New York, Dr. Pedram Bral, and Israel Ganz, the head of the Binyamin Regional Council, north of Jerusalem.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Judea and Samaria Leaders Weigh in on Biden’s Israel Visit

American flags being hung in Jerusalem ahead of U.S. President Biden's Israel visit, July 10, 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

American flags being hung in Jerusalem ahead of U.S. President Biden’s Israel visit, July 10, 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Ahead of this week’s visit by U.S. President Joe Biden, the Israeli government has taken steps to pacify Washington by refraining from unilateral moves in Judea and Samaria.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Brings Economic Trade Mission to Israel

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey visits the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, on May 30, 2022. Photo: Dudu Koren.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey visits the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, on May 30, 2022. Photo: Dudu Koren.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is in Israel this week on a five-day trade mission with a delegation from Arizona focused on business development, water technology and border security. The delegation includes Danny Seiden, the head of Arizona’s Chamber of Commerce, and Sandra Wilson, the president & CEO of Arizona Commerce Authority.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Pence, Friedman Receive Honorary Doctorates at Ariel University

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman at Ariel University for an awards ceremony on March 9, 2022. Photo by Josh Hasten.

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman at Ariel University for an awards ceremony on March 9, 2022. Photo by Josh Hasten.

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman were awarded honorary doctorates at Ariel University on Wednesday evening.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate

Indiana Governor Visits Israel to Show Support, Foster Continued Economic Ties to Hoosier State

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, May 2021. Credit: Imagine Indiana/Flickr.

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, May 2021. Credit: Imagine Indiana/Flickr.

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb is on his way back home after a whirlwind two-day visit to the Jewish state, arriving at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to further ties between Israel and the Hoosier state.

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Posted by Josh Hasten in Jewish News Syndicate