World Briefs

Bush Blasts Attacks

President Bush lashed out at those responsible for a rash of anti-Semitic attacks that have taken place across Europe. “We reject the ancient evil of anti-Semitism,” Bush said during a speech Tuesday, referring specifically to “those who burn synagogues in France.” In the speech to business and civic leaders in California’s Silicon Valley, he added, “America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here because we are one country.”

Farrakhan Ban Upheld

Britain’s Court of Appeal upheld the government’s right to bar Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan from the country. The court said Tuesday the ban was based on reasonable fears that Farrakhan’s “notorious opinions” were a threat to public order. The court also said that Farrakhan would not be allowed to appeal the decision to the House of Lords, which is Britain’s highest court. Tuesday’s finding came after the government appealed a decision last year in which a lower court judge ruled against the government’s ban, saying the government had failed to establish “objective justification” for excluding Farrakhan.

Saudis Supporting Bombers’ Families

Saudi Arabia has been providing financial support for families of suicide bombers, according to documents seized by Israeli troops during the military operation in the West Bank. The papers show that Saudi Arabia has transferred more than $500,000 to the West Bank, and the funds were then used to give $5,000 each to the families of suicide bombers, the Israeli daily Ma’ariv reported. The paper quoted sources in the Prime Minister’s Office as saying the money was transferred via an aid society headed by the Saudi interior minister.

Belarus Gets a JCC

A new JCC was dedicated in Belarus. The community center in Minsk includes a Jewish museum and athletic facilities. It is operated by the Union of Belarussian Jewish Organizations and Communities. Palestinian wounded in church standoff

Israeli troops shot and wounded a Palestinian at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity on Wednesday. Israel described the Palestinian as a gunman who was spotted in the courtyard of the church compound. He was hit in the shoulder, then surrendered along with another man, an army statement said.

Nativity Burns Engineer Sentenced

An Orange County engineer was sentenced to 40 months in prison and fined $20,000 for exporting to Israel electronic components that could be used as triggers for nuclear weapons. Richard Kelly Smyth, 72, had spent 16 years as a fugitive. Last July, he and his wife were located in Spain. Israel returned most of the components after Smyth’s indictment and said they never were intended for use in nuclear weapons.

Israeli Opium Field Found

Israeli police discovered a vast field of opium-producing poppies in the center of Israel. Investigators speculated that the field had the potential of producing opium worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Acting on intelligence information, a police investigator picked a flower at a field near Kibbutz Hulda and sent it for laboratory testing. Police are currently trying to locate those who planted the field.

Briefs complied by J.T.A.