fbpx

April 7, 2019

South Africa Downgrades Embassy in Israel to Liaison Office

JERUSALEM (JTA) — South Africa has downgraded its embassy in Israel to a liaison office.

The office, located in Tel Aviv, has “no political mandate, no trade mandate and no development cooperation mandate. It will not be responsible for trade and commercial activities,” South African Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said last week. “The focus of the Liaison Office would be on consular and the facilitation of people-to-people relations,” Sisulu also said.

In May 2018, South Africa recalled its ambassador, Sisa Ngombane, “until further notice” after Israeli troops killed more than 50 Palestinian protesters and wounded hundreds during protests at the Israel-Gaza border, part of the so-called “Great March of Return.” The violence reached a peak on May 14, 2018 with the dedication of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,

With the downgrading of the embassy, and thus diplomatic relations with Israel, Ngombane will not be returning to Israel.

The downgrade comes nearly a year after the ruling African National Congress party called for the downgrading of the South African Embassy due to what it said was the “lack of commitment from Israel on Palestine.”

South Africa Downgrades Embassy in Israel to Liaison Office Read More »

Leaked Emails: Labour Party Failed to Investigate Hundreds of Anti-Semitism Cases

(JTA) — Britain’s Labour Party has failed to investgate and discipline hundreds of anti-Semitism cases, according to a leak of party emails.

The Sunday Times reported that of 863 complaints overall made by March 8m 2019, 454 are unresolved, including 249 where the party has not yet opened an investigation, as well as 176 ongoing investigations.

Among party members who have not yet been suspended are members who posted online comments including “Heil Hitler,” “F**k the Jews” and “Jews are the problem,” the London-based Jewish Chronicle reported.

The leaked emails are from a hard drive obtained by the Sunday Times that also contains a confidential database, and party documents.

According to the report, at least one Labour official who should have been punished was not because he was at the time standing for reelection.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s office involved itself in at least 101 complaints, though the opposition leader said he would remain hands off.

Of the cases in which a decision was reached, 191 members faced no further action, 145 received a formal reprimand, and 29 were expelled. Some voluntarily left the party.

The Labour Party has disputed the figures reported by the Times, and a spokesperson told the Jewish Chronicle that only parts of some emails were leaked, which misrepresents their entire contents.

Margaret Hodge, a Jewish lawmaker for the Labour Party, who has been critical of the party’s handling of anti-Semitism in its ranks, said: “The scale of the abuse, the depth of the hatred and the total lack of action by the Labour Party is astonishing.”

Leaked Emails: Labour Party Failed to Investigate Hundreds of Anti-Semitism Cases Read More »

GOP Senators Introduce Resolution Favoring Protections for Israeli Americans

LAS VEGAS (JTA) — Three Republican senators introduced a resolution that recognizes Israeli Americans as a class that deserves protections against discrimination.

The resolution, introduced by Sens. Kevin Cramer, (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio, (R-Fla.), “affirms that the Israeli-American community has contributed immensely to the society and culture of the United States; and condemns all forms of discrimination that aim to marginalize or disenfranchise members of the Israeli-American community.”

Cramer, a freshman senator, announced the resolution Saturday at the annual meeting in Las Vegas of the Republican Jewish Coalition. The Israeli-American Coalition for Action, the sister advocacy organization of the Israeli-American Council, originally initiated this legislation.

The RJC helped Cramer in the last election, running ads against the Democratic incumbent, Heidi Heitkamp. A major funder of the RJC and the Israeli-American Council is Sheldon Adelson; the RJC annual event takes place at Adelson’s Venetian casino resort.

GOP Senators Introduce Resolution Favoring Protections for Israeli Americans Read More »

Watch me on TV! Thank you KTLA Los Angeles!

Lisa Niver on KTLA TV March 31 2019
Travel Advisor Lisa Niver on KTLA TV with Lynette Romero and Mark Mester. Spring into Summer Travel with Rocky Mountaineer

Thank you  Mark Mester, Ashley Adams-Regan, Angel Kim, Kimberly Cornell  and the entire news team for welcoming me back to KTLA.

Lisa Niver on KTLA Rocky Mountaineer March 31 2019

I loved sharing RockyMountaineer train travel with you. Thank CHOO!

Lynette Romero, Lisa Niver and Mark Mester on KTLA TV March 31. 2019
Lynette Romero, Lisa Niver and Mark Mester on KTLA TV March 31. 2019

Did you see us on TV yesterday? Watch it now: Click here

Lisa Niver at KTLA TV March 31 2019
Lisa Niver at KTLA TV March 31 2019
What was the KTLA Spring into Summer Giveaway? First Passage to the West Classic for two people in Rocky Mountaineer’s Goldleaf Service.

Get your Rocky Mountaineer Questions answered here in my post that answers all of my “dumb” questions. Having worked for years on a cruise ship, when I started to think about my first Canadian Rockies train journey, I realized I had many questions.  I thought you might appreciate the answers here and let me know any other questions you have.

Special Hotel Night Promotion book by June 28, 2019First Passage to the West Classic

“Available for guests traveling in 2019 season, blackout dates apply. Guests booking qualifying packages of five days (four nights) or more receive one free hotel night in Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary or Victoria. The free hotel can be applied as a credit within the package (to one of the four nights – however, Victoria is excluded from this), OR it can be applied at the beginning or end of the package to extend the journey by one night. Bookings can be made by contacting Rocky Mountaineer or your local travel agent.”

This was my fourth time on KTLA in 2019.

Learn more about my earlier segments:

Critics Choice Awards with Waldorf Astoria and Glamsquad

Lisa Niver at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on KTLA TV

President’s Day Founding Fathers and Mothers Giveaway in Philadelphia with Visit Philly

Lisa Niver on KTLA with Lu Parker and Glen Walker
Lisa Niver on KTLA with Lu Parker and Glen Walker

Oscars Countdown to Gold with Kimpton La Peer and Glamsquad

Lisa Niver on KTLA for Oscars 2019 at La Peer Hoteland from 2018

Thrill and Chill in Palm Springs

Lisa Niver Live on KTLA with Lu Parker Mark Mester
Lisa Niver Live on KTLA with Lu Parker, Mark Mester, Kaj Goldberg.

Valentine’s Giveaway to Ogden

See Lisa Niver on KTLA TV

Thanksgiving Giveaway Getaway to Napa Valley

Where to Wander? Watch Lisa Niver on KTLA 5

Watch me on TV! Thank you KTLA Los Angeles! Read More »