World Briefs

Snow Hits Israel

Snow blanketed portions of Israel on Monday. Because of
heavy snow in the north, the Hermon ski resort and roads leading to the Golan
Heights were closed. In Jerusalem, which witnessed major traffic jams, schools
closed at 2 p.m. Other parts of the country were hit by heavy rains that
prompted flood alerts.

Ethiopia Criticizes Aliyah

Ethiopia denounced Israel’s plans for an immigration of
Ethiopians who claim Jewish heritage. “It is beyond Ethiopia’s comprehension
why anyone would wish to organize a mass movement of people from Ethiopia, when
everyone is free to leave the country in a normal and legal way,” a government
official told Reuters. After years of controversy related to eligibility, Israel
has announced plans to absorb some 18,000 Falash Mura Ethiopian descendants of
Jews forced to convert to Christianity. The immigration is expected to take
some two years.

Soldiers Sue Filmmaker

Five Israeli reserve soldiers who took part in the army
incursion into the Jenin refugee camp last year sued the Arab director of a
film on the operation. The plaintiffs who filed the $500,000 libel suit on
Wednesday said the film, “Jenin, Jenin” slanders the soldiers who fought in Jenin
and is falsely presented as a documentary. The lawsuit was also filed against
the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Cinemateques, which privately screened the film
despite a ban on commercial screening. The director of the film, Mohammed Bakri,
said the film is “one large truth,” but not the Israelis’ truth.

Fired For Alleged Ties

The University of South Florida has fired a professor
arrested last week for alleged ties to the terrorist group, Palestinian Islamic
Jihad. Sami Al-Arian, a computer engineering professor, had been suspended for
more than a year, and the university claims that he abused his position.
Al-Arian and seven others were indicted on charges that he created a terror
cell at the school and funneled financial support to the Palestinian group.

Turkish Crew Rescued

The Israeli air force rescued 10 crew members of a Turkish
cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea. The boat’s anchor chain broke in
the stormy seas Tuesday, sending the craft adrift. According to the Jerusalem
Post, Israeli military helicopters plucked the Turkish crewmen from life boats
after their cargo ship began to go down. They were taken to a hospital for
evaluation.

Belgian Official Writes Letter to
Israel

Belgium’s foreign minister wrote an open letter to Israel,
expressing regret over the deterioration in relations between the two countries
over a Belgian court decision enabling the prosecution of Israelis involved in
the 1982 Lebanon War. In a letter addressed to “my Israeli friends” that was published
in Israeli and Belgian newspapers, Louis Michel said a Belgian law that grants
judges universal jurisdiction for war crimes is not specifically aimed against Israel.
He also promised to “vigorously oppose” anti-Semitism. Earlier this month, Israel
recalled its ambassador over the court ruling, which would authorize the
Belgian court system to try Ariel Sharon in connection with the 1982 killing of
Palestinians by Christian Phalangists in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps
after Sharon steps down as prime minister.

Report Blasts Austrian Restitution
Efforts

The Claims Conference welcomed a report commissioned by the
Austrian government that called Austria’s attempts at restitution “often
half-hearted and sometimes utterly reluctant.”

Reacting to the report, Gideon Taylor, the Claims
Conference’s executive vice president, said: “For decades, Austria did not
attempt to right the wrongs done to its former Jewish community.” He added:
“There seems now to be a new outlook on this matter, and we welcome the change.
We hope that the conclusions and recommendations arising from this report will
be properly and promptly implemented.”

The Claims Conference negotiated a restitution and
compensation agreement with Austrian government and industry in 2001 that was
worth approximately $500 million. The agreement covered payments for stolen
assets such as apartment leases, businesses and household items, and for
welfare benefits to aging, needy former Austrian Jews.

Bobsledders to Compete for Israel

One Canadian and two Americans have established a bobsled
team that they hope will compete for Israel in the next Winter Olympics. David
Greaves of Winnipeg, and Aaron Zeff and John Frank, both of San Francisco, have
received authorization from the Israeli Olympic Committee. All three have
applied for Israeli citizenship. They hope that their bobsled, Israel One, will
cheer the people of Israel.

Their newly formed Israeli Bobsled Federation has invented a
new Hebrew word for bobsled “mizchelet bob” based on mizchelet, the Hebrew word
for sled.

High Court Refuses Kosher Case

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider reinstating New
York laws that set standards for the labeling of kosher food. The court
offered no comment when it refused the case Monday. Last year, an appeals court
struck down the New York laws, ruling that the laws improperly take sides in a
religious matter.

Briefs courtesy Jewish Telegraphic Agency.