The United States opposes efforts to pass an anti-settlement resolution in the United Nations Security Council, a State Department spokesman said.
United States military aid to Israel for fiscal year 2011 has been delayed for three months.
After meeting with U.S. leaders, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak predicted that comprehensive talks with the Palestinians on all final status issues would begin within months.
Australia offered to assist Israel in the wake of the devastating fires that have claimed at least 40 lives. \”Australia stands ready to offer assistance to Israel,\” Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, who is due to visit Israel later this month, said in a statement Friday. \”Australians know directly the devastating impact inflicted by bushfires. I will travel to Israel later this month for an official visit and will convey my sincere condolences in person to Israeli leaders and people.\”
The Obama administration is seeking ways to assist Israel in combating its forest fires, while New York sent Israel a shipment of fire retardant. A 747 loaded with Fire Troll 931, a fire retardant chemical, left New York Thursday night bound for Israel. The shipment was arranged by the Fire Dept. of New York and the office of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Israel\’s Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar said he will no longer be responsible for any state conversions if the Knesset passes a bill requiring the recognition of all military conversions. In a letter sent to Benjamin Netanyahu, Amar called on the prime minister to prevent the bill from passing, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday. Amar has charged a committee to look into legal and halachic issues surrounding the military conversions. He asked Netanyahu to allow the committee to conclude its work before allowing the legislation to go forward.
The United States will store an additional $400 million in emergency military equipment in Israel.
A project to connect Holocaust documents throughout Europe is set to be launched.
The Obama administration reportedly suggested that Israel extend its current settlement freeze for three months, which Israel appears to have rejected.
Israel and the United States signed an open skies agreement.
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