This week in power: Budget, WikiLeaks, Slaughter ban, Bieber

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Government shutdown averted: Now what?
President Obama was able to strike a deal with Republicans at the deadline last weekend that kept the federal government open and operating. “But there was something deeply disturbing about the process that led the nation to the brink of a shutdown,” ” title=”http://www.thejewishweek.com/blogs/political_insider/think_last_weeks_budget_battle_was_ugly_just_wait” target=”_blank”>James Besser worried about Jewish groups that “don’t like to dip their toes in the treacherous partisan waters of budget and taxation debates.” Where does civility get you? ” title=”http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/04/08/3086787/israel-100-missiles-a-day-to-ta-in-next-hezbollah-war” target=”_blank”>according to reports. The cables, among other things, revealed that Israeli officials expect Hezbollah to fire about 500 missiles a day at Israel from Lebanon, and it could mean war. They also show evidence that Israel ” title=”http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/how-close-did-the-united-states-come-launching-war-against-i-5141?page=1″ target=”_blank”>said Christopher A. Preble at The National Interest. It’s been know that Israel “lacked the firepower to definitively demolish the Iranian nuclear program.”

Bombing suspect caught
The man charged in connection with an explosion last Thursday at a Chabad House in Santa Monica, California, is heading back to California to stand trial, ” title=”http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/04/cleveland_heights_jewish_commu.html” target=”_blank”>Cleveland Plain-Dealer. But one rabbi grew suspicious and reported Hirsch to police. “In a small community, someone would be noticed because everybody knows everybody,” said one community member.

Dutch slaughter ban
The Netherlands may soon pass a law banning Jewish and Muslim traditions on the ritual slaughter of animals, ” title=”http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/europe-mainmenu-35/7049-will-holland-outlaw-kosher-killing” target=”_blank”>said Brice Walker at the New American. They want to “abolish religious practices of Christians and Jews by imposing, in place of God’s law, man’s law.” This is an “unjust” law, ” title=”http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/world/middleeast/13bieber.html?partner=rss&emc=rss” target=”_blank”>called off suddenly, and each side has a different story. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Bieber backed out after refusing to meet with children affecting by terror, while the singer cited “logistical” problems for the cancellation. The Israeli leader tried “to turn a photo op with a teen idol into a propaganda stunt for the war on Gaza,” ” title=”http://wonkette.com/442935/justin-bieber-unable-to-broker-israel-palestine-agreement” target=”_blank”>joked Jack Stuef at Wonkette. Let’s just hope the “Israeli media will back off, and that the country’s leadership gets a little savvier about how to greet high-profile visitors with millions of fans,”