Weekly roundup of world briefs

Netanyahu is considering a plea deal in his corruption cases that could bar him from politics for years, reports claim

By Gabe Friedman

(JTA) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors in his ongoing corruption cases that could bar him from politics for several years and further reshape Israel’s political landscape.

Although various Israeli media reports have swirled inconclusively for several days — including some that claim momentum for a deal is slowing — all allege that Netanyahu has laid the groundwork for a possible deal that would dismiss some of the charges against him while having him confess to “moral turpitude” in a series of corruption cases.

According to Israeli law, a moral turpitude conviction would see him banned from Israeli politics for at least seven years.

Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, is currently the leader of Israel’s opposition after being ousted from power last year. In 2020, he became the country’s first sitting prime minister to be indicted, for a series of cases involving bribery and inappropriate political gifts. In one, he allegedly sought to harm a leading Israeli newspaper in exchange for positive coverage in another.

The attorney general who indicted Netanyahu, Avichai Mandelblit, is retiring at the end of January, spurring some to speculate whether he wants to end his tenure with an explosive bang. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside of Mandelblit’s house on Saturday, urging him to dismiss a plea deal and work towards convicting Netanyahu on all accounts he is charged with.

In addition to shaking up his Likud party, Netanyahu’s potential plea deal could rattle the Israeli parliament’s coalition, which has been held together by a historically diverse set of parties by the slimmest of margins since last June. If one party is forced to reshuffle its leadership in turmoil, it could break down the coalition and trigger new elections.

Jon Stewart to receive Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

By Shira Hanau

(JTA) — Jon Stewart will be awarded this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in recognition of his political satire and activism. The award will be presented in April.

Past recipients of the award, which is given to comedians who have “had an impact on American society in ways similar to” Mark Twain, have included Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Carol Burnett.

“I am truly honored to receive this award. I have long admired and been influenced by the work of Mark Twain, or, as he was known by his given name, Samuel Leibowitz,” Stewart said, according to the Kennedy Center’s press release. Stewart’s given name was Jonathan Leibowitz.

Though no longer the host of “The Daily Show,” the program he hosted for 16 years, Stewart continues to offer up political satire through his new show “The Problem with Jon Stewart” and a podcast. He also continues to be involved with advocating for government assistance for 9/11 first responders.

Steward recently made headlines when he pointed out the similarities between the portrayal of goblins in the Harry Potter movies and classic antisemitic portrayals of Jews. Stewart later walked the comments back, saying he was joking. “Let me just say this, super clearly, as clearly as I can… I do not think J.K. Rowling is antisemitic,” he said.

In lawsuit, CUNY professors accuse faculty union of being ‘anti-Semitic, anti-Israel’

(JNS) — Six professors from the City University of New York (CUNY) claimed that the school’s faculty union is “anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish, and anti-Israel” in a civil-rights lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

The Professional Staff Congress passed a resolution in June that widely criticized Israel, such as accusing the country of “occupation” and the “massacre” of Palestinians. The union also said at the time that it would “facilitate discussions” and “consider” supporting the BDS movement against Israel.

The six professors—five of them Jewish—claimed in their lawsuit filed on Dec. 12 that “since the resolution, PSC has continued to advocate positions and take actions that plaintiffs believe to be anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish and anti-Israel in a manner that harms the Jewish plaintiffs and singles them out for opprobrium, hatred and harassment based on their religious, ethnic and/or moral beliefs and identity.”

They added that “because of this, they have no faith and confidence in PSC’s ability to represent them as their exclusive, fiduciary representative, and they desire to end such forced representation.”

The CUNY teachers said they have tried to resign from PSC but are obligated under state law to remain part of “a bargaining unit that is represented exclusively by PSC.”

They said they no longer want to be represented by PSC or be forced to pay dues. The professors also noted feeling “alienated” from PSC “due to its political advocacy and stated positions on Israel.”

PSC and its affiliates represent more than 30,000 faculty and staff at CUNY and the CUNY Research Foundation, according to the lawsuit.

Estonia orders more than 500 Israeli-designed Spike missiles

(JNS) — Estonia has ordered more than 500 Spoke SR (short-range) missiles, designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Defense reported on Wednesday.

The order was placed with the EuroSpike company—a joint initiative by the Israeli company Rafael, and German companies Diehl Defense and Rheinmetall.

It’s part of a 40 million euros (about $45 million) agreement signed in 2019 for the supply of 18 Spike launchers to go to the Estonian military over a period of seven years, with the launchers arriving in 2020, according to the report.

The agreement included the option of purchasing tens of additional launchers.

Rafael said the shoulder-launched Spike SR, which uses advanced electro-optical seekers, can hit stationary and moving targets at ranges of up to 1,500 meters (some 5,000 feet). It was designed for infantry platoons.

Estonia’s President Alar Karis called for an increase in NATO troop numbers in his country last week following heightened tensions with Russia, Politico reported.

The Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association umbrella group, which represents government and military officials, diplomats, and academics, states, “Our security is directly linked to the developments within the international security environment. Success in international operations is vitally important for Estonia, as this affects not only the security of ourselves and our allies but also the global position of international organizations important for us.”

Estonia joined NATO in 2004.

Hamas, Fatah delegations in Algeria to discuss ‘Palestinian national unity’

(JNS) — A senior Hamas delegation arrived in Algeria as part of that country’s attempts to foster Palestinian unity, Turkish broadcaster TRT World reported on Tuesday.

The delegation was received by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Consisting of senior Hamas members of the political bureau, the delegation was joined by Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh, who arrived earlier in the North African state from Qatar.

“We appreciate the Algerian role in supporting the Palestinian cause and hosting Palestinian factions with [the] insistence on achieving reconciliation and ending division status,” said a Hamas spokesperson, according to the report.

On Saturday, a Fatah delegation representing Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived for talks with Algerian officials.

Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah control in a violent coup in 2007. Its regime is unrecognized by the P.A. government, which is based in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety unveils plan to reduce car use by half

(JNS) — A new plan by Israel’s Ministry of Transport, National Infrastructure and Road Safety has set itself the ambitious goal of cutting Israeli car use by half, and promoting walking, cycling, scooter use and public transport instead, a report by Globes said on Wednesday.

“The plan seeks to persuade Israelis to do much more walking, bicycle-riding, and using buses and trains when traveling, instead of driving their cars and jamming up the roads,” said the report.

It follows similar attempts to reduce car travel by cities in Europe and North America, such as London, Copenhagen and San Francisco.

The report noted that “Israeli targets may be approaching those of Europe, but the reality on the ground is different. While in Tel Aviv, more than 50 percent of trips are made by car, the numbers in Europe are significantly lower: Berlin–31 percent; Barcelona–25 percent; Singapore–33 percent; and Vienna–27 percent.”

“Achieving these targets could be patchy at best,” wrote Globes. “Tel Aviv is striving to achieve these targets, and its light railway system will soon begin operating. Jerusalem has had a light railway system for a decade, and more lines are being built together with flyovers and underpasses.”

“But other projects are being delayed. Ra’anana is refusing to build bus lanes, and opposition to the Metro is mounting in the Sharon region. If the planned Greater Tel Aviv metropolitan region congestion charge is introduced as planned in 2024, that would be a major step forward in achieving these targets,” said the report.

Former Palestinian minister: West Bank losing confidence in ruling institutions

(JNS) — Former Minister of Prisoners Affairs in the Palestinian Authority Ashraf Al-Ajrami warned that the West Bank is in chaos with violent clan conflicts.

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), in an article in the daily Arabic-language newspaper Al-Ayyam, Al-Ajrami said the situation results from a failure of Palestinian institutions to build a civil society separate from innate loyalties.

He also said the public is losing confidence in P.A. institutions and their ability to govern, as residents rely ever more on local and tribal frameworks to handle their affairs.

“When Palestinian society reaches a state of complete chaos and the ruling institutions lose their role, we will no longer find anyone to support the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state,” he wrote.

“Perhaps the language and slogans of the various national factions and groups, which glorify weapons and speak of resistance, have an extensive negative impact on the culture of society,” he added.

Israeli delegation reportedly arrives in Sudan for talks

(JNS) — A business jet carrying an Israeli military delegation touched down in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on Wednesday, Israel’s Kan news reported.

The jet took off from Ben-Gurion International Airport before making a diplomatic stop at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in order to receive a flight path to the African state, according to the report.

The Saudi Al-Arabiya television channel said the delegation held a meeting with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese Army general who is also the de facto head of state at this time, as well as with military senior officers in Sudan.

The last report of an Israeli visit to Sudan surfaced in November, days after the military launched a coup against the civilian government on Oct. 25 that was in power.

Sudan and Israel agreed to normalize relations in October 2020, with Sudan later quietly signing on to the deal in January 2021. However, relations between the two countries have been hampered by political instability in Sudan.

Separately, two senior U.S. diplomats were in Sudan on Wednesday to help the country find a way out of its crisis, reported The Associated Press.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and the newly appointed U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, first met with pro-democracy activists from the Sudanese Professionals Association, according to the U.S. embassy in Khartoum.

Israel has largely stayed quiet about the October military takeover and its aftermath, which suggests that it is seeking to maintain normalized ties with Sudan, which has long been a fierce critic of the Jewish state.

US ambassador criticizes Israel for Sheikh Jarrah eviction in eastern Jerusalem

(JNS) — U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield called on Israel to refrain from evicting residents of several illegal structures in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Speaking to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, she said: “To make progress, both Israel and the Palestinian Authority must refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution.”

“That includes annexations of territory, settlement activity, demolitions and evictions—like what we saw in Sheikh Jarrah—incitement to violence and providing compensation for individuals imprisoned for acts of terrorism.”

Police arrested more than a dozen people during the evacuation and subsequent demolition of the buildings. Police had attempted to carry out the court-ordered eviction several times this week, resulting in a tense standoff with members of the Salhia family, one of whom threatened to self-immolate if the order was carried out.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Gilad Erdan responded by saying the family “stole public lands for their own private use. This is a municipal issue that has gone through all the respective channels of the independent Israeli legal system.”

Jerusalem sees first flurry of winter

By Idan Avni and Yori Yalon

(Israel Hayom via JNS) — Several neighborhoods in Jerusalem saw their first snowfall of the winter on Wednesday night.

Fearing ice formation on roads and sidewalks, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon issued a directive that classes in the capital would begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday in all educational frameworks and that public transportation would start running one hour later than usual.

Snow also fell in the northern city of Safed and other peaks in the northern mountains, and also on Har Bracha in Samaria. Tzfat Mayor Shuki Ohana called on residents to stay indoors.

Due to the unusually cold weather, the all-time winter power consumption record was broken on Wednesday, as 14,735 megawatts were consumed simultaneously. Hundreds of power outages were reported across the country, and train disruptions have also been reported.

In the northern Golan Heights, schools were closed on Thursday.

This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.

Jared Leto’s attempt at an Israeli accent is revealed in teaser for Apple TV’s series on WeWork founder Adam Neumann

By Caleb Guedes-Reed

(JTA) – Fans (and critics) of Jared Leto’s Italian accent in “House of Gucci” have new material to work with in his portrayal of Adam Neumann, the Israeli founder of WeWork, in the soon-to-be-released Apple TV+ series “WeCrashed.” 

An official teaser video released on Wednesday shows a first glimpse into Leto’s interpretation of the native Hebrew speaker, as well as Neumann’s missteps in trying to guide the shared workspace company to going public. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAuhT5241h8

“This is what tomorrow looks like,” the Oscar winner insists at one point in the trailer. “Let there be lights and wide open spaces.”

The miniseries title is inspired by the Wondery podcast “WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork.” Anne Hathaway will co-star as Rebekah Neumann, WeWork co-founder and Neumann’s wife. 

Founded in 2010, WeWork was once one of the country’s hottest startups, valued at nearly $50 billion. But a Wall Street Journal article noted that after initially filing to go public in 2019, the company became “besieged with criticism over its governance, business model, and ability to turn a profit.” Neumann, whose love of partying, charisma and risk-taking was once seen as an asset for building WeWork, ultimately became a liability. Neumann has even stated that he plans to live forever, become a world leader and rack up more than $1 trillion in wealth. 

The first three episodes will be available on Apple TV+ starting on March 18, with the additional five episodes airing weekly on Fridays through April 22.