Topics covered in this email:
- Next meeting – May 5, 7:00 pm, the house of Halley Faust
- The Lannan Foundation’s latest concern was of no concern.
- Israel in Focus – KCHF
- See our new page essays on BDS, e.g. why BDS is wrong: by (1) a former Lebanese Arab and (2) a South African.
- VIVA! Passover!
- Yasher Koach to Gary Katz – letter to the editor, April 14, 2016
1. SFMEW Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Santa Fe Middle East Watch will be on May 5th at 7:00 at the home of Halley and Ruth Anne Faust, 1260 Vallecita Drive, Santa Fe. If you need specific directions please send an email request to info@sfmew.org. We will have a significant agenda including discussion on potential speakers, an Israel Advocacy day with ADL in September, the media education program, and more. We need all the help we can get, so please plan on attending. Liquid (non-alcoholic) refreshments will be provided. Please come scent/fragrance free.
2. Juan Cole and Phyllis Bennis – Lannan Foundation, April 6, 2016
While a more comprehensive report will be provided at the May 5 meeting, the April 6th Lannan lecture was about the “Middle East Crisis” mostly regarding the current problems in Syria, with occasional references to other parts of the “Arab Spring” Middle East. Israel was mentioned once or twice only in the context of a list of countries, and not disparagingly. Imagine that!
3. Israel in Focus
Keep your eye out for an upcoming Israel in Focus on KCHF-TV (channel 11) discussing the recent AIPAC conference and key issues regarding the Middle East, particularly Iran, Palestinian incitement of terrorism against Israelis, and the status of military financial assistance from the US to Israel. Set your recorder for every Saturday night at 8:00 pm when John Sandager interviews individuals of interest.
4. BDS
We have started to populate the SFMEW.org website with information about BDS. Visit the website when you need quick links or information on various contemporary issues about Israel and its struggles.
5. ViVa! Passover – this Sunday, April 17, 11am to 4pm, Santa Fe Convention Center (201 W. Marcy St.)
From the brochure, sponsored by the SF Jewish Book Council:
DISPLAYS OF THE SEDER TABLE, SEDER PLATES, HAGGADOT, AND MORE
TALKS ON PASSOVER BY:
11 :30 RABBI JACK SHLACHTER — HISTORY OF THE HAGGADAH
12:30 – REBBETZJN RIVKAH WITTENSTElN ON PESACH FOODS
1 :30 – RABBI NEIl AMSWYCH – THE ROLE OF THE PASSOVER STORY FOR THE JEWlSH PEOPLE
2:30 — RABBI MARTIN LEVY — SYMBOLISM AND MEANING IN PASSOVER
ACTIVITY TABLE FOR CHILDREN: MAKE A SEDER PLATE, A HAGGADAH, AND MORE.
6. Yasher koach to Gary Katz…Santa Fe New Mexican Letter to the Editor, April 14, 2016
No viable solutions
As a lawyer, Jeff Haas (“Why don’t the Palestinians ‘go gentle into that good night?’ ” My View, April 3) presents his cause in the best possible light. He distorts the facts, omitting whatever would prejudice his position. For example, despite frequent Palestinian terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, stabbings, shootings, indiscriminate rocket barrages and cars plowing into Israeli pedestrians, Haas holds the Palestinians blameless. In Haas’ view, the victims (Israelis) deserve it.
The Palestinians have denied Israel’s right to exist and want to circumvent direct negotiations by going to third parties (U.N., European Union) for imposed solutions. Hass supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement that hurts Palestinians as much as Israelis: The SodaStream factory closing in the West Bank caused 500 Palestinians to lose their jobs — even Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas opposes BDS. Haas’ negative opinions offer no viable solutions. Peace will come only with direct negotiations, something the Palestinians have refused for five years.
Gary Katz
Santa Fe
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If you think the work we are doing is worthwhile, donate to SFMEW. Every little bit helps to maintain our activities, bring in speakers, and develop a media education program we hope to launch later this year.