UK news

Hague says UK ready to 'assist in any way' in quest for Middle East peace

By Zoe Winograd, May 24, 2013

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the UK “stands ready to assist in any way” in advancing the peace process.

The two leaders met as part of Mr Hague’s visit to Israel this week alongside US Secretary of State John Kerry.

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Minister to rule on alleged sex offender Grynhaus’s deportation

By Jonathan Kalmus, May 24, 2013

A British man is waiting for Israel’s interior minister to decide whether he will be deported to face trial for sex offences in the UK.

Todros Grynhaus, 48, from Salford, fled to Israel on a false passport shortly after he pleaded not guilty to seven counts of the historic sexual or indecent assault of three children.

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Scottish Jews condemn the Church of Scotland

By JCReporter, May 24, 2013

Scottish Jews have condemned the Church of Scotlands decision to approve a controversial report on Israel, calling it “an unacceptable attack on Judaism.

The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities said the Church had provided a veneer of theological respectability for what is effectively a call for the destruction of the state of Israel.

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Expert on settlers settles at Oxford University

By Simon Rocker, May 24, 2013

The Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies has finally filled a prestigious academic post after a previous candidate pulled out because of new immigration rules.

Dr Sara Hirschhorn, a post-doctoral fellow in Israel studies at Brandeis University in the United States, is due to become the new Sidney Brichto Fellow in Israel studies in September.

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Arab students aided by Pears Foundation £100,000 grant

By Simon Rocker, May 24, 2013

A Jewish-run charity in the UK has pledged £100,000 to a project benefiting Arab students, one that a leading Israeli economist has described as vital to the future of his country.

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Rabbi Chaim Halpern conducting a wedding a ‘serious error’, says United Synagogue

By Simon Rocker, May 24, 2013

The United Synagogue has strongly criticised the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations for allowing Rabbi Chaim Halpern, who is under police investigation over alleged sexual abuse of women, to officiate at a wedding.

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Culture Minister bid to keep tapestries in the UK

By Zoe Winograd, May 23, 2013

Culture minister ed Vaizey has extended an export ban on rare silk tapestries depicting Jerusalem’s first and second temples. The move comes after a British buyer expressed a serious interest in purchasing the hangings which are on sale for £120,000. The ban will run until August 20.

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Orthodox child-rape case back in court

By Anna Sheinman, May 23, 2013

The retrial of a Chasidic man charged with the rape and sexual assault of a young Orthodox woman, opened this week, after an earlier jury failed to return a verdict.

Father of five Menachem Mendel Levy, 41, has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing the young woman when she was aged between 14 and 21.

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Labour councillor joins the Co-operative Group

May 23, 2013

Munir Malik, a supporter of the boycott of Israel, has joined the board of the Co-operative Group.

A Labour councillor in the London Borough of Bexley and twice an MEP candidate, in his campaign statement Mr Malik disclosed that he had been at the heart of the group’s policies on “international issues like banning products from illegal settlements in Palestine”.

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Hugo Bieber new chief at UK Israel Business

By Sandy Rashty, May 23, 2013

A 29-year-old marketing expert has been named as the new chief executive of the leading organisation promoting trade links between Britain and Israel.

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