Comments (0)Mogul to Introduce Israeli Start-ups in U.S.
September 17, 2008Jerusalem
JTA Wire Service
Haim Saban will invite up to 20 Israeli start-up companies to make presentations to U.S. media firms. This will mark the third year that the Israeli-American media mogul has issued invitations to Israeli start-ups to make their pitches to companies such as Universal Studios, Walt Disney Co., Facebook and MTV, the Israeli business daily Globes reported Tuesday. The Saban Capital Group also is seeking investment opportunities, Globes reported. The company’s managing director, Craig Cooper, visited Israel about six weeks ago to investigate start-up companies in which to invest.
Olmert Expresses Sorrow over Palestinian Refugees
Ehud Olmert expressed sorrow for Palestinian refugees who fled Israel in 1948. “I join in expressing sorrow for what happened to the Palestinians and also for what happened to the Jews who were expelled from Arab states,” the Israeli prime minister said Monday. The comments, made at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, came a day before Olmert was scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to try to reach a peace deal before Olmert steps down following Kadima Party elections on Wednesday. Olmert has been pushing for a partial peace deal, but Abbas wants a complete agreement. The sides have been stalled over issues such as the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the future of Jerusalem. Olmert asserted that the right of return could be deal-breaker. “Under absolutely no circumstances will there be a right of return,” Olmert declared, “but we are prepared to be part of an international mechanism that will work to solve the problem.”
Hamas Forces Kill At Least 11 in Gaza
Hamas forces in Gaza raided the compound of a powerful Palestinian clan, killing at least 11. Several clan members, including an infant, a Hamas policeman and a young boy caught in the cross-fire were killed in the clashes early Tuesday. The Hamas police raided the family compound of the Doghmush clan, which is connected to both terrorist and criminal organizations, including al-Qaida. Clan members also have connections with both Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah. Some clan members were involved in the March 2007 kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who was held for four months, Reuters reported. The raid came after a clan member killed a Hamas policeman while resisting arrest. The clan refused to turn the shooter over to police, sparking the violence.
This story reprinted courtesy of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.