Comments (0)Jewish Protesters of Israel Arrested in S.F.
May 13, 2008San Francisco
JTA Wire Service
Twenty Jews and non-Jews protesting an Israel program were arrested at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center. The protesters disrupted an educational program May 8 marking Israel’s 60th anniversary organized by the Israeli consulate and the Jewish Community Relations Council. No Time to Celebrate, a Jewish-led group that opposes the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, organized the protest as part of a campaign against Israel at 60 anniversary celebrations.
While some 30 Jewish supporters of the group entered the JCC and stood in the lobby for about two hours, holding a banner reading “Jews in solidarity with 60 years of Palestinian resistance,” a somewhat larger group of Jews and non-Jews demonstrated outside the building. Those arrested were cited for trespassing and released. A JCC spokeswoman downplayed the incident to KCBS television reporters.
“We want to be a venue where people feel comfortable about coming and expressing their views, and our value is to welcome that, but not to have it impact negatively,” Susie Krumpler said. The JCC is known for reaching out to the general San Francisco community.
Immigration Raid at Kosher Slaughterhouse
Federal officials arrested 300 workers in a raid on the nation’s largest kosher meatpacking plant. Monday’s raid on Agriprocessors by agents from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement was said to be the largest ever in Iowa, where the company is located. Matt Dummermuth, a U.S. attorney for the northern district of Iowa, said planning for the raid began in October.
Agriprocessors has been accused of mistreating its workers and improperly slaughtering its animals. In March, the state fined the Postville company $182,000 for health and safety violations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Agriprocessors for food safety violations.
Bush Vouches for Olmert’s Character
Embattled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert apparently can count on at least one distinguished character witness: President Bush. Israel’s Channel 10 television aired an interview Monday with Bush in which the U.S. leader was asked about a criminal investigation into Olmert’s affairs that has clouded prospects for a U.S.-sponsored peace deal with the Palestinians. Bush voiced respect for the rule of law in Israel, but added a personal endorsement for Olmert.
“I have great relations with the prime minister.” he said. “I find him to be a frank man, an honest man, an open man, a guy easy to talk to and somebody who understands the vision necessary for Israelis’ security.”
Though he did not repeat his past calls for Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to secure a peace accord before he leaves office in January, Bush said, “The vision of the peace process is the same.” Bush also vowed to keep working to curb the nuclear ambitions of the Iranian regime, which he dubbed “the single biggest threat to peace in the Middle East. It’s hard because not everybody shares the same anxiety Israel and the United States does” about Iran, he said. “I will try to push it as best I can.”
This story reprinted courtesy of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.