European-Based US Marines Visit Israel for Training with IDF

Last week, a company of US Marines conquered a module city in Israel’s Negev desert, the final act in a month-long tactical training session with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) infantry instructors. At the IDF Urban Warfare Training Center, the US Marines were instructed to conquer the module city in a methodically selective and surgical manner while minimizing harm to uninvolved civilians.

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In the May/June issue of Foreign Policy magazine, Ambassador Micahel Oren debunk the "realist" myth, and makes the case for Israel as the ultimate U.S. ally. Click here to read more.

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U.S. President Barack Obama will host Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on May 20, a U.S. statement said Monday, in a visit that may prove decisive in regards to the future of Israel's peace talks with the Palestinians. Click here to read more.

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Last week, Israel suffered from what is being called the worst fire in its history.   The forest fire north of Haifa has killed over 40 people and caused hundreds more to be evacuated.  Hospitals and rescue services are responding as best they can, but they still need your help.  The following groups and JCPA member agencies have set up links with information and resources and are collecting aid and donations for Israel and the victims of this fire.

View the list of agencies collecting aid here.

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The following memo from the USAID office of Community and Faith Based Partnerships describes the aid provided to Israel to fight the Carmel forest fire.

To view the list of JCPA National Member Agencies providing aid to Israel, click here.

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The IAI fosters awareness about US-Israel relations through its “Israel Perspectives” conference call series designed to provide useful analysis and information for Jewish communities across the country. Thousands of community members have participated in these calls, which have recently included: 

A View from the Inside:  Israel's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Michael Oren, discussed Israel's security situation, recent tensions in the southern and northern regions of the country, and anticipated direct peace-talks.

2010 PCUSA General Assembly:  Ethan Felson, JCPA Vice President, and Rev. Dr. Katharine Henderson, President of the Auburn Theological Seminary, provided a review and analysis of the recently concluded Presbyterian Church General Assembly.

Obama-Netanyahu Meeting July 2010:  The conference call discussed the implications of President Obama’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Analysis was provided by Ron Kampeas, the Washington Bureau Chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).   

Vice President Biden’s Visit to Israel:  David Makovsky, Ziegler Distinguished Fellow and Director of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Project on the Middle East Peace Process, addressed the tensions in the U.S.-Israel relationship resulting from the Obama administration’s criticism over the Israeli Interior Ministry's unexpected announcement of new Jewish housing in East Jerusalem during VP Biden’s visit in Israel.

A View from the Inside:  Israel's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Michael Oren, shared his perspective on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, peace negotiations with the Palestinians, and the UN mandated Goldstone Report.  Ron Kampeas, JTA’s Washington Bureau Chief, provided an analysis of Ambassador Oren’s remarks.  The call garnered international press attention.  

Obama Speech to Muslim World: Dr. Robert Satloff, Executive Director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, provided analysis on President Obama’s speech from Cairo.

Obama-Netanyahu Meeting June 2009: The conference call discussed the implications of President Obama’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Analysis was provided by Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.

Netanyahu Policy Speech: Ken Stein, Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies at Emory University, provided an in-depth analysis of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policy speech at the Bar-Ilan University.

Papal Visit: A three part conference call series on Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Israel. Topics included the Vatican and the Jewish State, issues in Catholic-Jewish relations, and the community relations implications of the visit.

Israel Elections Analysis: A call on the Israeli elections hosted by Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief David Horovitz, featuring Kadima MK Nachman Shai and Ron Dermer, Senior Advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, representing the Likud perspective. The call garnered national press attention.

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