In Short

Israelis: Judaism Trumps Nationality

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Jewish identity takes precedence over national identity for most Israelis, a poll found.

According to a survey in Israel Hayom newspaper, 65 percent of Israeli Jews identified primarily as Jews and only then as Israelis, whereas 14 percent said the reverse.

Fifty percent of respondents said they feel Israel is moving in the "wrong direction."

But 87 percent said they would want their children to grow up in Israel, and 70 percent said they have no foreign passport and no plan to apply for one.

Ethiopian Rabbi Joins Knesset for Shas

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- For the first time, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi of Ethiopian descent joined the Knesset.

Rabbi Mazor Bayana was sworn in Monday as a new Shas Party lawmaker.

He replaces Rabbi Shlomo Benizri, who was forced to step down after being convicted of bribery.

Bayana is the third Ethiopian Jew to serve in the Israeli parliament.

The other two were secular members of the Labor and Kadima parties.

Flags 'Made in China' Skew Celebration

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Thousands of Israeli flags being flown ahead of Independence Day have a design flaw -- an apparent mistake by a Chinese manufacturer.

An Israeli bank distributed more than 1 million free flags this week as a promotional ploy, and to encourage patriotic displays during the Jewish state's Memorial Day and 60th Independence Day.

But while the flag has the standard two blue stripes, the Star of David positioned between them is slanted, resting on two points, rather than standing straight as required by protocol.

Sheli Yehimovitch, a Labor Party lawmaker and member of the Knesset Finance Committee, called on the public not to hang the flags.

Methodists Reject Divestment Measures

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Methodists overwhelmingly defeated measures calling for divestment from companies that allegedly enable Israel's occupation of the West Bank at this week's United Methodist Church General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jewish groups were even more offended by a background document prepared in connection with the motions than they were by the notion of divestment itself.

According to Jewish groups, the document was dismissive of Jewish concerns about anti-Semitism and ventured into "replacement theology," the belief that Christianity has superseded Judaism.

An alliance of grass-roots church activists who nurture ties to the Jewish community helped defeat five divestment resolutions, often in the early stages of the conference.