Survey Shows Independent Palestinian State Favored by Half of Jewish Israelis
Half of the Jewish Israeli public supports an independent Palestinian state, with 43 percent in opposition, according to a new survey, JNS.org reported.
According to the monthly Peace Index of the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University, support was 61 percent for those aged 55 and above, while it was 54 percent for those aged 35-54 and 35 percent for those aged 18-34.
That said, 83 percent of Jewish-Israelis said that “the Palestinians must recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people before peace talks with them can be revived.”
Study: Half of Israelis are Overweight
According to a new study from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, about half of Israelis over the age of 20 are overweight, JNS.org reported, noting that the data was similar to that from 2010.
The study said 55 percent of men and 41 percent of women are overweight. It also found that 54 percent of Arabs were overweight, compared to 46 percent of Jews.
Monica Lewinsky Ends Interview in Jerusalem After One Pointed Question
Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern who obtained notoriety for her affair with former President Clinton, terminated a live interview in Jerusalem on Sept. 3 when the first question was about Clinton, JTA reported.
Lewinsky was at a conference organized by the Israel Television News Co. She had delivered a speech and was being interviewed live by Israel Channel 2 news anchor Yonit Levi, who asked if Lewinsky was still expecting Clinton to personally apologize.
Lewinsky walked off the stage after apologizing to the audience, later tweeting an explanation.
“The exact question the interviewer asked first, she had put to me when we met the day prior. I said that was off limits,” Lewinsky said. “When she asked me it on stage, with blatant disregard for our agreement, it became clear to me that I had been misled. I left because it is more important than ever for women to stand up for themselves and not allow others to control their narrative.”
Rosh Hashanah Pushes Delaware Primary to Thursday For First Time in History
Voters in Delaware will go to the polls for the first time ever on a Thursday (Sept. 13) instead of the normal Tuesday because of Rosh Hashanah, WHYY.org reported.
The state’s laws call for the primary to be held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September, which would be Sept. 11 — the final day of Rosh Hashanah this year.
Lawmakers didn’t want to move the vote to the day after Labor Day, and moving it a week later would have caused problems with absentee ballots.
“The Jewish community worked with our office and with the General Assembly a couple of years ago to change the date to Thursday,” Delaware Elections Commissioner Elaine Manlove told WHYY.org.
Manlove said she didn’t think the change to Thursday would reduce voter turnout.
Roseanne Barr to Move to Israel
American-Jewish comedienne and actress Roseanne Barr announced via Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s podcast that she was moving to Israel, JNS.org reported.
“I have an opportunity to go to Israel for a few months and study with my favorite teachers over there, and that’s where I’m going to go and probably move somewhere there and study with my favorite teachers,” Barr said. “I have saved a few pennies and I’m so lucky I can go … and study with any rabbi that I can ask to teach me, and it’s my great joy and privilege to be a Jewish woman.”
Her popular sitcom Roseanne was canceled by ABC in late May after Barr tweeted that former President Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett was the product of a union between the Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of the Apes. The show has since been resurrected without her as The Connors.
Barr has since apologized.
