Attached please find the CUP flyer.
Politics – August 2021
Israel should do whatever it can to bring home Avraham Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed as well as the remains of Hadar Golden and Shaul Aaron.
It is no less than state duty and, of course, the just and decent thing to do.
Reflections on Last Newsletter
Can China Mediate Peace?
Israel Signed a Cybersecurity Agreement with Morocco
Yair Lapid and Nasser Bourita Signed three More Agreements
Two-State Solution Will Have to Wait
LEBANON: UNRWA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES, AMONGST THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY
New Article: “Can Group Rights Justify the Denial of Education to Children? The Amish in the United States as a case study”, SN Social Sciences, 1: 164 (2021).
Israel’s Oral Covid vaccine
Anti-viral Nasal Spray Launched
Israel became the first country in the world to begin administering booster shots to those over 50
UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act
Gem of the Month: My Son’s Marriage
My Interview on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Did You Know?
New Book: Kenneth Collins and Stuart Stanton (eds.), Medicine: From Biblical Canaan to Modern Israel (London & Chicago: Vallentine Mitchell, 2021).
Euro 2020 (2021)
Monthly Poem
Light Side
Reflections on Last Newsletter
A big THANK YOU!! to all dozens of you who congratulated me on my new book Just Reasonable, Multiculturalism. The book is now available for sale with 20% discount at https://ucl.academia.edu/RaphaelCohenalmagor/Books
Attached please find the CUP flyer.
I hope you may find interest. The contents are timely and practical, the result of many years of thinking and research. I appreciate your assistance in promoting the book in meaningful and constructive ways.
It is important for me to bring the book to diverse audiences. A few book launches/celebrations have been arranged. I'd be happy to present my book to YOUR colleagues and students, and I'd be grateful if you can order the book for your library.
Can China Mediate Peace?
China plans to step up its involvement in mediation efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. In the past, China had already attempted to work as a mediator between Israel and Palestinians, offering itself as an alternative to the United States. “The past and the present have proved time and again that the two-state solution is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian question as it represents international consensus, fairness and justice,” Wang said. China is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, where it frequently plays its veto card to block motions against its allies. After voicing its support for the Gaza Strip-based Hamas during the latest conflagration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict earlier this year, China was accused of anti-Israeli bias.
Source: I24 News 16 July 2021
Israel Signed a Cybersecurity Agreement with Morocco
The Israel National Cyber Directorate has signed a cybersecurity cooperation agreement with Morocco in Rabat - the first cyber-defense accord between the two countries since the start of relations last year. The accord is for operational cooperation, research and development and the sharing of information and knowledge, the directorate said.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-morocco-sign-accord-for-cybersecurity-cooperation/
Yair Lapid and Nasser Bourita Signed three More Agreements
In August, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita signed three agreements in Rabat. The agreements include cooperation in the fields of culture, sport and youth, as well as an agreement on direct flights between the two countries. “Something is happening in the Middle East. People and leaders look to Libya, Syria and Lebanon and say to themselves, 'This is not what we want for our children. This is not it we want for ourselves,” Lapid said. "The only war worth devoting our life to is not against our neighbor, or against anyone who prays differently from us. The only war that makes sense is the war against poverty, ignorance, epidemics and drought,” he said. "The agreements we sign will bring innovations and opportunities to our countries for the benefit of our children - and their children - for years to come’’ he added. Lapid's trip marks the first official visit of an Israeli delegation to Morocco in 20 years.
Source: I24 News
Two-State Solution Will Have to Wait
Foreign Minister Lapid admitted it won’t be possible to finalize a deal for a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the period when this government is led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett: “There is no agreement for this within the government”. Two states “won’t happen within this composition [rotation] of the government,” adding that he believes in this resolution himself. Lapid reiterated that he has not spoken with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Neither has Bennett. Security conversations are ongoing, he said, adding that such calls were not banned. Defense Minister Gantz has spoken by telephone with Abbas as has President Issac Herzog. According to Channel 11, that call was made with the government’s consent.
LEBANON: UNRWA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES, AMONGST THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY
19 August 2021
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is extremely alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the situation in Lebanon and its effects on Palestine refugees. Between the economic and financial meltdown, COVID-19, the disastrous impact of the Beirut Port explosion, and as the country plunges deeper into multiple crises, Palestine refugees, one of Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities, struggle ever harder to survive.
The crises that have accumulated since 2019 have affected all segments of society in Lebanon, drastically impacting the access of refugees in general - and Palestine refugees in particular - to sources of livelihoods. The unprecedented depreciation of the local currency has slashed the purchasing power of Palestine refugees as prices continue to increase dramatically, with inflation surpassing 100 per cent. Poverty rates are soaring amongst vulnerable communities, including Palestine refugees.
UNRWA remains the main provider of basic services, such as health, education and camp improvement to over 210,000 Palestine refugees present in Lebanon. These include about 28,000 Palestine refugees from Syria.
A recent briefing paper by the Lebanon Humanitarian INGO Forum gave a very somber description of the hardship that Palestine refugees face in Lebanon, describing them as “slipping through the cracks” of the service system in the country, despite the availability of UNRWA basic services to them. Surveys conducted lately by UNRWA confirm that employment opportunities, including as daily paid workers, of Palestine refugees in Lebanon have become almost inexistent and that almost all Palestine refugees are living below the poverty line.
Source: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/lebanon-unrwa-calls-support-palestine-refugees-amongst-most-vulnerable
New Article: “Can Group Rights Justify the Denial of Education to Children? The Amish in the United States as a case study”, SN Social Sciences, 1: 164 (2021).
Abstract
Multiculturalism gives preference to group rights over individual rights. This may challenge democratic values. This paper focuses on the Amish denial of education from their adolescents. Criticizing Wisconsin v. Yoder (Wisconsin v. Yoder 406 U.S. 205 (1972)), the paper analyses the power of the Amish community over its members. The main questions are: Is it reasonable to deny the Amish adolescents’ standard American education? What are the limits of state interference in norms of illiberal communities who invoke separatism as a mechanism of cultural and religious preservation?
Open access: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43545-021-00133-6?wt_mc=Internal.Event.1.SEM.ArticleAuthorIncrementalIssue&utm_source=ArticleAuthorIncrementalIssue&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AA_en_06082018&ArticleAuthorIncrementalIssue_20210624#citeas
Israel’s Oral Covid Vaccine
Israel is about to become the first country in the world to test the oral COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oramed Pharmaceuticals, said the company's CEO Nadav Kidron. Phase 1/2 trials will take place at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center with Phase 3 in countries desperate for a vaccine.
The new Oravax vaccine candidate targets three structural proteins of the novel coronavirus, as opposed to the single spike protein targeted by the current Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, Kidron said.
As such, “this vaccine should be much more resistant to COVID-19 variants,” he said. “Even if the virus gets through one line, there is a second line, and if through the second line, there is a third.”
Anti-viral Nasal Spray Launched
Israel’s SaNOtize has now begun sales of its Enovid Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) at pharmacies in Israel and Bahrain. It is effective against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and variants Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Final tests for the Delta variant look good.
The spray releases a small dose of nitric oxide and is designed to kill viruses in the upper airways. This prevents them from incubating and spreading to the lungs by providing a physical and chemical barrier.
https://nocamels.com/2021/07/sanotize-covid-nasal-spray-israeli-pharmacies/
Israel became the first country in the world to begin administering booster shots to those over 50
On August 13, 2021, Israel began offering a third coronavirus vaccine dose to those over the age of 50 on Friday after Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash accepted the recommendation of a government advisory panel of health experts. Medical staff and those with underlying illness, as well as prisoners and wardens, will also be eligible for the booster.
Last month, Israel became the first country in the world to begin administering booster shots to those over 60, and it will once again be a pioneer in the move to begin giving the third vaccine dose to an even younger age group. 775,703 people in Israel have received the booster.
Source: timesofisrael.com/israel-becomes-first-country-in-world-to-offer-covid-boosters-to-over-50s/
UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act
Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX)) and Sen. James Risch (R-ID) led 12 other republican members of the House, to introduced the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Accountability and Transparency Act in response to President Joe Biden's announcement of the resumption of aid. The GOP lawmakers said they were attempting to institute appropriate oversight to ensure that US taxpayer dollars would not to the organization unless it made far-reaching reforms. Israel has been very critical of UNRWA activities that seem ineffective in bringing the refugee problem to any solution soon. The Accountability and Transparency Act would freeze aid to UNRWA unless the secretary of state certifies to Congress every 180 days that the organization meets a series of specified criteria.
UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly in 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestine refugees and has had its mandate periodically extended, most recently extending it until 30 June 2023.
Source: Ynet
Gem of the Month: My Son’s Marriage
After two years of preparations, my son Gilad and his fiancé Tammy stood under the huppah and celebrated their love and commitment in a well-produced wedding ceremony. Mazal Tov to the young couple!
The wedding started at noon and finished at midnight. It was a full, memorable day that I will cherish always. We were sorry that our family could not arrive from Israel. The wedding ceremony was broadcasted to them live on zoom. The day was filled with music, dance, games, discussions, laughter, lots of food and drinks, walks in the beautiful venue, and fireworks at night.
My Interview on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
You may watch the interview at
Did You Know?
8% of people have an extra rib.
What about you?
New Book: Kenneth Collins and Stuart Stanton (eds.), Medicine: From Biblical Canaan to Modern Israel (London & Chicago: Vallentine Mitchell, 2021).
Leading historians and physicians take us from Babylonian medical records and their influence on the Talmud, through the Biblical and Talmudic periods to developments during Ottoman times and finally the British Mandate. Included in the comprehensive coverage of topics are a chapter on Military Medicine covering the Crusaders, Napoleon, Allenby and medical innovations from Israel's wars; while the traditional medicine of Arabs and Jews and the history of Islamic medicine is also presented. It considers medical care in contemporary Israel. The modern era chapters consider the delivery of health care and its parameters, emergency medicine and key ethical issues which have impacted on medicine. Two chapters describe the importance of rehabilitation medicine, for Israel's disabled, and the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine. The book concludes with a chapter on medicine in Israel today highlighting the research and innovation for which Israel is known. This book will appeal to those interested in the history of medicine from ancient to modern times, and those who wish to see how important aspects of medicine are provided in today's Israel.
Euro 2020 (2021)
This was an exciting tournament. England went far, but not far enough. It left the nation with a taste for more, and many broken hearts.
After the first two games, it became apparent that Italy is the team to beat in order to win the Euros. Italy played the best and most innovative football. A joy to watch. Mancini did a tremendous job. He took a broken team and made it invincible. My appreciation of him grew markedly.
It is rare to witness innovations in this old game. Both Italy and England, thanks to their managers, showed quality and boldness. Mancini’s Italy until the last moment. Southgate’s England until the last game. Southgate managed the team beautifully but made crucial mistakes in the final. He brought on two strikers at the 118 minute, hoping that they will win the game. Both failed to strike. Southgate brought Saka in, thinking that his fresh and quick legs will prove too much for the aging Italian defence. The thinking was reasonable. The execution miserable. Saka was able to do absolutely nothing. And if this hard experience was not hard enough for him, Southgate asked the 19-year-old to take a penalty. What a responsibility on the thin shoulders of this kid! Saka missed. This was too much, too big, too overwhelming for him. Saka should not have been in this position. The penalties should be taken by the most experienced and capable players in the team. Saka is not one of them.
The man of Euro was Leonardo Spinazzola. What a player. From the very first game he impressed me. Spinazzola reinvented the role of left back. The role, “left back”, was only on paper as Spinazzola would attack the opponent from all directions, and score. Spinazzola is as comfortable against the opponent’s goalkeeper as he is in aiding his own goalkeeper. Two things enabled him to reinvent the role: incredible physical shape that allowed him the ability to go up and down continuously as if he is able to defy physical limitations; and the two central defenders in the world, Leonardo Bonucci (Italy) and Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) who ensured that the gap Spinazzola left when he goes on the attack is filled, usually with the master captain Chiellini. Spinazzola was a joy to watch until his injury. Even he cannot defy human limitations. His injury was well felt by the Italian team; still, they managed to win against two strong teams -- Spain and England -- without him. Spinazzola’s injury made life for Italy more difficult but they had enough quality in the squad to bring the trophy to Rome.
The most enjoyable game in the Euro was between Italy and Belgium. These were the best teams of the games. And what a game it was. One of the very best I have ever seen, and I saw plenty. Amazing quality.
This is my team of the tournament:
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy). An Amazing goalkeeper. One of the best in the world.
Kyle Walker (England). I truly miss him. What a loss for Spurs.
Giorgio Chiellini (Italy). Master of defence. Italy has produced some of the best central defenders in the history of the game. Chiellini is up there. Already a legend.
Simon Kjaer (Denmark). A true leader. An inspiration.
Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy). The exceptional gem.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium). Brain and ability. No one understands and affects the game like him.
Jorginho (Italy). Worked tirelessly and held the Italian midfield.
Joakim Maehle (Denmark). He surprised me time and again.
Harry Kane (England). 4 goals.
Patrik Schick (Czech Republic). 5 goals. Strong and intelligent. I’d love to see him play in one of my teams.
Ferran Torres (Spain). 2 goals. It all looks easy when he does it.
Best substitute: Jack Grealish (England). Should have played more. Whenever he was on the pitch, good things happened for England.
I wish Christian Eriksen swift and full recovery, good sustained health.
Monthly Poems
Light Side:
Proportion
My last communications are available on Israel: Democracy, Human Rights, Politics and Society, http://almagor.blogspot.com
People wishing to subscribe to this Monthly Newsletter are welcome to e-mail me at r.cohen-almagor@hull.ac.uk
Twitter at @almagor35
