Dispatch from Jerusalem

Hamas, Hizbullah Agree on War Against Israel

Hamas and Hizbullah agreed to continue the war against Israel. Leaders from the two groups met in Beirut and discussed strategy amid efforts to arrange a Palestinian Authority cease-fire with Israel. The Islamic terrorist organizations rejected the cease-fire and said they would maintain the war against the Jewish state.

El Al to Provide In-Flight Internet

In February, El Al said that it was investing US $3 million to provide in-flight, high-speed Internet service to passengers using laptop computers. The airline signed an agreement with Boeing subsidiary CBB (Connexion By Boeing) to install the Internet service in all El Al Boeing 747-400 and 777 planes.

Russian Lawmakers: Outlaw All Jewish Organizations

Moscow (AP)—A group of nationalist lawmakers is calling for an investigation aimed at outlawing all Jewish organizations in Russia, accusing Jews of fomenting ethnic hatred and provoking anti-Semitism. In a letter dated January 13, about 20 members of the lower parliament house, the State Duma, asked Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov to investigate their claims and, if they are confirmed, to launch proceedings “on the prohibition in our country of all religious and ethnic Jewish organizations as extremist.” Arguing that Jews were to blame for anti-Semitism, the authors of the letter want Jewish groups outlawed based on legislation against extremism and fomenting ethnic discord.

Yad Vashem Database Reunites Sisters

Sixty years after the Holocaust, survivors, who thought their loved ones were lost forever, are still rediscovering each other. In November 2004, Yad Vashem made its central database accessible to the world via the Internet. This has provided the tools for many survivors or their family members to find out the fate of loved ones.

PA TV Cultivates Culture of Terror and Death

The promises of Palestine Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) notwithstanding, official Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled television continues to encourage Arab males to seek death while attacking Jews, and their mothers to rejoice in their demise. “Creating a supportive social environment for terrorists has been a critical factor in the Palestinian Authority’s successful promotion of suicide terrorism,” wrote Palestinian Media Watch director Itamar Marcus in March.

Israeli Technology to Help Breast-Cancer Patients

An Israeli company, together with the Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheva, is exploring the treatment of breast cancer using revolutionary Israeli-made Virtual Cancer Patient technology.

Israeli Scientists Develop NEW Explosives Detector

Researchers at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology have developed a pen-sized device to detect triacetone triperoxide (TATP), an explosive commonly used by terrorists. The device resembles a pen with three buttons on it. It dispenses chemical solutions, which change color upon contact with the material.

Forbes: Israeli Web site “Best Innovation in Years”

The prestigious magazine Forbes has termed Israeli start-up GuruNet the “best Internet innovation in years.” The company’s software enables users to click on any word on their screen—whether in an e-mail, a Word document, or even a PDF file—to receive an instant pop-up box full of relevant information.

For example, clicking on the word “Intel”—or typing it in—turns up a single page with a brief company history, including pictures of the founders, a company profile, annual sales, employees, office phone numbers, executives’ names, stock charts, and recent news.

Gush Katif Produces Bug-Free Vegetables

Alei Katif, a company in the Gaza settlement of Kfar Darom, is selling the world’s first guaranteed bug-free produce and, along with other ventures, expects sales to increase by 20% in the coming months. Since observant Jews are prohibited by Jewish law from ingesting bugs, bug-free vegetables are very popular in the religious community. Otherwise, the vegetables have to be soaked for hours or thoroughly checked for bugs.

Extremely Rare Crusader Coin Found in Jaffa

A coin that was minted for only a seven-year period in the 13th century has been identified, after it was recently found in excavations in Jaffa.