Tuesday Links Part 2

From Ian:

---

Hawking hatred

Hawking is perhaps the most impressive fish to become ensnared in the boycotters net. And, not surprisingly, the campaigners were dancing jigs of joy for the media. But there was something sad and pathetic about all this. Where is the academic excellence, the technological achievement, and the science-driven innovation in the Palestinian universities? Or, for that matter, further afield in the Middle East? And how will those Israel boycotters apply their turbo-charged minds to a Unicef report which shows that half of the women in the Arab world are illiterate and more than ten million children in the region do not even attend school? That is worth a burst of keening wails.

'Al-Dura probe will spur honest Israel coverage'

The revelations in the al-Dura case will discourage the foreign press from forging stories about Israel in the future, Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday.
“Even if we should have looked into the incident long ago, it was important to finish the investigation so that it would deter international media organizations that air dubious materials,” he explained.

Analysis: Words vs. pictures in al-Dura affair

For those who despise Israel, all the learned arguments in the world are not going to convince them that Israel did not shoot the 12- year-old Gazan boy in cold blood. To those who truly know Israel, they do not need this document to know that IDF soldiers do not intentionally target children hiding behind their parents.
And those in the middle – well, they have probably long forgotten the story, inasmuch as it took place in September 2000.
Until now. Now the image is once again on television.

'Criminal Charges Should Be Filed' Over Al-Dura Blood Libel

"Criminal charges should be filed, and Charles Enderlin should never be allowed to practice journalism in Israel again,” asserted Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, director of Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center, in response to a report released Sunday by the Israeli government, which found France 2's claims that IDF troops killed Mohammed al-Dura in 2000 as baseless.

Newspaper Prints Critical Quote on Al-Dura Report from Org Tied to Charles Enderlin

A look at Keshev’s website reveals a prominent board member of the organization… Charles Enderlin.
Irrespective of Keshev’s credibility or otherwise in commenting on the story, there is a clear conflict of interest for the organization to be quoted in a case that one of their board members is deeply involved in. That the Telegraph failed to disclose this is wholly unprofessional.

Jordan’s king trying to play on Israel’s fears
Abdullah should wake up and realize that beating the Israeli piñata will not save his ailing throne

Also Abdullah chooses to ignore that Israel’s security has never been dependent on any Arab regime’s goodwill. Even with Jordan, Abdullah’s father, Hussein, had peace with Israel only because he attacked Israel first and lost, a lesson Abdullah does not seem to have learned. Thus, Israel’s military superiority is what has kept its borders with Jordan safe, and this will remain Israel’s only guarantor, whoever rules Jordan after the king falls.

Iran-Argentina AMIA attack joint probe is official

AMIA and the national Jewish political umbrella group DAIA filed a joint petition last month with the Federal Administrative Court arguing that Argentina’s Congress acted unconstitutionally in voting for the memorandum of understanding.

IDF Blog: Lt. Zehava Elias: Born on the Way to Israel

Zehava’s journey has been a long one, from her childhood in Ethiopia to her service in the IDF.
“My father was born into the Ethiopian rabbinic community. My parents lived in a village and lived comfortably. When they first heard of the possibility of living in Israel in 1984, they immediately wanted to do it,” Zehava recalled. “It was a dream for them.” That year, Zehava’s uncles were part of a group that emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel.

Advanced analytics technology for water management

IBM researchers and the Arad Group, a world leader in the field of water measurement solutions and services, are working together to help water companies and utilities around the globe provide more effective and efficient management of drinking water through the use of Big Data and advanced analytics technology

A windfall for Israel’s ‘waterfall’ sewage treatment firm

Mapal breaks into British market with its unique system for faster and more efficient treatment of wastewater.

UK retail companies shop Israeli technology

Representatives from top British corporations are in town on a four-day trade mission highlighting Israel’s cutting-edge retail technologies. Senior Policy Advisor to the British Prime Minister, Rohan Silva, is leading the high-level business delegation that includes reps from high-street supermarket chains to internationally-renowned luxury brands, among them including Marks & Spencer, Tesco and John Lewis.

IKEA kitchen buyers to get Israeli countertops

Kitchen buyers at American outlets of the Ikea furniture chain will have their countertops covered by an Israeli product – Caesarstone, an engineered stone marble and granite substitute made in Kibbutz Sdot Yam. Ikea and Caesarstone signed an agreement with Ikea US, to serve as that company’s exclusive non-laminate countertop vendor.

Streisand to be granted honorary PhD from Hebrew U.

On June 18, Streisand will perform at the opening ceremony of the Israeli Presidential Conference, which is marking President Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday. She also will perform concerts on June 15 and 16 at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium.
Streisand, one of the best-selling musicians of all time, has never performed in Israel. She has visited the Jewish state many times and reportedly is a strong supporter.