Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., December 14, 2008 Kislev 17, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:49 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

News in Brief The University of College Union (UCU), the union representing academics in the United Kingdom, has withdrawn attempts to institute an academic boycott against Israel after a group of British lecturers took legal steps against such an action. Attorneys working for the group prepared an opinion statement indicating that a boycott would violate the rules of the academic body, violate principles of academic freedom and constitute discrimination against Israel. UCU leaders decided that instead of waging an expensive legal battle, they would release a report on academic freedom on Israel and the Palestinian territories. (Anshel Pfeffer) Israel's ambassador to Great Britain, Ron Prosor, lamented the Anglican Church's recent decision to allow a Christmas carol service at a London church in which participants sang songs critical of Israeli policy. The ceremony, in central London's historic St. James Anglican Church, was titled, "Bethlehem Now: Nine Alternative Lessons and Carols." It included traditional carols about Jesus' birth, according to Christian tradition, in Bethlehem, modified to describe what organizers believe are the injustices of Israel's occupation, such as the West Bank separation fence. The event was organized by a Christian group called Open Bethlehem in conjunction with Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods. (Anshel Pfeffer) Advertisement Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will once again be questioned under caution by the police today. The interrogation, which will last about two hours, is expected to focus on political appointments in the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry during his tenure as its minister. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has already announced his intention to indict Olmert in another case, the Rishon Tours double-billing affair, and is soon expected to decide whether to indict him as well for his alleged receipt of tens of thousands of dollars from Jewish-American businessman Morris (Moshe) Talansky. (Jonathan Lis) Former president Moshe Katsav announced yesterday that he is willing to confront the witness known only as A., who worked under him when he served as tourism minister, as part of the ongoing investigation against him regarding a series of alleged sexual crimes. A. has accused the former president of raping her and police have recommended charging Katsav with this crime. But the prosecution, which is currently trying to decide whether to indict Katsav and on what charges, requested that a confrontation be held before it makes a final decision. The decision is necessary because Katsav withdrew from a proposed plea bargain earlier this year. (Jonathan Lis) The ongoing unrest in Greece has disrupted air traffic between that country and Israel. Yesterday, the Greek airline Olympic was forced to cancel a flight from Athens to Tel Aviv and back because Greek trade unions had declared a general strike, which shut down the airport. The airline said that flights are expected to resume today. All passengers on the canceled flights were transferred either to today's flights or to other airlines, it added. The strike did not affect El Al, as the Israeli airline had no scheduled flight to Athens yesterday. (Zohar Blumenkrantz) Bookmark to del.icio.us   Time to talk Israeli and Palestinian leaders set the terms to discuss 'two states for two peoples.' The Wall Street fraud Bernard Madoff's $50 billion fraud threatens Jewish philanthropy.

Read & React Iran irate after Sarkozy rules out shaking Ahmadinejad's hand Responses: 176 Palestinians: Israel asked to annex 6.8% of West Bank Responses: 106 IDF soldiers critically wound Palestinian youth with rubber-coated bullet Responses: 94 Livni: It isn't possible to bring every soldier home Responses: 66 Carter discusses Mideast peace prospects with Assad in Syria Responses: 70 U.S. Army sends American-Israeli woman to Afghanistan Responses: 94 More Headlines 22:38 UN set to adopt resolution urging Israel, Palestinians to continue talks 18:00 Barak: Shalit is one of the reasons to refrain from launching Gaza offensive 22:54 Madoff Wall Street fraud threatens Jewish philanthropy 21:33 Carter, in Damascus, predicts improved U.S.-Syria ties under Obama 18:07 In Gulf meet, Gates warns U.S. opponents: Don't test Obama 17:45 Iran: We have proof U.S. and Britain support terror group 21:07 Top Defense Min. official heads to Cairo to discuss Gaza truce 00:59 Ben-Gurion International Airport to launch first gym in Terminal 3 23:11 Palestinians: Israel asked to annex 6.8% of West Bank 00:02 Israeli author Amos Oz: Arab-Israeli conflict kept alive be fanatics 11:27 Rice: Bush not done working on Israeli-Palestinian issue 07:47 IDF soldiers critically wound Palestinian youth with rubber-coated bullet 12:59 Report: Group attacks Saudi airline office in Iran to protest Saudi peace plan 06:12 Egyptian guards kill African man trying to cross into Israel 17:16 Ahmadinejad: Israel at end of line, will soon fade away 13:28 Amira Hass returns to Gaza after a two-year absence Previous Editions Select Day 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 08 dec 07 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 01 dec 30 nov

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