News in Brief

Turkey's new ambassador to Israel, Ahmet Oguz Celikkol, said yesterday he is committed to improving ties, telling an Israeli academic conference that good relations with Israel are part of Turkey's global aspirations. Ties between the two nations soured following Israel's winter offensive in Gaza. Turkey this month canceled a military exercise in which Israeli pilots were to participate. Tensions deepened after Turkey's state-run TV aired a series portraying Israeli soldiers killing Palestinian civilians. Celikkol hopes to work with media and universities to help the two societies understand each other better. (The Associated Press)

A Lebanon-based group linked to al-Qaida yesterday claimed responsibility for a rocket salvo against Israel this week, saying the attack was in retaliation for Israel's crackdown on protesters at Jerusalem's Temple Mount. The group, calling itself the Brigades of Abdullah Azzam, released a statement to the al-Fajr Media Centre, the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group reported. The group said its fighters set up five rockets in Houla on Tuesday night but one launched prematurely, leading the militants to flee the area leaving four rockets behind. It was the fifth such attack against Israel from Lebanon this year. (Avi Issacharoff and Agencies)

The Israeli film "Ajami," by Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani, won the Sutherland First Feature Award at the London Film Festival yesterday. The jury said "Ajami" was "a bold and original piece of filmmaking ... Copti and Shani have made a film with a heart and a vision that speaks for a common humanity." Two other Israeli films - "Lebanon," by Shmulik Maoz, and "Eyes Wide Open," by Haim Tabakman - also contended for the prize. (Dana Schweppe).

Swedish journalist Donald Bostrom, who accused IDF soldiers of harvesting organs from Palestinians, is arriving in Israel on Saturday. He will be a guest of the Dimona Media Conference, scheduled to take place on Monday. Although no specific threats were received, Bostrom will be accompanied by a bodyguard throughout his stay, and the conference will make special security arrangements to prepare for potential protests. Organizers said Bostrom is expected to visit Israeli towns in the vicinity of Gaza and other local conflict areas. (Gili Izikovich)