Daily Kickoff
TOP TALKER: “Netanyahu Lashes Out at Criticism of Israel” by Jodi Rudoren: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said on Sunday that his country faced “an international campaign to blacken its name” based not on his policies toward the Palestinians but “connected to our very existence,” likening the mounting boycott movement to anti-Semitic “libels” of previous eras. [NYTimes]
Washington Post interviews PA’s Rami Hamdallah: “Q:
What do you hope to accomplish as prime minister? A: I hope we will be able to end the occupation and to establish the Palestinian state with ’67 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. Q: How do you feel when you look at the new [Israeli government led by Benjamin] Netanyahu? A: We are willing to work with any government that is elected in Israel. We hope negotiations will be resumed, but within a new framework. We need a time limit for the Israeli withdrawal from our territories and a date for the establishment of the [Palestinian] state — the leadership in Palestine has put the date as the end of 2017.” [WashPost]Paragraph in Rudoren’s NYTimes Piece:
“The founding document of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement includes a reference to Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes inside Israel proper, and some of its leaders call for a single state between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Most Israeli Jews, as well as many outside experts, see either such a one-state solution or the return of all refugees and their descendants as a demographic death warrant for Israel as a Jewish state, which is how it was founded in 1948.” [NYTimes]“Adelson, Saban to Host Secret Anti-BDS Summit For Jewish Donors” by Nathan Guttman: “Leading Jewish mega donors have summoned pro-Israel activists for a closed-door meeting in Las Vegas to establish, and fund, successful strategies for countering the wave of anti-Israel activity on college campuses. The meeting, taking place this weekend, will be hosted by casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson and was organized by several other top Jewish funders, including Hollywood entertainment mogul Haim Saban, Israeli-born real-estate developer Adam Milstein, and Canadian businesswoman Heather Reisman.” [Forward]
SCENE YESTERDAY: “Big parade for NY Jews on East Side, massive bash for Israelis on West” by Chemi Shalev: “Close to 40,000 marchers walked up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in sweltering heat, Mayor Bill de Blasio danced with Hassidim, the controversial left-wing delegation was only sporadically heckled, the mock ultra-Orthodox anti-gay protestors showed up, as expected, and finally the rains came down, as they usually do, propelling the meeker to seek shelter and the bolder to dance and get wet, 1960’s Woodstock style.” [Haaretz; ToI]
Spotted at the parade: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill De Blasio, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Chancellor Merryl Tisch, Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. Kathleen Rice, Scott Stringer, Shelly Silver, Phil Goldfeder, Avraham Negusie, Yoav Ben-Tzur, Revital Swid, Ksenia Svetlova, Ofir Akunis, Dov Lipman, Michael Landau, Elly Kleinman, Charles Kushner, Leon Goldenberg, Michael Miller, Tish James, Steven Burg, Avi Fink, Pinny Ringel, Yeruchim Silber, Eric Goldstein.
SCENE LAST NIGHT: Around 600 friends of the Israeli Consulate in New York gathered at Pier 60 of Chelsea Piers to cap a day of celebrating Israel. Spotted: Malcolm Hoenlein, Abe Foxman, George Klein, Consul Gen. Ido Aharoni, Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. Jerry Nadler, Rosanna Scotto, Eric Goldstein, Thane Rosenbaum, Sam Schear, Jeff Pulver, Tish James, Michael S. Miller, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Michael Landau, Chemi Shalev, Mark Meyer Appel, Jeff Ballabon, Marc Schneier, Gil Galanos, and Rita Yahan-Farouz Kleinstein.
IRAN TALKS: “U.S., Iran Hold ‘Intense’ Nuclear Talks Month Before Deadline” by Bradley Klapper: “A month away from a nuclear deal deadline, U.S. and Iranian diplomats tried to narrow differences over how quickly to ease economic penalties against Tehran and how significantly the Iranians must open up military facilities to international inspections. American officials described the session as “at times intense.” The talks between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif lasted six hours.” [AP] • “Sources: Six powers agree way to restore U.N. sanctions in push for Iran deal” [Reuters]
“John Kerry breaks leg in biking accident in Europe” by Nahal Toosi: “Secretary of State John Kerry broke his right femur in a bicycling accident in France on Sunday and is returning to the U.S. for treatment, scuttling the final parts of a multistop diplomatic trip that has already included meeting with Iranian nuclear negotiators.” [Politico; WSJ]
Jen Psaki tweeted — “I would love to see anyone at the hospital try to stop @JohnKerry from negotiating and working while recovering from breaking his leg.” [Twitter]
2016 WATCH: Mike Huckabee at the Israel Day Concert yesterday: “There are many reasons why we never should accept the notion that Israel will be divided, that Jerusalem will be carved in half. Let us be clear that the boundaries of Israel are not given by the United Nations but the all-mighty G-d and those boundaries can be affirmed by man but not reshaped by man. The United States does not have a better friend in the world than Israel and Israel does not have a better friend in the United States than me.” [Video]
“Jeb Bush calls for U.S. Embassy to move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem” by Ashley Killough: “Jeb Bush said Saturday that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and called for the United States to move its embassy to there from Tel Aviv. “I support that, absolutely,” the former Florida governor said, responding to a question about whether the city should be Israel’s capital “forever.” “I also support moving the embassy to Jerusalem as well — our embassy. Not just as a symbol but a show of solidarity,” he continued, speaking to reporters in Nashville before the Tennessee GOP’s Statesmen’s Dinner.” [CNN]
“O’Malley, stumping in N.H., sells himself as alternative to Clinton” by John Fritze: “Visiting the key presidential primary state a day after announcing his long-expected candidacy in Baltimore, the former two-term Maryland governor used phrases like “new leadership” and “trying different things” almost immediately upon hitting the ground here — and it was a theme he repeatedly returned to throughout the day.” [BaltimoreSun] • “O’Malley advocates a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, but says Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas rocket attacks.” [NYTimes]
“Starting His 2016 Campaign, Lindsey Graham Is Blunt On Middle East” by Bill Barrow: “When kicking off his campaign Monday, South Carolina’s senior senator is sure to blast President Barack Obama’s withdrawal of troops from Iraq, insist on the need to strong-arm Iran over its nuclear program and work to subdue the violent Islamic State militants who have gained footholds in Iraq and Syria.” [AP] • 10:30am announcement [CSPAN]
Fred Zeidman on Texas donors: “My goodness, I think it’s much more fierce than it’s ever been,” said Fred Zeidman, a major Houston fundraiser with ties to a number of GOP hopefuls, including Perry. “We’re still the low-hanging fruit, and you’ve got 20 candidates chasing Texas money now instead of two or three candidates.”… some of the biggest GOP donors in Texas are still keeping their options open, a trend Zeidman likened to “buying seats at a bunch of tables… Disclosure: Fred Zeidman and Red McCombs are major donors to The Texas Tribune.“ [TexasTribune]
“Democrats Seeks a Richer Roster to Match G.O.P.” by Eric Lichtblau and Nicholas Confessore: “None of the biggest Democratic donors from past elections — for example, the Chicago investor Fred Eychaner, the climate-change activist Tom Steyer and the entertainment mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg — have committed to supporting Mrs. Clinton on nearly the same scale… Haim Saban is believed to be a prospect this year because of longstanding ties to the Clinton family. Another possibility, and one of the wealthiest, is former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York… Soros had not yet decided how much he would give during the 2016 cycle.” [NYTimes]
George Soros OpEd: “As a Jew in Budapest, I Too Was a Rohingya: My engagement in Burma during those dark days taught me an important lesson. Sometimes it’s necessary to support a lost cause for a long time just to keep the flame alive. That way, when the situation changes, groundwork for progress has already been laid.”
“You see, in 1944, as a Jew in Budapest, I too was a Rohingya. Much like the Jewish ghettos set up by Nazis around Eastern Europe during World War II, Aung Mingalar has become the involuntary home to thousands of families who once had access to health care, education and employment. The parallels to the Nazi genocide are alarming. Fortunately, we have not reached a stage of mass killing.” [Newsweek]
“Family losses frame Vice President Biden’s career” by Paul Kane: “Reality has a way of intruding,” the vice president told thousands of graduating Yale University students two weeks ago. “Reality has a way of intruding,” the vice president told thousands of graduating Yale University students two weeks ago. Hiding behind a pair of aviator sunglasses that played along with the irreverent traditions of “Yale Class Day,” Biden delivered the speech knowing that his eldest son was dying of cancer. Joseph Robinette Biden III, 46, the former attorney general of Delaware and a leading candidate for governor in 2016, died Saturday.” [WashPost]
White House Jewish Liaison Matt Nosanchuk: “When I went to work at DOJ during the second Clinton term, I joined a team in the Office of Policy Development that included Beau Biden. I had the great privilege of working with Beau before he left for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware. He was destined to do great things and achieved them in a life cut far too short. Today my heart aches for the Biden family. When I think of all the ways that the Bidens have been there for the nation over the decades and over and over again, my hope is that the nation will be there for them during this painful and difficult time.”
Jewish Federations Mourn Passing of Beau Biden: “Our prayers are with the Biden family during this difficult time. Zikhrono livrakha – may his memory be for a blessing.” [PressRelease]
“Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret founder and cancer advocate, dies at 42: Rochelle Shoretz, whose own breast cancer diagnosis at age 28 led her to found the national cancer organization Sharsheret, died Saturday afternoon at her home in Teaneck, New Jersey. She was 42. The cause of death was complications from breast cancer. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Shoretz went on to clerk for United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is thought to be the first Orthodox Jewish woman to clerk for a Supreme Court justice.” [JTA]
BUSINESS BRIEFS: “Shari Redstone Pulled to Hollywood Power Circles as Father Fades” [Bloomberg] — “Redstone married Yitzhak Aharon Korff and had three children but later divorced. Korff is currently the Hasidic Grand Rabbi of Zvhil – Mezhbizh in Boston, Massachusetts… Redstone is currently a member of the Board of Directors at Combined Jewish Philanthropies” [Wikipedia] •“American Eagle’s Markfield credited his close relationship with longtime chairman and major investor Jay Schottenstein — also the current interim CEO — with helping keep American Eagle on track. “We’re always aligned. If not, we talk it through. We have a similar vision.” [Post-Gazette] • “Everyone wants to acquire Stewart Butterfield’s Slack” [Fortune] • “In four short months, construction magnate John Fish went from Olympics hero to sitting on the sidelines. The inside story of how it all fell apart so quickly.” [BostonMag]
REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP: “Property group Africa Israel moves to Q1 profit, optimistic on Russia” [Reuters] • “Garden Homes Development agrees to $225,000 in fines” [NorthJersey] • “Load Hoisted by Midtown Manhattan Crane Falls 30 Stories at Sapir Organization’s Building” [WSJ; AmNY] • “Nazarian’s SLS Hotels hopes to seize upon Phila.’s new cachet with Broad St. project” [Philly]
STARTUP NATION: “Israeli companies bring jobs to American cities” by David Shamah: “In one week, 3 Israel-based firms opened or finalized plans to build new facilities in the US, and with it employment opportunities.” [ToI] • “China’s infatuation with Israeli technology deepens” [Globes] • “Berlin And Tel Aviv Should Work Better Together” [TechCrunch] • “ARM in Talks to Buy Israeli Mobile Security Company Sansa” [WSJ]
LongRead: “Aided by the Sea, Israel Overcomes an Old Foe: Drought” by Isabel Kershner: “As California and other western areas of the United States grapple with an extreme drought, a revolution has taken place here. A major national effort to desalinate Mediterranean seawater and to recycle wastewater has provided the country with enough water for all its needs, even during severe droughts. More than 50 percent of the water for Israeli households, agriculture and industry is now artificially produced.” [NYTimes]
“The Israeli company Netafim has developed an irrigation system that can grow plants with much less water, which has proven to be a good line of business amid increasing drought.” [TheAtlantic]
“What if ‘The Wire’ Were Set in Ramallah?” by Debra Kamin: “A hit TV series has found audiences among Israelis and Palestinians alike with its brutal honesty about the ugliness of war and the complexity of human life.” [ForeignPolicy]
SPORTS BLINK: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to David Blatt: “All of Israel is behind the Cavaliers” by Joe Vardon: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to Cavaliers coach David Blatt last week, promising the support of about 8 million of his fellow countrymen. “He said all of Israel is behind the Cavaliers,” Blatt said Sunday. “That was great.” “I have been fortunate enough to hear from the Prime Minister of Israel, to the then Prime Minister and president of Russia (Dmitry Medvedev), and there’s nothing I would like better than to hear from (President Barack) Obama,” Blatt said. “That sort of covered all the bases, wouldn’t it?” [Cleveland]
TWEET DU JOUR: @DanSenor — “Another reason to love NYC: Just learned there’s a Minyan at every @NYRangers eve game b/w 2nd & 3rd periods at same designated spot at MSG.” [Twitter] • @JBPritzker replies — “@dansenor Maybe too many players attended the Minyan? #SorryRangers #goBlackhawks ! — Or maybe not enough @NYRangers players attended!” [Twitter]
Commencement Season: “Why one of Silicon Valley’s top investors — Ben Horowitz — says ‘don’t follow your passion'” [BusinessInsider] • Deval Patrick at Harvard: “As one great Israeli statesman puts it, ‘America is the only superpower whose power comes from giving, not from taking.’” [HarvardMag] • “Watch Natalie Portman’s Frank, Personal Harvard Commencement Speech” [WSJ]
HAPPENING TODAY: “Trial to start in Touro Synagogue dispute” by Katie Mulvaney: “A trial starts Monday in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island in a case that has pitted the nation’s first synagogue against America’s first Jewish congregation. At stake is the ownership of the Newport’s Touro Synagogue and its property, which are being claimed by a New York City congregation with historic links to the synagogue.” [ProvidenceJournal; ToI; WSJ]
TALK OF THE TOWN: “Bed bugs take over famous city synagogue causing shut down” by Mara Siegler: “Lexington Avenue’s Central Synagogue, dubbed New York’s “mega-shul” and boasting the longest-running Jewish congregation in the city, has been abruptly closed due to bedbugs. The Community House and Pavilion of the temple, which has a reported $30 million-plus endowment and counts Loews Corp.’s Jonathan M. Tisch as a major donor, closed Wednesday and will re-open Monday after a full fumigation.” [PageSix]
WEEKEND WEDDING: “Emily Tisch Sussman, a daughter of Laurie M. Tisch of New York and S. Donald Sussman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was married Saturday evening to Kevin James Craw, a son of Joanne T. Craw and James M. Craw of Oakland, N.J. Senator Cory Booker became a minister of the American Fellowship Church for the event. He officiated in an outdoor ceremony at Four Freedoms Park at Roosevelt Island, N.Y. The bride, 33, is keeping her name. She is the campaign director for the Center for American Progress in Washington and was the executive director of the Young Democrats of America for the 2012 elections.” [NYTimes]
Free gift idea: Know anyone who might enjoy receiving the Daily Kickoff? Share us with them and they’ll probably love you for it!