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National Briefs

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By FJN Staff

Nationsl News Briefs from our July 22, 2005 issue

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Bill proposed by South Florida congresswoman would create Jewish history month

WASHINGTON (JTA) - A congresswoman garnered over 200 sponsors from both parties for legislation that would create American Jewish History Month. "Ignorance about Jews, our history, culture and contributions to American society remains widespread in the U.S.," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said Monday at Hadassah’s annual Washington convention. "Ignorance leads to hatred and bigotry, and one way to stop it is through education." She urged Hadassah members to appeal to legislators to back the bill. Presidents in the past have declared such a month, but it has not been legislated on a year-to-year basis.

L.A. consulate a target?

LOS ANGELES (JTA) - FBI counterterrorism agents are investigating whether two American Muslim converts planned to attack the Israeli consulate, two synagogues and other targets in Los Angeles. Yariv Ovadia, the Israeli consul for public affairs in Los Angeles, confirmed last Friday that federal agents had warned the consulate of possible threats. "We fully trust American authorities to handle the situation," he said. The threats apparently were discovered accidentally when police arrested Levar Haney Washington, 25, and Gregory Vernon Patterson, 21, as suspects in a string of gas station robberies over the past two months. Washington converted to Islam while serving a prison sentence for a previous assault and robbery conviction in 1999, while Patterson, who has no criminal record, is believed to be a more recent convert. A search of Washington’s apartment turned up jihadi literature, bulletproof vests and an address list of various L.A. sites. Entries included the "Consulate of Zion" and the two synagogues. At this point, the two suspects have been arraigned only on nine counts of robbery.

Senate approves nonprofit protection

WASHINGTON (JTA) - The U.S. Senate approved a Homeland Security bill that includes $25 million for at-risk nonprofit organizations. The United Jewish Communities federation umbrella group led lobbying efforts to include the money designated for institutions that are more likely to face a terrorist attack. The Senate approved the overall spending bill last week, which now goes to conference with the U.S. House of Representatives, most likely before the congressional break in August. The Orthodox Union praised its passage, noting the leadership shown by Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.). "Nonprofits will use the federal funds for much-needed physical security enhancements," the Orthodox Union said in a statement.


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