Kerry's Jewish brother to visit Israel
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/449363.html
By Aluf Benn
Cameron Kerry, the younger brother of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in the United States, Senator John Kerry, is expected to visit Israel next week. He is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, the director of the Prime Minister's office, Dov Weisglass, head of the opposition MK Shimon Peres, and others. Accompanying Cameron Kerry on his tour of the country will be Senator Kerry's adviser on Israel affairs, Jay Footlik.
Cameron Kerry converted to Judaism when he married Kathy Weinman of Michigan, and later learned that his paternal grandparents were Czech Jews who had converted to Christianity before immigrating to the U.S.
Despite maintaining a low profile, Cameron Kerry is considered very close to his brother and heavily involved in his election campaign.
Kerry's visit to Israel aims to strengthen ties between the Democratic candidate and Israel. Senator Kerry had asked to meet Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during his visit to Washington last April, but Sharon did not agree to the meeting, citing a scheduling conflict. At the time, Sharon was visiting Washington in order to receive assurances of U.S. President George Bush's support for Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan.
Sharon promised to schedule a meeting with Bush's rival in May, when a visit to Washington had been planned, but that trip was canceled.
Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said yesterday the prime minister does not plan a visit to Washington before the November presidential elections. This means that Kerry will not have a photo opportunity with the prime minister prior to the elections.
During his speech on Sunday, during July 4 celebrations at the residence of U.S. ambassador Dan Kurzer, Sharon commended Bush for his friendship to Israel, and his leadership in the war against terror.
Sharon's office, like others in Israel, are in contact with Kerry's Israel adviser, Footlik, who lived in Israel in the past and worked at the Peres Center for Peace.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who returned to Israel last night from the U.S., did not meet with anyone affiliated with Kerry's campaign.
A visit to Israel by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge scheduled for next week was canceled, but diplomatic sources said the reasons for the cancellation were unclear.
Steve Hedley and Elliot Abrams, White House advisers, will arrive in Israel for what has been described as "maintenance" talks with prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qureia.
Weisglass met last night with Abrams's deputy Rob Denin, who was accompanied by David Sutherfield of the State Department. The latter met with the heads of the Shin Bet Security Services and Military Intelligence as well as senior Defense Ministry officials.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/449363.html
By Aluf Benn
Cameron Kerry, the younger brother of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in the United States, Senator John Kerry, is expected to visit Israel next week. He is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, the director of the Prime Minister's office, Dov Weisglass, head of the opposition MK Shimon Peres, and others. Accompanying Cameron Kerry on his tour of the country will be Senator Kerry's adviser on Israel affairs, Jay Footlik.
Cameron Kerry converted to Judaism when he married Kathy Weinman of Michigan, and later learned that his paternal grandparents were Czech Jews who had converted to Christianity before immigrating to the U.S.
Despite maintaining a low profile, Cameron Kerry is considered very close to his brother and heavily involved in his election campaign.
Kerry's visit to Israel aims to strengthen ties between the Democratic candidate and Israel. Senator Kerry had asked to meet Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during his visit to Washington last April, but Sharon did not agree to the meeting, citing a scheduling conflict. At the time, Sharon was visiting Washington in order to receive assurances of U.S. President George Bush's support for Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan.
Sharon promised to schedule a meeting with Bush's rival in May, when a visit to Washington had been planned, but that trip was canceled.
Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said yesterday the prime minister does not plan a visit to Washington before the November presidential elections. This means that Kerry will not have a photo opportunity with the prime minister prior to the elections.
During his speech on Sunday, during July 4 celebrations at the residence of U.S. ambassador Dan Kurzer, Sharon commended Bush for his friendship to Israel, and his leadership in the war against terror.
Sharon's office, like others in Israel, are in contact with Kerry's Israel adviser, Footlik, who lived in Israel in the past and worked at the Peres Center for Peace.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who returned to Israel last night from the U.S., did not meet with anyone affiliated with Kerry's campaign.
A visit to Israel by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge scheduled for next week was canceled, but diplomatic sources said the reasons for the cancellation were unclear.
Steve Hedley and Elliot Abrams, White House advisers, will arrive in Israel for what has been described as "maintenance" talks with prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Ahmed Qureia.
Weisglass met last night with Abrams's deputy Rob Denin, who was accompanied by David Sutherfield of the State Department. The latter met with the heads of the Shin Bet Security Services and Military Intelligence as well as senior Defense Ministry officials.
