H eadlines
ISRAELBRIEFS Israeli Officials Expected to Attend Beijing Olympics
Despite US Boycott
ISRAELI OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED to attend the Winter
Olympic Games in Beijing despite plans for their United
States counterparts to boycott the games to protest China’s
human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority, JTA
reported. Israel has grown closer to China due to trade ties between
the countries. In October, it chose not to sign a United Nations
statement expressing concern about the welfare of the Uighurs,
a Muslim minority group in China forced into “re-education
camps” that some have compared to concentration camps.

The statement was signed by 43 countries, including the U.S.

An Israeli diplomatic official told The Times of Israel that the
Israeli government had “other interests that it has to balance” in
its relationship with China.

MEMORY CARE
Israel to Consider Legalizing CBD
Israel’s Health Ministry will look into removing products
containing cannabinoid, commonly referred to as CBD, which
is the second-most prevalent active ingredient in marijuana and
doesn’t produce psychotropic effects, from the list of dangerous
drugs, The Jerusalem Post reported.

“On the issue of medical cannabis, with its products and
ingredients — we are working to facilitate and open up where
possible,” Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said on Twitter.

“Regarding legalization, it is also time to set things free.”
Assuta Medical Centers Chairman Professor Joshua Shemer
will head the committee, with recommendations slated to be
presented to the ministry in January.

Every Tuesday of the Month
Omicron Carriers Required to Quarantine Longer
Israel’s Health Ministry said confirmed carriers of the omicron
COVID-19 variant will have to quarantine for 14 days instead of
the 10 days mandated for carriers of other coronavirus strains,
The Times of Israel reported.

Confirmed omicron carriers must be asymptomatic for the
final three days of the two-week period to receive a certificate of
recovery, the Health Ministry said.

“This update is being applied in light of the suspicion that
verified carriers of the Omicron variant may be contagious for
a longer period than observed in cases of other variants,” a
ministry statement said.

The COVID death toll in Israel stood at 8,210 as of Dec. 9.

The 794 COVID-19 cases confirmed on Dec. 7 represented the
highest total in six weeks, with children accounting for more
than half of the diagnoses, according to ministry figures.

Join us each month for coffee and conversation specifically
for people with dementia and their caregivers.

Poll: Slim Majority of Israelis Would Support Attack on
Iran Without US Approval
Fifty-one percent of Israelis would support an attack on Iran,
even without the backing of the United States, according to an
Israel Democracy Institute poll, The Times of Israel reported.

While 51% supported a unilateral strike, 31% said they would not.

Fifty-four percent of those surveyed believe Iran poses an
existential threat, while 25% view Iran as a “medium danger”
and 13% deem it a “small danger.”
Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis disagreed on whether Iran is
an existential threat, with 62% of the former believing it is and
only 19% of the latter concurring. l
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Questions? 215-321-6166
Event to be held at:
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210 Commerce Boulevard • Fairless Hills, PA 19030
What is a Memory Café?
Originally started in England, this informal setting provides the
caregiver a forum for discussion, reducing the isolation often
felt by people with dementia, their caregivers and families.

Discussions can range from practical tips for coping with
dementia, avoiding caregiver burnout or information about
community resources. There is no cost or obligation, and many
attendees develop friendships that result in support even
outside the Memory Café setting.

All attendees will adhere to proper COVID-19 guidelines
including masking, staying socially distant and hand sanitizing.

© 2021 ProMedica
JEWISH EXPONENT
arden-courts.org DECEMBER 16, 2021
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