OBAMA Gets warm Israeli welcome

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – While diplomacy centering on America’s relations with Middle East countries was at the top of the agenda during his recent swing through parts of the Middle East, it was not all serious business for President Barack Obama.

The president received Israel’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Distinction, from Israeli President Shimon Peres during a State Dinner at Peres’ residence in Jerusalem.

At the dinner, Obama – the first black American president – also met Titi Yityish Aynaw, an Ethiopian immigrant who recently became the first black to win the Miss Israel crown.

Aynaw, who won the title on Feb. 27, told the judges, “It is important that a member of the Ethiopian community win the competition for the first time. There are many different communities of many different colors in Israel and it is important to show that to the world.”

She cited Martin Luther King Jr. as one of her heroes.

Ethiopian Jews are believed to be descended from the Israelite tribe of Dan and some 30 years ago Israel began to airlift them to the Jewish state where they now number about 120,000. Read more