News Brief

Twelve Jewish members of Congress expressed concern over the practices of a leading kosher meat producer. In a letter Tuesday to Aaron Rubashkin, owner of the embattled kosher meat producer Agriprocessors, the lawmakers said they were “stunned” and “disgusted” by allegations against the company and its apparent flouting of Jewish and American law. The letter noted the company’s hiring of hundreds of illegal immigrants, opposition to a unionization effort at its New York distributorship, and its numerous citations by federal regulators. It also expressed concern over allegations that it had knowingly employed child laborers, housed a methamphetamine laboratory at its Postville, Iowa, slaughterhouse, and participated in a Social Security card-forgery ring.

“If these many and varied allegations prove to be true, aside from personal criminal liability, such conduct would be a blot on the reputation of the kosher food industry,” the letter said.

Agriprocessors has denied most of the allegations against it and has said it is looking forward to its day in court.

Among the signatories are U.S. Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), Howard Berman (D-Calif.), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), and Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.). The lawmakers requested “a detailed explanation” of measures the company intends to implement to address its “systemic problems and to ensure the humane and ethical treatment of both workers and animals in accordance with both U.S. laws and Jewish standards.”

Four Palestinians in three vehicles tried to run over a group of soldiers near Ramallah.

Two cars and a bulldozer tried to break through a dirt roadblock Wednesday afternoon near the Jewish community of Maaleh Levona.

The group of reservists fired into the air and then arrested the Palestinians, who were turned over for questioning. No one was injured.

The incident comes two days after a Palestinian drove his car into a group of soldiers near Jerusalem’s Old City, injuring 17.

Shortly after, a Palestinian teen, 16, tried to stab a soldier at the Hawara checkpoint. The same checkpoint was the scene of an acid attack on a soldier Monday. The soldier has not regained his sight in one eye as a result of the attack.