English-language Ramallah radio set to launch

A South African Jewish man is financing an English-language radio station in Ramallah. Fashioned after 702 Talk Radio, a popular South African radio station, the new station is set to launch Wednesday. The aim is to inspire “peaceful dialogue,” said Isaac Kirsch, who gave $50,000 — or about 25 percent of the total — to the project, according to Ha’aretz. The station will be called 93.6 RAM FM, short for Ramallah, which also means “high” or “lofty” in Hebrew. The parent company, Middle East Broadcasting Holding Ltd., is based in South Africa. The station did not accept government funds and “will not toe any political line other than peace,” said its news editor, Andrew Bolton. The station currently features adult music and hourly news updates, but hopes to introduce call-in and talk shows within the year. “There is a need for a daily debate on the issues affecting both Israelis and Palestinians,” Kirsh said.