Mideast Report

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Bank of America is planning to open a branch in Israel.

The office will serve Israel's growing computer, telecommunications and other high-tech businesses, the bank said.

CNBC considers TV station in Israel

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- U.S. media company CNBC is in preliminary talks with an Israeli financial Web site to set up a business television channel in the Jewish state.

The talks were announced by an official with the parent company of the Israeli daily Ha'aretz, which is a major shareholder in the Web site, TheMarker.com

Kodak snaps up Israeli company

JERUSALEM (JPS) -- Eastman Kodak has purchased a company with research and development facilities in Israel that provides technology for a digital developing service offered by the U.S. photo giant.

Picture Vision's services allow customers to bring a roll of film to a photo lab and the company posts the photos over the Internet. Kodak already owned 51 percent of the company.

Terror victim's family sues Islamic charities

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The family of an Israeli-American teen-ager shot to death in Jerusalem in 1996 is suing several Islamic charities, groups and individuals for the murder, which was committed by a member of Hamas.

The action by the parents of David Boim is believed to be the first attempt by individuals to use U.S. laws against groups that raise money for terrorist groups.

The U.S. government named Hamas to its list of terrorist groups in 1995.

Israeli band loses Eurovision contest

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The Israeli band Ping Pong placed 22nd out of 24 competitors at the Eurovision song contest in Stockholm on Saturday, raising uncertainty over whether Israel will qualify to compete next year.

Before the competition, the band created controversy when it waved Syrian flags and made suggestive use of a cucumber during a rehearsal.

Denmark won the competition with "Fly on the Wings of Love" by the Olsen Brothers.