U.S. report

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a former POW himself, agreed to be a member of an international committee working to free three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah last October.

According to the World Jewish Congress, which is organizing the effort, McCain may travel to Syria and Lebanon on behalf of the soldiers, who are believed to be in Lebanon.

"Given his personal stature and his position here in the United States, I think [McCain] can open doors -- whether it be in the Middle East, the United Nations or other [forums] -- which would be closed to others," WJC Executive Director Elan Steinberg said. The rest of the committee membership is not finalized.

New publication causing ruckus for its controversial namesake

NEW YORK (JTA) -- A new Jewish magazine with the provocative name "Heeb" is drawing criticism from the Anti-Defamation League.

Kenneth Jacobson, the ADL's associate national director, said the magazine's goal of "reaching out to young, disaffected Jews is a very nice idea," but its name is "not very constructive."

Jennifer Bleyer, the editor of "Heeb," which will debut in the coming months, has said the name is a way of reclaiming an ethnic slur, much like some gay people now use the term "queer" to describe themselves.

Bleyer is a fellow of the San Francisco-based Joshua Venture.

Judge OKs $250 million lawsuit filed against the Palestinian Authority

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A U.S. judge ruled that a $250 million lawsuit filed against the Palestinian Authority can proceed.

The lawsuit, brought by relatives of a Jewish couple killed in a 1996 terrorist attack, could be brought under the federal Anti-Terrorism Act of 1991, the judge said.

The lawsuit claims that Palestinian officials were responsible for the drive-by shooting of Yaron and Efrat Ungar because the officials allowed the militant terrorist group Hamas to operate training facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and encouraged terrorism in the region.