Mideast Report

CAIRO (JPS) -- Fast-food giant McDonald's has introduced the regionally inspired McArabia chicken sandwich to Egypt in a bid to beat a boycott of U.S. products by many Arabs angry over the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Arab fury, already simmering for decades over the United States' perceived bias towards Israel, was fanned in the runup to the U.S.-led war in Iraq and resulted in protests and widespread calls to avoid U.S. products.

"I think it [the McArabia sandwich] has pushed sales higher, after the anti-U.S. boycott when people were saying not to eat at McDonald's," the manager of one McDonald's branch said Aug. 7 in Cairo, capital of the Arab world's most populous country.

The McArabia contains two grilled chicken patties wrapped in flat bread, mimicking popular fare in the Arab world. The manager, who asked not to be named, said meals containing chicken were very popular among Egyptians.

Alleged Sharon threat gets youth in trouble

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israeli police briefly detained a Jewish youth who allegedly threatened to murder Ariel Sharon.

The youth from Hebron came to the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on Sunday to post signs inviting the public to an event in the Jewish quarter of the West Bank city.

When policemen questioned him, he allegedly said: "I have no problem to assassinate Sharon." He then fled the scene. He was later caught, detained, questioned and released on bail.

Foie gras practices lead court to cry fowl

JERUSALEM (JPS) -- The Supreme Court recommended on Tuesday changing animal protection laws to ban the force-feeding of geese and ducks in the production of foie gras.

The court ruled that force-feeding is an act of cruelty to animals and that the agricultural industry adopt more humane methods for supplying goose and duck livers.

In 2001 local animal rights groups petitioned the Supreme Court against foie gras suppliers who, they said, force-feed 700,000 geese and 100,000 ducks every year.

Six-Day War helmet returned from Iraq

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The helmet of an Israeli pilot has been returned from Baghdad after more than 35 years.

The helmet of Capt. Alexander Inbar was returned to Israel from a war museum in Baghdad via the Israeli Embassy in Jordan.

The plane of Inbar and Maj. Shlomo Keren was downed while on a mission in Iraq during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Both pilots were killed. Their bodies were returned to Israel several months later.

New Israeli rifle to replace the Uzi

KFAR SABA, Israel (JPS) -- Israel is replacing its world-famous Uzi sub-machine gun and U.S.-supplied M-16 assault rifle with a new flagship firearm.

The design of the Tavor is based largely on lessons learned during military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip against the intifada.

The first Tavors, made by Israel Military Industries, have been issued to elite Israeli infantry units, part of an order of 15,000 announced last month by the Defense Ministry.

Security sources said deals were under way to sell the weapon, retailing at $1,000, to "friendly foreign clients."

"The Tavor is probably the finest assault rifle now available. It is a matter of national pride," Moti Rosen, vice president of the small-arms division at IMI, said on Sunday.