Ariel Sharon going home

Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for nearly five years, is expected to be moved from an Israeli hospital to his Negev ranch. The former Israeli prime minister, 82, who suffered a stroke on Jan. 6, 2006, that left him comatose, will be moved within the next few weeks from the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer in Tel Aviv to his home for a trial period, Yediot Achronot reported last Wednesday. If the trial is successful, Sharon reportedly will be taken back permanently to the ranch, which has been equipped with the necessary medical equipment and access to his second-floor bedroom, the newspaper reported. Sharon’s sons, Gilad and Omri, reportedly requested the move.

Israel ready to talk with Syria

Israel is ready to enter peace negotiations with Syria “right away,” Shimon Peres told the United Nations General Assembly. Peres also said he believed that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the only “peaceful alternative.” He added: “And I believe that we shall succeed.” The Israeli president said that “today, science, creativity and knowledge replaces land as the source of wealth. Land can be conquered, not science.” Peres offered to share Israeli technological advances with other nations, including countries without diplomatic ties to Israel.  

Crystal a Hebrew U benefactor

Actor Billy Crystal has made a substantial gift to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem to foster activities in a performing arts project named for him. The gift, announced in a news release by the American Friends of the Hebrew University, will be used to create and present workshops, programs and theatrical performances at the university that bring Jews and Arabs together as a means to promote tolerance and improved cultural and social understanding. The organization said the gift would endow the Billy Crystal Peace through the Performing Arts project so that it could run in perpetuity.