VOA标准英语2011--Israel Observes Rosh Hashanah in Uncerta

Israel Observes Rosh Hashanah in Uncertain Times

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, comes at a turbulent time for Israel.
Israelis are observing Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the High Holy Days and a time of reflection and prayer. There are 10 days of repentance¹ leading up to the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.
The New Year comes at a time of political uncertainty² in Israel, as the Palestinians seek recognition of an independent state at the United Nations.
Many Israelis, like these people on the streets of Jerusalem, are skeptical³ about the prospects⁴ for peace.
This unidentified man put it this way: "I don't expect a great deal of progress in the peace process. I don't actually expect that there will be a Palestinian state."
And this Israeli woman also expressed doubts. "I have my doubts," she said. "Because you can give many concessions⁵ to the Palestinians, and no matter how many you give they want more."
Further complicating⁶ peace efforts, Israel announced on Tuesday that it will build 1,100 new housing units in disputed East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim for a future state. The United States and European Union reacted angrily to the announcement, saying it harms efforts to revive peace talks.
The Palestinians have refused to return to the negotiating table until Israel stops all settlement expansion. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave "1,100 no's" to the peace process.
"Mr. Netanyahu today answered by saying no to peace and yes to settlements. And that's very, very unfortunate," said Erekat.
Despite the settlements dispute, U.S. President Barack Obama emphasized the positive in a Rosh Hashanah message to the Israeli people.
"While we cannot know all that the New Year will bring, we do know this: The United States will continue to stand with Israel because the bond between our two nations is unshakeable," said Obama.
The political turmoil⁷ has apparently⁸ not dampened the national mood: According to a holiday poll, 88 percent of Israelis say they are in good spirits and that Israel is a nice place to live. So in a Rosh Hashanah tradition, they dip apples in honey for a sweet New Year.

1 repentance   

n.懊悔

参考例句：

• He shows no repentance for what he has done.他对他的所作所为一点也不懊悔。
• Christ is inviting sinners to repentance.基督正在敦请有罪的人悔悟。

2 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

3 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

4 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

5 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。

6 complicating   

使复杂化( complicate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• High spiking fever with chills is suggestive of a complicating pylephlebitis. 伴有寒战的高热，暗示合并门静脉炎。
• In America these actions become executive puberty rites, complicating relationships that are already complicated enough. 在美国，这些行动成了行政青春期的惯例，使本来已经够复杂的关系变得更复杂了。

7 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

8 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。