News Summary: Job boost for Israeli Arabs

The Associated Press

AMBITIONS: Cisco Systems Inc. CEO John Chambers introduced a campaign to help create 12,000 high-tech jobs in Israel's distressed Arab sector over the next four years.

THE CONTEXT: The initiative would be part of "Ma'antech," a year-old project launched by major high-tech companies. It aims to reduce economic gaps between Israel's Arabs and Jews.

PARTICIPANTS: More than 22 companies have joined the project. Cisco is the program's main source of funds and says other participants include Google Inc., Intel Corp., IBM Corp. and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.