Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – A US Navy vessel fired warning shots toward three Iranian military speed boats in the Gulf this week to warn them after they sped close to the ship, the Navy said Tuesday. The three fast inshore attack craft operated by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy came within […]
US Navy fired warning shots on Iran boats in Gulf: Pentagon Read More »
Middle East, USA
What if Iran doesn’t actually plan to use a nuclear weapon? What if Iran wants, as various of its officials have said over the years, to prevent being toppled the way Saddam Hussein was, or Moammar Gaddafi or Hosni Mubarak? To prevent a 20-year U.S.-led invasion like that of Afghanistan? [Shoshana Bryen]
Iran’s Long-Term Goals Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
Is Bibi finished? Not yet, but the signs indicate that his end may be near. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Is it the end of Bibi’s era? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
Published by DPA Eighty-two people died in a fire that swept through a hospital in south-eastern Baghdad early Sunday, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said. Some 110 others were injured in the blaze at the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, which cares for Covid-19 patients, Iraq’s state news agency INA quoted the ministry as saying. The ministry doubted
82 dead after blaze at Baghdad hospital for Covid-19 patients Read More »
Middle East
NETANYA, Israel — In the April 25, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Over 80% of Israeli adults have now been vaccinated against Covid-19.
–Israeli optical breakthrough allows for early detection of skin cancer.
–Israel marks Earth Day with national clean-up and new sustainability center.
–New Israeli-developed microchips are the fastest ever.
–Israel signs hi-tech agreement with one of the world’s largest carmakers.
–Discovery in Israel of the oldest example of alphabetic writing. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (April 25, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
The bystander credited with saving a wounded man’s life following Thursday night’s Gaslamp Quarter attacks said modestly on Saturday that he deserves only half the credit. “My friend also helped,” said Shai Gino, 28, a former captain in the Israel Defense Force now married to an American and studying for U.S. citizenship. His friend, who served in a “special unit” of the IDF, is Dvir Benesh, 26. [Donald H. Harrison]
Former IDF soldiers aided Gaslamp Quarter wounded Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Published by Reuters By Stephen Farrell JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli police and Palestinians scuffled outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls overnight into Sunday as tensions flared during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed for calm. Hundreds of police officers in riot gear deployed around the Old City after nightly clashes
Scuffles in Jerusalem after Israeli-Palestinian Ramadan night clashes Read More »
Middle East
Published by Reuters By Stephen Farrell and Rami Ayyub JERUSALEM (Reuters) -After a night of violence in Jerusalem, Israeli police made over 50 arrests and Palestinian medics said 100 were injured during Ramadan clashes in the contested city at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From late Thursday night into early Friday, police in riot
Scores injured in Jerusalem clashes; Israeli nationalists shout ‘Death to Arabs” Read More »
Middle East
Israel has held four elections in the last two years. Prime Minister Netanyahu set the stage for this farcical and unprecedented cycle of elections by dissolving his government with the mistaken idea that he could gain more members for his coalition if an election were held sooner rather than later. He couldn’t. [Steve Kramer]
Will Israel Need a 5th Election? Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
Published by Al-Araby Imprisoned Fatah Party figure Marwan Barghouthi holds a commanding lead over the incumbent President Mahmoud Abbas for the upcoming Palestinian presidential election, according to new poll data. Palestinians are due to vote in legislative elections on 22 May and in presidential elections on 31 July. A new poll by the Jerusalem Media
Barghouthi leads Palestinian presidential election poll amid fears of delay Read More »
Middle East
Published by Reuters By Dan Williams and Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A Syrian missile exploded in southern Israel on Thursday, the Israeli military said, in an incident that triggered warning sirens near the secretive Dimona nuclear reactor and an Israeli strike in Syria. An Israeli military spokesman identified the projectile as an SA-5 surface-to-air missile
Syrian missile explodes in area near Israeli nuclear reactor, Israel retaliates Read More »
Middle East
I believe Yom Haatzmaut is very representative of my journey of becoming an Israeli citizen and what my plans are now that I’m here. As a convert to Judaism, when I was fifteen, who made my first trip to Israel in 2016 with Taglit/Birthright and then enjoyed seven extensive trips to the country subsequently, my dream of making Aliyah was finally complete this year when I embarked on a Nefesh B’Nefesh charter Aliyah flight. [Ondria Rees]
Celebrating a Truly Independent Yom Haatzmaut Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USA
The Israel Prize is awarded for academic or social excellence, and serves as Israel’s attempt to provide its own version of the Nobel Prize. Sadly, I have never attended a Nobel Prize ceremony, but I have read about it, and I know it is a very stately and serious occasion. Just imagine, if the ceremony would be the occasion for a series of pop singers to pop up, sing and play at the tops of their voices a medley of songs of questionable taste (and certainly not my taste). But that was the overriding tone of the Israel Prize ceremony last night. The whole occasion left an impression of bad judgment and inferior standards. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Israel Lowers Its Cultural Standards of Excellence Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Published by TravelPulse After more than a year of being closed to international travel, Israel is reopening its borders with a phased approach. Starting on May 23, the country will welcome visitors from foreign countries who have been vaccinated for COVID-19. “I am happy to share the news that Israel is taking great strides in
Israel plans to open international travel to vaccinated visitors Read More »
Middle East