Middle East

Now a Knesset leader, former prisoner of Zion returns to his Moscow cell

Returning to Butyrka prison, where he awaited a show trial 33 years ago for teaching Hebrew, Yuli Edelstein recalls the ‘gates of hell’ where his phylacteries, but not his zeal for Israel, were crushed By Marissa Newman MOSCOW — To an outsider, the decrepit hallways of Moscow’s Butyrka Prison feel like a gateway into the […]

Now a Knesset leader, former prisoner of Zion returns to his Moscow cell Read More »

International, Middle East

Trump ‘Stands for Our Values,’ Says Condoleezza Rice

Say what you will about President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, but the man still stands for American values just like all the others who served as president before him—at least, that’s what Condoleezza Rice says she believes. Advocating for Trump while appearing at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit recently, the former

Trump ‘Stands for Our Values,’ Says Condoleezza Rice Read More »

Middle East, USA

Jewish Agency takes out ad slamming Western Wall decision

Organization says freezing pluralistic prayer pavilion and granting ultra-Orthodox conversion monopoly ‘endangers the unity of the Jewish people’ By Times of Israel staff Members of the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements hold torah scrolls during a mixed men and women prayer at the public square in front of the Western Wall, in Jerusalem’s Old City,

Jewish Agency takes out ad slamming Western Wall decision Read More »

Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

MKs backing conversion bill not welcome in Chicago, Jewish leader warns

After meeting PM over legislation and Western Wall about-face, Steven Nasatir says he’s done ‘being nice’ to Israeli dignitaries who ignore Diaspora Jewry’s needs By Raphael Ahren Any Israeli lawmaker who supports controversial Israeli legislation putting conversion matters exclusively in the hands of the Chief Rabbinate should consider him or herself persona non grata in

MKs backing conversion bill not welcome in Chicago, Jewish leader warns Read More »

Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Kotel decision will turn young Americans off to Israel

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — A headline in Monday’s Ha’aretz sums it up: “Netanyahu to American Jews: Drop Dead.” Though I mailed my previous reflections just before the official announcement about the prime minister caving in to his ultra-Orthodox colleagues, I anticipated the outcome. That’s what I wrote: The present wave of Orthodox pressure

Kotel decision will turn young Americans off to Israel Read More »

Middle East

Israel’s diverse population yields many factions

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There are attractions in the Jewish State, but also problems. Given its location and population, no surprise that they are the problems of living with Jews, and Arabs. They aren’t the same problems, and it isn’t obvious which are the most serious, or threatening. Arab citizens are some 20 percent of

Israel’s diverse population yields many factions Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Ahead of UNESCO vote on Hebron, Israel bars fact-finding mission from city

Since vote to add Tomb of the Patriarchs to list of endangered sites seems like a foregone conclusion, Jerusalem says expert commission a waste of time By Raphael Ahren A Jewish settler sits outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs in the West Bank city of Hebron (Kobi Gideon/Flash90) Israel on Friday denied a fact-finding mission

Ahead of UNESCO vote on Hebron, Israel bars fact-finding mission from city Read More »

Middle East

Adelson said set to testify again in Netanyahu corruption probe

Casino magnate’s wife Miriam also to be questioned Monday on PM’s alleged ties to couple’s Israel Hayom daily By Alexander Fulbright and Sue Surkes American billionaire businessman Sheldon Adelson (R) and his wife Miriam meet Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu, at the International Conference Centre in Jerusalem, May 13, 2008. (Anna Kaplan /FLASH90/

Adelson said set to testify again in Netanyahu corruption probe Read More »

Middle East

Netanyahu defends Israeli attacks on Syrian military targets

Tel Aviv (dpa) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended Israeli attacks on Syrian military targets the day before amid reports of new Israeli airstrikes. Netanyahu said his country would respond forcefully to any projectiles that land on its territory. The Israeli military said its air force on Saturday launched strikes inside Syria after

Netanyahu defends Israeli attacks on Syrian military targets Read More »

Middle East

Will Trump Pull Out of Middle East Peace Talks?

A U.S. official denied reports that Trump was considering pulling out of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinians after a rift opened up in the first meeting between Trump aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. London-based Arabic daily Al-Hayat reported Saturday that the meeting between Kushner and Abbas had been

Will Trump Pull Out of Middle East Peace Talks? Read More »

Middle East, USA