Middle East

Qatari Foreign Minister: Hamas Has Responded Positively to Latest Ceasefire Proposal

Published by Benzinga Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add more information about Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic visit to the Middle East and a new report on the deaths of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. Hopes for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip received a boost Tuesday after the prime […]

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

Commentary: Is Antony Blinken’s mission in the Middle East impossible?

Published by Chicago Tribune Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East for the next few days, where he will hold meetings with officials in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank. While this is his fifth trip to the region since October, Blinken’s latest visit couldn’t come at a more

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

Charges likely against 6 in Gaza war protest that shut down I-5 in Seattle

Published by The Seattle Times The Washington State Patrol will recommend charging at least six people in relation to the Israel-Hamas war protest that shut down Interstate 5 for nearly five hours last month, the agency said. An additional 10 people involved with the protest, which led to backups extending miles south of Seattle, are

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

Pentagon announces new series of coalition strikes in Yemen: 13 targets attacked

Published by RBC-Ukraine (UK) The U.S. and UK, supported by other coalition countries, conducted additional strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Weapon depots, including missile systems, were targeted, announces U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. According to the head of the U.S. Department of Defense, additional strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled

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International, Middle East, Nordot, USA

US retaliatory strikes hit Iran-linked targets in Syria, Iraq

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – The US military launched retaliatory air strikes against Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militia groups in both Iraq and Syria on Friday, following a recent drone attack that killed three American soldiers at a remote base in Jordan. The extensive air attacks were ordered in response to the deaths of

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Middle East, Nordot, USA

‘English’ Probes Motivations and Problems of ESL Students

Set in Iran in 2008, the play follows a teacher and her students in a small school where the students are preparing for the TOEFL exam (test of English as a foreign language).  As the play progresses we learn the hopes, dreams and fears of each character as they share why they are studying English, and they try to find their voice. [Sandi Masori]

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International, Middle East, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Iraq and Iran Complicit in the Tower 22 Attack

Admiral John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, said explicitly that the United States is not looking for a war with Iran. He failed to mention that Iran has proclaimed itself at war with the United States and has been using its proxies to attack US bases and killing and wounding American soldiers for years. Iran now controls Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. [Shoshana Bryen and Stephen Bryen]

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Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Tom Lantos

His political career began in 1980, when as a Democrat he successfully challenged Republican Bill Royer, and went on to be reelected 13 times. His voting record was liberal on health care, conservative on spending, and protectionist on the environment. He was best known for his work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he advocated for the rights of such minorities as Christians in Saudi Arabia and Sudan and Tibetans in China. He declared Turkey’s mass killings of Armenians during World War I to be genocide, and he demanded that Japan apologize for forcing women in conquered countries into sex slavery. [SDJW staff]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Rose Schindler’s Hologram Addresses Students

In technology similar to that seen at such presidential museums as the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, the Schindler family has preserved the memory of the late Holocaust survivor Rose Schindler by creating a hologram of her that can answer questions from students or other audience members. [SDJW staff]

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Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Education Program on Antisemitism Incorporates Experiences of Jews of Middle East and North Africa

“In addressing the critical surge in antisemitism, JIMENA develops impactful solutions for public schools nationwide,” added Levin. “These solutions, including this new program, aim to educate about antisemitism’s various manifestations and the experiences of Jews and other religious minorities from North Africa and the Middle East, including Israel. At this crucial time, providing training, countering misinformation about the Middle East, presenting factual information, and proposing solutions related to antisemitism from the Middle East are paramount aspects of JIMENA’s mission.” [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Middle East, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Students walk out at several Chicago schools to demand City Council support cease-fire in Gaza

Published by Chicago Tribune CHICAGO — At about a dozen high schools across the city Tuesday, Chicago Public Schools students held walkouts to demand aldermen vote in favor of a cease-fire resolution scheduled for the City Council on Wednesday. After a contentious delay last week, the vote is expected to be heated. Co-sponsored by Alderman

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israel’s National Security Minister threatens to topple govt over emerging hostage deal

Published by ANI News Tel Aviv [Israel], January 31 (ANI/TPS): Israel’s National Security Minister, Otzma Yehudit Party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, threatened on Tuesday to bring down the government if it reaches a “reckless” hostage deal with Hamas. His tweet came amid apparent progress on an agreement to free the 136 captives remaining in Gaza whom

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

US needs ‘fundamental changes’ before UNRWA funding resumes

Published by Reuters By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United States said on Tuesday that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees needs to make “fundamental changes” before Washington will resume funding that was halted over Israeli accusations that some agency staff took part in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants. U.S. Ambassador to

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International, Middle East, Nordot, USA