Things for President Donald Trump back home might be rocky—what with an investigation into his administrations ties to Russia and a controversy over his firing of former FBI Director James Comey—but that didn’t mean he couldn’t take a nice dance break Saturday during his first overseas trip as leader of the free world. Trump danced—or […]
Donald Trump Danced With Saudi Sword Dancers (Kind Of) Read More »
Middle East, USAIn the absence of any substantial political rivals, escalating corruption probes into the conduct of Benjamin Netanyahu present the most significant threat to his eight-year tenure as Israel’s prime minister and highlight the controversial connections between the country’s politicians, media and businessmen. Israel’s political elite has frequently been the focus of corruption allegations in recent
Israel’s Netanyahu Under Pressure as Probes Gather Pace Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Reform/Liberal/Progressive (henceforth Progressive) Judaism often reaches Jews that other movements don’t get to. This may not apply to the United States and a handful of other comparatively large Diaspora communities, but it’s definitely true of countries where there’re a few Jews and where the traditional congregations are too insecure
Welcoming Jews on the periphery Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USARiyadh (dpa) – Saudis took to social media on Saturday to praise US President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, with at least one proposing marriage in a video posted on Twitter. Wearing a long-sleeved, black-and-white dress with no head scarf, Ivanka landed in the Saudi capital on Saturday morning as part of Trump’s visit to the
Social media frenzy as Ivanka Trump steals hearts of young Saudis Read More »
Middle East, USAThe first two years of the Narendra Modi government seemed like a series of unending picture postcard moments as New Delhi engaged the three world capitals that matter the most-Washington, Beijing and Islamabad. One, a distant strategic partner, and the other two, neighbouring strategic challenge and security nightmare. So there was Prime Minister Modi and
India’s goal-oriented foreign policy unafraid to punch above its weight Read More »
International, Middle EastRiyadh (dpa) – US President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salman discussed Syria, oil and arms on Saturday, as Trump received a lavish welcome in the Saudi capital Riyadh to kick off his first international trip as president. In a short chat after having the traditional coffee with cardamom, both leaders talked about oil, natural
Trump discusses Syria, arms with Saudi king amid lavish welcome Read More »
Middle East, USAMonsignor Hugh O’Flaherty was wanted for saving hundreds of Jews in Rome during elaborate disguised operations that earned him the name ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’ By Michael Riordan DUBLIN — As the Gestapo surrounds the palace of an Italian anti-Fascist aristocrat, an Irish priest dashes to the cellar. He is wanted by the Nazis for his role
The unbelievable heroic story of Ireland’s overlooked ‘Oscar Schindler’ Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastTEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani won re-election by a comfortable margin over his main arch-conservative challenger, buoyed by high voter turnout, according to official results. The Iranian Interior Ministry said Rouhani won 56.9 percent of the vote, compared with 38.6 percent for his closest rival, former Attorney General Ebrahim Raisi. Two other candidates also…
Rouhani re-elected Iranian president comfortably Read More »
Middle EastRIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The United States completed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia totaling $110 billion Saturday as President Donald Trump seeks to strengthen economic and security ties with one of the world’s largest energy producers. The agreement, which will take effect immediately, is the largest single arms deal in U.S. history and will
Trump says big Saudi arms deal is a job producer Read More »
Middle East, USABy Steve Kramer ALFEI MENASHE, Israel — June 5–10, 1967, (earlier this year according to the Hebrew calendar) is the most consequential period in the history of modern Israel except for May 14, 1948, when David Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s independence. In the midst of this six-day period, Jerusalem Day marks the 50th anniversary of the
Jerusalem Day Celebrates Israel’s Sovereignty Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Steve KramerUS First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday stepped off Air Force One conservatively dressed in long sleeves and pants to conform to the strict dress code that Saudi Arabia enforces for its female citizens. But one thing was missing: a head scarf. Instead, Melania Trump’s below-the-shoulder brown hair blew freely in the breeze at King
US First Lady Melania Trump skips headscarf in Saudi Arabia Read More »
Middle East, USAPresident Donald Trump isn”t ruling out having Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu join him during his visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, despite a statement by National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster on Tuesday that “no Israeli leaders” would be accompanying the president. In an interview with Israel Hayom published Friday morning, the president said
Trump: I’m not ruling out visiting Western Wall with Netanyahu Read More »
Middle East, USAPresident Trump will leave Washington on Friday kicking off his nine-day trip with a flight to Saudi Arabia. On Monday, the president will fly to Israel for a two-day visit, followed by a visit in the Vatican on Tuesday. Joining the president for his trip are his Orthodox Jewish daughter, Ivanka, and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner fly to Saudi Arabia – on Shabbat Read More »
Middle East, USAThe cabinet is expected to approve next week the proposal of Housing and Construction Minister Yoav Galant, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and Deputy Housing and Construction Minister Jackie Levy to build an elevator and underground passages to make the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem more accessible. The complex
Elevator to be built at Western Wall Plaza Read More »
Middle East, Travel and Food