By Karen McDonough/JNS.org When Mark Rosenblatt touched down at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv April 5 and powered on his cell phone, he got the surprise of his mobile technology life. Rosenblatt received a text message from his cell phone carrier, Verizon, reading, “Welcome to Palestine.” “I did a double take,” said Rosenblatt, a […]
Verizon calls Israel ‘Palestine’ Read More »
Middle EastRabbi brutally attacked in Ukraine last fall has died of his injuries (JNS.org) Rabbi Menachem Mendel Deitsch, who was badly beaten in a vicious attack and robbery in Ukraine last October, died April 15 from his wounds, Chabad announced Sunday. He will be remembered for his efforts in strengthening Jewish life in France, Israel and
Middle East Roundup: April 17, 2017 Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There are both big and little issues in politics, and they compete to determine what we think and how we vote. The big things get the headlines: war, hopes of peace, economic crises, large scale migration, natural disasters, major projects that cost a great deal and promise huge benefits, and personal
The bubble machine at work near you Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAALEPPO, Syria — She had already lost her eldest son, Jamal, a Syrian soldier killed in action three years ago. He was 25. Her family endured two years of shortages of food, water, medicine and other essentials — along with frequent shelling — in her hometown of Fuah, which has been the target of a
These Syrians were finally being evacuated to safety. That’s when the bomb went off Read More »
Middle EastTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared victory in Sunday’s constitutional referendum granting him sweeping powers. But the opposition has challenged the razor thin poll victory. “Today, Turkey has taken a historic decision,” Erdogan told reporters at his official Istanbul residence, the Huber Palace. “With the people, we have realised the most important reform in our
TURKEY – Erdogan hails ‘historic’ referendum victory, opposition cries foul Read More »
Middle EastSpecial boat, elite divers dispatched on fifth day of search for young men swept away from shore By Times of Israel staff Police search for three youths who went missing on the Sea of Galilee on April 16, 2017. (Police spokesperson) The navy sent a specialized search ship and an elite team of divers Sunday
Navy joins search for 3 missing on Sea of Galilee Read More »
Middle EastOver 25,000 Jews visited the Patriarchs’ city of Hevron over Pesach (Passover). The visitors toured various historical sites in the city, enjoyed the “Lagaat Banetzach” (literally, “to touch eternity”) exhibit, and were even able to visit rarely-open sites, such as the grave of the first Biblica Judge, Otniel ben Knaz and the ancient “Kasbah” neighborhood.
25,000 Jews celebrate Passover in the Patriarchs’ city Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Jeremy Ben-Ami WASHINGTON, D.C — I was horrified by the chemical weapons assault in Syria several weeks ago on innocent civilians and children — the latest example of the Assad regime’s brutal war on its own people. We’ve all been considering the wisdom, effectiveness and propriety of the American retaliatory missile strike on a Syrian
J-Street: U.S. needs thought- out Syria policy Read More »
Middle East, USAPetitioners call for Taba Crossing to be reopened before end of Passover, citing Basic Law on human dignity and liberty By Times of Israel staff The Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt (Yossi Zamir/Flash90) The High Court was set to convene on Sunday to hear a petition for the Taba crossing into Egypt to
High Court to rule on allowing Israelis into Sinai Read More »
Middle EastWith the deadline approaching, more than 1,300 candidates have registered to run for the presidency in Iran, according to local media . But there are two key players who are stealing all the headlines. Current president Hassan Rouhani, a moderate who is seeking is second four-year term, and hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi. The vote is
More than 1,000 register to run for presidency in Iran Read More »
Middle EastBeny Steinmetz’s mining company files a suit against the Jewish-American philanthropist, accusing him of trying to sabotage his mineral interests in Guinea By Times of Israel staff George Soros speaks at the Festival of Economics in Trento, Italy in 2012. (Wikimedia Commons, Niccolò Caranti, CC BY-SA 3.0) A mining company owned by one of Israel’s
Billionaire vs. billionaire: Israel’s Steinmetz sues Soros Read More »
International, Middle East, USADamascus (dpa) – At least 24 people were killed on Saturday in a car bombing near a convoy of buses carrying evacuees from two pro-regime villages in northern Syria, a monitor reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that dozens of others were injured in the explosion on the western edge of the northern
Monitor: At least 24 killed in car bomb hitting evacuees in Syria Read More »
Middle EastIstanbul (dpa) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aims to convene government officials to review the future of Turkey’s relationship with Europe following a key referendum on presidential powers this weekend. Erdogan told state-broadcaster TRT on Friday that Turkey, a candidate country to join the European Union, had been unduly left waiting outside the bloc. “Turkey
Erdogan says Turkey will review relations with Europe after vote Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer ALFEI MENASHE, Israel — I have heard the following platitude ad nauseam: “It is presumed that Israel will retain high Jewish population centers in the West Bank, known as the blocs, in any final status agreement for a two-state solution with the Palestinians.” Who says this? Nearly every Western diplomat, wire service,
Israel has no credible peace partner Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer