TEHRAN, Iran — A historic high-rise in the heart of Tehran caught fire and collapsed Thursday in a giant cloud of smoke, killing dozens of firefighters who were battling the blaze, Iranian news media reported. At least 50 firefighters were killed in the collapse of the 17-story Plasco building, a symbol of modernity that was […]
50 firefighters killed in Iran as burning high-rise collapses Read More »
Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The conference for peace between Israel and the Palestinians initiated by the French government that took place on January 15 in Paris was positive in many ways. The concluding declaration that collectively emerged pointed out the need to establish a Palestinian state as a prerequisite to peace and stability, urged
Reviving the two-state peace discussion Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastHAIFA, Israel (Press Release) — Where do insects go in winter? A new study published in the prestigious journal Science found that flying insects migrate on a seasonal basis. This movement constitutes the largest migration found in today’s world, creating a mass that is almost eight times that of birds that migrate from Britain to Africa.
Not only snowbirds head south in winter. Insects too Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We ShareA Senate committee on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved James N. Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, according to The Los Angeles Times. Mattis thus became the first of Trump’s Cabinet picks to clear the crucial hurdle. The GOP-led Senate Armed Services Committee voted 26-1 in favor of Mattis on Wednesday, according to the
Senate committee confirms Trump’s Defense Secretary Read More »
Middle East, USAIraqi forces battling so-called Islamic State (IS) fighters this week made a grim discovery in a Mosul neighborhood, confirming reports from 2014 that the group had leveled the shrine that is said to have housed the tomb of the prophet Jonah, a key figure in the Judaic, Christian and Islamic religions. “Counterterrorism forces liberated Nabi
Iraqi Forces Say IS Destroyed Historic Tomb of Jonah in Mosul Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Richard L. Cravatts BOSTON, Massachusetts — In early December, a bipartisan Congressional bill, H.R. 6421/S. 10, the “Antisemitism Awareness Act,” took on a long-overdue task, namely, increasing “understanding of the parameters of contemporary anti-Jewish conduct and will assist the Department of Education in determining whether an investigation of anti-Semitism under title VI is
Israel haters try to shift blame for campus anti-Semitism Read More »
Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USASpeaking at the World Economic Conference in Davos, outgoing US Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs John Kerry accused Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of unilaterally sabotaging any opportunity of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. “You’re affecting the ability to make peace,” Kerry said. “You’re changing the peace map, and you’re doing it unilaterally.
Kerry: Netanyahu unilaterally changing peace map Read More »
Middle East, USAAntonio Tajani who served in recent years as the deputy and acting president of the European Parliament was chosen Tuesday to serve as president of the European parliament. 63-year-old Tajani defeated his left-wing rival by a significant margin and will serve for the next 2.5 years in place of Martin Schultz who served the two
‘True friend and lover of Israel’ elected EU president. Read More »
International, Middle EastAyman Odeh claims residents of Umm al-Hiran accepted a compromise hours before deadly violence erupted By Stuart Winer MK Ayman Odeh (center) of the Joint List and other Arab Israeli leaders stand at the scene of a riot in the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran, where he was injured, on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 (courtesy)
Top Arab MK says Netanyahu nixed deal, sparking Bedouin village clash Read More »
Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — By all accounts, power breeds insecurity, at times even paranoia. The longer a person holds on to power the more fearful does s/he become of suspected machinations by ostensibly loyal colleagues and, to an even greater extent, criticism in the media. Though we hear very little about attempts within
Netanyahu and the Israeli media Read More »
Middle EastOpposition leader Herzog eulogizes ‘one of the greatest leaders of the Jewish people in recent generations,’ who died last year at 93 By Marissa Newman Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the plenary session in honor of the late former president Shimon Peres at the Knesset, on January 16, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) At a memorial
At Peres memorial, Netanyahu says peace won’t come ‘from above’ Read More »
Middle EastPresident Reuven Rivlin met Tuesday afternoon with US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro two days before Shapiro is to step down. President Rivlin thanked Ambassador Shapiro for his work on behalf of the US-Israel relationship. “Mr. Ambassador, it is a farewell party. Nevertheless we know thatwe will meet you many times as one who will
President Rivlin meets with Ambassador Shapiro for last time Read More »
Middle East, USACairo (dpa) – The United Nations said Tuesday it was appalled by the execution of three men convicted in a deadly attack on police in Bahrain. “We are appalled at the execution by firing squad of three men in Bahrain on Sunday,” UN human rights commissioner spokesman Rupert Colville said in a statement. The executions
UN ‘appalled’ at Bahrain’s execution of three prisoners Read More »
International, Middle EastTzachi Hanegbi rejects annexation bids, says Israel should focus on retaining settlement blocs in final agreement By Raphael Ahren MK Tzachi Hanegbi during a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on March 15, 2016 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) The new US administration and its pro-Israel positions could make the Palestinians more amenable
Likud minister: Trump could edge Palestinians toward peace Read More »
Middle East, USA