U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s admonishment of Israeli settlements on Wednesday did not sit well with a key member of his own party: incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. The Obama administration’s decision to harangue Israel for allegedly complicating the Middle East peace process angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the 70-minute speech […]
While much of the world has been celebrating an extended Christmas weekend, events in Israel have left many heads spinning. To put it all into perspective, one has to start from the end. On December 28, many Israeli news outlets reported that the Israel’s attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, has approved the interrogation of Prime Minister
Tel Aviv Diary: Why Netanyahu Is Lashing Out at Obama Read More »
Middle East, USABy JT – Dec 29,2016 – Last updated at Dec 29,2016 AMMAN — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday in Ramallah received Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, who handed him an invitation from His Majesty King Abdullah to attend the Arab summit in March. Judeh conveyed King Abdullah’s greetings to Abbas and
Abbas invited to Arab summit Read More »
Middle EastPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that he is willing to restart peace negotiations with Israel if Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government halts all construction of settlements in the West Bank. His call came after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s final, major speech on the Middle East in which he criticized both sides of the
Abbas: Stop Building and Peace Talks Will Resume Read More »
International, Middle East, USAUnder plea bargain, Yona Metzger will reportedly confess to slew of corruption charges in exchange for reduced prison sentence By Times of Israel staff Former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzger seen at the Jerusalem District Court during his corruption trial on July 21, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) Former Ashkenazi chief rabbi Yona Metzger has reportedly
Ex-chief rabbi to plead guilty in NIS 10m. fraud case — report Read More »
Middle EastBE’ER SHEVA, ISRAEL (Press Release)—Yad Sarah, Israel’s largest volunteer-led organization, has announced the opening of a Family Center in the western Negev to treat victims and offer counseling and anger management groups for perpetrators of domestic violence. It is the second location for the program, which has been widely recognized for its success in addressing
Yad Sarah to fight domestic abuse in the Negev Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Following is the text of a speech on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that outgoing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivered on Wednesday: SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Thank you. (Coughs.) Excuse me. Thank you for your patience, all of you. For those
Text of John Kerry’s Middle East speech Read More »
Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Wednesday, Dec. 28, issued its top 10 list of manifestations of anti-Semitism that have afflicted Jewish communities across the United States and around the world in 2016. The past year saw the volume of anti-Semitic cyberhate elevated to unprecedented levels. The ADL list included Jewish
ADL tells 10 worst examples of anti- Semitism Read More »
International, Middle East, USAPart of stone structure dating from time of First Temple was reduced to mud due to heavy rainfall, burying five ancient gravestones By Times of Israel staff Collapsed wall in Tel Dan dating to First Temple era, 27 December, 2016 (Zvika Tzuk, Israel Parks and Nature Authority) Part of a Biblical-era wall in the Tel
Biblical-era Tel Dan wall collapses as storms hit northern Israel Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastPresident-elect Donald Trump criticized President Obama’s treatment of Israel Wednesday, urging Israel to “stay strong” until he takes office next month and accusing the president of erecting “roadblocks” to a smooth transition. “We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter. “They used to have
Trump urges Israel to ‘stay strong,’ blasts Obama for U.N. vote Read More »
Middle East, USAFor decades, presidential candidates have promised to move the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, acknowledging the importance many Israelis place on the city as the heart of the country. Each time, when in office, the president changed course, recognizing that such a move would undermine U.S. ability to promote the Arab-Israeli
Hidden Dangers of Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem Read More »
International, Middle East, USAWhen the U.N. Security Council passed its resolution Friday denouncing Israel’s presence in territories it captured in 1967, many ambassadors broke out in applause. The decision, they believed, would deter Israel from further settlement building, advance the peace process, and help achieve a two-state solution. The Middle East and the world would benefit. But, sadly,
U.N. Drives Stake Into Israeli-Palestinian Peace Hopes Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Barry Shaw HERZLIYA, Israel — One of the false mantras of the so-called Palestinian leadership and their BDS supporters is that they are being ethnically cleansed by the brutal Zionist occupiers. This despite that the Arab population is increasing by leaps and bounds and thanks to Israel their health and medical care has improved
Ethnic cleansing? That’s what Arabs did to the Jews! Read More »
Barry Shaw, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Richard L. Cravatts BOSTON, Massachusetts — The shameful and morally-incoherent December 23rd Resolution 2334 by the UN Security Council demanding that “Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” also includes careless language that proclaims that Israeli settlements, which are “dangerously imperiling the viability of the
U.N. vote ignores true global law Read More »
International, Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts