Within the context of the fires currently raging around Israel, Chief Rabbi of Tzfat Shmuel Eliyahu was asked how one should behave, according to Jewish law, should one encounter an Arab starting a fire on Shabbat – or any other day of the week. Jewish law forbids Jews from extinguishing fires on Shabbat – unless […]
‘It is a mitzvah to break Shabbat to stop an arsonist’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastTel Aviv (dpa) – Wildfires in Israel, some of which are believed to have been caused by arson, have spread further, injuring at least three seriously and many others moderately. Authorities said Saturday three people were seriously injured as the blaze took hold over buildings in a Jewish settlement on the West Bank. Several others
Israel fires spread, worsen in West Bank as three seriously injured Read More »
Middle EastPalestinian firefighters have deployed to help their Israeli counterparts combat raging wildfires across Israel, as authorities arrested 12 people within the past 48 hours on suspicion of arson. At least two teams of Palestinian firefighters deployed to Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, after wildfires sparked the evacuation of the city’s university, Israeli police officer Micky Rosenfeld
Palestinian Firefighters Deploy To Quell Israeli Fires Read More »
Middle EastIstanbul (dpa) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Europe on Friday that Turkey can open its borders with the European Union and allow refugees to cross if it provokes Ankara further. The comments come a day after the European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority to suspend talks with Ankara on its bid to join
Erdogan warns EU he can open border crossings to refugees Read More »
International, Middle EastAn Egyptian security official says the death toll from the previous night’s militant attack in Sinai, which included a suicide car bombing, has reached 11. No one has claimed responsibility for the assault, in which eight troops were initially reported killed. The official says three more slain soldiers were found on Friday morning outside the
Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai checkpoint car bomb Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The headline in the paper one morning made me shudder. It reported that Israel’s Minister of Education, Naftali Bennet, had proclaimed that it was more important to focus on Jewish studies in schools than on math and science subjects. Admittedly, the party that Bennet represents, Jewish Home, stands for
Israel’s secular schools under religious pressure Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — The destruction of property and nature all across the country is beyond belief. Among the latest tragedies in the fires engulfing Israel is the life work of artist Yoram Raanan in Beit Meir, in the hills outside Jerusalem. Last night the moshav was completely evacuated and little remains. What
Fire destroys artist Yoram Raanan’s studio Read More »
Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsThe MDA blood service team arrived at the US embassy where the ambassador Dan Shapiro and other members of his staff donated a total of 40 units of blood. This was not the first time that the ambassador has given blood. He is accustomed to donating blood twice a year and appreciates the important of
US ambassador gives blood for Israel Read More »
Middle EastWith fires raging across Israel, including inside the northern coastal city of Haifa, growing numbers of Israelis believe that many of the blazes were intentionally set – in an attempt by Arabs to take advantage of the dry, windy weather to pursue war against the Jewish state by any means. Among the proponents of this
“This is what ‘coexistence’ looks like” Read More »
Middle EastAttackers make reference to Western Wall struggle; progressive leaders call on government to end incitement against non-Orthodox Jews By Raoul Wootliff Hateful graffiti sprayed on the Kehilat Ra’anan Reform synagogue in Ra’anana, November 24, 2016. (Yossi Cohen) A Reform synagogue in the central Israeli city of Ra’anana was vandalized overnight Wednesday-Thursday in an apparent hate
Ra’anana Reform synagogue vandalized, death threats left with knife Read More »
Middle EastHundreds of people fled their homes in the northern Israeli city of Haifa on Thursday, as reservists were called in to help firefighters struggling to contain rapidly spreading bushfires. Authorities ordered the evacuation of many neighbourhoods as smoke spread over the city. At least 17 people were hospitalised for smoke inhalation with reports that some
Hundreds evacuated as bushfires in northern Israel spread Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There’s a lot more noise than meaningful action in politics. Some are saying that Donald Trump is the best example. Others argue that Benyamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama are close competitors. The vast bulk of government isn’t these stars at the top. They, and the people they appoint, can’t possibly
Rhetoric often fails to lead to government action Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAWith the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, speculation is running high in regard to Washington’s policy on Israeli settlement construction and the future of the Middle East peace process. While many unpredictable variables are in place, one thing is certain—the viability of the two-state solution is at stake.
Donald Trump’s Win Leaves Two-State Solution At Stake Read More »
Middle East, USAThousands evacuated, several homes in south Haifa area destroyed as sharp uptick in winds hampers firefighting efforts By Times of Israel staff Fire fighters work to put out a forest fire near Zichron Yaakov on November 22, 2016. (Meir Vaaknin /Flash90) Hampered by driving winds, firefighters were battling a blaze raging in Zichron Yaakov Wednesday
Fires rage in Zichron Yaakov, Jerusalem-area village Nataf Read More »
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