A new US-backed Kurdish and Arab offensive is underway aimed at retaking the northern city of Raqqa – ISIL’s de facto capital in Syria. The military action increases pressure on the militants at a critical moment with its fighters already battling an assault by Iraqi security forces on their remaining Iraqi stronghold in the city
Operation “Euphrates Anger” underway in Syria Read More »
Middle EastTwo days before the presidential election in the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the weekly cabinet meeting, emphasizing that regardless of the results, America and Israel would remain close allies. “This week elections will be held in the United States. Whoever is elected, the new president, I am convinced that US-Israel relations,
Netanyahu: No matter who wins, US-Israel ties will endure Read More »
Middle East, USAJew in the City, a small site that works to fight stereotypes, has reported an unusual incident: After an Arab woman collapsed on a trans-Atlantic flight, two hasidic Jews came to the rescue and administered first aid. The two hasidim, Beirish Shonbrun and Avraham Meir Miller, both of Kiryat Yoel in New York, were on
Hasidic men save Arab woman on plane Read More »
Middle EastIn recent months, the organization “Tzav 1,” which works to ensure that religious IDF soldiers are able to maintain a religious lifestyle while in the Army, has noted a growing number of complaints from soldiers regarding serious problems in the “kashrut” [kosher status] of kitchens on Army bases. All IDF kitchens are officially supposed to
Kosher status of IDF kitchens increasingly threatened Read More »
Middle EastProtesters have gathered in Istanbul to support the Cumhuriyet journalists arrested in what critics say is another attempt to silence opponents of the Turkish government. The secularist newspaper is one of the few remaining media outlets still critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Founded in 1924, it is the oldest newspaper in Turkey. Turkey’s main
Turkey’s crackdown on journalists and MPs provokes protests Europe-wide Read More »
International, Middle EastRussian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev spoke with Channel 2 about the Israel-Russia relationship. During the interview Medvedev was asked about UNESCO’s decision to deny history and claim Israel has no connection to the Western Wall and other holy places in Jerusalem. “I think this subject has been blown out of proportion. UNESCO has made around
Russian PM makes surprising declaration Read More »
International, Middle EastTel Aviv- As part of his efforts to win the votes of Jews, Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has pledged in a message to Israel and its American backers to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state. The letter was sent in a joint statement from Jason Dov Greenblatt and David Friedman,
Trump Makes Last-Minute Attempt to Lure Jewish Voters Read More »
Middle East, USAThere have been emotional reunions at a refugee camp east of Mosul, as families fleeing ISIL militants come together with their relatives. Some have not seen one another for more than two years. Men, women and children were seen hugging and kissing at the Khazer camp. Thousands of people have left Mosul since Iraqi troops
Battle for Mosul: Iraqi families fleeing ISIL reunited with relatives Read More »
Middle EastFrench police begun Friday a major operation to move thousands of migrants who have living on the streets of northeastern Paris, just over one week after thousands more were moved from a larger camp in Calais. Officers backed by riot police converged early on Friday morning on the streets around Stalingrad subway station, where an
French police clear thousands of migrants living rough on streets of Paris Read More »
International, Middle EastA restoration team has exposed hidden layers of the site known as Jesus’ tomb — for the first time in centuries. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem marks the spot where tradition says Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. At the center of the church is a structure called the Edicule. Inside is
Jesus’ tomb site was just exposed for the first time in centuries Read More »
Middle EastAKKO, Israel (Press Release) — The Akko Tower Wreck has been playing tricks with researchers for over 50 years. The shipwreck was discovered during the first maritime archaeological survey conducted in Israel using remote sensing technology, in 1966, and bears the distinction of being the first shipwreck identified off the coast of Israel. But the
Akko Tower Wreck probably dates to early 19th century Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — I am skeptical of what Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman says as I have judged him only by his actions. For the Palestinians, however, to immediately dismiss what he said in an interview with the Palestinian daily al-Quds—that he supports a two-state solution and would lift Israel’s blockade of Gaza
Lieberman’s Gaza offer deserves testing Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastEvangelical group urges members of the faith to ‘refresh diplomats’ memory’ on Judaism and Christianity’s historical ties to Jerusalem By Times of Israel staff (illustrative photo credit: image of New Testament/Shutterstock) A group of evangelical Christians has called upon members of the faith to mail bibles to UNESCO leadership in Paris in response to the
Christian supporters of Israel plan to flood UNESCO with bibles Read More »
International, Middle East, USATEHRAN, Iran —In an annual rite of anti-Americanism in Iran, thousands gathered Thursday at the site of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran to mark the anniversary of its takeover by student activists in 1979. The demonstrators brought by buses to the former embassy complex included young and old, university students, military staff and employees
Iranians bask in anti-American feeling on anniversary of 1979 US Embassy takeover Read More »
Middle East, USA