With a black velvet kippah, tzitzit, and Hebrew name, Avihai Shanti looks like any other Orthodox Israeli Jewish man. But Shanti”s outward appearance belies his unique story and his journey as an Arab convert from Islam to Judaism. Raised in the southern city of Beer Sheva, has been forced to flee his parent”s home, after […]
Arab convert to Judaism flees home after threats Read More »
Middle EastUnited States Secretary of State John Kerry left Washington on Saturday and headed to Rome, where he will meet Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday and Monday, AFP reported. Some reports have suggested Kerry will use the meeting to assess the possibility of reviving the stalled Israeli-Palestinian Authority (PA) peace process, but many believe the
Kerry leaves for Rome to meet Netanyahu Read More »
Middle East, USAPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday heaped praise on his British counterpart David Cameron, who announced he would resign later this year after Britons voted to leave the European Union despite his campaign to keep it in the bloc. Cameron is a “respected leader and a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people,” Netanyahu
PM praises Cameron as true friend of Israel, Jewish people Read More »
International, Middle EastA few years ago, the Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (Jewish National Fund) introduced the world to a new and different Blue Box. You may remember the old ones: they were blue and white and had Keren Kayemet LeIsrael written on the front in Hebrew. The money you shoved into their slots was sent to the JNF,
Transformed by the train: Jerusalem’s Bak’a neighborhood Read More »
Middle EastPalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday backed away from his claim that rabbis had called to poison Palestinian water, saying he hadn’t intended to offend Jews, after Israel and Jewish groups said his statements were promoting blood libels and anti-Semitic tropes. “After it has become evident that the alleged statements by a rabbi on
Abbas walks back claim rabbis sought to ‘poison’ Palestinian wells Read More »
International, Middle East, USAIsrael and Britain”s relations will not change once Britain leaves the European Union (EU), British ambassador to Israel David Quarrey said on Friday. Speaking to Channel 2 News after UK residents voted to leave the EU in a referendum and Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation, Quarrey said, “The relationship between Britain and Israel
‘Britain-Israel relations will not significantly change’ Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Pauline Kael, a renowned, late film critic for the liberal, weekly New Yorker, once said, “How could Nixon have won? Nobody I know voted for him,” referring to George McGovern’s loss to Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election. Many people in the United Kingdom (UK) and throughout the
Maybe EU will focus now on its own problems Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve KramerPope Francis on Friday described the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide,” a term that Turkey vehemently opposes. He is on a visit to Armenia and, in the capital of Yerevan, addressed the country’s President Serzh Sargsyan. The word “genocide” was added to his prepared text, according
Pope Refers to Armenian ‘Genocide’ in Yerevan Read More »
International, Middle EastThe day after a tumultuous night, the United Kingdom woke up to a Brexit hangover. Months of fractious, even nasty, campaigning came to an end with a result that surprised even Leave voters themselves. It leaves the country and society divided, and in need of healing the deep rifts opened in the wake of the
Brexit Leaves Alarm Bells Ringing in Israel Read More »
International, Middle EastThe European Jewish Congress (EJC) has called on European leaders to condemn Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas” speech to the European Parliament, in which he claimed that Israeli rabbis called to poison Palestinian water and that global terrorism will end if the Israel-Palestinian conflict is resolved. “It is unconscionable that a foreign leader proudly
Abbas’s blood libel ‘a reminder why we have no lasting peace’ Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Back in March, I wrote about the Israeli government agreeing to establish an egalitarian prayer space along the Kotel extension, south of Robinson’s Arch. At that time I wrote: “From now on the State of Israel recognizes three Western Wall prayer areas: Male Orthodox, Female Orthodox, and a
Israeli gov’t backtracks on Kotel promise Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has a consistent ally in his determination to avoid making peace with the Palestinians. The ally is Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority. Abbas’ antics in Brussels this week offer yet another illustration of the
Abbas’s extremism solidifies power of Netanyahu Read More »
International, Middle EastIsrael’s unemployment rate hits all-time low of 4.8% (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The unemployment rates in Israel has hit an all-time low, a new report by the country’s Central Bureau of Statistics said Thursday. The Jewish state’s unemployment rate in May was 4.8 percent, compared to the previous all-time low of 4.9 percent in
Middle East Roundup: June 24, 2016 Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release)– American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) announces a substantial gift of approximately $400 million from the estate of Dr. Howard and Lottie Marcus of San Diego, California. Lottie Marcus died this past December at age 99, just two months short of her 100th birthday, while Howard died in 2014
San Diegans leave $400 million to Ben-Gurion University Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education