By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) – Among the traditional knitted and velvet kippas of those praying at the men’s section of the Western Wall last night, one particular group stood out with their Harley-Davidson leather vests and black bandanas. An Israeli group of Harley-Davidson riders made their annual trip to Jerusalem, as part of the […]
Harley – Davidson riders roar up to Kotel Read More »
Middle EastBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — Mahmoud Abbas, the man who was elected to a 4 year term as president of the Palestinian Authority in 2005 liked it so much he decided to stay on, unelected, for another six years, thereby displaying Palestinian-style democracy. Recently, this ancient occupier of the presidential seat in Ramallah announced
When Abbas goes to the U.N. Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle EastNetanyahu to Putin: goal is ‘no misunderstanding between our forces’ at border (JNS.org) Amid Israeli concern about Russia’s recent military buildup in neighboring Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday. Netanyahu told Putin in public remarks that he was visiting Russia “to clarify our policies, and to
Middle East Roundup: September 21, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle EastBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — A body of rabbis in Israel calling themselves the Sanhedrin recently tried Pope Francis in absentia, for “crimes leading to the mortal endangerment of Israel and the Jewish nation.” What specifically did they claim was his crime, leading them to write that “these actions, to our great dismay, are consistent
Jewish trivia: Sanhedrin and the Pope Read More »
International, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The Temple Mount (to Muslims Noble Sanctuary or Haram al Sharif) has returned to world headlines for God may know how many times, according to Jews, since the time of Solomon. Whatever happened there, and happens now, is a matter of intense concern. It is not a stretch to conclude that it
Temple Mount crux of Arab – Israeli dispute Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–“Hiddush – For Religious Freedom and Equality” is an organization headed by Rabbi Uri Regev, the former president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and, before that, the head of Reform Judaism’s Israel Religious Action Centre. Hiddush regularly surveys the religious preferences of the country’s Jews. The latest poll indicates
Israel’s Progressive Jews now equal Haredim’s numbers Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — In the United States, the question of illegal immigrants, or whatever the politically correct term is this month, is near the top of the list for aspirants to be the Republican or Democratic candidate for president. Though the topic generates headlines, it isn’t an existential issue for Americans,
Declining birthrate, refugee influx may change Europe Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve KramerBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — Anyone reading the foreign press about the rioting taking place on the Temple Mount might imagine that Jews were running amok in Jerusalem. Nothing could be further from the truth. The violence derives from the provocative actions of paid volunteers of Islamist extremist groups such as Murabitun and Murabatat who, for
Muslim extremists prompt Temple Mount unrest Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–There’s more to religious divisions in Israel than those between Orthodoxy and Liberal (Conservative and Reform) Judaism. There’re also many opposing forces within Orthodoxy: Ashkenazim and Sephardim; Hasidim and their opponents; Zionists and anti-Zionists. Yet they’re together in the Knesset and currently all in the government. In recent years, however, yet
A new schism in Israeli Orthodoxy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastDeclassified CIA report: Israeli offensive in Six-Day War surprised U.S. (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) A newly declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report sheds new light on how the U.S. intelligence community viewed the outbreak of the 1967 Six-Day War, suggesting American officials were surprised by the clashes. “Hostilities began early this morning,” reads the
Middle East Roundup: September 18, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — An American cousin sent me a link to the PBS documentary, 1913: Seeds of Conflict, and asked if it was a fair and accurate presentation. I clicked, and received a message, “We’re sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to right restrictions.” The Internet being what it
Arab – Jewish holy-day battles have many precedents Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–The received wisdom of many pundits is that Jerusalem should be the last item in any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, because it’s such a thorny issue. Professor Moshe Amirav of the Hebrew University believes that it must be the first item – precisely because it’s the most difficult
Is Vatican City a model for Temple Mount? Read More »
Middle EastIceland’s capital city votes to boycott all Israeli products (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, voted to boycott all products made in Israel. According to a symbolic bill passed in a majority vote by the municipality, the city will not purchase any products manufactured in Israel, whether within or beyond the 1967
Middle East Roundup: September 17, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East‘You won’t let us have a vote. You won’t let us have a debate.’ – Sen. Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina) By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA –Republicans could have done more to save Israel from presumed destruction, after all. His protestations to the contrary, Lindsey Graham and his 53 fellow Republicans could have easily launched
Iran issue points again to need to end filibusters Read More »
Middle East, USA