By Edwin Black UNITED NATIONS, New York–While I was speaking to the packed room, a woman I did not know, sitting in the front row, slowly shook her tear-stained head in disbelief and muttered softly … barely audible … “I never thought I would hear these words in this building.” The woman, it turns out, […]
The Farhud–Holocaust in Arab lands–marked at U.N. Read More »
Edwin Black, International, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — Yochanan Gol looks at his uncle’s tombstone in dismay. A huge black burnt circle marks his grave, remnants of a torching that has blacked out the date of his birth and passing. “This is the new tombstone that I had just purchased to replace the original that they smashed into
Vandalism continuous at Jerusalem cemetery Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Minister of Culture Miri Regev and spokespeople of Israeli culture have been several days in the headlines, shouting at one another and past one another. Those claiming to speak for the better things are accusing the Minister of censorship. The Minister is saying that writers, artists, playwrights, and actors can say and
Criticism okay, messing with the economy isn’t Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastEgypt appoints first ambassador to Israel in three years (JNS.org) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has appointed Egypt’s first ambassador to Israel in three years, marking a possible sign of continued warming relations between the two Mideast powers. The new ambassador, Hazem Khairat, previously served as Egypt’s envoy to the Arab League and Chile. Egypt
Jewish news briefs: June 22, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Verdi’s Requiem is not often performed in Israel. It requires a massive choir, an accomplished and enormous orchestra with augmented brass section, and four top-flight vocal soloists. In addition, it should be performed in an auditorium that can cope with the wide range of volume, tone and timbre
Verdi in Herzliya a triumph Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Politics is the essence of civilization. It’s the way to solve issues via dispute, voting, and compromise without bloodshed. It need not be dispassionate. Issues are important, and at times pressing. However, it is easy to exaggerate the tensions that erupt, seize headlines, excite threats of retribution, and then disappear
When political views go over the edge Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USANetanyahu slams U.N. ‘hypocrisy’ after Ban Ki-moon criticizes Gaza operation (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “dark day” for the United Nations following U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s criticism of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge against the Hamas terrorist group. During a U.N. Security Council meeting on Thursday relating to
Jewish news briefs: June 19, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — One of the bitter ironies of contemporary Israel is that some of the Jews who claim to be the most ardent defenders of the Jewish faith, the Jewish people and the Jewish way of life – the ultra-Orthodox – behave like the non-Jewish thugs who still try to make life
Israel must protect churches, mosques from thugs Read More »
Middle EastHow effective is the BDS movement? By Michael Ordman NETANYA, Israel — One of my readers suggested that I write another anti-boycott article. So I just took excerpts from Israel’s positive news over the last 3 weeks and will let you make up your minds as to whether or not there is a boycott. The
Positively Israel ~ June 18, 2015 Read More »
Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — In honor of Ramadan, which began on Wednesday evening, June 17, food vouchers totaling 1 million NIS will be provided to 2,600 needy families in the Arab community by the International Fellowship of Christian and Jews (IFCJ), headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. Welfare departments throughout 69 municipalities, which the IFCJ provides assistance to on
Food distributed to Arabs in Israel for Ramadan Read More »
Middle EastScience minister eyes sending first Israeli female astronaut to space (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Science, Technology and Space Minister Danny Danon has asked the Israel Space Agency (ISA) to begin searching for the first female Israeli astronaut to be sent to space. Danon’s quest comes 12 years after the first Israeli astronaut of any
Jewish news briefs: June 18, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The Druze are part of the religious/ethnic/cultural mosaic that makes the Middle East a fascinating and dangerous place. There ought to be a sign wherever outsiders may enter the region. One line should read, Enter at your risk. Another line should read, Enter at our risk. Several American Presidents have
Israeli Druze plead for Israel to help Syrian brethren Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAKing David-era inscription pieced together from broken jug (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) A rare inscription dating back to the 10th century BCE, the estimated time of Jewish Kings David and Solomon, has recently been pieced together from fragments of a 3,000-year-old broken jar that were discovered near Israel’s Elah Valley. Letters in an ancient Canaanite
Jewish news briefs: June 17, 2015 Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Anav Silverman HAIFA, Israel (Tazpit) – Over 150 leading medical researchers, healthcare policy makers and philanthropists gathered last week at northern Israel’s leading medical center, Ramban Hospital, for the “From Vision to Reality” summit. Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, world-renowned geneticist Mary-Claire King and Mariita and George Feldenkreis of Miami, chairman
Peres: Israeli medicine helps peace efforts Read More »
Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education