‘We build in Jerusalem,’ Netanyahu says after Jerusalem Day (JNS.org) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said he has a “clear position” that the Israeli government will “build in Jerusalem.” “I ordered the construction of the Har Homa neighborhood, and today there are tens of thousands of residents there, making it a city within a […]
Jewish news briefs: May 19, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Psychologists and psychiatrists have defined the outburst of mystical ecstasy and identification with our ancient city as a known phenomenon that sometimes even requires hospitalization or sedation of the person affected. It has a distant echo in the sense of awe that occasionally envelops visitors to Florence, but no
The ‘Jerusalem syndrome’ and holiday bullying Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastMortar shell fired from Syria explodes in Israel’s Golan Heights (JNS.org) A mortar shell fired from Syria exploded in the Alonei Habashan area of Israel’s Golan Heights on Sunday night. No injuries or damage were reported in the latest spillover of the Syrian civil war into Israel. In recent days, there has been intense fighting
Jewish news briefs: May 18, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter of condolences to the Levinger family on the passing of the late leader Rabbi Moshe Levinger, who was known for his life work in establishing the modern Jewish community of Hebron and as one of the founder of the Gush Emunim settlement
Netanyahu, Rivlin eulogize Rabbi Levinger Read More »
Middle East
Speech by Tony Klug Delivered 29 April 2015 BATH, England — I am delighted to be here at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, in such elegant surroundings and distinguished company. My appreciation to everyone involved for the invitation and thank you all for coming. I hope this doesn’t sound too discourteous, but I want
European offers plan to force Israel’s hand Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–Yehuda Amichai, one of Israel’s great poets with a particular attachment to Jerusalem, has written: “The air over Jerusalem is saturated with prayers and dreams like the air over cities with heavy industry. It’s hard to breathe.” Many of us thrive in this heavy air. By contrast, the pollution that’s really
Peace will require some division of Jerusalem Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of Israel tend to use their “Israel is the center of the universe” prism to refract events in the region. But sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. The New York Times, Foreign Policy magazine, and others to the contrary, the document released this week by a joint
Vatican pact with P.A. intended to protect Christians Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Barry Shaw JERUSALEM – The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs staged a highly successful event at the 5th Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism in Jerusalem between 12-14 May. Delegates from around the world gathered to hear an impressive array of speakers, led by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The conference was intense. Even the lunches
Anti- Semitism and the question of Palestine Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle EastPalestinian driver admits to car-ramming attack in Judea and Samaria (JNS.org) A 22-year-old Palestinian man confessed to intentionally driving into a bus stop outside the Jewish community of Alon Shvut in Judea and Samaria on Thursday. The Shin Bet security agency said that Muhammed Arfaaya of Hebron, who injured four Israelis ages 16-25 in the
Jewish news briefs: May 15, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — I’m among those who had a sleepless night between Thursday and Friday because of Binyamin Netanyahu, the old/new Prime Minister of Israel. He was due to present his new government to the Knesset at 7p.m. local time. However, the event was postponed for a couple of hours because he was
Israel’s new coalition may not last long Read More »
Middle EastFour Israelis wounded in Gush Etzion in latest car-ramming attack (JNS.org) Four Israelis ages 16-25 were injured Thursday when a car drove into a bus stop outside the Jewish community of Alon Shvut in Judea and Samaria. A Palestinian suspect from Hebron was arrested in connection with the attack, according to reports. Israel Radio reported
Jewish news briefs: May 14, 2014 Read More »
International, Middle East, USAPalestinian Fatah official to be jailed over incitement on Facebook (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court set a legal precedent on Tuesday by ruling that inflammatory statements expressed on Facebook constitute grounds for a criminal conviction. Omar Shalabi, 44, the secretary-general of the Palestinian Fatah party’s Jerusalem branch and a resident of the
Jewish news briefs: May 13, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The political parties with a new lease on the title of “opposition” are doing what is expected, criticizing the Prime Minister and his colleagues for what they are proposing or likely to propose. The more demagogic of opposition pols are operating at full tilt, aiming especially at the Prime Minister’s
Extra ministries are price of stable government Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastNetanyahu coalition passes first test as Knesset votes to expand Israeli cabinet (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) After a raucous five-hour debate on Monday, the Israeli Knesset voted 61-59 in favor of an amendment that would enable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new coalition government to have 20 cabinet ministers instead of 18. Monday marked the first
Jewish news briefs: May 12, 2015 Read More »
International, Middle East, USA