By 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, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C–The Senate has passed the Corker-Cardin bill to ensure Congressional oversight of any deal the president concludes with Iran. The vote was 98-1 for language that permits the agreement to become operative unless Congress votes against it. Sen. Tom Cotton was the lone holdout, believing the Senate should have to vote
Iran’s ‘red lines’ make mockery of N- Agreement Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — One day last February I was surfing on the Internet for nothing in particular, just a nice sunny day in Taiwan and I was in the mood for some music. By complete random chance I ended up on a Youtube link listening to one of the most beautiful
Melody made Israeli song’s meaning clear Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)–The American electronic payments company MyECheck has bought Israeli company, Seergate Ltd, which concentrates on electronic payment solutions, for $3 million. The California-based company announced its acquisition of Seergate on Thursday, May 7. The U.S. company, a leader in electronic check solutions for online and mobile payments, bought 100% of Seergate
MyECheck purchases Israeli e-payment company Read More »
Middle East, USABy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — The 2014 Gaza conflict threw up an alarming outburst of anti-Semitism that ranged from personal and collective insults, petty violence, and the targeted murder of European Jews. The phenomenon of rabid demonstrations against Israel turned into the targeting of local Jews under the blanket of anti-Zionism campaigning in support
BDS fans anti- Semitism in Europe, U.S. Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Tzipi Livni has appeared in the media in the last few days. Perhaps she needed to assure us that she’s not about to leave the Zionist Union to join the new Netanyahu government. This may be in response to rumors that the Prime Minister has been fishing among members of
Israel’s opposition more fragmented than government Read More »
Middle East