Middle East

Prager offers 4 explanations for Jew- hatred

  By Caren Ford and Donald H. Harrison WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California—Radio commentator and print media columnist Dennis Prager says Israel is isolated in world opinion because it is the “Jewish state.” Prager, in an evening address Thursday, Oct. 30, sponsored by the Conejo Jewish Academy, offered four reasons why Jews and the Jewish state are […]

Prager offers 4 explanations for Jew- hatred Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Who converts, who sells newspapers roil Knesset

  By Tzvi Zucker JERUSALEM (Tazpit)–After much political backroom dealing, a highly controversial conversion bill will be enacted by Cabinet decision, instead of becoming law through Knesset vote. MK Elazar Stern (Hatnuah) had proposed a bill to the Knesset that would completely change how conversions were processed in Israel. Among the changes were the kind of

Who converts, who sells newspapers roil Knesset Read More »

Jewish Religion, Middle East

Ban Jews from Temple Mount, Arab areas?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Politics is the essence of civilization, It’s the ideal way to deal with inevitable disagreements. Lots of argument, then voting (either mass electorate or within a governmental forum) and accepting the results.. Until the next opportunity to argue and vote. Criticism is welcome, and essential. All this separates the civilized from those

Ban Jews from Temple Mount, Arab areas? Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Tensions escalate in Glick shooting aftermath

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Police statistics were showing a decline in the incidence of violence associated with Jerusalem until a Palestinian activist took upon himself a motorcycle shooting of Yehuda Glick. The immediate response was celebrations in Arab sections of Jerusalem, followed by an uptick of violence when the police and their colleagues in other

Tensions escalate in Glick shooting aftermath Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Kerry wants religious status quo at Temple Mount

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement concerning the aftermath to the shooting of Temple Mount advocate  Rabbi Yehudah Glick by a Palestinian terrorist on Wednesday, Oct. 29: “I strongly condemn yesterday’s shooting of a U.S. citizen outside the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem. My thoughts and prayers are

Kerry wants religious status quo at Temple Mount Read More »

Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Chinese investors laud Israel’s high tech

By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — One of Israel’s most influential business meetings, the 12th Go4Israel Conference, was held this week on Tuesday, October 27, at the Hilton Tel Aviv, and paid particular attention to China. Over 1,000 participants took part in the conference including international and local entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders. “The conference reflects

Chinese investors laud Israel’s high tech Read More »

International, Middle East

Netanyahu: Abbas partly responsible for Glick shooting

JERUSALEM (WJC) — Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that incitement by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was partly to blame for the shooting of a Temple Mount activist a night earlier. Netanyahu convened a meeting of top security officials on Thursday morning, a day after Rabbi Yehudah Glick, a prominent activist for Jewish

Netanyahu: Abbas partly responsible for Glick shooting Read More »

Middle East

AJC: Sweden’s recognition of Palestine a disservice

NEW YORK (Press Release)– The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has called Sweden’s recognition of the “State of Palestine” an act of empty symbolism that will not advance the peace process. “Sweden’s misguided act will further complicate the quest for peace by telling the Palestinians they can skip the negotiating table with Israel, while telling Israel

AJC: Sweden’s recognition of Palestine a disservice Read More »

International, Middle East, USA

Bibi vs. Barack: How important are leaders’ friendships?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It approached the mythic stories of conflict between giants. Or maybe between a giant and a midget, or David and Goliath. Perhaps just a street brawl among ruffians. Whatever image, and whoever is defined as giant, midget, David, Goliath or a ruffian, it occupied the pundits until a shooting of a

Bibi vs. Barack: How important are leaders’ friendships? Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Youth may now apply for Bronfman Fellowships

ALBANY, New York (Press Release)–Applications are now being accepted for the 29th year of the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel (BYFI) .  The Bronfman Fellowships selects 26 outstanding North American teenagers for a rigorous academic year of seminars including a free, five-week trip to Israel between the summer of Fellows’ junior and senior years of high school.

Youth may now apply for Bronfman Fellowships Read More »

Middle East

Jewish officials decry insults in Israel, U.S. relations

NEW YORK (Press Release)– Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations leaders stated on Wednesday, October 29: “We are deeply concerned by a number of recent public and private criticisms, personal insults and inappropriate characterizations emanating from official sources. These often anonymous, but no

Jewish officials decry insults in Israel, U.S. relations Read More »

Middle East, USA

‘Between Gaza and Berlin’ prompts one to reflect

MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Between Gaza and Berlin Those two place names signify so many different views, concepts and even worlds, seeming to encapsulate the distinct worldviews that are so much a part of our life, here in Israel. In a local and very provincial sense these are the names of two roads in Rechavia, the Jerusalem

‘Between Gaza and Berlin’ prompts one to reflect Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East